Pasta is the ultimate comfort food - warm, rich, and oh-so satisfying. But let’s be honest: the traditional carb-heavy bowl can sometimes leave you feeling heavy, sluggish, and ready for the couch.

At IKU, we’ve reinvented pasta so you can enjoy your favourite classic meals without the “post-indulgence slump.” Our Fettuccini with Pesto & Semi-dried Tomato, for example, packs more protein than a three-egg omelette – and it’s lower in carbs too. By using edamame-based pasta, we’ve created a dish that’s not only full of flavour but also a complete protein, containing all essential amino acids. Tossed through our famous dairy-free pesto, it’s proof that comfort food can also be nourishing, energising, and plant-powered.

And the best part? Pasta no longer needs to be a “sometimes food.” With options like our Fettuccini with Pesto & Semi-dried Tomato and Spaghetti 'Bolognese', you can enjoy pasta as part of your weekly routine - without the guilt, gluten, or heavy cheese.

Why Protein Matters

Protein isn’t just for athletes - it’s a nutritional powerhouse your body relies on every single day. It helps repair tissues, supports your immune system, and keeps you feeling fuller for longer (goodbye, 3pm snack cravings).

Nutritionist Liv Kaplan suggests aiming for 20 grams of protein per meal to help stabilise energy, control hunger, and maintain balance throughout your day. To put that into perspective:

• 3 eggs = ~18g of protein
• A small can of tuna = 17–19g
• ½ cup of chickpeas = ~19g
• 200g of tofu = ~15g
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And here’s the good news – meeting your protein needs on a plant-based diet is easier than you think.

High-Protein IKU Meals

At IKU, we’ve made it simple to eat deliciously while ticking the protein box. Each of these meals contains 20+ grams of protein, giving you protein peace of mind:

• Miso Poke Bowl
• Creamy Kale Caesar
• Sprouting Bread & Scrambled Tofu (over 30g!)
• IKU Burrito Bowl
• Lentil & Kidney Bean Chilli
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Unlocking the Power of Plant Proteins

One common question about plant-based eating is: “Am I getting all the essential amino acids?” Unlike animal proteins, which contain all of them in one go, plant proteins sometimes need a little teamwork.

The trick is simple: combine different plant-based foods, and you’ll naturally get everything your body needs - no nutrition degree required.

For example:

• Black beans (high in lysine) + brown rice (rich in methionine)
• Chickpeas + quinoa
• Lentils + tahini
• Quinoa + almonds
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At IKU, we’ve designed our meals with this in mind. Each dish is thoughtfully built with legumes, tofu, tempeh, grains, nuts, seeds - and yes, even edamame pasta - to ensure you’re covered.

Here are some of our protein-power combinations worth trying:

• Miso Poke Bowl with tofu
• Creamy Kale Caesar with smoky tempeh
• Chickpea & Coriander Curry with brown rice
• Rainbow Chop Bowl with chickpeas + quinoa
• IKU Burrito Bowl with brown rice, tofu, quinoa + adzuki beans
• Lentil & Kidney Bean Chilli with brown rice + sunflower seeds
• Fettuccine with Pesto & Semi-dried Tomato with edamame pasta
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Final Word

Eating plant-based doesn’t mean compromising on protein – or flavour. With IKU’s high-protein meals and thoughtful combinations, you can enjoy comfort foods like pasta while nourishing your body with everything it needs.

Because at IKU, food should make you feel good – inside and out.

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