Nutrition meets wellness at Gróa in Hong Kong, ‘more than just a restaurant,’ owner says
Wellness entrepreneur Cheman Cheung on why his new Hong Kong restaurant, Gróa, in Repulse Bay, aims to not just feed but rejuvenate diners
It is my third time interviewing Cheman Cheung in the past four years and each time, the entrepreneur has something new going on.
Cheung founded the wellness brand Nüte in 2021, selling smoothie bars online. He has since added two sister brands under Nüte: Benko, a Japanese-inspired bento (boxed meal) shop at Basehall, the upscale food court in Hong Kong’s Central district; and more recently, Gróa, a casual seaside restaurant that opened in April in the south of Hong Kong Island.
Gróa in Repulse Bay serves plates inspired by Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine. The name, which means “to grow” in Old Norse, sums up the restaurant’s ethos. “We want people’s well-being to grow here,” Cheung says.
“It’s much more than just a restaurant for us. We want people to come in and leave with a lovely memory, feeling recharged, rejuvenated and [with] a sense of growth from the conversations, food, service and environment.”
Tucked away on the top floor of Repulse Bay Arcade, the restaurant is not easy to find. Once you arrive, however, it feels as though you found a secret corner of Hong Kong’s Southern district.
Chinese garden archways straddle the path leading to the restaurant, and traditional Chinese windows and bamboo stalks frame a picturesque sea view. Inside, the restaurant is a mix of natural wood and green tones. Gróa feels like the physical manifestation of Cheung’s values and Nüte’s North Star.