Veganuary: 5 indulgent menus you wouldn’t expect to be vegetarian

by Aude Camus
 

Mott 32

The award-winning Cantonese restaurant, known for its signature Peking Duck and its deliciously crispy skin, is probably not the first address one would think of for a plant-based meal. Yet, the restaurant under Maximal Concepts - Rediscover our interview of Malcolm, Global Managing and Culinary Director for the group -, a group that has long been known for its commitment to sustainability, just launched its standalone plant-based menu, served alongside the regular a-la-carte menu,  with no less than 12 dishes including adapted versions of the restaurant’s classics such as the Shanghainese Soup Dumplings with tofu and minced “pork” or the Peking “Duck” with crispy tofu skin, pickled cucumber and Chinese pancakes.
 
Mott 32
Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central
 
 
Komune

A South-American restaurant with an Asian twist when Ovolo Southside, the hotel in which the restaurant is located, first opened its doors in December 2017, Komune made quite a shift last October with deciding to entirely cut meat from its menus, a shift driven by the Ovolo Hotels Group, the first ever hospitality group to go 100% vegetarian. You can now expect a very cool and tasty offering of plant-based dishes ranging from the sweet potato hummus with buffalo mozzarella, crispy kale and chilli (HKD 198) to the truffle potato, gorgonzola, pear pizza (HKD 108) or the R-Rated grilled sandwich with comte cheese, harissa and brioche (HKD 178). Cherry on the cake is the laidback terrace, the perfect spot where to enjoy creative cocktails on top of your vegetarian bites.
 
Komune
Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road
 
 
Leaves & Liberty

The vegetarian, plant-based little sister of popular burger joint Beef & Liberty makes plant-based food very pornfood and available for delivery. Available on Deliveroo, Leaves & Liberty will have you drooling over its selection of burgers including the Impossible^TM Black Pepper Burger (HKD 152) featuring Impossible^TM meat made from plants, raclette cheese, caramelised onions et rocket or the Falafel (HKD 92) with house falafel, sriracha mayonnaise, rocket, tomato and parsley salsa in a vegan bun.
 
On Deliveroo
 
 
Bombay Dreams

An institution that has been around for 18 years, Bombay Dreams keeps on reinventing itself with launching this year a vegan menu. Colourful and vibrant, just like the exquisite Indian cuisine the restaurant has long be renown for, this new menu (served alongside the regular menu) includes flavourful dishes such as the Bhalla Chana Chaat (HKD 88) – lentil dumplings with chickpeas tempered with whole spices and served with tamarind and spicy mint chutney –, the Baingan Ka Bharta (HKD 98) – tandoori roasted mashed eggplants with onions, tomatoes and garlic – the Vegetable Biryani (HKD 138) and the Subz Kofta (HKD 108) – vegetable dumplings cooked in fresh herbs and traditional spices gravy (as featured in picture above).
 
Bombay Dreams
4/F, Carfield Building, 77 Wyndham Street
 
 
Big Dill

With a first address opened in Sai Ying Pun over the summer and a recent landing in Central at Brooklyn Bar & Grill on Staunton Street, Big Dill has make it a mission to have us indulge without the guilt.  You can expect mouth-watering burgers and sandwiches that combines comfort and juiciness such as the Big Dill (HKD 98) – signature Big Dill juicy ”beef” patty with cheddar cheese, diced onions, pickles and special sauce on a soft brioche bun – or the Zeus Gyro (HKD 88) – a tender “lamb” wrap stuffed with French fries, cucumber, tomatoes, Spanish onion, fresh mint and fluffy garlic sauce – but also very pornfood sides including the Return of the Mac (HKD 45), creamy mac n’cheese topped with crunchy truffle crumble.
 
Big Dill
29 Staunton Street – Central
123 Third Street – Sai Ying Pun