LOS ANGELES — Diners at a handful of Los Angeles restaurants will be able to experience what is being billed as the world’s first animal-free whole poached egg.

This week, the Israel-based company Yo! Egg launched its chicken alternative in a half dozen LA eateries. The plant-based poached egg will be served in eggs benedict at Real Food Daily, Coyote Grill and Flore Vegan and on avocado toast at Junkyard Dog and Swingers Diner, among others. 

Made predominantly from chickpeas and soy, the Yo! Egg poached egg has a runny yolk that mimics the look and flavor of the real deal. Vegan chef Yosefa Ben-Cohen created Yo! Egg, which aspires to be the world’s largest and most sustainable egg producer — minus the livestock. The company plans to expand with additional plant-based options, including sunny-side-up and hard-boiled eggs.

The launch of Yo! Egg comes as many consumers are struggling with egg prices that have more than doubled compared with a year ago and as other egg substitutes are available only as a scramble — not a whole egg.