When university student Sasha Stepanova did a simple school assignment in 2021, she did not imagine it would evolve into something beyond just a class project.
A dedicated vegan, the fourth-year journalism and marketing student at the University of Hong Kong was tasked with reviewing a local restaurant for her reporting and writing class. She chose Po Lin Yuen Vegetarian Food in Sai Ying Pun and paid HK$233 for a mock meat platter, sweet and sour pork, spicy aubergine and seafood casserole. Though she had mixed feelings about the meal, she was overjoyed when she received an excellent grade on the assignment.
“Good grades motivate me, so I [thought], ‘Boy, I’m kind of good at this,’” the 22-year-old recalled. Her marks, encouragement from her friends, and love of media inspired her to start an Instagram page.
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“I always liked photography ... [and] filming,” she said, adding that she had a YouTube channel as a teen. “I’m a marketing major, so content creation is something I always liked.”
Her account @hkfoodieplate helps others discover vegan-friendly restaurants in the city. She has been vegan for around eight years and said she had long wanted to adopt a plant-based diet for several reasons, including animal welfare: “I cannot imagine hurting an animal,” she said. “It makes me uncomfortable.”
Highlighting Hong Kong’s options
Growing up in Spain, with a rising vegan population and many plant-based options, the student noticed relatively few foodie pages dedicated to veganism in Hong Kong. She wanted to show that being vegan here does not have to be an arduous task.
Although she has only lived in the city for four years, Stepanova has discovered many vegan-friendly restaurants and indulged in vegan siu mai, char siu, dumplings, bubble waffles and more. To scout new restaurants to try, she uses online resources like the popular app HappyCow, which highlights vegan-friendly restaurants across the globe.
Her account has amassed more than 3,500 followers who appreciate her efforts in showcasing how plant-based eaters can thrive in Hong Kong.
Now balancing the final semester of her studies with hunting for a job and a flat, Stepanova posts less frequently than she used to. Still, she often receives different vegan products in exchange for reviews, gets invited to events, and participates in collaborations and promotional shoots. Vegetarian Food Asia invited her to be a promotional partner for their 2024 fest; Veggie4Love, a vegan restaurant in Central, invited Stepanova to their relaunch, and she has done several shoots with the bubble tea company Silk.
Balance and support
Though the unexpected success of her foodie Instagram account has opened up a world of opportunities for her, Stepanova explained that she had a complicated relationship with food in the past. As a teen, Stepanova battled an eating disorder and was obsessed with her body image, so she tries to be mindful of her experience and not place any limits on herself or the foods she tries.
If you’re considering a plant-based lifestyle, it would be better to take things step by step rather than diving in headfirst. Look for little ways to make changes and swap out foods for vegan-friendly alternatives, such as replacing cow’s milk with soy or almond options.
“I suggest getting all your favourite foods into one bowl and doing little substitutions. Just do a little bit of exploration,” she said, adding that it could be helpful to follow social media accounts that focus on vegan food for recipes, inspiration and ideas.
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It’s also important to surround yourself with people who support your journey into veganism, Stepanova explained, saying her friends were always eager to try new vegan food and restaurants with her. She added that your family may be confused at first, so it is crucial to show them that you have done your research and they can trust your judgment.
“They’re going to be very surprised and [might be] concerned, so make sure they feel safe about you eating that way,” she said.
If you’re thinking about going vegan, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your doctor first, since your body is still changing and growing. Whether you are vegan or not, taking care of your body, eating enough, and getting the proper nutrients is essential.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, reach out to Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association Limited. Their hotline is 2850 4448.
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