Overview
GOOD!
Summary
While this is a delicious snack and there is no issue with the seasoning or taste, we are deducting one point for the lack of chicken flavor. The crunch and the meaty, juicy bite is something we appreciate.
Plant-based meats or mock meats are made using gluten, soy or vegetable alternatives like jackfruit. For people who have recently turned vegetarian, mock meat based snacks can help satisfy meaty cravings.
With more brands focusing on its vegetarian audience, there are multiple launches catering to them with quick, convenient fixes. Frozen food topping the list.
Shaka Harry is a brand that manufactures frozen plant-based meat snacks. We picked a pack of plant based frozen chicken nuggets for our review. We discuss the taste, texture, price, packaging and more in our Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets review.
We love the punny name, which is an adaptation of the Hindi term for vegetarians (शाकाहारी).
Table of Contents
Here is all that you need to know about Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets.
1. Packaging
The Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets come in an attractive resealable pack. The nuggets are not arranged in a tray, they are placed directly in the pouch.
2. Main Ingredients
The ingredients include – Water, Veg protein mix (Textured protein (Soya), Vegetable fibre (Oats), Soya protein, Dehydrated onion, Iodized salt, Methyl cellulose (INS 461), Vegetable fat, Predust and batter mix (Starch, Maida, Rice flour, Acidity regulator (INS 450i), Raising agent (INS 500 ii), Xanthan gum (INS 415), Bread crumbs (Bread crumbs (Wheat flour, Iodized salt, Dextrose, Yeast, Edible veg oil), Rice bran oil, Seasoning mix (Acidity regulator (INS 452 (i)), flavour enhancer (INS 627, INS 631)
Contains permitted natural color (INS 171) and contains added natural flavor and nature identical flavouring substances.
Allergen warning – Contains soya and wheat
3. Taste
When it comes to mock meats, the taste is of prime importance. For beginner level vegetarians, can this be used to satiate a meaty craving? Does it taste soy-like? Any additional flavor? How about the seasoning? How does the casing taste?
A mock meat chicken nugget we reviewed earlier contained a roasted chicken flavor. It was able to replicate the chicken nugget flavor fairly well.
4. Texture & Mouthfeel
Texture and mouthfeel of the snack is important as it helps us test how close the mock meat comes to the meat it is supposedly replicating.
Do the nuggets have a juicy, meaty bite? Is the soy able to form a chicken-like texture?
5. Appearance
The frozen nuggets look close to a chicken leg (tangri). The shape and size of the nuggets is consistent throughout the pack. All the pieces are intact and none of them are broken.
They look very similar to original chicken nuggets.
6. Crunch
Deep fried frozen snacks should have a uniform, pronounced crunch for it to be enjoyable. Were these nuggets crunchy or did they soak up too much oil and become soft and soggy?
The crunch of the Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets is superb.
7. After Taste
Aftertaste generally means the taste that lingers in your mouth after the bite is over. Did these nuggets have an undesirable aftertaste?
The chicken nuggets have a soy-like aftertaste. It doesn’t feel industrial.
8. Price
A 250 gram pack is priced at Rs 295/-.
9. Shelf Life
The shelf life of the product is 12 months. Keep the nuggets frozen at -18 degrees.
10. Cooking Instructions
As per the instructions given on the pack, these can be cooked using a single method –
- Deep fry after taking out straight from the freezer. There is no need to thaw.
- The oil temperature should be 170 degrees. Fry for 3 minutes.
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Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets – Detailed Review
Details on the Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets:
| Parameters | Product Details |
| Price | Rs 295/- |
| Net Quantity | 250 grams |
| Main Ingredients (Top 5) | Water, Veg protein mix, Vegetable fibre (Oats), Soya protein, Dehydrated onion |
| Shelf Life | 12 months |
| Energy (per 100 gm) | 257 .94 Kcal |
| Protein (per 100 gm) | 5.30 gm |
We made the chicken nuggets as per the instructions given on the pack. The nuggets had turned golden brown and crisped up well. The crunch of the nuggets is on point.
The ratio of breading and the thickness of nuggets is appropriate. There are no empty pockets within the nugget and the coating is end-to-end.
Shaka Harry’s Chicken Nuggets have a very meaty, juicy bite. The textural feel is very similar to an actual nugget, but the soy aftertaste is a bit overpowering. This won’t really kill the meaty cravings, but will prove to be a decent tasting snack. It’s not spicy at all and is well-seasoned.
- We liked the crunch of the chicken nuggets.
- The breading to nugget ratio is spot on.
- The juicy, meaty bite is something we liked.
- Seasoning is apt.
- The promise of chicken-like taste was not fulfilled. That said, it is still a tasty soy based snack.
Are you a new vegetarian who is craving something with a meaty texture? Or just in need of a soy-based frozen snack? This one’s for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some interesting FAQs on Shaka Harry Chicken Nuggets:
Keep the nuggets frozen after unpacking. It is best to seal the pack before storing it. Do not thaw before cooking.
Yes. These nuggets can be paired with a number of condiments like ketchup, mustard, green chutney, mayonnaise or a hot sauce of your choice.
These are good for occasional use. Packaged food must be consumed in moderation.
This 250 gram pack contains approximately 10 pieces.
The pack mentions only 1 method of cooking – deep frying.
Final Words
Have you tried soy-based mock meats before? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
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* Our reviews are unbiased and all samples used during the reviews were paid for by us. Read our entire ethics statement here.
* No part of this review is sponsored by any brand. All expenses were borne by us.
