If you're like me, always on the look out for the next organic cafe, serving juices, smoothies, quinoa and healthy sandwiches, look no further than Nood. Maybe it's because I'm getting older and eating healthily is a conscious choice I am making towards loving my body, but being in Hong Kong, I am constantly tempted by the mass variations of delicious (and sometimes not so healthy) cuisines everywhere. Sometimes the body just needs pure, nutritious whole foods to keep you energised and going in this busy city.
The Nood Cafe I frequent, is located in the heart of central of the Pure Fitness location at the Kinwick Centre. At lunch time, this space is packed filled with active, professionals. It feels like you're stepping into the Google Cafeteria, only your options are: healthy and healthier. Laid out before you, are colourful, beautiful, freshly made salads, including large amounts of leafy green Kale and heaps of organically grown produce. I felt the cells in my body dancing with victory already. Organic, free-range chicken grilled with aromatic onions, salmon grilled to perfection with lemons are just some of their protein options. Not to mention, quinoa, sautéed mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, all shouting: "Eat me, I'm good for you!" My favourite of all, are the various smoothies they offer with creative names like, A Girls Best Friend.
Excited to order, I made an executive decision to have a kale salad with poached salmon, sided with heirloom tomatoes, onions and quinoa. The staff was extremely friendly and made my whole ordering experience very pleasant as they patiently and kindly answered all the questions I had. They were happy to explain the ingredients inside each of the smoothies. It was easy for me to pick my drink of choice: A Girls Best Friend. After paying, I was handed a buzzer. Happy with my choice, I dashed to a table that just became vacant.
The space felt like a modern, ecologically friendly cafeteria crowded with young and health-conscious professionals getting in their daily nutrient intake. It is a no fuss situation. Choose your nutrients, self-serve, eat, and go. Some were there with colleagues, some were working on their laptops and some just came down from the fitness centre upstairs after, what I would imagine a vigorous workout. I enjoyed the open feel and clean lines throughout.
Now time to eat!
Salad
Large: $88, Small: $60
I ordered the large salad. Kale, sautéed onions, grilled salmon, heirloom tomatoes and quinoa. It was hearty. The kale was crunchy but seasoned nicely with their dressing. The salmon was perfectly poached with no fishiness at all. Very happy about that. I even ate the skin (my mother always told me it was good for you.) Onions were nothing special, but was cooked nicely, not browned or over cooked. The heirloom tomatoes were very fresh and tossed with onions in a savory and tangy dressing. The quinoa had great texture and flavour but was not my favourite. Not the best salad I've had, but for what it's worth, I felt it was packed with nutrients and that everything was made wholesomely. To me, that was all I wanted and I definitely got it.
Smoothie
A Girls Best Friend. I ordered the small but it was very filling. It was extremely tasty and a good balance between juice pulp and blended ice. They have the option of making it without ice which, I think is thoughtful. I noticed many people ordering this drink to go, probably to fuel themselves while freshening up in Hong Kong's sweltering heat in the summertime.
Ingredients include: Orange Juice, Cucumber, Spinach, Alfalfa Sprouts, Lemon Juice, Xylitol, Parsley, Stevia. All organic.
Yep! This smoothie is definitely qualified to be A Girls Best friend!
Feeling great throughout the rest of my day, I felt compelled to write this review because of the convenience, friendliness of staff and most importantly the nourishing foods I was able to so delightfully enjoy. I will definitely be coming back a lot. read more