Asian Box — Restaurant in Isle Mauritius

We always like a quick bite when we are rambling. One that's delicious, of course—but it entertains us more if the place is offbeat. Asian Box is such a place.

Since our significant other turned vegan a couple of years ago (they tolerate milk, thankfully), it has been hard to find places that propose ethical processed food. By this, we mean not only food whose origin can be traced, but also dishes that are free from condiments containing animal derivatives like gelatin, collagen, or fish sauce.

Though traceability relies mostly on trust, we’ve learned that if you ask sincerely—about the glaze on a cake or the base of a sauce—people often answer honestly.

Asian Box surprises us in the best of ways. The most obvious is that it’s located at a Total Energies EV charging station. That alone is worth mentioning: a bold, almost ironic move by a fossil fuel giant embracing both environmental consciousness and partnering with a vegan restaurant. The design was done by AM Architects—cozy, well-lit, and spacious… though we would have preferred a more biophilic design.

The food was the real star. It felt like a reconciliation of original Hakka and Cantonese recipes, before their induction into Mauritian culture and Chinese Mauritian cuisine.

We ordered the Saturday Vegan Duck Noodles. "Mine bouilli canard"

The Mauritian mine bouilli (noodles) is the equivalent of Cantonese lo mein—though unlike its Cantonese cousin, we don’t toss the ingredients, and it's lighter in toppings and sauce.

It was accompanied by mock duck (reminiscent of Cantonese roast duck thanks to the spices) and choy sum (brèdes de Chine) stir-fried with carrots and black wood ear mushrooms.

As a flexitarian, I’ll admit that mock meat sometimes feels a bit comical. As for my significant other half, she can't really stand anything that looks or tastes too much like meat. I think it was mostly the aroma of spices that summons the roast duck memories. Objectively, if you’re vegan, you don’t really need imitation meat to feel like you’re eating. Nevertheless, the mine bouilli looked delicious. The roast duck spice aroma was enthralling. I loved the fact that it wasn’t too salty or dripping in soy sauce (Mauritians are known for their love of salt—7.5 grams per day!). As someone managing both hypertension and type 2 diabetes, I appreciated the restraint.

We also had a couple of appetizers: steamed dumplings, stuffed tofu, niukyen (boulette chouchou), siu mai (saw mai), niúwán (beef balls/boulette la viande), fried stuffed tofu, and hakien (Mauritian spring rolls). The meatballs and spring roll were a touch firm for my liking. I couldn’t help but recall my godfather’s spring rolls. He didn’t use rice paper like most people do now—he used pork caul fat as a wrapper (a technique of Jiangnan origins, I believe, maybe Cantonese too), which, when deep-fried, became extra crunchy—almost like a puff pastry (pâte feuilletée).

We also had a nice chat with the owner, Mr. Wong. He told us he started as a regular restaurant, until his wife—about twenty years ago—became a vegetarian. His wife, too, was very friendly. While chatting with her, I learned that her best friend owns Huai De vegetarian snack on Rue Saint Denis in Port Louis. Unfortunately, her friend has temporarily closed shop and returned to China on...

The best vegan Asian outlet to eat in Rose Hill. Small but it definitely has an amazing menu of vegan appetizers, main course and pastries.

The menu is quite straightforward, you choose Your main course and add a maximum of sides and you have colorful and delicious plate full of vegan goodness. Asian box has some of the best sides that add a special taste to your main course. The peanut and radish side is a very delightful one! They also have a ‘soy skin’ speciality side that is very good.

The waiting time is almost none as everything is ready and served hot. The service is good and the owners are very helpful and kind. The outlet is small but I’ll rather eat at a small outlet serving delicious food than at a food court serving bland food. I will definitely rate this place a 9/10. I really wish they turn it into a franchise all around Mauritius as they serve the best Asian vegan food...

The only vegetarian and vegan Chinese outlet in rose hill. Food is good 👍. Price reasonable. They also have boullette made from beyond meat🌱 which is 100% plant based and have same texture like meat. Recommended to try! The personnels especially the women is very kind✨.

Updates: They have moved to TotalEnegies Belle rose. A few metres after Telecom Rose hill. They are situated on an electric🔌 charging point station and not a gas station. So outdoor eating is available and is safe. Washroom, wifi available and comfortable indoor seats also. Closing time now extended. Perfect place for dining, meet...