2 Easy & Nutritious Vegan Lagu Recipes You Can Make at Home

If you are tired of heavy meat-based dishes and want to refresh your meals with something light, comforting, yet flavorful, vegan lagu is an excellent choice. Although “lagu” is traditionally associated with meat-based stews, vegan lagu is beautifully adapted using vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and creamy coconut water, making it ideal for full-moon days, vegetarian occasions, or everyday family meals. Let’s explore how to cook delicious and simple vegan lagu at home, inspired by Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine and shared by Vô Úy Vegetarian Restaurant.

Vegan Lagu – A Harmonious Blend of European Cuisine and Vietnamese Vegetarian Tradition

Lagu originates from French cuisine, known for its slow-braised technique using meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices to create a rich, creamy stew. When introduced to Vietnam, lagu quickly became popular and is commonly served with bread or fresh noodles.

Over time, as vegetarian diets gained popularity, traditional lagu evolved into vegan lagu — replacing meat with vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and fresh coconut water. This plant-based version retains the signature creamy texture and gentle richness while being lighter, easier to digest, and suitable for a wide range of diners.

2 Simple & Flavorful Vegan Lagu Recipes

One of the best things about vegan lagu is its flexibility. Depending on available ingredients and personal taste, you can stick with the classic recipe or try a creative variation. Below are two easy vegan lagu recipes, perfect for beginners and experienced plant-based cooks alike.

Classic Vegan Lagu Recipe – Rich, Comforting & Aromatic

Traditional vegan lagu stands out for its harmonious combination of tender vegetables simmered in lightly creamy coconut broth. The dish features warm colors, natural sweetness, and a smooth texture, making it perfect for family meals — especially when served with crispy baguette or fresh rice noodles.

Ingredients

• Carrots: 700g

• Potatoes: 400g

• Shiitake or wood ear mushrooms: 100g

• Tofu skin or firm tofu: 100g

• Tomato sauce: 1 can

• Leeks: 20g

• Fresh coconuts: 2

• Green peas: 200g

• Vegan seasoning powder: 1 tbsp

• Salt: 1 tbsp

• Rock sugar: 50g

Tip: How to Choose Fresh Coconut for Vegan Lagu

• Choose whole coconuts with intact husks and fresh stems

• Coconut flesh should remain white after peeling, not yellowish or gray

• Ideal weight: 1–1.5 kg (overly large coconuts often have bland water)

• Fresh coconuts have evenly green shells with no bruises

• Tap lightly on the shell — a firm, hollow sound indicates thick flesh and sweet water

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

• Soak mushrooms in warm water until soft, rinse and cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Peel and dice carrots and potatoes.
• Rinse peas and remove damaged ones.
• Tear tofu skin into pieces, rinse quickly, and fry until golden to enhance richness.

Step 2: Sauté for aroma

• Heat oil and sauté leeks until fragrant.
• Add mushrooms and vegan seasoning, stir briefly.
• Add carrots, potatoes, and tomato sauce, mixing well so vegetables absorb flavor.

Step 3: Simmer the vegan lagu

• Pour fresh coconut water into the pot and add all sautéed ingredients.
• Cook over medium heat until vegetables soften.
• Add peas and tofu skin, then season with salt and rock sugar to taste.
• Simmer for a few more minutes and turn off the heat.

The finished vegan lagu has a lightly thick, creamy broth with tender vegetables that hold their shape. Serve hot with bread or rice noodles for a perfectly balanced meal.

Creative Vegan Lagu with Lychee – A Unique & Refreshing Twist

Lychee vegan lagu is a creative and refreshing variation that combines the natural sweetness of fresh lychee with coconut water and vegetables. This dish offers a gentle, novel flavor profile, perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with plant-based cuisine.

Ingredients

• Fresh lychee: 300g

• Potatoes: 200g

• Carrots: 200g

• Button mushrooms: 200g

• Cashews: 50g

• Leeks: 1 tbsp

• Vegan margarine: 1 tbsp

• Coconut water: 1.5 liters

• Seasonings: sugar, salt, vegan seasoning powder, black pepper

Tip: How to Choose Good Lychee

• Choose lychee with bright pink-red skin and round shape

• Fresh lychee often remains attached to branches

• Avoid fruit with sour smell or signs of fermentation

Instructions

• Step 1: Preparation
  Peel and dice potatoes and carrots.
• Clean mushrooms and drain well.
• Peel lychee and remove seeds. Divide into two portions:
  – 100g blended smooth
  – 200g kept whole

Step 2: Sauté vegetables

Stir-fry potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and cashews for 2–3 minutes until lightly firm.

Step 3: Sauté blended lychee

Melt vegan margarine, sauté leeks until fragrant, then add blended lychee and cook until aromatic.

Step 4: Cook lychee vegan lagu

• Bring coconut water to a boil and add sautéed vegetables.
• Once boiling again, add the cooked lychee mixture.
• Season with salt, sugar, and vegan seasoning to taste.
• Finally, add whole lychee, reduce heat, simmer for 2 minutes, then turn off heat.

This lychee vegan lagu offers gentle sweetness, nutty richness from cashews, and a refreshing coconut finish. It pairs beautifully with fresh rice noodles or hot noodles.

Nutritional Value of Vegan Lagu

Beyond its comforting flavor, vegan lagu is highly regarded for its nutritional balance, thanks to the harmonious combination of vegetables, mushrooms, plant-based protein, and fresh coconut water. This dish is especially suitable for long-term vegetarians, people following a healthy diet, or anyone looking to give their digestive system a gentle break.

Healthy Energy from Vegetables

Ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, and green peas provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins. They help keep you full for longer, support digestion, and deliver steady energy without causing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

Plant-Based Protein from Mushrooms and Soy Products

Shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, tofu skin, and tofu are excellent sources of plant-based protein. They help maintain muscle mass while being easier to digest than animal protein. In addition, mushrooms contain beneficial bioactive compounds that support immune health.

Good Fats from Coconut Water and Cashews

Fresh coconut water and cashews contribute a naturally creamy texture to vegan lagu while providing healthy unsaturated fats. These ingredients also supply essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which help balance electrolytes, support heart health, and reduce fatigue.

Rich in Vitamins and Antioxidants

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which supports eye and skin health. Green peas provide B vitamins that aid energy metabolism, while mushrooms contain antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress.

Ideal for Vegetarian and Healthy Diets

With its high fiber content, low cholesterol, and absence of animal fats, vegan lagu is an excellent choice for those pursuing a balanced vegetarian diet, weight management, and long-term wellness.

Overall, the nutritional value of vegan lagu lies not only in its lightness but also in its ability to nourish the body in a gentle, well-rounded way—perfectly reflecting the spirit of modern vegetarian cuisine.

Tips for Cooking Delicious Vegan Lagu

To achieve a well-balanced and flavorful lagu, attention should be paid to both ingredient selection and seasoning techniques:

• Choose fresh vegetables and cut them into even-sized pieces for uniform cooking

• Use fresh coconut water to create a naturally sweet and creamy broth

• Avoid overcooking to prevent vegetables from becoming mushy

• Season gradually to maintain the light, clean taste typical of vegetarian dishes

With just a little care at each step, your lagu will become richer, more aromatic, and perfectly balanced.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Lagu

1. How long can vegan lagu be stored?

Vegan lagu should be kept in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. It tastes best within 2–3 days. When reheating, warm it gently over low heat to preserve flavor and texture.

2. Can I use water instead of coconut water?

Yes, but coconut water adds natural sweetness and creaminess. If using plain water, consider adding naturally sweet vegetables to balance the flavor.

3. What should vegan lagu be served with?

Crispy baguette, fresh rice noodles, or wheat noodles all pair beautifully with lagu, making the meal more filling and satisfying.

Conclusion

Vegan lagu is a light yet nourishing dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for family meals or vegetarian cleansing days. With the two recipes shared above, you can confidently cook a delicious pot of vegan lagu at home. If you don’t have time to cook, feel free to visit Vô Úy Vegetarian Restaurant to enjoy thoughtfully prepared vegetarian dishes in a peaceful and comforting dining space.