Isaw is a popular Filipino street food typically made with chicken or pig parts.  To veganize it, I used oyster mushrooms but with the same marinade to give it the same delicious taste without all the fat. 

I have many Filipino friends tell me it’s difficult to have a plant-based diet as a Filipino since the majority of the dishes are meat-based.  Thankfully in this day of age, it’s actually much easier to become plant-based due to all the ingredients that are offered in the market.

The star ingredient for this recipe is oyster mushrooms which have been around a long time, but I’ve been seeing it a lot of recipes in the past 3 years.

When looking at the final dish, it honestly scared me because it looked like the real thing!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this recipe and continue to stay safe!

Much love!

Tips on How to Make Vegan Isaw:

• If you are avoiding salt, you can use mushroom seasoning. You can find this at your local Asian market or Trader Joes
• If there is too much sticking on the grill, you can brush some oil to it before placing the oyster isaw to grill.
•  Do you love sweet and spicy isaw?  Feel free to add more sugar and chili to the marinade.
• If you do not have coconut oil to add to the marinade, you can use olive oil instead.

How to Make Vegan Isaw:

These are the ingredients that you will need:

Marinade:

• garlic 
• red onion
• vinegar
• soy sauce
• brown sugar
• salt
• pepper
• ketchup
• annatto powder

For the Isaw:

• oyster mushroom
• coconut oil
• bamboo small skewers

To Prepare the Mushroom Marinade:

First, slice the oyster mushroom into strips and add it in a bowl.

Into the same bowl, add all the marinade ingredients: garlic, onion, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper, ketchup, annatto powder and mix.  

 

Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour or until the mushrooms absorb most of the sauce.

Next thread the marinated oyster mushrooms strips in an intestine like pattern and set aside. You can make at about 4 – 6  sticks with this recipe.  

To the remaining marinade mixture, add coconut oil and mix until combined:

To Grill:

Grill the Isaw, brushing it with the leftover marinade for approximately 5-10 minutes or until it turns dark brown. Place Isaw on a grill and grill Isaw until all sides are dark brownish/redish**:

Make sure to grill it evenly on both sides and always check if any side is burned:

Best served with hot rice and vinegar sauce  (sinamak):

Filipinos love grilled isaw any time of the day, especially for lunch and dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Vegan Isaw Recipe:

Q: Where can I buy oyster mushrooms?

A: You can purchase the oyster mushrooms at your local Asian market for an affordable price. I’ve them at Trader Joes at it’s about a couple dollars more.

Q: Can I make this dish a day ahead?

A: Yes, you can marinate the mushrooms overnight and refrigerate it, then follow the rest of the steps to grill.

Q: Would coconut sugar be good to use instead of brown sugar?

A: Yes, for sure. It would taste just as good.

Q: Can other mushrooms be used for this Vegan Isaw recipes?

A: Sure, you can use other mushrooms for this recipe, but to get the traditional Isaw look, oyster mushrooms give the authentic look.

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These Filipino dishes go well with Vegan Isaw:

• Mushroom Chicharon
• Laswa
• Ginataang Puso ng Saging
• Mango Float
• Biko
• Tofo Sisig

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