I’ve been a vegetarian for over 8 years – well actually a pescatarian to be precise since I eat fish on occasion. However, I am really picky when it comes to my fish so I tend to eat more of a vegetarian diet. For that reason, I am always on the lookout for a vegetarian spot wherever I travel. I was so excited to come across this little health oasis in Hanoi called Zenith Yoga Studio. Yoga studio plus organic, vegetarian café – I think I’m in heaven!
Zenith Yoga Studio is tucked inside a quiet alley in the Old Quarter. The studio is clean and very nicely designed. Classes are held on the second floor which has a giant window that looks out over a courtyard.
Zenith offers several different types of yoga classes: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Restorative, Hatha, and Vinyasa Flow. They also offer pilates and meditation classes. The meditation sessions are donation based.
I strongly suggest the classes here. I took a pilates class with Shandy and it was great. The classes are taught in English.
The café is wonderful and I love the way it is designed. You sit on a raised floor at low tables with lots of pillows – creating a very zen feeling. The café is purely organic, vegetarian. The menu is great and has a nice variety of sandwiches, salads and vegetables. They also have fresh smoothies, juices and teas.
The caramelized cucchini & black bean burger. Comes with avocado and kinh gioi dressing and fresh spinach leaves on a homemade wholemeal sesame bun.
The cacao banana bliss smoothie was inane. It is made with banana, raw cacao powder, ground flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, and almond milk.
Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you need to carbo load. If you want a sandwich or burger, have it! A little trick to save a lot of calories and carbs – take the top slice of bread off or opt for no bread and eat with a side salad.
Zenith studio has two locations in Hanoi. They offer drop-in classes for $12 USD (mat rental fee not included).
Zenith Studio I
3rd Floor, 111 Xuan Dieu, Ho Tay, Hanoi
Zenith Studio II & Café
16 Duong Thanh St, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
http://zenithyogavietnam.com/
