IKEA Veggie Dogs Are Now Available In The U.S.

From Delish

You go to IKEA when you're moving, when you're furnishing a room, and when you want the famous meatballs. Now, there's a new menu item at the IKEA Bistro that'll please customers with a vegetarian preference, and may even be on track to meet the meatballs' wild popularity.

Yesterday, IKEA introduced the veggie hot dog in U.S. locations. The veggie dog was originally added to Malm?, Sweden's IKEA menu on a trial basis, according to Food & Wine. After receiving a 95 percent approval rating though, the veggie dog was destined for global launch. Last month, the veggie dog hit stores in Europe with a successful introduction-over one million have been sold since.

According to an IKEA press release, "Adding the veggie hotdog to the food offer is contributing to IKEA Food's goal to include more plant-based ingredients in the range at affordable prices, and most importantly it is delicious."

The veggie dog is made with a mix of kale, red lentils, carrots, and ginger, per the press release. It has a CO2eq emission/kg that's approximately seven times less than that of a classic hot dog.

Michael La Cour, managing director at IKEA Food Services AB, says, "With the veggie hotdog we cater for the needs of the many people, vegan, vegetarians, flexitarians and all of those who enjoy good tasting food as well as staying true to Ingvar Kamprad's vision and offer a quick, convenient and truly affordable product for all IKEA visitors to enjoy."

Food & Wine reports that while the veggie dog itself and the toppings are animal product-free, the buns may vary depending on IKEA location. So, if you follow a vegan diet, make sure to check with your local store to make sure the bun is indeed vegan.

Many Instagram users seemed thrilled at IKEA's announcement of the veggie dog. One person wrote, "I think at this point you guys are asking me to move in this is amazing". Another said, "This is great! I hope they taste as good as the veggie meatballs. Thx IKEA!"

Others were less enthused. "that looks hideous," one person wrote. "Looks like a turd," said another.

I guess you'll just have to try for yourself and form your own judgement. You might even love it enough to take a veggie dog selfie!

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