Canadian fast food chain A&W has introduced the Masala veggie burger, a new offering that celebrates South Asian flavours and is available exclusively in Ontario for a limited period.

The burger features a crispy patty made with vegetables, Nanak paneer and masala mix, aiming to provide a "proper" veggie burger experience for those who prefer or follow a vegetarian diet.

Vegetarians in Canada, particularly those from the South Asian community, have had limited burger options, often having to settle for fries or a meatless regular burger. A&W's latest product seeks to address this gap in the market.

A&W Canada director of marketing Amanda Wang said: "Our Masala veggie burger is tasty enough to satisfy any spicy burger lover.

"But truly we crafted this burger to be a taste of home for our veggie fans. As a burger lover, I get sad thinking about anyone ordering a patty-less burger made up of just buns and lettuce. This is the real deal."

South Asian vegetarians in Canada have been seeking more options and craving the familiar flavours found back home.

A&W Canada director of menu development Karan Suri said: "Knowing this made the task of creating an authentic vegetarian burger that surpasses their expectations all the more challenging and fun.

"The patty, made with real vegetables, Nanak paneer and select spices, is the hero. Paired with piri-piri sauce, fresh lettuce, tomato and red onions, the burger is like no other in Canada, delivering a depth of flavour and spice that everyone will enjoy."

The new veggie burger is priced at $6 plus tax.

A&W takes pride in being 100% Canadian-owned and operated. It serves burgers, breakfasts and beverages at more than one thousand locations nationwide. Nanak Foods, which was founded in 1997 and is a supplier of the paneer used in the burger, is a provider of South Asian dairy products in North America.