If you think a healthy salad is the best you can do for vegetarian food in Hong Kong think again! We’ve munched our way through a range of healthy vegetarian restaurants and dishes – from fine-dining to food kiosks, and from organic to all-raw vegan establishments. All so we can recommend the top vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hong Kong. Read on…
Reviews of good vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong
Treehouse – vegan and vegetarian dishes
We’d heard great reports about Chef Christian and his fast-growing restaurant chain Treehouse and were excited to find out about more. Hailing from a fine dining background, his vision was to create a sustainable, ethical, modern and fast-dining casual restaurant. First, he sources the best local and organic ingredients he can. Then he crafts plant-based menus free from refined sugar, preservatives and trans fats. No nasty UPFs here!
The restaurant’s interior is light, welcoming and modern, with dine-in seating and plenty of bins to separate your waste. Ordering is super simple on the touchscreens. You can also pre-order online with each restaurant directly and pick up your food for takeaway or dining in. First up, we tried the Forest Burger ($98) – no soya or meat alternative here, just wholesome veggie goodness. The umami-rich roasted mushroom patty was perfectly complemented by the sweet roasted bell peppers and eggplant caviar, all encased in a lightly toasted sourdough bun. A fabulous start.
The list of wraps and bowls is tempting, with Chef’s fine dining expertise and flair very evident. We opted for the large falafel-based Willow bowl on mixed greens ($128) and added a topping of halloumi (one of the few non-vegan options) and some roasted beets. Simply delicious. You can also create your own, which is where the fun really starts. You begin with either bread or bowl, then choose your base, add one of three nutritious blends, one of four toppings and a choice of nine sauces. I defy anyone to tire of dining here!
There’s also a selection of sides from $50 – and don’t miss out on the Fried Cauliflower, super value at $65. The Falafel Box ($65) is arguably the best falafel in the city – crunchy exteriors and perfectly seasoned soft interiors, served with a tomato salsa, mixed pickles and a super delicious tahini sauce. Drinks include a range of organic coffees with plant-based milk options as well as teas, cold-pressed juices and a thirst-quenching Treehouse kombucha ($45).
Last but not least, there’s a choice of six vegan desserts. It’s almost impossible to choose between the Double Chocolate Walnut Brownie ($45) and the Macadamia Chocolate Chip Cookie ($40). Both are rich and deep in flavour, despite the simple ingredients.
On a subsequent visit (yes, we were soon back!), I devoured a large Snowdrop bowl with chargrilled cauliflower, grilled tempeh and fried eggplant on the four-grain mix. Next time, we’ll be trying the pizzas and creating our own bespoke bowls. All the dishes for vegetarians at Treehouse are made freshly to order, and they deliver consistently on taste, quality, quantity and price. There are endless options and even the most hardened carnivore could be tempted to embrace these plant-based yummies.
Kate Woodbury
Various locations including Shop 1, G/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central
treehouse.eco
Woodlands – Indian vegetarian food in Hong Kong
Woodlands serves up authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine in a bright and airy space with vibrant green seats. The freshness of the design is the perfect introduction to the feasts on offer here. On our visit, there was a wonderful buzz in the room with Indian families chatting away and sharing colourful dishes together. The restaurant champions vegetarianism as a long and widely established way of life – one that helps to create a healthier and more compassionate society. And all of this clearly comes across in each dish.
Light and crisp with a rich potato filling, the Samosa ($58) is a perfect start. We also loved the Pakora ($78), crispy fritters of potato, onion, cauliflower and green chilli. And the Tandoori Aloo ($108) is a truly outstanding sizzler of spiced new potato roasted in the tandoor. Manchurian Gobi ($98) is a new one on us; the cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy, sweet and sour sauce hit all the right taste notes. Paper Masala Dosa ($148) is yet another Woodlands triumph. It’s a paper-thin lentil pancake with potato chaat filling. There’s also a Family Dosa that’s a whopping four feet long!
The main dishes for vegetarians are reassuringly familiar and excellent too. Dal Makhani ($98) is the ultimate comfort food – perfect when scooped up with nicely charred Garlic Naan ($32). Vegetable Jaipuri ($98) is medium spiced and ideal with Vegetable Biryani ($88). And the Bhindi Masala ($98), heavenly okra in tomato masala, is our winner of the night.
Woodlands offers food for thought. Many meat-eaters would love these wonderful clean-eating creations – classic Indian favourites that hit the spot reassuringly after a long day at work. The restaurant is spreading the word of a healthy way of life in a very exciting way.
Karl Woodbury
1/F, Dennies House, 20 Luard Road, Wan Chai
woodlandshk.com
Veggie Kingdom – top vegetarian restaurant in Hong Kong
This quiet and cosy restaurant occupies the 7th floor above busy Canton Road. The Chinese menu is 100 percent vegetarian. This is a rarity in a city known for its love of pork and seafood! The chefs have cleverly recreated classic dishes with vegetables and plant-based proteins resulting in an exciting and unique clean eating menu. We arrived just before 7pm and within a few minutes the restaurant was bustling with hungry diners. A pot of jasmine tea was quickly served.
There’s a superb choice of reimagined staples from Sichuan and Guangdong here. Of course, you’ll also find HK favourites like BBQ Pork, Veggie Beijing Duck and Veggie Goose.
Our portion of Smashed Japanese Cucumber ($48) proved a refreshing and tasty start to the meal. Next came Stir-fried Flat Rice Noodles with Veggie BBQ Pork ($98). They really hit the spot: perfectly cooked with a slightly chewy bite, and the veggie pork was convincing. An ideal dish for non-meat eaters craving those tangy and sweet flavours.
From the sizzling casserole list, we chose the Chef’s Recipe Curry ($148) which is served with Toona Bread – excellent when dipped in the rich sauce. Fried Long Beans with Pickled and Minced Veggie Meat ($68) was our standout dish. It’s a perfect match of crunchy beans with a little sharpness from the vinegar and nuggets of savoury goodness. You can also visit at lunch time for an appetising menu of dumplings, rice noodle rolls and snacks. It’s well worth the return trip!
Kate Woodbury
7/F, VIP Commercial Centre, 120 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
veggiekingdom.hk
VEDA – vegetarian fine dining in Hong Kong
Veda comes from the Sanskrit word “vid” meaning “to know”, and it represents knowledge and wisdom. This restaurant’s mantra is to “celebrate the vegetable”. Their dishes, they say, are not centred on the “without” but rather focused on the “with”. The result? An exciting Mediterranean-inspired Indian fusion of flavour, colour and texture that feels akin to vegetarian fine dining in Hong Kong.
From the list of “Small & Chaat” starters, we order the Pani Puri ($88). These delightfully crisp hollow dough balls come filled with potato chaat then crowned with a zingy mint and coriander dressing. The plump Silk Route Momos ($78) feature a homemade ricotta and spinach filling topped with a tangy tomato chutney. It’s Goa meets Genoa! Avo Chaat ($98) is an exciting millefeuille housing a smashed avocado and chaat masala with mixed chutneys – a total showstopper. And Green Pepper ($88) is humbly named but the potato masala with curry leaf stuffing is sensational. In fact, all these tapas are a feast for the senses.
On to the “Bigger to Share” dishes for vegetarians and the Locally Grown Portobello Rice ($208) is an interesting mix of coconut-infused rice pudding in a light crispy outer with organic mushrooms on the side. Veda’s Aloo Gobi ($178) comes with coconut and lentil sauce garnished with cashew nuts. We also enjoyed freshly baked Kulcha ($48).
Two desserts nicely rounded off the evening: Basque-style Chai Masala Burnt Cheesecake ($95) served with confit berries, and Wine Poached Pear ($108) infused with jaggery, with a vanilla ginger cream and pecan crumble. The mains and desserts were good but the Small & Chaat starters steal the show. In fact, next time we come, we’ll order the four we tried this time, plus the Samosa, Aloo Mattar Tikki (potato and pea patty) and Shiso Tempura (crunchy shiso leaves)!
Karl Woodbury
2 Arbuthnot Road, Central
veda.hk
More restaurants for vegan and vegetarian food in Hong Kong
Years
More than just a restaurant, Years is a whole lifestyle brand inspired by a love of animals. It has a number of venues, with delicious plant-based menus available in two outlets in Sham Shui Po, as well as in West Kowloon Cultural District, TST, Tseun Wan and elsewhere. Highlights include pastas and risottos (try the black truffle risotto that uses a wide range of different mushrooms, along with black truffle paste and asparagus), and also burgers and desserts.
Multiple locations
Veggie4Love
Here’s a vegetarian/vegan place with a twist: it has a 1950’s American diner vibe (including lots of themed paraphernalia and knickknacks) to go along with its plant-based menu. The range of burgers is a popular place to start, or try Asian classics like laksa, ramen and more.
10/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central
Root Vegan
Tucked away on the first floor of Central’s Sunwise Building, Root Vegan is a fully vegan restaurant whose special focus is on Asian fusion dishes. You can expect plenty of noodle dishes, curries and Thai and Japanese-style items on the menu, along with salads, baked items and a wide range of drinks.
Shop 102-103, 1/F, Sunwise Building, 112-114 Wellington Street, Central
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 also features a menu 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.
* G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Admiralty
* G06-07, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central
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 | 6511 4051
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
Kung Tak Lam
Just a stroll away from the Star Ferry, Kung Tak Lam Shanghainese serves up hundreds of vegan and vegetarian 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
Loving Hut
Dairy-free vegan fast food sums up these popular vegetarian restaurants 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
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 212, L2, Mira Place One, 132 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, plus 5 other HK branches
Liked our round up of vegetarian food in Hong Kong? Read more in our Wine & Dine section!
