Tuesday is her name. Yes, we both have equally unique names. Hers is a nickname while mine, Richgail, is its full version strangeness. I guess our mothers were being straight up creative (Tuesday was born on a Tuesday, Richgail is from “rich girl”.)
I met Tuesday one random day at a vegan restaurant called Central Vegetarian in Alameda, California. While having lunch, Chris and I overheard two people conversing in the Tagalog language. To spot a Tagalog-speaking Filipino in a vegan restaurant is as rare as spotting a unicorn. Chris and I debated whether we should come up to their table. Chris thinks it’s intrusive but I didn’t see any harm with saying hello. In the end, he caved and we both approached their table. Tuesday quickly stood up and extended her hand to shake ours. She said hello and introduced us to her friend. As it turns out, Tuesday was just as excited to meet another Filipino vegan.
Fast forward few months after and Tuesday is back in town (she lives in Manila). We’ve scheduled to meet up for lunch to chat.
I picked her up and drove us to Souley Vegan in Oakland.
It was Tuesday’s first time trying vegan soul food so I went ahead and ordered for us.
We got the Southern Fried Tofu plate, which is my default order whenever I’m at this restaurant. It’s a plateful of mixed flavors and textures that complement each other. I wouldn’t have thought of combining these different ingredients into one but it works.
Unfortunately, what didn’t work was their Southern Fried Seitan. I was feeling adventurous when I ordered this but found myself underwhelmed. The seitan lacks flavor and the texture was too tough. Maybe the chef forgot the seasoning? The gravy on top looked like it wanted to save the dish but to no avail. I had to resort to good ol’ table salt. I hope Tuesday wasn’t discouraged from trying out other Souley Vegan dishes if she comes back to this place.
More pics and reviews on Souley Vegan on my previous blogpost.
We then headed to an all vegan grocery store called Layonna’s, in Oakland’s Chinatown. I bought wheat gluten while Tuesday bought vegetable broth. We didn’t get to take any photos, maybe because we were too preoccupied at the moment.
Our last stop was at an all-vegan coffeeshop called Timeless Coffee, also in Oakland. This was my first time checking this place so I was pretty thrilled.
We had saved some room for dessert so we could try their pastries and baked goods. But Timeless Coffee got a big spread of vegan cupcakes and cakes that it was so hard to pick just one.
We finally decided on vegan Twinkies and vegan Thin Mints cupcake, with a cup of black coffee and cup of soy mocha.
Thanks Tuesday for a fun hangout. I’m glad I came up to you at Central Vegetarian months ago. See you in Manila!
Wow, so jealous that there are so many vegan options where you live! And what surprises me even more is that there are a lot of Filipino vegans. I guess since I’ve found your blog I’ve noticed it more and more!
Where are you based? Yeah I’m also starting to meet more and more Filipino vegans especially on Instagram. It’s a small (digital) world we live in.
I’m based out of South Florida, in between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Not a lot of Filipinos around here, and I can’t imagine many vegetarian/vegan ones!
Aww Im pretty sure, when you cook, they will come hehe.
How amazing that you two met! And fantastic that you could meet up again and spend a day enjoying each other’s company and some good (and not so good…) eats.
Thanks! It was a fun time. It’s always nice to make new friends.
heeeeey! what days will you be in manila?
I’m catching the jazon mraz concert on the 14th of may.
Hi Rayni! Sorry for the late reply. It’s gona be 5/6 – 5/24. See you then!
Awesome! Great idea to have a vegan potluck competition in Manila.
Yup, I’m very excited! Planning could be challenging though because I’m only visiting but we’ll see
I’m dying over here. Vegan twinkles?! The southern fried seitan looks amazing too. I am totally craving soul food now. I think its great that you have so many “all vegan” options and even better when you have a friend to tag along with.
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It’s awesome how you met Tuesday! My parents live in the Bay Area, so I go there often. I’m going to check out Timeless Coffee the next time I’m out – vegan coffee shops are rare! There’s a vegan coffee shop in Tustin (Free Soul Cafe) and it’s the only one I’ve ever been to. I wasn’t even sure if others existed. Have fun in the Philippines! Celeste:)