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HONG KONG’S SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RESTAURANTS
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Interested in doing more for your community during these uncertain times? These Hong Kong restaurants provide financial support, employment opportunities and skillsbased training to all sorts of people in need. Check out one (or better yet, all) of these fabulous and philanthropic eateries for your next meal out. By Cynthia Lin.
IBAKERY
iBakery was opened in 2010 under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and has branches in Kennedy Town and Sheung Wan. It offers homemade bread, cookies and cakes. The bakery trains and hires people with disabilities, helping them to build self-confidence and learn basic living skills. They also have a café in Wan Chai that offers light meals and heartier dishes.
Shop 2, G/F, Block 2, Centenary Mansion, 1 Victoria Rd., Kennedy Town, 2816-5233, ibakery.tungwahcsd.org
HC:BISTRO
Located right in the heart of the city inside trendy Tai Kwun, hc:Bistro is a social enterprise project undertaken by the Hong Chi Association. They provide training for people with intellectual disabilities, and serve up a range of western-style dishes like risotto, soups and salads, as well as a cocktail menu and a few beers on tap. With the colonial prison era surroundings and ample people watching opportunities, you can’t beat the location!
Shop 14-G01, G/F, D Hall, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Rd., Central, hcseo.org.hk
ATEEN
Ateen is run by non-profit Buddhist organisation, The Centre for Spiritual Progress to Great Awakening. It provides job opportunities to people recovering from physical and mental illnesses, as well as single parents struggling to get by. Good for Buddhists who practice ahimsa, vegans, and just about anyone who likes simple, clean and healthy food with minimal impact on the environment.
Room 13A, 2/F, Tower A, Hong Kong Industrial Centre, 489-491 Castle Peak Rd., Kowloon, 3153-4499, ateen.com.hk
FANTASTIC CAFÉ
Operated by Hong Kong Free Methodist Church, Fantastic Café has a long history of helping women who are struggling to find work due to lack of education or work skills. The restaurant offers both local and western cuisines and has branches in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Sham Shui Po.
Shop B, G/F, Park Signature, 68 Kung Um Rd., Yuen Long, 2204-5188, se.fmchk.org
CAFÉ 8
Café 8 is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Nesbitt Centre, a local NGO which offers vocational training and employment opportunities to adults with learning disabilities. Located on the rooftop of the museum, it offers amazing views of the harbour as well as a nice selection of light meals including salads, wraps, sandwiches and cakes. A perfect place to chill out and enjoy an afternoon tea.
Roof Level, Central Pier No.8, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central, 3791-2158, cafe8.org
GINGKO HOUSE
Gingko House is the first social enterprise in Hong Kong to promote employment and training opportunities for the elderly. This restaurant chain has locations across Hong Kong, and offers several different cuisines including Chinese, Vietnamese, western and vegetarian. Gingko Moment is one of their most popular branches, thanks in large part to their talented senior citizen folk band, who perform live shows for customers every single night.
7 Killy Rd., Quarry Bay, 3480-0331, gingkohouse.hk
HOLY CAFÉ TRAINING CENTER
This cozy Cheung Sha Wan restaurant serves up an eclectic mix of western and Chinese dishes while providing training and employment to adults with intellectual disabilities. This social enterprise started as an idea to help the owner’s intellectually disabled daughter gain skills and self-confidence, and eventually grew into a training centre to help other people living with the same challenges. Best for lunch, as this one’s only open till 4:30 in the afternoon, and closed on Sundays.
584 Fuk Wa St., Cheung Sha Wan, 2371-0187
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Dining news that’s good for you
NEW VEGGIE CAFE OPENS IN SHEK TONG TSUI Healthy cafe alert! South Lane 14 is a new-ish bakery café in Shek Tong Tsui serving up nutritious (but more importantly delicious) dishes like sweet potato coconut pancakes and a variety of grain bowls. The menu is 80 percent vegetarian, with a few organic chicken and fish mains on offer for flexitarians. A must-try if you’re in K-Town or HKU area.
14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui.
GREEN COMMON EXPANDS VEGAN MOONCAKE OFFERINGS Plant-based pioneers Green Common broke the mooncake mold last year when they created a vegan mooncake option using vegan butter made with chickpea water. This year they’ve upped the ante with two new flavours: Figs with Pistachio & Oat and Mixed Nuts with Blueberry & Purple Sweet Potato. Not only do these cakes skip the animal byproducts, they also contain 30 percent less sugar, making them a healthier choice for the festive season. greencommon.com
SOHOFAMA LAUNCHES HEALTHY KOREAN VIRTUAL BRAND Good news for anyone looking to expand their healthy food delivery options! Sohofama’s F&B incubator just launched BIBIM BOWL on Foodpanda, serving up healthy and customisable bibimbaps. Build your own Korean rice bowl with whole food toppings like roasted pumpkin or blanched broccoli, plantbased proteins like lentils, chickpeas or black beans & corn mix, and healthier base options like quinoa or brown rice. Bowls run between $95-$120.
