Eat Clean in 2016: 5 Healthy Lunch Spots in Central That Won’t Break The Bank

We’ve all over-gorged over the holidays so this month, it’s all about reconnecting with our bodies and our health. During a busy work day, it can be difficult to make the time to make healthy choices. Luckily, Hong Kong boasts an ever-increasing number of clean eating restaurants. We’ve rounded up our top five Central spots, all of which offer efficient service, an option to grab and go and especially a bang for your buck.

Healthy Chicken

Healthy Chicken is the new kid on the block having only opened its doors in October- but you wouldn’t guess that with the large following it has! And we can see why: Healthy Chicken’s uses only the freshest of ingredients from small farms when it comes to its poultry, vegetables and dairy. Their delicious rotisserie chicken is roasted to perfection after marinating in their secret spice rub overnight. Add to that a delicious array of grains, dairy, salads and sauce and you have yourself a perfect protein-packed post-exercise meal!

Green Queen Loves: A Chicken Plate with skinless breasts including all sides (rice, beans, cheese, salad, & sauce) will set you back a mere HKD 68. A serious bargain!

Address: Shop A2 G/F Khuan Ying Commercial Building, 87 Wellington St, Central

Veggie SF

Well known as the building with all the restaurants, 11 Stanley Street sure gets busy at lunchtime. And no one is busier than oldie but goodie Veggie SF. Situated on the tenth floor, the decor is pure Americana/50s vintage diner, think Elvis tunes playing in the background and I Love Lucy reruns on repeat on an archaic television set. Food-wise, Veggie SF has very little in common with diner food- this 100% vegetarian cafe is much loved for plant-based dishes like the beetroot burger served with roasted pumpkin and squash wedge fries. The menu is inspired by many Asian cuisines too (we love their Indonesia tofu skewers) but also includes foolproof options like pastas, noodles and soups.

Green Queen Loves: The lunch special includes the soup of the day and a choice of house beverages with every main ordered. Prices start at HKD 108.

Address: 10F, 11 Stanley St, Central.

Mana! Fast Slow Food

Who hasn’t heard of Mana! Fast Slow Food at this point? Mana! accommodates the health-conscious and eco-friendly eater serving up an array of delicious raw, vegan, and vegetarian food, all set in an environmentally conscious decor. It’s all the goodness of soul food, whole foods and slow foods served under one roof…no wonder it’s always busy! Mana!’s signature flatbreads are topped with the flavourful Middle Eastern spice blend za’atar then filled with a variety of vegetarian toppings. Other food favourites made from scratch daily include a rocking veggie burgers, soups, seasonal salads, juices, shakes and organic coffee. Plus, if you bring your own container, you’ll receive a 5% discount!

Green Queen Loves: Mana! Love Flats filled with roasted veggies, halloumi and rocket (HKD 40 for half, 70 for full size).

Address: 92 Wellington St, Central.

Life Organic Café

Life Café has been around since the early 2000s- they were the first and only when organic vegan food was almost impossible to find in Hong Kong. Fun fact: Life is incredible popular with tourists- they have over 4, 500 reviews on Tripadvisor! We love the soothing ambience and reclaimed wood decor, it’s the perfect escape from the rowdiness of Hong Kong. Life serves all vegetarian fare from quinoa curries to vegetarian lasagne on their a la carte menu, but they are also very popular for their salad bar. They work hard to source organic ingredients too so you an rest assured it’s all toxin-free!

Green Queen Loves: Life offers a rotating daily lunch set, which includes a soup, main, coffee or tea and an organic coffee for HDK 118. Their salad boxes start at HKD 55.

Address: 10 Shelley St, Soho.

nood food

Just across from Life Café, under Pure Fitness Gym is another newbie on the block. nood food has replaced Pure’s old Red Bar and Restaurant and is now attracting the captive gym audience as well as office employees and tourists. nood food focuses on the raw food – think healthy raw vegan salads, cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and raw snacks. As well as a ‘mix your own’ raw and cold salad bar, nood also offers hot food- with all the meat and fish being responsibly sourced aka wild, organic or grass-fed. Everything on their menu has the calculated nutritional facts of protein, calories, and carbs, among others, per serving. This is invaluable information for any health zealot or gym rat that doesn’t have time to calculate the nutritional value of what they’re eating. nood food has made it easy for you. Genius! And to put the icing on the cake, they use locally sourced organic produce wherever possible.

Green Queen Loves: Don’t miss out on one of their kale salads- a must in your salad box (HKD 60 for the small and 88 for the large)- they sometimes have four different ones!

2F, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Rd, Soho.