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 – and she has also introduced 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.
2 Arbuthnot Road, Central | 3755 3000
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.
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.
7/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2312 7800
Bombay Dreams
Indian food is generally a winner for veggie fans – not surprising, when India itself has more vegetarians than the rest of the world put together! But popular Indian restaurant Bombay Dreams is adding even more appeal with the launch of its all-new 100% Vegan à la carte menu. The varied menu includes sumptuous dishes from South India
and Goa, plus the chef’s own specialist styles of traditional North Indian cuisine. Expect the likes of lentil dumplings, stuffed chilli pakoras, tandoori roasted eggplant, and a curry of cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes, onions and spices. There are biryanis and breads, too, with classic Indian desserts to finish.
1/F, Winning Centre, 46 Wyndham Street, Central | 2219 6800
MANA!
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. There are two locations to enjoy the vegan and vegetarian delights on offer: Star Street and a new location for the old Wellington Street outlet, at 8 Staunton Street (open May 2020). Try both for a different eating experience at each.
8-10 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai | 5501 7591
8 Staunton Street, Central | 5501 7583
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 providing raw, vegan snacks and meals, along with the biggest selection of health juices and cleanses in town!
Great Food Hall, LG 1, Pacific Place Two, 88 Queensway, Admiralty (selected juice flavours only)
Online store: shop.geniejuicery.com | 2918 9986
2084
Popular tapas bar Casa in Sai Kung has rebranded as 2084, serving plenty of Asian-flavoured plant-based offerings. The tapas aspect is still in play, with offerings like Peking Wraps (crispy peking oyster mushrooms with cucumber, spring onion and hoisin) and Chole Chatpate (fried chickpeas and puffed rice with spicy Sichuan tomato sauce). For mains, we’re looking forward to smashing the Sinhalese Daal or the Adobe.
5 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung | 6420 8456
OVOCafé
Sharing our passion for moving to as green a life as possible, OVOCafé 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!
1 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai | 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!
UG, 16-17 Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East | 2369 3718
LockCha 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, LockCha 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, LockCha also offers calligraphy and tea courses to educate its patrons. There are other locations in HK too.
G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty | 2801 7177
G06-07, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2276 5777
LG-3, Xiqu Centre, 88 Austin Road West, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon | 3709 6077
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’s 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).
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.
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. The Kowloon Bay resto carries vegan baked goods too. Yum.
Shop G242-245, Amoy Plaza II, 77 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon Bay | 2751 1321
Unit 1307, 13/F, Sunbeam Centre, 27 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong | 2701 7099
Shop 103A, 1/F, Port 33, 33 Tseuk Luk Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon | 2797 0001
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.
Shop 2005, 2/F, Miramar Shopping Centre, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2376 1186
There are also 5 other HK branches (phone numbers listed on the website).
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.
1/F, 9 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.
9-13 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun | 2547 7668
G/F Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street | 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, Aaharn – 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.
Read more in our Wine & Dine section!
