Review: Here, Quarry Bay

If you're plant-based in Hong Kong, chances are you've already heard of Here - the east-side offshoot of the beloved Years. Tucked into quiet corner of Quarry Bay / Taikoo, this spot has become my weekly ritual, and honestly, choosing a photo to post each time is getting harder than picking what to eat.

Their Tom Yum is one of the best versions in the city - rich, aromatic, and spicy without overpowering the palate. It's packed with tofu, veggies, and herbs, and it's a deeply comforting dish.

The vegan calamari is a must-order. Made with oyster mushrooms, it's perfectly crispy outside, tender inside, and comes with a tangy dip that balances the richness. It's great for sharing but I usually don't. 

The cold noodle chicken salad is a revelation! It's smothered in a creamy peanut dressing that hits the sweet and savoury balance just right. We started out sharing a portion but the next time we visited we each had one, it is that good!

This salad / rice bowl is jam packed with veggies like edamame, features vegan salmon, delicious tofu and more. That pink dressing in the background is to die for!

The hummus bowl is hearty and wholesome - think roasted cauliflower, tofu, avocado, tomatoes and toast.

The PBJ chocolate sourdough toast is delicious. It's more like desert than breakfast and makes for a real good photo. The vegan cream is really good.

 The Sesame Ice-cream Pancake Blackfest features black sesame ice-cream, black sesame sauce, wild berries, fig, oreo, and bamboo charcoal pancakes. It's almost to pretty too eat.

If you're looking for a plant-based spot, this is the kind of place you end up to returning to without thinking twice. It's calm, consistent, and full of small details that make you feel taken care of. By far my favourite restaurant in the group. 

Documentary Review: Our Planet (2019)

A Climate Lens on Nature's Fragile Beauty

Our Planet narrated by David Attenborough, was a major shift in nature documentaries. Unlike previous series, it directly connected the beauty of the natural world to the reality of climate change and human impact. It showed not just wildlife, but how rising temperatures, deforestation, and overfishing are disrupting ecosystems. The series was notable for its use of real climate science and for confronting viewers with the consequences of environmental degradation - perhaps most memorably in scenes showing walruses forced onto cliffs due to ice sea loss.

As of 2025, the trends Our Planet highlighted have largely continued. Global temperatures remain high, with 2023 and 2024 among the hottest years on record. Arctic sea ice continues to shrink, and coral reefs (including the Great Barrier Reef), have suffered repeated mass bleaching. According to WWF's 2024 Living Planet Report, monitored wildlife populations have declined by nearly 70%. Deforestation remains widespread, especially in the Amazon and Congo. 

While renewable energy adoption is growing and more countries now have net-zero targets, global greenhouse emissions remain high. The world is currently not on track to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C. 

Our Planet  remains one of the most visually stunning and scientifically grounded climate documentaries to date. Its message is even more urgent now than when it was released. 

Review: City Super Deli

City Super Deli in Hong Kong isn't a fully vegan destination, but it does offer a few reliably tasty plant-based deli items that are perfect for a quick lunch or snack. 

The mushroom tofu is the stand-out dish in this range. Firm tofu topped with braised mushrooms in a savoury glaze. It's rich in umami and works well as a side or a protein boost to your meal. 

Another great pick is the Yukon vegetable salad, which combines yukon potatoes with shredded cabbage, carrots, and other greens. It's light and refreshing.

One of the best options is the Japanese-style sweet potato. Served cold, these tender golden slices are sweet and sticky and simply delicious! 

For something heartier, try the soba noodle salad with tofu. This dish features buckwheat noodles, firm tofu, and a soy-based dressing, often with vegetables like cucumber and tomato. 

While the selection is small, it's clearly labelled and thoughtfully prepared. For vegans or anyone looking for plant-based convenience, City Super Deli offers just enough to keep you well-fed and coming back for more. 

 

Documentary Review: An Inconvenient Truth (2006) (A Prophecy)

A Climate Wake-Up Call That Echoes Into Today

When An Inconvenient Truth premiered in 2006, it did something that no other climate documentary had done before - it turned a PowerPoint presentation into a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Davis Guggenheim and centred around former U.S. Vice President Al Gore's climate advocacy, the film was a sobering, scientifically grounded call to action. Nearly 20 years later, its warning feel less like speculation and more like prophecy. 

At its core, An Inconvenient Truth painted a clear data-driven picture of how human activities - particularly the burning of fossil fuels - were increasing greenhouse gas levels and destabilising Earth's climate systems. Gore led audiences through graphs, satellite images, and personal anecdotes to explain rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, increasing storm intensity, and sea-level rise. At the time, many of these ideas were controversial or under-appreciated by the general public. 

From a climate science perspective, the film got a lot right. Its predictions - once seen as bold - have been largely validated. Arctic sea ice has continued to decline, extreme weather events have become more frequent and intense, and global temperatures have risen year after year. In 2006, the world was just beginning to grapple with these concepts; today, we are living them.

However, the film was not without its flaws. Some critics pointed out moments of overemphasis or dramatisation, and a few climate projections were more aggressive than what has unfolded (such as the scale or timing of sea-level rise). Yet, as a communication tool, An Inconvenient Truth succeeded in making climate science accessible and emotionally resonant - something scientific policy reports often fail to do. 

Fast forward to 2025, and the climate crisis has moved from projection to a lived experience. Global emissions have continued to rise, despite international pledges and growing public concern. Extreme weather events - once described as future risks - are now regular occurrences: wildfires, floods, droughts and record-breaking heatwaves are reshaping communities across the globe. 

An Inconvenient Truth was never meant to offer all the solutions - it was a wake-up call. Today the truth is no longer inconvenient; it's unavoidable. The question that remains is whether we will finally match knowledge with action - and whether it will be soon enough. 

 

Hong Kong Vegetarian Food Expo 2025

The Hong Kong Vegetarian Expo once again brought together an incredible mix of plant-based innovation, cultural flavours, and eco-conscious living. We scoped out the place for the best vegan dishes and products on offer. 

This year's expo featured an exciting range of plant-based products, from meat alternatives to dairy-free desserts. Local startups introduced unique items like vegan egg yolks and mushroom-based seafood. There were also some international brands that show-cased their latest cruelty-free creations. 

Visitors were treated to free samples throughout the venue, with booths handing out everything from almond cheese to soy-based ice-cream. The place was packed, with long lines forming at popular stalls, which almost always was meat alternatives. Many people left with bags and trollies full of items.

One of the stand-out features was the cooking demonstrations on stage, where chefs prepared plant-based versions of local dishes. Watching a vegan char siu bao come together in real time was entertaining and really drew in the crowds! (Char Siu Bao is a Cantonese-style barbecued pork bun.)

Health professionals and food scientists also held talks throughout the day. Topics ranged from gut health on a vegan diet to how plant-based eating impacts athletic performance. The sessions were well attended. 

Eco-conscious living was another major theme. Stalls offered reusable utensils, compostable packaging, and tips for reducing kitchen waste. It was a powerful reminder that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with plant-based choices.

Vendors at the 2025 expo celebrated Hong Kong's culinary roots by offering plant-based versions of classic dishes. The fusion of heritage and innovation continues to define the local plant-based scene.

Attendees left the event feeling inspired and informed.Whether they came for the food, the lifestyle tips, or the sense of community, everyone walked away with something valuable. The positive energy was contagious.

The Hong Kong Vegetarian Food Expo continues to grow in popularity and impact. As more people embrace sustainable, plant-based living, events like this play an important role in education and transformation. We can't wait to see what next year brings! 

Review: Cowspiracy (2014) and Climate Today

Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and addressing it requires a critical understanding of its key drivers. While fossil fuels, energy consumption, and industrial activities dominate the headlines, the role of food systems—particularly animal agriculture—often receives less attention. 

The 2014 documentary "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret" explores this issue, bringing to light the significant environmental impact of livestock production.  The documentary has sparked debate due to some of its claims and methodologies. In this blog post, we’ll revisit the core points raised by "Cowspiracy," examine their factual basis, and explore how they relate to today’s climate crisis in a nuanced and accurate way.

Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to climate change, primarily due to its emissions of greenhouse gases like methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock production accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This figure includes emissions from feed production, manure management, enteric fermentation (methane produced during digestion in ruminants like cows), and land-use changes such as deforestation.  

Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period and about 80 times greater over a 20-year period. Cattle, as ruminants, are the largest source of methane emissions in the agricultural sector. This makes beef and dairy production especially impactful in terms of climate change.  

The expansion of livestock farming is a leading driver of deforestation, particularly in tropical regions like the Amazon rainforest. Forests are cleared to create grazing land or to grow feed crops such as soy, the majority of which is used for livestock feed rather than human consumption. This loss of forests reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and contributes to biodiversity loss, further exacerbating the climate crisis.

Animal agriculture is resource-intensive, requiring large amounts of water, land, and feed. For example, producing 1 kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 litres of water, although much of this is "green water" from rainfall. Nonetheless, the industry’s water use is significant and contributes to regional water stress, particularly in areas where irrigation is required.

One of the most striking claims in "Cowspiracy" is that animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector. While this comparison is attention-grabbing, it can be misleading without context.  The 14.5% of global emissions attributed to animal agriculture includes both direct and indirect emissions, such as deforestation and feed production. By contrast, the transport sector’s emissions (approximately 14%) are typically reported as direct emissions from fuel combustion. Comparing these figures directly without explaining the differences in methodology can lead to confusion. Although animal agriculture is undeniably a major contributor to climate change, fossil fuel combustion across various sectors remains the largest source of emissions globally.

Global meat production has steadily increased over the past few decades, driven by population growth and changing dietary patterns, particularly in developing countries. The FAO projects that meat production will rise by 14% by 2030. This trend poses a challenge for meeting climate goals, as expanding livestock production will likely increase emissions and further strain natural resources.  

One of the key messages of "Cowspiracy" is that adopting plant-based diets can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our food systems. Research supports this claim. For example, a 2016 study published in "Nature" found that shifting to plant-based diets could reduce global food-related emissions by 49%–70%, depending on the extent of the dietary shift.  

A plant-based food system also requires less land and water, freeing up resources for reforestation and biodiversity conservation. However, it’s important to note that the benefits depend on the scale of adoption and the extent to which plant-based options replace high-impact foods like beef and lamb.

One of the criticisms raised in "Cowspiracy" is that many environmental organisations have historically downplayed the role of animal agriculture in climate change. While this was largely true at the time of the documentary’s release, the conversation has since evolved. Today, organisations like Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and others have begun addressing the environmental impact of food systems more directly. However, the level of attention given to this issue still lags behind that of other sectors like energy and transportation.  

The challenge lies in addressing dietary habits, which are deeply personal and culturally significant. Shifting societal norms and policies to prioritise sustainable food systems will require collaboration across governments, industries, and civil society.

Addressing the environmental impact of animal agriculture requires action at both individual and systemic levels:  

For Individuals  

1. Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption: Even small changes, like adopting a flexitarian or plant-based diet, can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.  

2. Educate Yourself: Learn more about the environmental impact of food systems and share this knowledge with others.  

3. Choose Sustainable Options: Support companies and products that prioritise sustainability, such as plant-based alternatives or regenerative farming practices.  

For Policymakers

1. Reform Agricultural Subsidies: Redirect subsidies from industrial livestock production to sustainable farming practices.  

2. Promote Plant-Based Diets: Invest in public awareness campaigns and support research into alternative proteins.  

3. Strengthen Land-Use Policies: Protect forests and other ecosystems from agricultural expansion.  

"Cowspiracy" sparked an important conversation about the role of animal agriculture in climate change, challenging viewers to reconsider their food choices. I certainly had a deep look at my own choices after I watched this movie. Anyone that cares about the planet, and their health would do the same. While some of the claims in "Cowspiracy" require careful interpretation and context, the documentary’s core message remains valid: the way we produce and consume food has profound implications for the planet.  

As the climate crisis intensifies, addressing the environmental impact of animal agriculture must be a part of the solution. By making informed choices and advocating for systemic change, we can help create a more sustainable and equitable food system—one that nourishes both people and the planet.  

What changes have you made to reduce your environmental impact? We want to hear your thoughts. Comment below or follow me on Instagram for more plant-based content. 

Review: Orbital

Samantha Harvey’s Orbital the 2024 Booker Prize winner, offers a unique lens through which to examine our planet's fragility and the pressing issues of climate change. 

Set aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the novel follows six astronauts as they complete 16 orbits around Earth, each lasting 90 minutes. This setting serves as a powerful backdrop for exploring themes of isolation, perspective, and the human impact on the environment.

One of the most striking aspects of Orbital is its portrayal of Earth as both beautiful and vulnerable. The astronauts, while floating in the vastness of space, are confronted with the stark reality of climate change. They witness a massive typhoon from above, a moment that encapsulates the duality of awe and horror. As they observe the storm's destructive potential, they grapple with feelings of helplessness and detachment, mirroring the experiences of many who watch climate disasters unfold from afar in our increasingly digital world. This scene resonates deeply in an age where natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change 

Harvey’s characters are not just observers; they are deeply affected by their experiences and the memories they carry. For instance, Chie, a Japanese astronaut, mourns her mother’s death while being unable to return to Earth for the funeral. The portrayal of her mother's death is a gripping moment, perhaps one of the most beautiful scenes written in all the books I've read. Chie's personal grief is juxtaposed against the backdrop of a planet in turmoil, highlighting how climate change impacts not just the environment but also personal lives and relationships The astronauts’ reflections on their loved ones and their lives on Earth serve as a poignant reminder of what is at stake in the fight against climate change.

The novel also delves into the concept of the Anthropocene—the current geological age viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Harvey illustrates how humanity has irrevocably altered the planet, with the astronauts observing the lights of cities from space, which only become visible at night. This inversion of visibility emphasises how human impact is often obscured during the day, yet it is undeniable when viewed from above. The astronauts’ reflections on the Earth’s transformation due to human desire and activity provoke critical thought about our collective responsibility towards the planet.

Orbital is more than just a narrative about space travel; it is a profound meditation on the state of our planet and the interconnectedness of human experiences. Through the astronauts’ eyes, readers are invited to reflect on the beauty and fragility of Earth, making it a timely read for anyone concerned about climate change. Harvey’s work serves as a reminder that while we may feel isolated in our struggles against environmental degradation, we are all part of a larger narrative that demands our attention and action.

In a world where climate change is an ever-looming threat, Orbital offers a compelling exploration of these themes, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature on climate awareness.