Yum, yum, yum! That's what we have to say about the wonderful selection and execution of vegan dishes at Chilli Fagara. Find out why...
More and more of our fave restaurants around town are adding great vegan options to their menus, including Arcane, Posto Pubblico and Homeslice. But if you’re craving that spicy Sichuan hit, then look no further than Chilli Fagara, a restaurant that brings the heat (and colour) from its location on Old Bailey Street in SoHo. We were more than happy to head in and taste the vegan dishes at Chilli Fagara, and even the resident meat-eater was won over!
Standing the test of time
Having opened in 2005 in a different location in Central, Chilli Fagara is somewhat of a stalwart on the Hong Kong dining scene. Tucked away on Old Bailey, it could be easy to walk by and not notice the unassuming entrance opposite of Tai Kwun. Once found, however, you step into a little haven that will have you forgetting the frenetic pace of the outside streets in no time.
Inside, tree branches hang from the ceiling, while red and black features can be found throughout. The menu itself is broken into three distinct sections: ‘Ma’ featuring the famous Sichuan peppercorns; ‘La’ which highlights spicy chilis; and ‘Tang’ the coolest options. To make life even easier for vegans, they’ve included an entire section at the back especially with meat-free/dairy-free options – #winning.
Vegan dishes at Chilli Fagara
First of all, it’s worth noting that this is the kind of place to come with a big group, so that you can try LOTS of tasty and authentic Sichuan food. There are so many vegan dishes at Chilli Fagara, that we promise you’ll find something to suit your spice level, and if you’re not a fan of spice, just go for everything from the Tang menu.
We started with the Crunchy Wood Ear Mushroom with Chinese Celery, Goji Berries and Sichuan Peppercorns. If you’ve ever had Sichuan cuisine before, you’ve probably had this dish, but the version at Chilli Fagara is heightened thanks to the freshness of the produce and the addition of the Goji Berries; it’s a total delight.
Next up, we had the Impossible Dumplings with Chili Sauce. I’m not usually a fan of fake meat, but these dumplings were exceedingly good, plus the meat-eater at the table couldn’t get enough of them. The perfect spot for Meatless Mondays perhaps? I’m also super keen to go back and try the vegetable version of these dumplings, which are also vegan. (Note: I’ve since gone back and tried the vegetable version and they’re just as goos, in fact they may be even better.)
Kung Pao Tofu followed, and was the highlight of the night for me. Stir-fried with red chili pepper and peanuts, the spiciness had a certain sweetness to it and the texture of the tofu was perfection. (Side-bar: the meat-eater actually ordered his own chicken dish too, but ended up foregoing it to get stuck into the Kung Pao Tofu!)
There are so many other vegan dishes at Chilli Fagara that we will definitely be back to taste, and the portions are really generous, so next time, we’ll definitely bring a crowd.
Chilli Fagara, 7 Old Bailey Street, SoHo, Hong Kong, p. 2796 6866, 中環蘇豪奧卑利街7號地舖
