Mindful Food Choices

Being Neighbourly x Punam Chopra, SpiceBox Organics

Author/ Being Neighbourly
3 September 2025

We don’t have a single ‘typical’ customer, which is one of the things I love most about this industry, says Punam Chopra, Founder and CEO of SpiceBox Organics, which counts two ‘Market & Shops’ across Hong Kong in Midlevels and Kennedy Town.

“Our community is incredibly diverse: from expats and locals, to parents seeking healthier options for their children, individuals with specific dietary needs, curious walk-ins, and those committed to vegan, vegetarian, or raw food lifestyles,” she says, adding that they also serve plenty of customers who simply want to make more mindful food choices, even if just occasionally.

It’s been quite the journey since the opening of the first SpiceBox Organics in 2012 —on Third Street, Sai Ying Pun — a time when truly organic, healthy food options were scarce in Hong Kong.

Chopra had been bitten by the health bug back in the US, where her family had moved. Six years of life in New York City later, they moved to Hong Kong and the rest, as they say, is proverbial history. Today, with 19 years in the territory now under her belt, she says it’s the longest she’s lived in any country, and Hong Kong is “truly home.”

“At the time, she says of the early 2010s, I saw an opportunity not just to open a store, but to create a space where the community could learn about the importance of mindful eating. Drawing from my years of experience abroad in health and wellness, I wanted to make that knowledge accessible and inspire people to take charge of their well-being,” she says.

Chopra shares that Hong Kong’s wellness scene has burgeoned over the past decade in sync with the growth of the industry globally and that she’s proud to have been part of this journey in the territory from the get-go. “I’m so grateful to be serving customers our nourishing products, delicious food and a space rooted in conscious living.”

SpiceBox Organics began as a retail space offering a curated selection of certified organic products, including their own SpiceBoxOrganics branded line. “From the start, it was important for us not only to source the best from around the world, but also to offer our own high-quality, organic pantry staples. We were proud to be the first certified organic store in Hong Kong by OneCert.”

As the local health food industry began to grow, Chopra expanded their range to include more locally-sourced organic products and partnered with like-minded businesses.

“Over time, we’ve grown beyond retail; today, we carry over 1,000 products, operate cafés, an eCommerce business, serve fresh grab-and-go meals, and run a full-service plant-based catering arm.”Looking ahead, she shares a vision of the future in which they remain committed to innovation, sustainability and supporting the community’s evolving wellness journey.

Growth is, of course, not without growing pains and SpiceBox Organics has gone through many stages of growth and learning since they first opened their doors back in 2012.

“We started as a small organic market, and soon after, opened a second location that introduced a café element, something new at the time for Hong Kong’s wellness scene. As interest in fresh, healthy eating grew, we expanded to a third location in Kennedy Town with a larger kitchen, which allowed us to begin offering plant-based catering.” She adds that each shop reflects the preferences of its surrounding neighbourhood, and that they’re proud to adapt, while staying true to their core mission of health and sustainability.”

Like many businesses, when the pandemic hit, they suffered. Chopra shares they had just opened their first shop outside of Hong Kong Island, in the New Territories. “It was a difficult time. While we did see a rise in online orders as people looked for ways to stay healthy at home, our physical stores were quiet, and we did what we could to make ends meet. We focused on strengthening our eCommerce platform and continuing to serve our community however we could.”

Chopra says that while it’s hard to choose, her current favourites include SpiceBox Organics Gluten-Free Crackers with Fresh Organic Hummus, which is both a customer favourite and a staple in her own fridge. “The crackers are made in-house, completely gluten-free, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Paired with our freshly made organic hummus, it’s the perfect grab-and-go snack that’s nourishing, satisfying, and delicious at any time of day.”

She also offers a thumbs up for Cócoes Coconut Flower Syrup, a natural sweetener that is a fantastic low-GI alternative to refined sugar, made from the nectar of coconut blossoms, for its “rich, caramel-like flavour [that] is perfect for everything from baking to drizzling over pancakes or adding to your morning tea or coffee; and Foxtail Millet, “An ancient grain that’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and rich in iron and dietary fiber. It’s a wonderful rice alternative and incredibly versatile – ideal for salads, stir-fries, or as a hearty base for warm grain bowls. It’s one of those underrated superfoods we’re proud to stock!”

Meanwhile, she says one of the must-tries from their café is the Vegan & Gluten-Free Quiche Lorraine, “a wholesome twist on a classic, made with some of my favourite ingredients – almond flour, chia seeds, tofu, caramelised onions, vegan cheese, and more. It’s packed with flavour and completely plant-based.” It can be enjoyed fresh at any of our locations, or to be delivered. For events or gatherings, they offer mini versions to boot.

More than a decade in, Chopra says she proud of how far they’ve come and grateful to still be here doing the work they love. “We feel honoured to be considered pioneers in Hong Kong’s health and wellness industry, and we look forward to continuing this journey.”

What’s the best work advice you have received?

“When I was launching SpiceBox Organics, the best advice I received came from my husband, Sachin,” says Punam Chopra, Founder and CEO of SpiceBox Organics. “He told me, ‘Learn every aspect of your business, no matter how big or small.’ This guidance has stayed with me through every stage of growth.”

“From the beginning, I made it a point to understand how everything worked, whether it was unpacking boxes, managing suppliers, or speaking directly with customers. It gave me the confidence to lead with purpose, make informed decisions, and build something from the ground up with integrity.”  

“Another piece of advice that has profoundly shaped my approach was to always think like a game changer. The health and wellness industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means being willing to adapt. One of our most impactful decisions came from that mindset – adding a café to our stores. This allowed us to respond to growing demand for fresh, ready-to-eat meals and better serve our local communities.”

“By offering freshly prepared food, involving local producers, and staying true to our sustainability values with our motto, ‘The conscious choice’, we created a unique experience that couldn’t be replicated by online retailers. It grounded us even more in the everyday lives of our customers and has allowed us to grow in a meaningful, community-centric way.”

SpiceBox Organics
137 Caine Road, Shop 1, Golden Valley Mansion, Mid Levels.