If you think a healthy salad is the best you can do for vegetarian meals in Hong Kong, think again. We’ve munched our way through a range of healthy vegetarian restaurants – from fine-dining to food kiosks, and from organic to all-raw vegan establishments. All so we can bring you our round up of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hong Kong. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta’ do it!
Veda
This is a place where vegetarians will want to return and meat-eaters will leave happy. The menu has been created by Australian chef Hetty McKinnon, who has imposed an all-Australian wine list that really works. Veda is tucked below the Ovolo Central hotel, where the old Sense of Touch was – the entrance is via the hotel lobby on Arbuthnot Road. See Expat Living’s full review here.
ovolohotels.com.hk/ovolocentral/veda | 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central | 3755 3000
Veggie SF
Leave your heart in San Francisco at this 50s-style American diner that carries 100% vegetarian meals. The menu boasts a choice of American faves such as burgers, wedge fries and cakes. And oh, the cakes!
Veggie SF | 10/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central | 3902 3902
Fresca
Fresca is run by retired local Ivy, who puts her passion for cooking and organic vegetables right onto your plate. With a huge selection of fresh organic salads, made from her farm or sourced locally, you can always guarantee good honest healthy food and drinks. There are also home-made gluten-free muffins, warm seasonal soup and health drinks galore. Grab a box and take away a salad or sit upstairs and enjoy a slice of happiness in the midst of the central craziness.
FrescaHK | G/F, Felicity Building, 54-58 Hollywood Road, Central | 2770 2282
Kung Tak Lam
Just a stroll away from the Star Ferry, Kung Tak Lam Shanghainese serves up hundreds of vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes, all featuring a lovely Harbour view. No MSG and low-salt dishes complement the overall healthy (and delicious) vibe of this award-winning eatery, so rest assured you’re doing right by your tummy here.
Kung Tak Lam | 7/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2312 7800
Genie Juicery
This spot was started by two lovely Hong Kong expats on a mission to provide the 852 with the best juice and smoothies around. They not only succeeded, but have now evolved into four shops with raw, vegan snacks and meals along with the biggest selection of health juices and cleanses in town!
Teenie Genie | 2096B, Podium Level 2, IFC mall | 2644 5875
Old Bailey
OK, so this one isn’t a strictly vegetarian option, but we’re including it because they have a great vegan chef’s tasting menu. Chef Wong’s tasting menu offers a full 10-course vegan experience of the restaurant’s signature dishes. There’s lots on offer – from a vegetarian version of his famous xiaolongbao to his beloved village-style sautéed Hangzhou green chilli with aubergine and sauteed fresh soy bean, bean curd knot and pickled cabbage. Vegans dining at Old Bailey will be able to enjoy as fulfilling an experience as their meat-loving counterparts. See the menu here.
OVOCafe
Sharing our passion for moving to as green a life as possible, OVOCafe is one of our faves. It’s dedicated to healthiness and eco-living by serving fresh, tasty, vegetarian cuisine to the city inhabitants. From the selection of coffee beans and organic ingredients, creative salads and sandwiches, we can’t quite get enough of the goodness – especially the soup of the day!
OVO Market | 1 Wanchai Road, Wanchai | 2527 6011
Woodlands International Restaurant
A stalwart on the South Indian vegetarian scene, Woodlands International Restaurant has been in TST next to the Shangri-La since 1981. Get your fill of curries, dosas, thalis and more with this massive menu of stick-to-your-ribs Indian cuisine. Tip: go on an empty stomach!
Woodlands International Restaurant | 16-17 Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2369 3718
MANA! Fast Slow Food
Pioneering eco-healthy organic and raw fast food in HK, MANA! encourages Hong Kongers to take a break from their frenzied lifestyles and get back to basics. The restaurant is bedecked with reclaimed furniture, fair-trade supplies and biodegradeable food containers for an in-your-face example of simple living, while maintaining a vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and organic menu.
MANA! Fast Slow Food | 92 Wellington Street, Central | 2851 1611
MANA! Cafe
The MANA! family is rapidly growing; now with three locations around Hong Kong, the new addition is already a super hipster hotspot. Situated in trendy ‘PoHo’, it’s laid-back style coincides perfectly with its selection of healthy vegetarian and vegan food and snacks. With a different menu from its older brother and sister, and more seating with a large outdoor area, MANA! Cafe might just be our favourite. Oh, and you can bring your pets!
MANA! Cafe | 8 Tai On Terrace. Pound Lane, Poho, Sheung Wan | 2347 8555
Lock Cha Tea House
Yes, you can find vegetarian cuisine in the heart of Hong Kong Park! Known for its amazing selection of over a hundred teas, Lock Cha Tea House features a menu filled with a variety of vegetarian dim sum options in an elegant dining atmosphere. The Cantonese Music Programme serenades guests on Saturday nights, and during the weekdays, Lock Cha also offers calligraphy and tea courses to educate its patrons.
Lock Cha Tea House | G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty | 2801 7177
Mak Mak
Yenn Wong is now on to her ninth restaurant in Hong Kong, with her latest addition Mak Mak opening in The Landmark. Concentrating on Central Thai cuisines with a chic interior and punchy dishes, this is a great restaurant for long dinners and veggie-lovers celebrations. While it is not completely vegetarian, it does have a whole veggie menu, which makes it perfect for a group dinner. We recommend the lab tau hoo (spicy salad of crispy tofu, roasted rice and mushroom, green lettuce).
Mak Mak | Shop 217A, 2/F, Atrium, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road, Central | 2983 1003
Long Men Lou (Chi Lin Vegetarian)
For a truly zen experience, wander through the Nan Lian Buddhist garden at Diamond Hill to experience an elegant vegetarian meal (made with little to no salt or MSG) among peaceful chanting and elegant environs behind a waterfall. This is one of the most popular Chinese vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, so it’s wise to book your table in advance.
Long Men Lou, Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, 3658 9388
Loving Hut
Dairy-free vegan fast food sums up this popular vegetarian restaurant in Hong Kong that creatively assembles mock-meat dishes galore. Even meat-eaters will love this vegan take on their favourite dishes – check out the signature Singaporean laksa, the barbecued cha siu with rice, or the beef noodles to see why. Locations throughout Hong Kong make Loving Hut accessible to locals, but it’s the Kowloon Bay spot that carries vegan baked goods. Yum.
Loving Hut | Shop G242-245, Amoy Plaza II, 77 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon Bay | 2751 1321
Gaia Veggie Shop
So you think you’re ready to try ordering from pictures on a menu? TST’s Gaia Veggie Shop has a mixture of Asian and Italian dishes that will leave meat eaters questioning, “I can’t believe this isn’t meat!” Try the veggie sashimi or sushi (the California Roll is a specialty), or amaze yourself with the fake chicken satay. While not completely vegan, this is an adventure worth trying.
Gaia Veggie Shop | Shop 2005, 2/F, Miramar Shopping Centre, 132 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui | 2376 1186
Branto
Rumoured as having the best in “Pure Indian Vegetarian Food”, Branto is certainly a fun spot if you want to be daring when it comes to Indian vegetarian restaurants. A meal at Branto will set your taste buds spinning as you try to guess the ingredients, and your wallet will thank you for not being empty at the end of the meal.
Branto Pure Veg Indian Food | 1/F, 11 Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2366 8171
Locofama & Sohofama
Larry Tang is the man behind Locofama, Sohofama and Supafoods. He brings his special brand of understated cool to the scene and is committed to creating a community. Come for the food and you’ll stay to chat or pat a puppy. Sohofama is a collaboration with lifestyle brand GOD and a great place to bring out-of-towners. The menu is flexitarian-friendly with lots of options for meat- and non-meat-eaters alike.
locofama.com | 9-13 Fuk Sau Lane | 2547 7668
sohofama.com | Ground floor, PMQ | 2858 8238
Notable mentions
The rise of flexitarianism in Hong Kong has seen many restaurants up their game when it comes to vegetarian options on the menu. If you’re dining with meat eaters, try one of these restaurants: Cobo House, Old Bailey, Aharn – even Pizza Express has a dedicated green menu. Family favourites like Ruby Tuesday are also offering Impossible meat options, including on the kids menu. Or, if you’re cooking at home, try these five meat-free meal ideas.
Chungking Mansions
For the truly adventurous, there’s always Chungking Mansions, that former bastion of seediness that occupies Tsim Sha Shui. While you’ll have to duck the hawkers trying to lure you in for copy watches and tailors, what’s inside this building is a virtual treasure for the senses. Keep calm as you’re slammed by a barrage of reps touting “the best Indian” and/or “the best Pakistani” restaurants outside. Once you pass the security Uncle guarding the Mansions, make your way to the lifts and start at the top floor, winding your way down until you find the resto of your choice: Our tip? The Pakistani restaurants usually feature more vegetarian meals than the Indian and African restaurants.
Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Chungking-Mansions.hk
Read more in our Wine & Dine section!
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