Pucón is a charming wooden village at the feet of the Villarrica volcano and its beautiful lake.
In its bucolic scenery, a charming wooden cabin is standing out. This little house appears to be a vegan cafe and yoga studio, enriched by an inspiring story…
Mundo Elefante is the successful final chapter of an audacious adventure María Lia went on a few years ago. Originally settled as a graphic designer in Chile, María turned her life upside down when she decided to put an end to her career and embark on an awakening journey. Learning about yoga, well-being, and nutrition as well as following her inner voice led her to leave her comfort zone and seek her true vocation. She left Chile with the ambition to discover the world and encounter new experiences away from her strong Chilean heritage. From the new world of Australia, she traveled to the ancient lands of India, yoga’s birthplace. Yoga, Ayurveda, the autochthones strong spirituality, it was all fascinating. Clarity came from her bravery–her purpose was to educate herself about the essence of a balanced and enriching lifestyle, and more importantly, to bring this knowledge back to her home country.
She planned her travels around the objective to master herself in vegan cuisine and taught yoga along the way. She followed courses in Australia, India, the US, Germany, where she had the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge about fermentation, dehydration, and how to combine ingredients to get the most nutritious delicacies.
Her utopia was to develop a safe place where her community could enjoy healthy vegan meals, socialize and practice uplifting and heartening disciplines such as yoga, dancing or meditation. In 2016, she founded her very own inspirational place in her home country. She named it Mundo Elefante in homage to her Master and Professor, India.
As it’s the first 100% vegan restaurant in Pucón, her mission is to raise awareness on better ways to consume and behave in order to lead a more respectful existence.
Mundo Elefante promotes a conscious lifestyle that neither harms the animals nor nature, and that brings happiness and wellness to the people. The menu is modest but offers creations that are so original and appetizing that it truly is a challenge to know what to choose. By offering rich, nutritious and exquisite food made with organic and locally grown products, Mundo Elefante victoriously proves that vegan cuisine can satisfy anyone.
With the idea to promote a healthy mind in a healthy body, yoga appears as a complement to the vegan preparations they serve. Maria works with professionals such as Daniela Magalhaes who is the only yoga teacher, along with her husband Rodrigo Rivas, to be certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga in Chile. She received this prestigious certificate from her training with the great Master, Shri K. Pattabhi.
For a complete Mundo Elefante experience, start your day with an Ashtanga class followed by a breakfast and come back for dinner to taste some of their vegan masterpieces.
Treat yourself with a yummy and comforting breakfast such as the scrambled tofu and avocado-sauerkraut toasts accompanied by a warm coconut latte and a freshly pressed fruits and veggies juice. For lunch, make sure you don’t miss on the vegan quesadilla, filled with caramelized onions, grilled mushrooms, and a tofu cilantro mayonnaise. It will take your breath away! Opt for the Green Yogi juice for a refreshing glass of vitamins and savor one of their guilt-free burger composed with wholesome ingredients, a true explosion of tastes!
Otherwise, come back every day and try all the dishes on the menu. It is definitely one of the best vegan cuisines you will encounter in Chile!
About the author: Marie Dykmans is a Belgian food blogger currently travelling the world. Her passion for health and food has lead her to discover some of the best vegan kitchens across the world. She is passionate about cuisine but also about yoga, meditation and believes in a conscious way of consuming. Follow her culinary and travelling adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choupetamarie/ or on her food blog: www.choupetamarie.com
The author of this article was invited to come visit the restaurant featured in the above write up. However, the opinions expressed in this write up are solely those of the author, and not of HappyCow or the restaurant.
