While Hong Kong has one of the highest meat consumptions per capita in the world (pork and beef consumption are the highest, with average daily consumption four times higher than the UK), awareness of the devastating environmental impact of meat, and ethical concerns over animal welfare, is growing. This is resulting in an increasing shift towards more plant-based diets.
But, being plant based isn't all salads, chips and a side of fruit. Availability of plant-based alternatives—such as meats, cheese and milk—has steadily increased over the years, and the city has numerous fresh fruit and vegetable markets. Hong Kong also boasts a number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, with new additions every year, from Chinese cuisine, Indian, raw food and indulgent burgers and desserts.
Here are 13 of our favourite vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Hong Kong.
Located in the K11 mall, Soil to Soul is a relatively new addition to the veggie dining landscape. Headed by chef Gu Jin Kwang, a protégé of famous Korean nun Woo Kwan, who is an expert in temple food, the restaurant offers contemporary vegetarian Korean food that is temple inspired and beautifully presented. The restaurant's interiors are minimalist zen, all the better to enjoy your delicious food. Soil to Soul collaborates with local farms for fresh ingredients and vegetables for a sustainable farm to table experience. It’ll be a struggle not instagramming every dish.
Shop 704 K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, +852 2389 9588
Craving sushi, but want a plant-based version? Is it even possible? Well, yes. Isoya offers Buddhist Japanese cuisine and vegan sushi. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, they have a set lunch and dinner menu as well as kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner selectively chosen by the chef.
9/F, 83 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, +852 5500 8812. Open Monday – Saturday 12:00PM – 2:30PM; 6:00PM – 11:00PM.
This beloved Chinese teahouse is practically an institution, and a favourite place to take friends from out of town for an afternoon dim sum served with specialty tea. The traditional décor will transport you back to the beginning of last century and although it is renowned primarily as a tea house — they have an extensive tea list that is amongst the best in the city— their vegetarian dim sum is equally enticing. Don’t leave without trying the turnip cake and their fried dumplings. If you visit on a Sunday you may also catch their Chinese music programme.
Lock Cha Tea House, G06-07, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, +852 2276 5777
Lock Cha Tea House, G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Admiralty, +852 2801 7177
This Buddhist-inspired modern Asian vegetarian spot should definitely be on your dim sum list. Pure Veggie House serves up vegetarian dumplings, fried enoki mushrooms and black truffle mushroom pouches cooked up by dim sum chefs. Delicious! In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint they also use organic produce from their own ecological farm.
1/F, Ka Wing Building, 27 Granville Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2525 0552
Ma takes vegan dining to a new level. This woman-run restaurant, founded by raw food chef Tina Barrat, offers a fine dining experience of raw, mouth-watering dishes without meat, dairy, gluten or processed foods. Ingredients are not cooked, but soaked, sprouted, dehydrated, or warmed so that they retain their nutrients. The restaurant also offers a degustation menu with biodynamic wine pairing. The vegan cheese platter is not to be missed.
Shop no. 11, H18 CONET, 1/F, 23 Graham St, Central, +852 3165 1717
If it’s vegan Indian food, and a good thali or dosa, that you’re after, head to Woodlands in Tsim Sha Tsui. This casual eatery specialises in Buddhist and Jain food, which means their dishes are also free of garlic, onions and root veggies, on top of being plant based.
Woodlands, UG Shop 16 & 17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, +852 2369 3718
Lung King Heen in Hong Kong's Four Seasons Hotel is the only Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong, and the world’s first Chinese restaurant, to be awarded three Michelin stars. But it's not just for seafood and meat eaters. The restaurant has plenty of vegetarian options from their a la carte menu, and also a vegetarian degustation menu (they can make it vegan on request) that is as creative and beautifully presented as it is delicious, with some standout dishes. There is even a selection of premium sparkling teas for non-drinkers, so you can sip on bubbles to your heart's content. And the vegetarian XO sauce is probably the best we've had.
Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance St, Central, +852 3196-8880
This modern Chinese vegetarian restaurant embraces healthy eating. Miss Lee has Chef Siu Hin Chi, legend behind two Michelin-starred Ying Jee Club, on board as its culinary consultant. Their chic interiors have a retro vibe, that will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto a Wes Andersen set. And they offer an inclusive menu that is suitable for vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians alike. Great for weekend dim sum.
G/F The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, +852 2881 1811
This renowned Buddhist temple at Chi Lin Monastery, built in the style of the Tang Dynasty in Diamond Hill, is frequented by pilgrims, tourists and local visitors alike. If you head over there one weekend, end your visit to the garden and temple with a meal at the vegetarian restaurant. It has scenic views of the garden, a picturesque lotus pond and traditional Chinese sculptures, designed to invoke a sense of zen while you eat. Try the steamed buns and wild mushrooms with rice. There can be queues, so get there early.
Long Men Lou, Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, +852 3658 9388
Okay, so this isn’t a plant-based restaurant, but Arcane does offer the option of vegan and vegetarian a la carte dishes, and a degustation menu which is a fabulously indulgent treat for a special night out. Sometimes you just want to spoil yourself, and this place does the job. Owned by award-winning Aussie chef, Shane Osbourne, service at this Michelin-starred restaurant is always exemplary, produce is top quality, and their selection of wines will top off a wonderful fine-dining experience. Plus, music fans will really appreciate their epic playlist.
3rd Floor, 18 On Lan Street, Central, +852 2728 0178
So, now and then you want your comfort food or it's a cheat day. Hey, you deserve it. Located on Elgin Street in Soho, Pop Vegan serves up favourites like pizza, burgers, fish and chips, and tacos—and they’re all vegan! So, that's something to feel a little less guilty about, right?
1/F, 28 Elgin St, Central, +852 2628 6211
Treehouse prepares fast, healthy and fresh vegan and vegetarian dishes that are perfect for a casual lunch or office meal. Choose from salad bowls, wraps and plant-based burgers that can be customised with your choice of toppings and fillings. And their sides of polenta fries and sweet potato fries are non-negotiable. Don’t forget to check out their range of fresh pressed juices too.
Treehouse, Shop 1, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, +852 3791 2277
Veda is Hong Kong's first all-vegetarian flagship hotel restaurant, located in Ovolo Central. Aussie chef, Hettie McKinnon (from Arthur Street Kitchen fame), serves up a menu of Asian and Western dishes that can be shared, like Nepalese momos, semolina gnocchi, baked aloo gobi and soba noodle salad. And they can mix up your fave alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktail too.
Ovolo Central, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, +852 3755 3067