Cover Photo: Ma... And The Seeds of Life

Where to find plant-based food that is both nutritious and satisfying

Over the past few years, the amount of people who choose to eat less meat and consume a more plant-based diet has steadily increased. Naturally, Hong Kong's restaurants have responded by meeting this demand with colourful food options that are flavoursome, sustainable and varied—beyond raw salads, boiled vegetables or a single banana.

So, whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking to cut down your meat consumption, here is a list of some of our favourite dining venues that focus on plants.

In case you missed it: The best pistachio dishes in Hong Kong

1. Treehouse

Treehouse serves a range of healthy vegan and vegetarian dishes. Ideal for a quick lunch, the menu features sourdough flatbreads wraps, burgers and salad bowls, which can be customised with toppings that include charred cauliflower, grilled tempeh, vegan cheese, turmeric soft egg, avocado and more. Promising to be sustainable, ethical, modern and fast, Treehouse also delivers when it comes to flavour. After the success of the first location in H Code, Treehouse is now also available inside Lincoln House at Taikoo Place.

Treehouse, Shop 1, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3791 2277

2. Veda

Tucked inside the Ovolo Central hotel, Veda is a vegetarian haven. The all-day dining destination's menu is globally inspired with dishes taking influence from Chinese, Indian and Nepalese cuisines, to name just a few. The aloo gobi and Silk Route momos are all firm favourites on the main menu, while the breakfast menu includes a savoury South Indian rice pancake with sweet tomato chutney and kale, spinach and avocado toast and more.

Veda
International   |   $ $

2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong

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3. Lockcha Tea House

This Chinese tea house offers a range of tea that is among the best in the city, including specialist brews from Alishan Oolong to Wuyi Yanzhonglan, but if the wide and varied tea menu doesn't tempt you, the vegetarian dim sum will. One of Lockcha's venues is stationed within the historical Tai Kwun so diners can dip into Hong Kong’s cultural delicacies, whilst immersing in the city's heritage. Make sure to try the spring rolls, steamed turnip cake and barbecue sauce buns before finishing with sweet custard buns.

Lockcha Tea House, G06-07, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2276 5777

See also: The Best Dim Sum in Hong Kong, According to Chefs

4. Woodlands

Serving traditional South Indian fare, Woodlands is well known for its quality vegetarian cuisine. Specialising in Jain and Buddhist food, all dishes at Woodlands contain no onion, garlic, or root vegetables and are 100% plant-based. Go hungry as there is lots to sample including huge dosas, uttapam, idly, sambar and more. For a taste of everything, we recommend opting for the South Indian thali or classic masala sosa.

Woodlands, UG Shop 16 & 17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong; +852 2369 3718

5. Isoya

Serving sophisticated Buddhist-Japanese cuisine, Isoya's food is beautifully presented but it's far from being style-over-substance. Here, vegan sushi is made with ingredients such as lotus roots and fried cherry blossoms, with every detail executed to the highest level and fresh ingredients from Japan. If you're dining here in the evening, opt for the daily kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. The lunch set, with its selection of appetisers (ranging from spinach with sesame sauce to natto mixed with okra) and fulfilling mains such as the popular lime some, is consistently good quality.

Isoya, 9/F, 83 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai; +852 5500 8812

6. Years and The Park by Years

Years and The Park by Years in Sham Shui Po, along with Friends of Years in Tsuen Wan and Be with Years in Hung Hom, cater to vegans and vegetarians. The original space, Years, offers a veggie-friendly menu of curries, pasta dishes and burgers, while The Park by Years is totally plant-based. Sweet-toothed diners will be left more than satisfied with the array of desserts, including tofu cheesecake, brownies and poached pear vegan pancakes.

Years, Shop 1 Fuk Lung Building,191-199 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong; +852 6338 3719

The Park by Years, 132 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong; +852 5336 4000

7. Ohms Cafe & Bar

Proving that vegans can have their cake and eat it too, Ohms Cafe and Bar serves a delightful range of plant-based sweet treats and fair-trade coffees. Aside from plenty of dishes to curb those sweet cravings such as pancakes, ice cream and homemade cakes, Ohms also offers a small savoury menu for lunch.

Ohms Cafe and Bar, Shop A, G/F, 192 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 5400 4236

8. Veggie4love

Veggie4love took over Veggie SF in 2021 and continued to offer international vegetarian and vegan cuisine in a quirky 1950s-inspired space on Stanley Street in Central. Highlights from the menu include the meatless burger made with a vegan beef patty topped with tangy BBQ sauce, Vietnamese-style rice noodles, spicy vegan rendang and more.

Veggie4love, 10/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2177 9477

9. Chi Lin Vegetarian

Located inside the secluded Nan Lian Gardens in Diamond Hill, Chi Lin Vegetarian will make you diners feel worlds away from the busy city streets. The menu of MSG-free and vegetarian dim sum, noodles and a la carte dishes can be enjoyed while looking out at the beautiful gardens and architecture from the Tang Dynasty. Despite its peaceful location, the restaurant can get busy at weekends, so it's best to call and book ahead when planning a trip. For hassle-free ordering, go for the set for two, four or eight people, which includes a range of signature dishes.

Chi Lin Vegetarian, Long Men Lou, Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong; +852 3658 9388

10. Ma…and The Seeds of Life

Helmed by chef Tina Barrat, Ma...and The Seeds of Life turns raw natural ingredients into colourful and creative dishes. From the chef's signature preserved lemon risotto with roasted green asparagus to beetroot tartare infused with onions, celery, capers, mustard and miso, diners have a whole host of vegetable-focused dishes to enjoy. Meat lovers will also love the faux-gras liver pate made with dried fruit chutney, keto bread and flaxseed cracker

Ma... And The Seeds of Life
French   |   $ $ $

Shop 11, 1/F, H18 Conet, 23 Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong

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11. Root Vegan

From dan dan noodles to vegan cheese bagels, Root Vegan is a vegan restaurant that serves modern vegan meals in the heart of Central. This spacious cafe is perfect for a weekend of lounging and hanging out with friends while devouring plates of vegan delights such as the fulfilling Korean bibimbap and vegan chocolate cake.

Root Vegan, Shop 102-103, 1/F, Sunwise Building, 112-114 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 9850 9558

12. Sow Vegan

Private dining restaurant Sow Vegan serves a creative tasting menu with dishes so beautifully prepared and plated that diners will want to photograph every course. Run by a team of passionate plant-based enthusiasts and chefs, Sow Vegan makes all their baked goods from scratch. 

Sow Vegan, Room 1102,11/F, Hung Tat Industrial Building,43 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, +852 9029 3009

13. Soulmate Ramen

Gone are the days when plant-based eaters struggle to find ramen restaurants serving veggie soup bases thanks to Soulmate Ramen. Their signature vegan ramen bowl is available all day and is loaded with vegetables of different flavours and textures. There are also side dishes vegan fried dumplings, Japanese taro and sweet chestnut croquette and more to complete the meal.

Soulmate Ramen, G/F, 16 Wo On Lane, Central, Hong Kong; +52 6378 8196

Credits

Words  

Annie Simpson, Doris Lam & Fontaine Cheng

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