ReviewPlant-based food and recycling ethos continues at Mana StarStreet in Wan Chai

The Mana chain has opened its third branch, taking its plant-based food and eco-friendly philosophy to Wan Chai.

We walked into the large, earth-toned space around noon. There’s a large water dispenser with the words “free water for all”, and a wooden sculpture of a cross-legged meditating South Asian monk.

We could see the cooks baking flatbread and chopping vegetables. We ordered our meal at the counter, before taking seats on the wooden benches at the large tables that were decorated with potted plants.

Three of us tried a variety of dishes. Tantra (HK$120), one of the signature whole wheat flatbreads, is available for breakfast and brunch on weekdays and all day on weekends. The bread was topped with red cabbage, smashed avocado, rice, cauliflower and beans. It was like a cross between a Mexican taco and a Middle Eastern wrap. The contrast of purple and orange colours was attractive, but the taste was a little plain. The rice was overcooked and too wet.

Customers can build their own salad. We chose a small salad which includes four toppings (HK$80). The waitress recommended her favourites: baby spinach, kale, falafel, cauliflower, yams and grilled vegetables, with the classic olive oil and lemon dressing. The roasted sweet potatoes and purple yams were chewy outside and fluffy inside. The spice-flecked falafel balls – made with beans and chickpeas – were tender. We should have asked for the dressing on the side, as the oily sauce overwhelmed the flavours of the vegetables.