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Veganuary: The best fast food chains and restaurants in Kent serving vegan options

It's 2020 and among numerous other New Year's resolutions, thousands of people are taking on the challenge of Veganuary.

But a meat and dairy-free diet no longer has to consist of a limited assortment of fruit, vegetables and nuts. From beetballs to imitation chicken burgers, here are some of the tasty vegan treats on offer at fast food chains and restaurants in Kent to get you through the month.

The original recipe vegan burger, KFC
The original recipe vegan burger, KFC

KFC - the original recipe vegan burger

Perfectly timed for the start of Veganuary and ready to satiate fried chicken cravings, KFC launched its vegan burger on Thursday.

The meat-free alternative to the chain's classic chicken fillet burger is made with Quorn, but still coated in the Colonel's iconic blend of 11 herbs and spices.

It's served with vegan mayonnaise and lettuce in a seeded bun and is available at all KFC restaurants in Kent.

The original recipe vegan burger is actually exactly the same as the imposter burger - trialled this time last year - the difference being it's now being launched nationally.

Wagamama - vegan suika tuna

Vegan suika tuna, Wagamama
Vegan suika tuna, Wagamama

If you thought making imitation chicken and steak out of plant matter was mind-blowing, what about fake fish made from melon?

Chefs at Japanese-inspired restaurant chain Wagamama have created a 'vegan tuna' by dehydrating watermelon and searing it in the wok.

Although the look and texture is said to be very similar to raw tuna (sashimi), the flavour remains reminiscent of watermelon.

The unique dish is served with miso sesame wok-fried kale, tenderstem broccoli, avocado edamame and tofu guacamole, and pickled radish on sticky white rice.

It is only available for Veganuary so catch it while you can.

Papa John's - vegan pizza, sides and dessert

Crispy coated cauliflower wings with hot buffalo sauce, Papa John's
Crispy coated cauliflower wings with hot buffalo sauce, Papa John's

With most takeaway pizzas covered in bubbly cheese and sizzling meat, it might've been hard to picture a vegan version a few years ago.

But now, popular brands such as Papa John's don't just offer meat and dairy-free pizzas, but a whole range of sides and desserts.

Pizza options include vegan Sheese and tomato, garden party and hot pepper passion.

You can also get Sheese and Marmite baked dough scrolls, crispy coated cauliflower wings with a hot buffalo sauce dip and potato tots with Sheese and jalapenos.

Finish your meal with caramel and cookie Ben and Jerry's coconut ice cream.

Pizza Express - dough balls, calzone and more

The vegan Giardiniera, Pizza Express
The vegan Giardiniera, Pizza Express

If you'd rather have an evening out instead of cosy-ing up on the sofa, Pizza Express has a range of vegan dishes on offer.

To start, there are dough balls, a baked garlic mushroom or rosemary and garlic flatbread with houmous.

Six pizza varieties include a pepper and aubergine calzone and a goats cheese and caramelised onion pizza (vegan option available) and there is even carrot cake and sorbet for those with a sweet tooth.

Zizzi - beetballs, jackfruit and golden millionaire's slice

Vegan beetball polpette, Zizzi
Vegan beetball polpette, Zizzi

Another popular Italian-inspired chain, Zizzi has lots of tasty, authentic pizza and pasta dishes to choose from - plenty suitable for vegans.

Beetballs replace meatballs for the vegan polpette, oven-baked in a pomodoro sauce with melted Mozzarisella (made with coconut oil).

The rustica Jackfruit Italian hot pizza is worth a try if you're after something quite meaty or try the rich lentil ragù with baby sunblush tomatoes, kale and linguine.

Desserts include the golden millionaire's slice, with layers of salted toffee and indulgent coconut chocolate ganash.

Subway - vegan patty sub

Vegan patty sub, Subway
Vegan patty sub, Subway

Arguably one of the top sandwich-makers on the high street, Subway now also had a tasty vegan patty instead of salami or chicken.

Ingredients include sweet peppers, red onions, spinach, garlic and chilli. It comes in a heart Italian roll, with all the salad options available.

To top it off, there is also a range of vegan-friendly sauces: garlic aioli, mustard and hot chilli to name a few.

Wetherspoon - breakfast and burgers

Meatless Farm burger, Wetherspoon
Meatless Farm burger, Wetherspoon

Spoons is a great place to meet friends for a catch up and and a reasonably-priced pint. And we all know what comes hand in hand with alcohol... cravings for yummy food.

But don't fret, Spoons has got your Veganuary needs covered with the juicy Meatless Farm burger, with fresh, crisp salad, tomato salsa and red onion in a sourdough bun.

It comes with chips and onion rings and there's also a deal if you get it with a drink.

For the morning after there's the vegan breakfast with Quorn sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast and beans.

Greggs - vegan sausage roll and steak bake

Vegan steak bake, Greggs
Vegan steak bake, Greggs

Last year, bakery giant Greggs launched the incredibly popular vegan sausage roll - with the first batch quickly selling out.

Following this success, a second vegan product has now hit the shelves - a meat-free steak bake.

The pastry product, which has a Quorn, onion and gravy filling, has been launched just in time for Veganuary and costs £1.55.

It is available in selected stores across the county, and will be sold in even more in two-weeks time.

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