There are many benefits to eating green, and saving the planet is one of them, as Chatteris Tutor and Environmental Team member Zoé Watson knows. Here is her collection of vegetarian and vegan restaurant recommendations from across Chatteris, conveniently packaged into a Hong Kong green foodie guide for you. Bon appétit!

 

 

Forgoing meat can be a great way to do something positive for the environment. As Guardian writer Oliver Milman notes, Meat production accounts for 57% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire food production industry.  It also results in widespread deforestation and loss of biodiversity, and each of these means that it significantly contributes to climate change. 

 

Going meatless may seem daunting in Hong Kong. But fear not; to meet the growing demand and evolving consumer preferences, there is an array of options to choose from. To help, I’ve collated some of our Chatteris tutors’ favourite places for vegetarian and vegan food across Hong Kong. 

 

 

Ahimsa Buffet 無肉食, Mong Kok and other locations (recommended by Lamia)

 

Ahimsa Buffet offers a great spread of mostly Asian vegan and vegetarian dishes. There are four branches spread across Hong Kong: Mong Kok, Central, Tsuen Wan and Tseung Kwan O. After paying the entry fee ranging from HKD 98 to HKD 160, you’re invited to fill your plate and enjoy your meal in a spacious seating area. Once a dish is finished, it is quickly replaced with something else, so be sure to pay the buffet a second visit. Had I not done this, I wouldn’t have discovered the cauliflower wings! I highly recommend you approach Ahimsa Buffet the way you should approach any buffet—try a bit of everything!

 

 

Veggie Kingdom 緻素坊, Tsim Sha Tsui (recommended by Maya)

 

This restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui serves Cantonese food through an entirely vegetarian menu. It’s pretty popular, so unless you’re eating alone or as a two, you’ll definitely have to book a couple days in advance. My favourite dish is the Hoisin ‘Duck’, which features the fascinating and delicious monkey mushroom.

 

 

Daliang Vegetarian Kitchen 滋味齋, Yuen Long (recommended by Rebecca)

 

I love this place. It’s really comforting, like being in someone’s home. Every time I go in, the same traditional soundtrack is playing, older people run it and the customers are all older too. The food is really nice and cheap, and for $45 you get rice and soup, and a choice of two dishes of whatever they decided to make that day. It’s always different and pretty much always delicious!

 

Chi Lin Vegetarian 志蓮素齋, Diamond Hill (recommended by Dionne)

 

Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist Garden and Temple in Diamond Hill. The restaurant is inside the grounds and underneath a waterfall (I would recommend going early to get a table by the window so you can see this). All the food is vegetarian, including the dim sum served at lunchtime. The food is amazing, and it is exciting to have so many Chinese options, which are often reserved for meat eaters, made available for vegetarians. This is a must-try for those with meat-free diets and meat lovers alike!

 

 

Fung Shun Dumplings 豐信餃子店, Prince Edward (recommended by Chelsea)

 

My recommendation is Fung Shun Dumplings in Prince Edward. It’s a small restaurant but very popular. It’s not a veggie restaurant; however, it has the best vegan dumplings I have tried in Hong Kong! I always order the fried vegan dumplings; they’re a 10 out of 10!

 

 

Kabo Burger 嘉寶漢堡, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei (recommended by Madison)

 

One place I would recommend for vegan food is Kabo Burger in Mong Kok and Ya Ma Tei. It has two versions of meatless burgers, as well as toppings that you can choose from. They have a mushroom burger (for those who do not like fake meat), as well as an impossible burger (for those who do not like mushrooms). You can add a variety of toppings from avocado, to brie cheese. My personal order is an impossible burger with caramelised onions (around $54). They also have options to make a combo meal with fries/hash browns and a drink for an additional $16. Very tasty and customisable for any dietary requirement!

 

 

Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant 活蘭印度素食, Tsim Sha Tsui and other locations (recommended by Lamia)

 

Woodlands is well-deserving of its reputation for being Hong Kong’s best Indian vegetarian restaurant, where you’re spoilt for choice with their extensive menu. I recommend ordering any of their thalis – a round platter used to serve food in India. A friend and I shared the ‘Woodlands Special Thali’ for HKD 140, which included (but was not limited to) chana masala, vegetable biryani, dal and vegetable korma. We were pleasantly surprised when it came with chapatis, pooris and a dessert. They have locations in Tdim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and The Chinese University Hong Kong (CUHK). You might need to make a reservation for this one!

 

 

Fete Up 饗量, Central and other locations (recommended by Kelly)

 

Fete Up in Central is great if you are looking for a quick and healthy meal! Their bowls come with your choice of rice (I highly recommend the coconut rice), fresh veggies and a variety of dressings to top it off! As for your protein, Fete Up offers the most delicious falafel or halloumi cheese! You can build your own bowl or choose from one of the signatures! One bowl usually lasts me 2-3 meals and costs $70-$80! Pro tip: double up on the roasted pumpkin; it’s to die for!

 

 

Mayse Pizzeria, Jordan (recommended by Maya)

 

This totally plant-based restaurant in Yau Ma Tei serves up delicious pizzas and toasties made using homemade dough, ranging from a classic Margherita to a more unique Tom Yum flavoured pizza. They also have a range of drinks from Sauvignon Blanc to kombucha to organic lemonade, and all not for too steep of a price. They have another branch in Sai Kung, their original shop, which is an artisanal plant based bakery.

 

Sino Vegetarian 大中華素食, Jordan (recommended by Zach)

 

Sino Vegetarian is one of my top recommendations for meat-free dining. With a range of affordable dinner sets as well as a full menu, what sets this place apart from other veggie spots is the huge variety of dishes. I particularly recommend trying some vegetarian takes on Hong Kong classics, such as their steamed BBQ ‘pork’ bau, and claypot rice dishes. Fans of meat substitutes will enjoy the chance to try their realistic (?) vegetarian cuttlefish, prawns and more.

 

Three Virtues Vegetarian Restaurant 三德素食館, Jordan and North Point (recommended by Hayley)

 

Serving both Yum Cha and Chinese vegetarian dishes in large portions, this restaurant is great for accommodating larger groups. They offer an array of vegetable-only dishes, and meat alternatives, too.

 

Yat Sum Vegetarian 一森素食, Yau Ma Tei and Tsim Sha Tsui (recommended by Susie)

 

This small Buddhist restaurant has everything I like in a Hong Kong veggie eatery: the menu is not too large, so there’s less likely a compromise of quantity over quality; they have a wallet-friendly meal set option; and finally, you get authentic, Buddhist vegetarian dishes based on mainly regional ingredients. I have only been to the one in Yau Ma Tei, which even for a small Hong Kong shop or restaurant space is pretty small, but it only adds to the cosy atmosphere! Anyway, if all the seats are full, you can always grab a takeaway. Most, if not all menu options are vegan, too!

 

 

 

Whether you are a meat lover or you are meat-free, Hong Kong has restaurant options for you! Find out for yourself.