Dodo Vegan Hut Sees Success with Wholesome & Halal-Certified Frozen Food Lineup – vegconomist
After identifying a gap in the market for convenient and healthy vegan food products, Manimegalai Parry founded Dodo Vegan Hut in 2022 in Penang, Malaysia.
With only two years in business, the company, supported by an all-women team, plans to widen its distribution channels and scale operations to expand locally and internationally through strategic investments and partnerships.
Initially operating from a commercial kitchen in Bayan Lepas, Dodo Vegan Hut acquired a production facility in Simpang Ampat at the end of 2023 to expand its operations. Parry recently told the Malaysiakini that the popularity of plant-based foods has surged due to increasing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns.
In addition, in April 2024, Dodo Vegan Hut successfully achieved JAKIM’s Halal certification, broadening its market reach among halal-conscious consumers worldwide.
Every ingredient matters
Believing that “every ingredient matters,” Dodo Vegan Hut crafts its products with minimally processed ingredients to embrace the authentic flavors and textures of plant-based cuisine, instead of mimicking meat.
The company has launched a frozen and easy-to-cook lineup using beans, nuts, seeds, and vegetables: Vegan Patties, Asian Fusion Mini Patties, Frenzy Falafels, and Fruit Muffins. The products are said to offer a good source of protein, dietary fiber, phytonutrients, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Dodo Vegan Hut operates primarily online for business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, with deliveries made through a specialized cold chain frozen logistics partner. Walk-in customers can find the products at the company’s store partners.
Plant-based, a healthy lifestyle
A 2024 survey on plant-based food consumption in Malaysia by Rakuten Insight shows that 28% of respondents follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, while 45% chose plant-based alternatives, believing they are a healthy option. Meanwhile, 40% expressed an interest in trying new food trends.
Last year, Berjaya Food, which runs all Starbucks outlets in Malaysia and other retail and restaurant chains, announced it was expanding its vegan product offerings in response to the growing demand for plant-based diets.
Malaysia’s largest multigrain powder company, GoodMorning Global, also launched a powdered plant-based meat product last year, betting on the promising future of alternative proteins. Meanwhile, international brands such as Oatly and the Indonesian food tech startup Green Rebel, which says Malaysia is one of its key markets, expect to continue introducing new vegan products.
“We strive to create inspiring wholesome vegan foods that help people to live a healthy and caring lifestyle without imposing stress from long hours of food preparation,” Dodo Vegan Hut states on its website.
