As an avid egg lover, I decided to try Yo Egg, the first-ever vegan poached egg. Here’s what I thought about the experience.

Eggs were the first thing I learned to cook, and I enjoy one nearly every day. I’m truly an egg fanatic. They’re the perfect food: adaptable, packed with nutrients, and for those who adore yolk, they offer a little burst of sunshine to kickstart your morning. So when I came across Yo Egg, the world’s first plant-based poached egg, I knew I had to give it a try. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical.

What exactly is Yo Egg?

So, what exactly is Yo Egg? It’s a plant-based alternative, free from animal products. The egg is primarily crafted from a special blend of chickpeas, soy, and vegetable oil. It contains no cholesterol and has less sodium than a conventional egg, but it also offers less protein—3 grams instead of 6 grams from a chicken egg, though the company plans to boost that number in the future. What makes Yo Egg stand out is its poached form, which is unlike other plant-based eggs that are typically liquid and only come in a scrambled version. Yo Egg brings the excitement with a poppable poached full-egg style, complete with a runny yolk.

How to Cook the Plant-Based Egg

I received a few Yo Egg samples to test, and they looked flawless in person. They made it across town and through a night in my fridge without a single crack. The instructions provided were straightforward, with several cooking methods available—boiling, microwaving, baking in the oven, or cooking directly in a dish like shakshuka. All they needed was to be heated through. Wanting to replicate the poaching process, I simmered the "egg" in water and placed it on a piece of buttered toast—one of my favorite quick breakfasts. It held up well in the soft boil with no issues. Despite my concerns about potential breakage, the egg stayed intact when lifted out with a slotted spoon. To finish, the company suggested sprinkling the included black salt, which was a pleasant surprise since it's my go-to seasoning for my regular egg. I dusted my egg and placed it on the toast for a perfect, familiar breakfast.

Presentation and Flavor

Popping open a perfectly cooked egg is one of life’s simple joys (well, at least for me), and I have to say, this was quite the experience. As I sliced through the egg white, the golden yolk flowed out onto my toast and plate, just like the real deal. It was an Instagram-worthy moment, and even this seasoned egg lover was impressed. Over time, the yolk began to set on the plate, just as a real chicken egg would, enhancing the realistic experience. I decided to test it out in the microwave to compare, and the result was pretty similar. The outer part of the egg white thickened slightly, forming a delicate skin that altered the texture just a bit. Ultimately, both methods worked well—it just comes down to personal preference.

Now, let’s talk about the most important aspect: the taste. When I took my first bite, it was clear that Yo Egg wasn’t quite the same as a real egg, but depending on how it’s prepared, it can still be surprisingly close. For me, the familiar taste of black salt and buttery toast helped bring the “egg” flavor to life. The white was more reminiscent of a hard-boiled egg, while the yolk was a bit thinner in texture and flavor compared to the real thing, though still fairly convincing. The black salt (a mineral-rich salt from either the Himalayas or Hawaii with a bit of a sulfuric taste) really elevated the experience, making this plant-based creation feel more like an actual egg. Top it with cashew-based hollandaise for a veggie eggs Benedict, bake it into shakshuka, or toss it in ramen, and you might just convince an egg-lover like me. I can see Yo Egg following the same trajectory as realistic plant-based burgers—it will be a game-changer for those who avoid animal products, and it might even win over some egg enthusiasts along the way.

Where to Find the Vegan Poached Egg

Currently, Yo Egg isn't available for home cooking enthusiasts, but you can try it at select restaurants in Los Angeles. The good news is that it won’t be long before it reaches dining spots across the country and eventually hits the market for those who love cooking eggs at home. Along with the poached variety, the company is also developing other versions like a sunny-side-up egg to expand the egg-like options. After a long wait for a solid vegan egg option, Yo Egg is stepping in to fill the gap and offer a plant-based gourmet breakfast experience without the use of chickens.