Wan Chai has been one of the most popular neighborhoods in Hong Kong for quite some time now. While it is known for its Convention Center,  as well as for being home to some of Hong Kong’s seedier evening destinations, Wan Chai has in recent years also become a mecca for the health conscious set with plenty of options for everyone. So, the next time you find yourself in Wan Chai try one of these delicious choices or make sure to bring your grocery bag (reusable and plastic free of course!) and stock up for the week.

Eat Clean & Green

Best for Korean Vegan – Kelly’s Cape Bop

Having developed quite the following, Kelly’s Cape Bop serves delicious vegetarian and vegan Korean dishes. We love the kimbap and the k-rolls (a Korean interpretation of sushi rolls)- all made using sustainably sourced ingredients including organic produce. They also make their own kimchi, which is wonderful and the best we have tried in Hong Kong!

Best for Indian Vegetarian – Khana Khazana

Serving traditional southern and northern Indian dishing including favorites such as dosas, idlis, and tandoori dishes. In addition to vegetarian cuisine, vegan and Jain menus can be prepared upon request. Khana Khazana offers a lunch buffet Monday to Friday as well as an a la carte menu for dinner and on the weekends.

1/F, Dannies House, 20 Luard Road, Wan Chai, +852 2520 5308. Monday to Friday 12:00 – 15:30, 18:30 – 23:00 and Saturday to Sunday 12:00 – 23:00.

Best for Gluten-Free Treats – Le Creperie

This charming joint pays ode to old-fashioned Brittany crepes- that means they make theirs using buckwheat flour. In other words, totally gluten-free. Le Creperie’s menu offers sweet and savory pancake concoctions as well as mains, soups and salads.

1/F, 100 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai,  +852 2529 9280. Open daily 11:30 – 23:00.

Best for Healthy Take Away – Life Take Away Deli (Now Closed)

A great option for those looking for something to bring back to the office, Life’s Take Away Deli, a mini version of their larger Central outpost,  offers a rotating selection of vegan and vegetarian salads, quiches, gluten-free baked goods and low-GI desserts. There is also a small selection of healthy grocery items, mostly focusing on snacks.

50 C Johnson Rd. Wanchai, +852 2527 7588. Open daily 10:30 – 20:00. 

Best for Asian Vegan – Loving Hut

Possibly the world’s largest vegan restaurant chain (as claimed on the international Loving Hut website), with restaurants in 27 countries, there is no doubt that Loving Hut is committed to promoting a plant-based lifestyle. The menu is varied offering Asian and western dishes including dumplings, noodles, soups, salads and baked goods. They also carry vegan dog food AND you can get your Happy Cow Dairy Free Ice Cream fix here too.

2/F, Luen Tai Bldg., 93-99 Wan Chai, Wan chai, +852 2574 3248. Open daily 11:00 – 21:30.

Best for Gourmet Raw – Maya Cafe Mediterranean Lifestyle (Now Closed, Try Their New Place)

Maya Cafe Mediterranean Lifestyle serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with raw vegan dishes being their specialty. The menus include juices, smoothies, wheatgrass shots, salads, soups , raw vegan and vegetarian mains, gluten-free baked goods and a large selection raw desserts but we heartily recommend their raw cheese platter and their Mediterranean platter- these will convince even the most ardent naysayers that raw food is totally filling and incredibly yummy!

5 Moon Street, Wan Chai,  +852 2529 3319. Open Daily 8:00 – 22:00.

Best for Soup – Tallore Artisan Soups

Just what you need on a cold day or for a light lunch, this homemade artisanal soup bar and take-away shop features a menu with gluten free, dairy-free and vegan options, all of which are MSG free. Tallore Artisan Soups also offers sandwiches, salads, pastas and snacks. You can order online for delivery via their Facebook page.

7-17 Amoy Street, Wan Chai,  +852 2327 8630. Monday to Saturday 12:00-21:30.

Special Mention – Best for Brunch – Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen

Wan Chai’s first 100% raw vegan restaurant showcasing locally sourced and organic produce,  Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen’s typical menu is a la carte and includes organic coffee, smoothies, chia pudding, coconut yogurt, raw cheeses, raw zucchini “pasta”, and a dessert option- however they have some fabulously wholesome and delicious Sunday brunch options. They are open on Sundays only and can be booked for private dining on other days.

1 Sun Street, Wan Chai,  +852 9040 9427. Pop up brunch some Sundays, please contact them beforehand.

Stock Your Fridge & Pantry

Best for Plant Based Diets – Green Common Concept Store

Green Common Concept Store, a brand new 100% plant-based grocery shop by Green Monday, stocks a large range of dry goods, meat alternatives (they just launched international plant-based protein startup Beyond Meat products, a first in Hong Kong) and fresh organic produce. There is also a takeaway section with coconut yogurt from FoodCraft and baked goods from Sweetpea Patisserie, as well as vegan juices and sandwiches. The store also hosts a rotating calendar of events, including talks and workshops,  focusing on living a plant-based lifestyle.

Best for Organic Produce – Perfect Pick (See Update Below)

Perfect Pick is an organic produce shop stocking a range of certified organic western and Asian varieties of fruits and vegetables from Taiwan. Produce is certified by either Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) or Chinese Organic Agricultural Standards (CAS Organic). Their organic fruit selection is the best in town!

72-76 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai,  +852 6194 8483. – May 12 2015 Editor’s Update: Perfect Pick does not actually serve retail customers out of their Wan Chai shop but they take orders via Whatapp at+852 6084 1481. We apologize for this error and any inconvenience caused!

Best for Discovering New Brands – Just Green

Just Green is an organic and specialty diet convenience store/supermarket stocking a selection of groceries, supplements, personal care products, and home cleaning products. They specialize in bringing new and interesting brands and products to Hong Kong- it’s always such fun to browse their aisles. We also love that they stock a selection of local artisan products such as Green Vitamin and Taboocha.

7 St. Francis Street,  Wan Chai, +852 2528 9969. Open Daily 11:00 – 20:00.

Best for Kiddos – Organic MaMa

Organic MaMa‘s physical shop (they are also available online) covers a very large selection of goods including organic groceries (baby foods and formula as well as pantry staples and antibiotic free meats), toxin-free household products and cleaners and a full range of vitamins and supplements.

Room 1104, Tung Wah Mansion, 199-203 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, +852 3179 4623. Monday to Friday 10:30 – 19:30 and Saturday 10:30 – 17:00.

Best for Coconut Products – Shing Fat Coconut & Spices Ltd

This hidden gem is the place to go for fresh coconut in the city, and by fresh we mean processed at the shop. They stock a range of coconut products including fresh coconuts, fresh grated coconut, fresh coconut meat and fresh coconut milk. Shing Fat Coconut & Spices Ltd also carries specialty spices, condiments and sauces from around Asia.

Image credits: Kelly’s Cape Bop photo from IG @angie_lcc,  La Creperie, Loving Hut, Tallore Artisan Soups, Green Common Concept Store, Just Green and Wan Chai, Hong Kong via photopin (license).