[steveylang]

I have been to two vegan sushi restaurants (I live in Los Angeles), one was okay and the other is surprisingly good. I remember the second place having a surprisingly good salmon substitute, but it obviously wasn't from this new startup since they apparently haven't launched anything yet. I don't need these meat substitutes to taste exactly like the real thing, I just want them to taste good and provide a similar taste experience. The author mentions the 'uncanny valley' of taste- that doesn't bother me, as long as it generally tastes good in a similar setting. I think that makes for an easy substitute so restaurants can provide more non-meat menu items.

I have only been vegetarian for a short while, and was previously a long time meat lover. I don't need meat substitutes in my life (oyster and king mushrooms are a big love of mine now) and they will never be a basic staple, but it is nice to have the option. If you're at or having a BBQ, it's easy to also grill an Impossible burger for example. I used to love sushi and will occasionally surrender to a spicy scallop roll or something like that, so appreciate having vegan options.

My main reason for becoming a vegetarian is avoiding industrial farming as much as possible, with probably sustainability being the second factor. I don't have an ethical objection to humanely raised (or wild) and humanely slaughtered meat, there are some good sources for that although I don't generally find myself seeking them out.