El Vegans
If you take a look at the shelves and display cases at El Vegans, you won’t find traditional meat cuts like chicken breasts, pork skewers or beef tenderloins. Instead, the 80-square-metre shop features gluten steaks, lentil sausages and mushroom ribs.
Recently opened in the Huelin district, El Vegans proudly positions itself as a “butcher’s shop of the future” and has become the first vegan ‘butcher’ in Malaga city.
The business is spearheaded by entrepreneurs Jorge García, María Núñez and Óscar Pérez, who aim to raise awareness about the importance of consuming vegan products among local residents.
A unique culinary experience
El Vegans is divided into two main areas: the shop and a space for presentations, tastings and private events.
The shop offers over 50 different products, with standout items like the ‘serranitos’ (a vegan take on the classic ‘san jacobo’ made with seitan), barbecued ‘nocostillas’ (mushroom-based ribs) and ‘nochorizos’ (sausages made with lentils and pea protein).
Jorge García shared that the inspiration for El Vegans came from their personal experience with vegan products.
“We have been consuming these types of products at home for a long time and decided to try our luck after identifying a gap in the market for vegan products,” García told SUR in English.
Promoting a balanced diet
El Vegans is not just for vegans. García emphasised their goal to promote a dietary culture oriented towards vegetables.
“We don’t want to be a shop just for vegans, but for people who are looking for a balanced diet,” he said.
“These foods come with all the necessary carbohydrates and are tasty thanks to the flavour achieved with various spices.”
García also noted the health benefits, including improved thyroid function, lower cholesterol levels, increased energy and easier digestion.
A warm welcome in Malaga
The new business has already made a significant impact since opening in the space previously occupied by the telephone company Digi.
Within the first days of opening El Vegans nearly sold out of all of their products. “We’re very happy with the reception from the neighbourhood,” García said.
Despite the positive reception, García believes there is still much work to be done to raise awareness about vegan products in Malaga. “I don’t think it’s well enough known, and that’s why we have to work a lot on social media networks and advertising,” he explained.
Expansion across Spain
El Vegans was established in 2018 in Badalona and began expanding across Spain in 2021. The Malaga branch is the first in southern Spain, but the managers have ambitious plans to continue expanding throughout the country.
Their success in Malaga marks a significant step in their mission to introduce more people to the benefits of vegan eating.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga a decade ago having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.