I finally got to check out The Noodle Bar in Cathay Pacific The Wing Business Lounge. I have been meaning to visit The Wing Business Lounge the last few times I have been in Hong Kong airport, but I have to admit I have always run out of time to review this lounge, usually visiting The Pier, First and The Wing, First. But this time I had a fairly large layover and so I was able to visit The Wing, Business.
One reason I wanted to visit The Wing Business was to have a look at The Noodle Bar. I had always seen the sign while in The Wing, First and so thought this trip was a good time to have a look around.
What’s Healthy?
- There were four salads on offer: a mixed green leaf salad, a coleslaw, a roast vegetable and quinoa salad, and a potato salad. This is a fantastic variety providing a range of nutrients. I love there is a potato salad – cold potatoes are a source of resistance starch which helps keep your gut healthy. It is also good to see a quinoa salad – quinoa is a higher protein pseudo-grain (it’s not technically a grain but actually a seed, but we tend to eat it like a cereal grain), which also is a source of fibre.
- There were a range of snacks including fresh, whole fruit, nuts and cheese. The nuts available were walnuts which are the only nut that is a source of omega 3s.
- It is always nice to see chia puddings on offer. Chia seeds are healthy little seeds full of soluble fibre and omega 3. Just be careful of how much compote is served with the pudding as compote is usually a source of sugar. (And sorry about my reflection in the photo – the lounge was busy and I couldn’t take too long trying to find an angle without my reflection).
- While I have placed the video of the buffet hot dishes here in the healthy section, it does not mean it is a green light to just eat large amounts of these foods. The first dish is Thai red curry with pork – it is great to see vegetables in this dish but be mindful it can be oily and high in kilojoules. Serving yourself a small portion of curry and white rice is a lighter meal, which can be helpful before getting on a long flight.
- The paratha bread is made from whole wheat which is more nutritious than white flour. But paratha is usually made with ghee or oil and so again just be careful it isn’t too oily. Again serve smaller portions – and consider choosing white rice or paratha.
- The final dish is Chana masala chickpeas which is great for adding more plant protein into our diets. Chickpeas are also a source of soluble fibre which is good for our gut health. They also contain slowly digestible carbohydrates which means they don’t cause blood sugar levels to spike and drop quickly (which isn’t great for health if it happens often).
Not so great. Caution.
- While these sandwiches look cute, unfortunately they aren’t very healthy as they have quite creamy and cheesy fillings. The coronation chicken rolls but have a small amount of baby spinach which is better than nothing but not great. Sandwiches or rolls can be very nutritious when made right, but airline lounges rarely make them well. If you feel like one of these then try adding a spoon of green leaf salad, and a spoon of coleslaw or quinoa and vegetable salad to boost your salad intake.
Final thoughts on Cathay Pacific The Wing Business Hong Kong
A solid food offering in Cathay Pacific The Wing Business Lounge with a range of fairly nutritious snacks and salads. There were also a range of hot dishes with 2 choices on the buffet and then a number of noodle dishes that could be ordered off The Noodle Bar menu. I visited during a time which was not too busy so I wonder what the food is like when it is peak hour – the buffet area seemed quite small to service the large lounge but maybe that is because the Noodle Bar takes some of the pressure off.
If you are flying to/from Hong Kong you might be interested in my reviews of Cathay Pacific Business Class (plane food), Cathay Pacific The Wing, First (breakfast), Cathay Pacific The Pier, Business, Qantas Hong Kong Lounge and Amex Centurion.
NOTE: All pictures of the Cathay Pacific The Wing Business Hong Kong Airport food are my own and I review a lounge from the foods and menu I see during my visit. There may be different options available at other times.
