wellness
Tung Chung Residents Switch to Tofu, Legumes, Seafood for Protein
Tung Chung residents are shifting toward tofu, legumes and seafood to meet protein needs at lower cost and with less environmental strain.
How we reported this
More than 55 percent of households surveyed in Tung Chung now buy non-meat protein items at least four times a month, according to July 2026 figures released by the Lantau Island Health Centre.
The change follows the Centre for Health Protection’s updated dietary targets issued in March 2025, which set higher recommended intakes for plant proteins while keeping daily totals at 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight. Rising grocery bills have pushed many families to test cheaper alternatives that still support muscle maintenance and recovery after workouts at the nearby Hong Kong Velodrome.
Regular customers at the wet-market stalls inside Tung Chung Crescent report steady supplies of fresh tofu delivered daily from suppliers in Yuen Long. Two blocks away, the Tung Chung Municipal Services Building runs a weekly cooking demonstration every Thursday evening that focuses on lentil curries and steamed fish with ginger. Both locations draw participants from Yat Tung Estate and the newer developments along Tung Chung Road.
A 300-gram pack of firm tofu sells for HK$9 at the Crescent stalls this month, while a 500-gram bag of dried red lentils costs HK$11 at the same vendors. These prices sit roughly 30 percent below the average for lean chicken breast recorded in the same market in June 2025. The Lantau Island Health Centre recorded 180 attendees at its June plant-protein workshop, up from 112 the previous year.
Stocking up on local shelves
Citygate Mall’s basement supermarket carries vacuum-packed edamame pods priced at HK$14 for 400 grams and canned mackerel in brine for HK$8.50. Staff there note that sales of these items rose steadily after the centre posted simple recipe cards at the entrance in April. Residents who prefer bulk buying can order 5-kilogram sacks of chickpeas through the same store’s online platform for HK$68, with delivery available the next day to addresses in Tung Chung Town Centre.
Putting the options to use
Start the week with a simple scramble of firm tofu and spring onions for breakfast, then move to a lentil salad with canned mackerel for lunch. Evening meals can feature steamed fish with bok choy or a chickpea stir-fry finished with a spoon of peanut butter for extra protein. The Lantau Island Health Centre advises anyone with existing medical conditions to check portion sizes with a doctor before making large changes. Local markets remain open until 7 p.m. most evenings, giving residents time to pick up ingredients after work.