9 of the best places in Hong Kong for the most healthy and delicious lunchtime eats
We’re one month into the new year, and many of us are trying to stay on track with our resolutions.
Some of us are taking part in Dry January, trying to get into a good gym routine, budget better, or find stress-reducing activities to add to our busy schedules. With all these motivating goals, improving our eating habits and finding options for healthy restaurants is another commitment for some of us to tackle in 2019.
Healthy eating is a mindful practice, and what you define as “healthy” can be different for others. Most of us have a balanced diet, but on occasion, we all love a good cookie or pain au chocolat in the afternoon, and nothing is better than ending a long work day with happy-hour drinks.
Over the past few years there has been an explosion in healthy cafes and restaurants in Hong Kong, and we’re happy to see menus catering to vegans, vegetarians, or incorporating a plant-based diet.
Healthy food isn’t just a trend, but a conscious focus on what you put into your body. Dishes can remain creative and wholesome – the best of both worlds.
Here are nine of the best – tuck in guilt-free!
1. Elementary
Elementary is a pretty chill restaurant. Fill your table with some colourful, fresh, and innovative dishes for brunch or dinner. One of our favourites is the EFC (Elementary fried cauliflower), and the veggie burger just hits the spot. The desserts are quirky, fun and great for sharing. The white chocolate pudding remains one of our favourites.
2. BlackSalt
With a fresh, modern approach towards subcontinental Asian food, BlackSalt truly distinguishes itself as a unique eatery in Sai Ying Pun.
The menu touches upon Nepalese, Burmese, Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bengali cuisine with a tonne of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The Kathmandu meatballs are a must-order, while the beetroot chops and wok-fried kothu roti remain as classics on the menu.
3. Sohofama
Sohofama focuses on healthy living, sustainability and raising awareness to support urban farmers. The modern Chinese dishes incorporate locally grown ingredients, and a vegetarian menu has been created by Sohofama. We highly recommend the dumplings – so good.
The restaurant is intimate, but our favourite spot is out on the deck, surrounded by Sohofama’s urban mini farm. With herbs and vegetables growing along the walls, you might be inspired to start your own at home.
4. Grassroots Pantry
Chef Peggy Chan is spearheading Hong Kong’s plant-based scene with Grassroots Pantry, the finest vegan and vegetarian gourmet restaurant in the city. The delicious menu includes the healthiest organic ingredients and changes on a weekly basis. Opt for the signature mixed mushroom linguine if it’s on the menu that day.
5. Bedu
This cosy spot serves some comforting, homey Middle Eastern dishes with a contemporary twist. With a range of mezzes and sharing plates, the restaurant is a great spot for dinner and weekends. We love seeing the variety of specials on the wall and grabbing a pita during lunch. Bedu is vegetable forward, so the dishes are filled with bright colours, and very vegetarian friendly.
6. Ohms Cafe & Bar
OHMS’ Instagram has tempted us to go try its pancakes. The vegan menu is simple, with plenty of bagels, all day breakfast, Asian influenced pastas and salads, as well as their baked goods. They host workshops circling around plant-based dishes, and you can buy some imported products to incorporate into your cooking at home. Be sure to stop by to try their coffee and tea drinks. The green tea cashew milk latte uses fair trade organic green tea powder, topped with home-made coconut cream.
7. Greenwoods Raw Cafe
Greenwoods Raw Cafe in Tsim Sha Tsui has been getting a lot of attention recently. Besides the predominantly, strong Asian influence incorporated in most of the dishes, they’re the first raw cafe we’ve encountered in Hong Kong. Greenwoods Raw Cafe is dedicated to serving raw vegan and vegetarian food, with daily mains changing. The raw vegan dim sum along with the raw vegan mock eel really caught our eye, and the Korean bibimbap with tempeh sounds comforting.
8. Green Common
It’s been quite the year for Green Common. With the launch of five cafes and Kind Kitchen, the booming plant-based movement in Hong Kong has been great for Green Common. We must admit, we were sceptical about the idea of Omnipork and Green Common as a grocery store, but it has become one of our favourite places to shop and eat now. We’re a sucker for the egg noodles, and the Taiwan signature bowl. Each location has more or less of a variety of vegan/vegetarian eats, incorporating their famous Omnipork. The grocery selections are reasonable, compared to other health food stores in Hong Kong.
9. Fresca
Fresca is one of our favourite places for a fresh salad and remains one of Hong Kong’s famous salad bars in SoHo. They serve vegan and vegetarian salads, soups, paninis and baked goods, such as delicious steamed muffins and cookies – one of our favourite indulgences. With flavours changing daily, Fresca is a quiet place to eat during lunchtime, or a place to pick up a snack. Salads and soups are great for takeaway, especially if you work in the area.
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Skip your lunch of salad or boiled broccoli and chicken and check out these restaurants around the city with menus full of healthy, fresh and innovative choices