Vegan dim sum, salads, Indian: where a Polish marketing manager eats in Hong Kong
Jakub Lewandowski of The Mira Hong Kong reveals his top vegan dining spots, from custom salads to Chinese dim sum and Indian buffets
Jakub Lewandowski is the PR and marketing manager of The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, and a vegan. He spoke to Andrew Sun.
I was born in Krakow, the royal capital of Poland. My family house was blessed with a garden and mini orchard, with seasonal fruit, berries and vegetables. As on every Polish table, there would be plenty of meat. Baked home-made rabbit pâté was a thing for us.
When I was 12, my sister and I were invited by our half-Scottish, half-Filipino relatives to stay for a summer in Kalimantan – the Indonesian part of Borneo. There, I was exposed to a bewildering choice of exotic fruits. Later, I met a partner who opened my eyes to healthier and cleaner eating. In 2008, we switched to a vegan lifestyle.
For a treat, I head to Treehouse (Shop S28, B/F, Heath, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 6180 6396). My regular order is a custom salad box. I am addicted to the roasted cherry tomatoes and kimchi that go so well with the mixed grain rice and greens. The sweet potato fries and chocolate brownie are hard to resist, too.
I am not into Chinese vegetarian buffets where dishes are often fried or excessively oily. Everyday (Diamond Court, 10-12 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2570 2266) is an exception, with serene organic vibes that contrast with the area’s hustle and bustle.
There are times when office life calls for a birthday lunch. Luckily, my teammates are thoughtful enough to select somewhere with at least one veggie option. Coucou Hotpot-Tea Break (various locations including B124, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2347 2028) proved a fun surprise. It offers a coconut water broth as an alternative, served in its own mini hotpot so I can avoid cross-contamination.
Another time, we went to the vintage establishment Tai Ping Koon Restaurant (40 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2721 3559). The single vegan item on the rich menu, curried vegetables, was hearty and spicy enough to call for white rice on the side. I loved the 1950s ambience and seeing people enjoy the signature Swiss chicken wings and XXL soufflé.