In every plant-based meal lies a quiet revolution—one that nourishes not just our bodies, but our connection to the earth, our appreciation for simplicity, and our capacity for joy. Soulara understands that true wellness blooms when convenience meets conscience, when flavor dances with purpose, and when every bite becomes a celebration of both health and heart.
What is Soulara & Why It Exists
Soulara is an Australian company offering 100% plant-based, vegan-friendly ready meals delivered to your door. Founded in mid-2017 by Yuki Thomas, Soulara was born from the observation that many ready meals/multi-meal delivery services did not offer adequately satisfying plant-based options. Yuki saw a gap: people wanting nutritious, tasty vegan meals without the hassle of shopping, cooking, or compromising on flavour.
The mission of Soulara: “making plant-based living accessible to people from all walks of life.”
Why Choose Soulara? What Makes It Special
Here are the main reasons Soulara stands out:
1. 100% Plant-Based Meals All Soulara meals contain no animal products — no meat, no dairy, no eggs. Great for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone wanting to reduce animal product consumption.
2. Variety and Menu Innovation Soulara’s menu is inspired by global cuisines and changes weekly, so there is always something new. Some long-standing favourites include Lasagna Is A Feeling, Balinese Mie Goreng, and Spaghetti Veganese.
3. High Protein & Dietary Options: Soulara offers high protein vegan meals, as well as calorie-conscious, gut health-focused, and other dietary options. Portion sizes are available in Regular (~350g) and Large (~450g) to suit different appetites.
4. Fresh, Not Frozen Clean Ingredients Meals are delivered fresh, not frozen. They include whole foods, legumes, vegetables, herbs and spices. While some secondary ingredients may include minimal preservatives or additives (like soy sauce etc.), the focus is on clean, nutritious meals.
5. Convenience & Flexibility Soulara delivers pre-cooked meals that just need reheating; no meal prep or cooking needed. You can choose how many meals/week you want, toggle between regular or large sizes, pause or cancel subscription, etc.
6. Sustainability & Ethics Because it is vegan, it has lower environmental impact. Also Soulara uses eco-friendly packaging, sources produce locally, and avoids artificial additives.
7. Accessible Pricing & Offers Although premium compared to cooking at home, the price per meal drops as you order more meals per week; there are welcome deals and discounts for first orders; free delivery on orders over certain thresholds.
A Bit of History
- Founded: ~2017 by Yuki Thomas.
- Why: To fill a gap in the Australian food-delivery market for high-quality, chef-crafted, fully plant-based ready meals.
- Over time the menu has expanded, new portion sizes introduced, more dietary filters (high protein, calorie controlled etc.), and special offers for new customers and referrals.
What Real Users Say: Strengths & Areas for Improvement
👍Positive Feedback:
- Convenience & Time-Saving: Many say it’s a game changer for busy people who want healthy meals without cooking.
- Flavour & Variety: Strong praise for flavour, particularly for curries, soups, globally inspired meals. The variety is often cited as a reason people stay.
- Quality of Ingredients: Users like the freshness, use of whole foods and legumes, clarity in nutrition/ingredient listing.
Soulara has received a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on ProductReview.com.au, based on over 1,300 reviews, with more than 80% being positive.
🔔Criticisms / Things to Watch:
- Customer Service Issues: Some negative reviews around delivery mishaps (missing meals, damaged seals), poor responses from support, or subscription management confusion.
- Consistency: A few customers feel flavour or meal quality has slipped sometimes.
- Allergen Cross-Contamination: While meals are vegan etc., they’re made in a facility that handles allergens (nuts, gluten, soy etc.), so not always safe for very sensitive individuals.
- Portions for Some Users: For those with larger appetites or high activity, regular meals can feel small; large size helps but adds cost.
How It Works: Menu, Nutritional Info & Recommended Meals
Here are some examples and nutritional insights to help illustrate what you get with Soulara.
Menu & Portion Sizes
- Regular meals: ~350 g
- Large meals: ~450 g
- Over 50 meals rotating weekly across categories: Main meals, Breakfasts, Extras, Snacks.
Specific Meals & Nutrition Highlights
While exact nutritional values vary per dish, here are typical examples:
| Meal | Protein ≈ | Calories / Portion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balinese Mie Goreng | High (some meals go up to ~44 g protein) | (Varies) | Veg-rich, spiced, well-liked flavour wise. |
| Mushroom Bourguignon & Garlic Mash | ~7 g protein (on the lower side) | — | For lighter meals or lower calorie days. |
| Calorie Conscious Meals | Designed for balanced macros | < 350 kcal (per meal) | For those who want weight control; portion & recipe dependent. |
Other notable features: good fibre, vegetables, legumes; some use textured soy protein to bump protein; inclusion of flavourful herbs and spices; healthier fats (olive oil etc.).
Pricing & Offers: What to Expect
Here’s how Soulara prices out in practice, including discounts and how cost per meal changes with volume.
| Number of Meals / Week | Approx Price per Meal* | Approx Total Weekly Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 7 meals | ≈ AUD $12.30 each | ≈ $86.10 |
| 18 meals | ≈ AUD $9.55 each | ≈ $171.90 |
| 21–24 meals | $9.10–$9.30 (depending on promotions) | ~$190–$220 |
*Prices may vary depending on plan, region, current promotions, and whether you choose regular or large meals.
Special Offers
- Welcome/First-Time Customer Offers: e.g. “save $200 off your first 8 orders” or similar codes.
- Referral Program: “Give $30, Get $30” credit/referral bonuses.
- Free Delivery: On orders over certain thresholds (e.g. orders over ~$150) for many areas.
Pro tips: Did you know you can get up to 15% cashback for your Soulara orders by simply join TopCashback？
Who It’s Best For & Who Might Want to Think Twice
Ideal For:
- Vegans / vegetarians / people wanting to transition to plant-based diets.
- Busy professionals, working parents, people with little time to cook.
- Anyone wanting to control calories, or eat more protein via plant sources.
- People who care about sustainability and ethical eating.
Might Be Less Ideal If:
- You have severe food allergies requiring strict cross-contamination controls.
- You need very high protein (e.g. bodybuilders) unless you supplement.
- You want fully organic/all additive-free meals (Soulara does well, but sometimes uses minimal additives or soy sauce etc.).
- You’re on a very tight budget and cooking from raw ingredients is much cheaper.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (with answers) about Soulara.
Q: Are all Soulara meals vegan?
A: Yes — all meals are 100% plant-based, vegan-friendly. No animal products.
Q: Are the meals frozen or fresh?
A: They are delivered fresh (not frozen).
Q: How many calories do the meals have?
A: It depends on the dish. Soulara offers a Calorie Conscious category where meals are designed to be under ~350 kcal per serving. Other meals may be higher, especially if you choose large size or high-protein.
Q: What about allergies / cross-contamination?
A: While meals are vegan and free from animal products, they’re made in a facility that also processes allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, soy, gluten, sesame, sulphites etc. So there is a risk of cross-contamination. If you have a severe allergy, check specific meal ingredient labels and warnings.
Q: Can I change or pause my subscription?
A: Yes. Soulara allows flexibility — you can change the number of meals, pause or skip weeks, cancel etc.
Q: What is the delivery cost / minimum order?
A: Delivery tends to be free for orders over a certain threshold (≈ AUD $150) depending on location. If below, there may be a delivery fee. Also, first-order promotional discounts reduce effective cost.
Q: What if I don’t like a meal or it’s damaged / missing?
A: There are user reports that support can be slow or inconsistent, but Soulara does offer refunds or credits in some cases. Always inspect the products, contact customer service with photos etc.
To Wrap Up: The Bottom Line
Soulara offers a compelling service for anyone who wants to eat healthier, plant-based, flavourful meals without spending hours in the kitchen. The food is generally high-quality, varied, with good nutrition, and reasonably priced for the convenience. Yes, there are occasional customer service or delivery hiccups, and the meal sizes may not always satisfy very large appetites — but on balance, the strengths hugely outweigh the drawbacks.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to plant-based meals, or just want to simplify your weekly cooking routine with something healthier, join the Soulara family today.
Try it risk-free: Use their current welcome offer to get a big discount on your first few boxes.
Flexibility: Pick a plan that suits your lifestyle (regular or large, many or few meals), and know you can pause or change at any time.
Taste & health: Get meals you’ll love, full of flavour, built by chefs and nutritionists, and plant-based, fresh, ethical.
Support sustainability: By choosing Soulara, you’re supporting lower impact food production, better sourcing, and less waste.
