I care about what I eat, and where my food comes from. Therefore I was very excited to try out a new addition to the rather limited local organic, vegan dining scene.
A little piece of al fresco dining at Mana! Fast Slow Food
As an eco-friendly restaurant that serves fast, organic vegan food that doesn’t cost the earth, the interior is full of reclaimed timber and organic tiles from Bali.
Cool interior of Mana!
Energy-saving lighting
Co-Founders Bobsy (of Life Cafe, another favourite of mine) and Christian Mongendre have been pushing the green movement in this city, as reflected by the organic, homegrown wheatgrass on the counter, and the sustainable cutlery and packaging. It is the first time I saw and used paper straws; plastic spoons are “100% compostable”; the paper boxes are printed with “food that doesn’t cost the earth” and “dear earth, dear sun, by you we live” and the biodegradable coffee cups are also made from plants with a vegetable derived material.
Paper straws and cutlery made from sustainable materials
Wheatgrass sitting on the counter
The communal Babylon-styled backyard is designed for a quick bite, or enjoy a glass of organic wine and relax.
Babylon backyard - mini oasis in the city
One of Mana’s specialties is its flats , organic wholesome flatbreads topped with savoury “zaatar” (a mixture of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds and sea salt) and olive oil, layered with mouth-watering toppings of one’s choice and wrapped to go. A perfect healthy alternative to pizza.
Flats and humus
The flats are prepared in the handmade brick oven specially built for this purpose.
Handmade brick oven for making flats
Other tasty treats include tofu and haloumi burgers, fries, dhal, yummy salads and soups.
Fresh salad served in recycled paper box
Humus and Baba ghannouj
The more unusual offering includes raw vegan dessert. The raw blueberry cake was moist, soft with a texture similar to Japanese cheese cake, fruity yet not overly sweet. The lovely colour was a vibrant dark purplish red.
Raw bluberry cake with organic latte
The latte was a bit watery and bland, or may be I am just spoilt by all the artisan coffee I am so used to these days from the likes of Barista Jam and Rabbithole. But am loving the healthy, tasty and fresh food here.
Botsy and Christian having a laugh
Mana! Fast Slow Food
Add: 92 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2851 1611
