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As the veganization of food wields its plant-based power, everyone is taking note! The foodtech industry is constantly changing and getting exciting, celebrities are encouraging their fans to jump on board, and restaurants around the world have begun offering more options than the paltry salads and sides of yore. In our fair city, the food and beverage industry have stepped up their game immensely to provide a thriving all-veggie food scene where our local and internationally celebrated chefs are actively shaping our food culture. These fining dining establishments have been turning out some of the most imaginative, visually stunning, and incredibly thoughtful plant-based food in Asia. Elevating vegan fare to an art form, here are Hong Kong’s best vegan tasting menus.
Café Gray Deluxe
Award-winning gourmet restaurant at the Upper House Hotel by famed Swiss restauranteur, chef, and author Gray Kunz, Café Gray Deluxe offers a stylish and innovative vegan and gluten-free tasting menu. Using sustainable ingredients whenever possible including local organic, non-GMO produce, the Revitalizing Menu changes weekly to ensure only the best will pass through this modern European restaurant.
Choose from a selection of two courses beginning at HKD 415; advanced booking recommended.
49/F, 88 Queensway, Pacific Place, The Upper House, Admiralty, +852 3968 1106, info@cafegrayhk.com.
Arcane
Fresh off Netflix’s The Final Table, it should come as no surprise that multi-award winning Australian chef Shane Osborn can put together a spectacular spread. But after a wildly successful Meat-Free Monday collaboration with Green Monday in 2017, the Perth-born father of two launched a vegan menu last year at his Michelin-starred Arcane, renowned for its seasonal fare that blends Japanese, French and British cuisine.
The vegan tasting menu is available every day for lunch and dinner for HKD 750; individual dishes can also be ordered a la carte. Advance booking strongly recommended.
3/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central; +852 2728 0178; reservations@arcane.hk
Grassroots Pantry
July 2019 Update: Grassroots Pantry has closed down its operations.
Peggy Chan’s Grassroots Pantry by now is a Hong Kong institution with diners flocking to her Hollywood Road establishment, herbivores or not. With an ever changing menu showcasing over 90% certified organSic ingredients, this #PlantQueen ups the ante every season adding new a la carte dishes and even puts out an annual Sustainability Report. High-end and creative set in a lush greenhouse-esque space, Grassroots is definitely not one to be missed.
Don’t miss their Seasonal Vegan Tasting Menu, an epic eight-course meal with welcome drink for HKD 850, which requires a three-day advance booking notice.
108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, +852 2873 3353, info@grassrootspantry.com
Frantzén’s Kitchen
Fusing modern Nordic cuisine with Asian influences, upscale Frantzén’s Kitchen in Sheung Wan offers a crowd-pleasing vegan tasting menu with exuberant culinary ambition. Serving a nominal selection of small plates, dishes on display positively burst with color and flavor. Be sure to make reservations – even for their limited lunch hour on Saturdays.
Please note this Vegan Tasting Menu (HKD 850) must be ordered one week in advance and cannot be altered on the day of booking.
11 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, +852 2559 8508, info@frantzenskitchen.com
Haku
Look no further than Haku for Japanese plant-based fare by Executive Chef Agustin Balbi. Featuring a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, or kaiseki, the Argentinean chef crafts an impressive omakase tasting menu filled with flavor and artistry. Available only for dinner, all items can be made vegan upon request with advanced notice for power lunches as well.
Vegetarian kaiseki menu begins at HKD 800; please request vegan tasting upon booking.
Shop OT G 04B, 17 Canton Road, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2115 9965, dine@haku.com.hk
Emporio Antico
One of our newest faves, Chef Mike Boyle fuses classical techniques with vegan ingredients on this visionary four-course tasting menu at Emporio Antico. Using the best organic vegetables ripe and full of flavor, we love the clever and playful dishes this Thomas Keller-trained fitness buff whips up that makes us not even miss the meat! PSA: be sure to pair them with the vegan wines they have.
The vegan tasting menu is available every day for lunch or dinner for HKD 398. Advance booking strongly recommended.
18/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, +852 2387 7168, info@emporioantico.com
Old Bailey
A traditional Jiangnan restaurant from Yenn Wong’s JIA Group, Old Bailey offers a substantial vegan a la carte menu with some of our favorite Chinese dishes like puffy, cloud-like mantou (Chinese steamed buns) or their cucumber roll with organic apple cider vinegar. Located in Central’s historical heritage site, Tai Kwun, do order their carefully curated selection of teas from Plantation by teakha as tea plays an important role in Jiangnan culture.
Their six-course vegan tasting menu is available for lunch only at HKD 240; individual dishes can also be ordered from a la carte menu for all day dining.
2/F, 10 Hollywood Road, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, Central, +852 2877 8711
Images courtesy of Green Queen, Frantzen’s Kitchen, Emporio Antico, Old Bailey, and Pexels (lead)
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