Here on Maui we can use all the vegan dining options we can get — especially those featuring local, minimally processed ingredients. With only about a dozen vegan or mostly vegan cafes and food trucks serving the entire island —and not a single upscale vegan restaurant— Niu Life Kitchen Deli and Papio’s Place are welcome new additions.

Open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 3 pm, Niu Life Kitchen offers downtown Wailuku workers, visitors and residents a number of healthful and creative vegan options. The current menu includes a variety of delicious desserts, like Cherry Bomb Puffs, Razzberry Guru Cheesecake, Chocolate Hapacake afnd more. Featured entries are Tempeh Katsu, Coconut Teriyaki and Loaded Falafel Plate.

The Wailuku deli was recently opened by Chef Sha’anan Fader and Ashley Stewart, who created Niu Life Kitchen in 2016. “Everything we make—from cultured coconut (niu) yogurt made with coconuts from across the island to kalo flatbread crafted with kalo from our farm in Kula—is sourced as close to your mouth as possible.”

Niu Life is part of the food court at 2050 Main Street, Wailuku. You may also find them at the Saturday Upcountry Farmers Market. Growing word-of-mouth is likely to make this enterprise a success.

Another new vegan enterprise, Papio’s Place, is a food truck at South Maui Gardens, 30 Alahele Place, Kihei.

“We are happy to be doing what we can to take care of our world for generations to come,” explain Jonathon Chase, a graduate from the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, and his wife, Shawna. “We thank you for being willing to learn new ways of eating and dining out with us as we all learn new ways of living together on the beautiful planet that sustains us.”

The menu features Asada Your Way, Mac ‘n Trees, Wild BBQ Bowl, and more. The food is great. Check it out!

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