Going green…
The benefits of a vegan diet has been explored time and time again. Whether you’re vegan for health, sustainability, animal rights, or simply for personal tastes, we’ve lined up some dining options in Hong Kong. Contrary to popular belief, Hong Kong’s food scene isn’t all fish balls and pork wontons. From traditional dim sum to all-you-can-eat buffets, we’ve found some great places that serve up vegan meals without sacrificing flavour. Here’s a list of the ones we think are worth noting…
Mirror & Vegan Concept, Central
Didn’t think authentic Italian food was possible on a vegan diet? Recently opened Mirror & Vegan Concept will make to think again! With items like White Truffle Risotto, Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese and the classic Tomato and Sheese platter, it’s no surprise that this relaxed spot is off to a solid start.
When: Monday to Saturday
Where: 9/F, 118 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $
Sharmajii, Hung Hom
If you’re partial to a good curry, Sharmajii is about to become your new best friend. The food here is delicious, fresh and ridiculously cheap. You can order traditional sets with curry, rice and bread or choose from a large menu. Each dish is clearly marked with a V for vegans to request a vegan option, including vegan banana pancakes (yum!). Make sure to order a few appetisers and try the veggie samosas.
When: Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 9:30pm
Where: Shop A, G/F, Block 2, Hung Hom Garden, 3 Tsing Chau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong. From Ho Man Tin MTR, take exit A1 and follow the main road into the town. It’s about a 10-minute walk.
How much: $
Zen Eat Cuisine, Sheung Wan
Taking veg dining to whole new level, Zen Eat Cuisine has a minimalistic and specially curated space that aims to convey traditional Japanese values of meditation and intuition through its plant-based meals! Head to this cafeteria for a whole new take on Japanese food, with vegan set lunches ($98) prepared to suit multiple tastes.
When: Monday to Sunday
Where: 5/F, Cheung’s Building, 1 – 3 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: $$
Lock Cha Tea House, Central
Dim sum is one of the best things Hong Kong has to offer, and thanks to Lock Cha Tea House, vegans and veggie lovers don’t have to miss out. Lock Cha offers a variety of friendly twists on this Chinese tradition, from pickled bean curd skin to vegan siu mai. You will want to try everything here, so be prepared to walk out a few pounds heavier. You’ve been warned!
When: Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 8pm. Closed every second Tuesday of the month.
Where: Hong Kong Park, Ground Floor, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty. Nearest MTR is Admiralty Exit C1. Follow the signs to Hong Kong Park. You will find the restaurant on your right just after the fountain.
How much: $$$ (slightly pricier but well worth it!)
CS Vegan, Tin Hau
At $56 and $68 for an all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet, CS Vegan is without a doubt the best value for your money in HK! Run as a non-profit Buddhist initiative, this small and lesser-known restaurant boasts a unique, homey feel. Although it’s a slightly tricky find in Tin Hau (follow the directions closely), it’s well worth a visit. If you’re looking for some tasty, home cooked, Chinese vegan grub – this one is for you.
Sassy Mama Tip: There are plenty of great Buddhist restaurants that serve vegan Chinese food. One of our favourites is the Chi Lin Vegetarian Restataurant (located under a man-made waterfall in the Chi Lin Nunnery).
When: Monday to Sunday, 11:30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm.
Where: 1/F, Potek House, 9 Tsing Fung St, Tin Hau, Hong Kong Island. From Tin Hau MTR exit A1 turn left along Kings Rd. Then take the third street on left (directly under the flyover). Inside doorway number 9, press the big buzzer for access past the metal gate. CS Vegan is then on the first floor.
How much: $
www.facebook.com/csvegan111
LN Fortunate Coffee, Sai Ying Pun
With it’s Instagrammable interior and wonderfully friendly staff, LN Fortunate Coffee will win your heart. This is where to go for some hearty vegan food – it serves pasta, burgers and baked potatoes galore! It also has the some of the best desserts we’ve seen. Vegan waffles anyone?! We’ll take five.
When: Monday to Sunday 9am to 10pm
Where: G/F, 118 Second St, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. From Sai Ying Pun MTR exit B2, turn right, and it’s on the left just before Pok Fu Lam Road.
How much: $$
Fresca, Central
This vegetarian neighbourhood café serves fresh, healthy food using personally selected, privately farmed ingredients. The ready-to-go meals are healthy and tasty, all set to serve busy parents of Hong Kong. With options ranging from hot, homemade toppings like curried pumpkin and taro chickpeas to Korean tofu and raw Pad Thai, Fresca is a favourite of ours. Simply choose a base of rice, salad (or both), and either a small or large box. Each is piled high with your favourite extras. Though a couple of the items (like the Greek Salad) do have cheese, the accommodating staff are well experienced to cater to various dietary requirements.
Sassy Mama Tip: The gluten-free cupcakes and cookies are made in-house, and are a huge hit with the little ones. Try the salted caramel cupcake for a healthy sugar kick!
When: Monday to Saturday, 8:30am-7:30pm
Where: 54A, Hollywood Road, Cenral, Hong Kong
How much: $
Veggie SF, Central
Decked out with 1950s memorabilia and vintage souvenirs, stepping into Veggie SF will make you feel a thousand miles (and 70 years) away from the frenetic atmosphere of Central district. You can count on this place to serve up some of the best veggie burgers in the 852. And its vegan fish fillets and beetroot patties prove there’s something to tantalise everyone’s taste buds. Don’t even think about skipping dessert – the ice cream sundaes and brownies are vegan heaven.
When: Monday to Friday 12pm to 2:30pm and 6pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 3pm, closed Sunday.
Where: 10/F 11 Stanley St, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Nearest MTR – Central exit D2. Head straight up D’Aguilar Street and take a right onto Stanley road.
How much: $$$
FruitDay, Sheung Wan
Being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend insane amounts on a rewarding meal, or at least not at FruitDay! With cold-pressed juices, vegan smoothies, filling salads and quick bites at great prices, this veggie eatery is a fave amongst Sheung Wan locals. Try its selection of toasts from avocado with garlic to apple with cinnamon, while only paying between $26 to $38! Pair it up with a fresh and refreshing drink for the perfect midday grab.
When: Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm and Saturdays 1pm to 7pm
Where: Shop 4, G/F, Teda Building, 87 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: $
Veggi Monster, Sheung Wan
Green take-away joint in Central, Veggie Monster’s burgers are all the hype – especially the Burger in Black ($78) which is made entirely from scratch! The burger is made with soft charcoal buns and consists of a heap of mushrooms along with other veggies, on top of a black bean patty covered in soy cheese and black truffle sauce! Is your mouth watering yet? If you’re feeling something lighter, opt for one of its salad boxes or quinoa wraps with a kombucha drink to grab-and-go, promising a satisfying meal nonetheless.
When: Monday to Saturday, 11:30am to 8:30pm
Where: G/F, Shop 1B, Cheungs Building, 1 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: $$
12noon, Central
Stocked with fit foods and cold presses, 12 Noon has all the good stuff you could hope for. Start your day with a set breakfast for $45, offering a light meal with an energy shot or get that much-needed lunch break with its delightful set menu. You can choose one cold or hot dish with a side, a dessert and a cold-pressed juice ranging between $65 to $85. Its motto is to ‘eat healthy, feel good’ and we’re sure that you’ll be feeling more than good after this one as you’ll be set for the day!
When: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8:30pm
Where: G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $$
Green Common, Sheung Wan
Head to Green Common, the one-stop 100% plant-based concept store, for its completely sustainable and wholesome dining options. True believers of the ‘you are what you eat’ philosophy, this food chain is as green and real as it gets. Its ‘Beyond Burger’ (from $78) introduces the future of meat to Hong Kong as it uses a vegan patty that tastes exactly like a traditional beef burger but, guess what, its better! Offering healthy and satisfying meals at any time of the day, Green Common is the perfect option for all things healthy.
When: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 9:30pm
Where: 1/F, 173 Des Voeux Road, Nan Fung Place, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: $$
Ohms Cafe and Bar, Sheung Wan
Big advocates of fair trade and organic produce, Ohms is a healthy cafe which serves a variety of drinks such as vegan soy, almond or cashew milk ($38) and light food including gluten free pasta ($78) and more. It even has desserts and (vegan!) alcoholic beverages.
When: Monday to Sunday, 7:30am to 9pm
Where: G/F, Shop A, 192 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: $
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2017 by Lydia Rose on Sassy Hong Kong and was updated in February 2018 by Mashal Mushtaq.
Featured image courtesy of Getty. Image #1 courtesy of thewoksoflife.com sourced via Pinterest, image #2 courtesy of CS Vegan via Facebook, image #3 courtesy of Mirror & Vegan Concept via FB, image #4 LN Fortunate Coffee, via Facebook, image #5 courtesy of Sharmaji via Facebook, image #6 courtesy of Veggie SF, image #7 courtesy Fresca, Image #8 of FruitDay via Facebook, image #9 courtesy of Veggi Monster via Facebook, image #10 courtesy of 12noon via Instagram, image #11 courtesy of Green Common via Facebook, image #12 courtesy of Zen Eat Cuisine via Facebook, image #11 courtesy of Ohms Cafe and Bar via Facebook
