GBA Lifestyle News
If you’re feeling bloated from all those turnip cakes and New Year puddings after a gluttonous week of eating, a post-festivities detox is in order. From a simple bowl of freshly made salad to juices that are named after celebrities, visit these healthy dining spots around town to transition smoothly back to the basics.
Green Common
Eco-enthusiasts shouldn’t be unfamiliar with this name. As the latest venture of social enterprise Green Monday, the Harbour City concept store comes with a café that offers both fusion plant-based meal choices and on-the-go food items. Spanning 1,000 square feet, the space stands out as an oasis in the bustling mall – think wooden furniture, potted plants and modern hashtag décor. The staple Hainan runaway chicken ($122/full, $88/half) is created with five vegetarian ingredients to resemble the taste and texture of actual chicken: only 30 sets are sold each day. We also love the array of Common Good Juices, which are cheekily named after celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Stella McCartney, who are advocates for plant-based diets.
Shop OT G61, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbor City, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3102-1220.
Mana! Café
Tucked away in the hipster-friendly PoHo neighborhood, this tranquil space combines healthy dining with Fairtrade organic coffee — and it houses a small bookshop to boot. Boasting rustic décor, free Wi-Fi, and tables with abundant plug sockets, Mana! Café is an ideal spot to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon away from the crowd. Try the signature flats, which are wholemeal, or the gluten-free flatbreads topped with za’atar. Have a go at the Niravana ($90/full, $50/half), a flatbread featuring grilled tofu, rocket leaf, pickled peppers, roasted veggies and romaine lettuce. Mana! also offers a range of fresh juices as well as raw, vegan and gluten-free desserts.
8 Tai On Terrace, Sheung Wan, 2347-8555.
Toss & Turn
Conveniently located at Three Pacific Place, T&T is a popular spot for lunchgoers who yearn for a healthy grab-and-go meal. The brainchild behind this eatery, the Cedele Group, is a Singaporean company that advocates simple and healthy eating. Design your own salad (from $68 up) by mixing a base with two proteins and four veggie/crunchie options —ingredients include brown rice, cous cous and grilled chicken. For a more filling option, grab one of the Gourmet Sandwiches ($58) made with freshly baked homemade bread.
Shop 3, B3/F, Three Pacific Place, 1 Queen’s Road East, Admiralty, 2633-8312.
The Poké Co
Looking for a quick fix? This brightly lit restaurant in Wan Chai offers a range of poke, a Hawaiian raw fish salad. Aside from House Bowls selections such as Classic Tuna ($98/regular) and Tofu and Zoodles ($88/regular), The Poké Co also offers unconventional condiments to go with the poke, like an authentic Hong Kong-style XO sauce; an invigorating Vietnamese sauce that blends lemon juice, fish sauce and more; as well as a Korean “fire” chili sauce.
Shop 2, G/F, Rialto Building, 2 Landale Street, Wan Chai, 3705-1782.
Maya Café
From a then-little diner on Star Street to the current takeaway hotspot at the Nan Fung Tower, Maya Café has been offering quality Mediterranean-styled organic vegetarian cuisine since 2013. Decked out in white and adorned with a colorful chandelier, the grab-and-go space serves hearty vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes with creative touches. Signature dishes include the truffle cheese burger with a Portobello mushroom bun ($148) and an organic tofu steak with rice ($158). Wrap up your meal with one of the dairy-free cakes such as mango cheesecake ($45), and top up on vitamins with a range of refreshing fruit and veggie juices.
Shop G7, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2111-4553.
Leisurely Veggie
Furnished in shades of white and pastel blue, this veggie restaurant attempts to live up to its name by creating a calm and relaxing ambience in the bustle of Causeway Bay. Leisurely Veggie boasts a menu of fusion cuisine: think Chinese, western and Japanese. The dinner sets ($218) feature a trio of small salads, we love the sweet potato balls with a creamy texture that is reminiscent of ice cream. The sets also come with a hearty creamy soup and avocado, mango or alfalfa sprout handrolls. For mains, try the monkeyhead mushroom and veggie red curry, served with naan and pearl brown rice for a flavorsome and filling treat.
25/F, Jardine Centre, 50 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay, 3565-6393.
Inno Veggie
Mention “buffet”, and seafood galore and meaty indulgence spring to mind. Inno Veggie changes the buffet game with its vegetarian buffet at a jaw-dropping price of $59 per head. Available during lunchtime only, the buffet features a variety of 20 homey and modest Chinese veggie dishes. Some of the popular dishes include taro and pumpkin slices in coconut sauce as well as stir-fried lotus pieces in pineapple sauce. Inno Veggie also serve a selection of western dishes: try the freshly made veggie pizzas that are topped with various cheeses, tomatoes, herbs and more.
2-4 Fort Street, North Point, 2856-6238.
Isoya Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant
Let’s face it: finding Japanese vegetarian in our city is hard enough, not to mention one that offers a tranquil setting and hearty dishes. Enter Isoya Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant, which serves up quality meat-free Japanese fare like vegetarian sushi made from eggplant, red pepper and mashed pumpkin. Try the house-made bean curd, which is made from soya beans and water imported from Japan. A 10-course dinner set ($300) features different dishes daily, with a mix of sushi, rice cakes, charcoal noodles and sticky rice desserts.
9/F, 83 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, 5500-8812.
