The Sri Lankan Karma Bowl. All photos courtesy of Plant Junkie.
At Plant Junkie (
Plant Junkie Executive-Chef-and-Partner-Hiranth-Jayasinghe
Located on Front Street near The Seaport, the cozy dine-in spot (or you can order online to go) Plant Junkie is the brainchild of Founding Partner/ Executive Chef Hiranth Jaysinghe, who is vegan, and has worked over the years with health-conscious celeb clients such as Bill Gates, Beyonce, RuPaul, Damon Dash, Adriana Lima and others, along with veteran restaurateur and partner /CEO Nat Milner, who has been involved in the NYC restaurant scene for 25+ years, including Carmine’s. Former colleagues and friends, they saw that there were limited options when it came to vegan cuisine. The opened their first Plant Junkie in 2019, which was impacted by covid. Their Front Street restaurant has just celebrated its first anniversary.
Plant Junkie CEO and Partner Nat Milner
On a rainy Monday, I stopped in for my lunch break and feasted on Po Boy Swag, a generously portioned Southern style sandwich with Southern fried seitan, lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo, onion and pickles. It was finger licking good. Another popular one here is The Hipster, their take on a crispy chicken cutlet sandwich, offered with lettuce, ranch dressing, tomato.
Tokyo Bowl of Beef with Broccoli.
They also have a variety of bowls. I went with the Tokyo Bowl of Beef and Broccoli, perfect in flavor, texture, and seasoning. Beautiful to the eye as well as the palate is the popular Ski Lankan Bowl, with Sri Lankan Seitan Curry, Yellow basmati rice, Chickpea curry, Coconut Kale, Crispy papadum , Bay of Bengal. Other hearty choices include a Low Country Bowl (Pile of Buffalo nuggets, Corn bread, Coleslaw, garlic broccoli, and crispy shallots), a Roma Bowl (Vegan Italian Sausage, 2 Meatless balls, over spaghetti with homemade marinara, Garlic Broccoli, Garlic Bread), and others.
The team at Plant Junkie are also on a social mission to improve our environment and welfare of wildlife. Plant Junkie has partnered with World Animal Protection to free elephants trapped at Six Flags in New Jersey to release them to sanctuaries. Sales of Plant Junkie merchandise, including their Trunks of Love mugs, goes towards World Animal Protection’s initiatives.
Throughout Pride Month, stop in Plant Junkie for a piece of decadent Pride Layer Cake, packed with vanilla frosting and sprinkles. Show your colors! Plant Junkie also makes a series of tasty cakes and cookies.
Plant Junkie recently launched a weekend brunch menu, featuring a mouth-watering selection of savory and sweet options, from a Sunrise Bowl or After Party Burrito, packed with scrambled tofu, vegan sausage, black beans, and crispy tater tots, finished with guacamole and chipotle aioli. There’s also the Breaky Sandwich with crispy tofu and vegan sausage on a soft bun. Those craving something lighter can enjoy the Avocado Toasted, topped with alfalfa sprouts, pickled red onion, and everything bagel seasoning. Sweet tooths will love the Plant Powered Flapjacks, served with whipped cream and berries, or the ‘Milk’ Parfait, a creamy chia and coconut milk blend with homemade granola and fresh fruit.
Plant Junkie is open seven days a week. 226 Front Street. plantjunkieusa.com