Holland Village has got a new contender in the healthy food department. Located right beside the first Warabimochi Kamakura chain at One Holland Village, Habit doesn’t see the same crazy queues, but it’s got quite the loyal following among gym folks or anyone in the vicinity looking for a healthy fix. The salad bar used to only offer delivery and this is its first brick-and-mortar store. Build your own bowl (from $12) based on your dietary preferences or choose from 10 fixed options (from $13) ranging from salad-based to grain-based bowls.
The Back Bay ($15) comes with a regular salad base and is topped with grilled salmon, avocado, furikake crispy rice, and an umami ginger dressing. The ginger dressing needs some getting used to, but if you’re someone who can comfortably down a turmeric shot without batting an eyelid, this is pretty much child’s play. The Misomami ($16) stacks on sumac salmon, shiitake mushrooms and pickled beets over your choice of pearled barley or purple wild rice and miso dressing – fans of beets will have no issues wolfing this down.
For more Asian-forward flavours, opt for the South Feast ($14) which includes tempeh, emping, fried shallots and bean sprouts with a spicy cashew dressing. The mix is reminiscent of Indonesian gado-gado salad and the tempeh and crushed emping lend an earthy, savoury touch to the dish. And our favourite of the bunch: the Allston ($16). This comes with a mix of greens, kimchi, and your choice of grain, and is topped with a moreish sesame ssamjang dressing.
Habit’s drink selection keeps in line with its health-focused ethos. Grab a can of Almighty Sparkling Water in six refreshing flavours ($3.50), or try the Flojo energy tonic packed with superherbs and vitamins ($4) to pair with your meal.