Hum: Plant-based cuisine with Asian influences on the Plateau

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At the corner of the charming Duluth and Rivard streets in Plateau-Mont-Royal, a unique and discreet spot opened its doors in October 2024. Inspired by Southeast Asia and Japan, Hum is a vegan restaurant offering 100% plant-based cuisine. Not as a trend, but as a heartfelt commitment: the founders — Vietnamese-born brothers Jack and Kim Khanh Dang, along with their partner Cong Tai Ho — carry a conscious culinary vision rooted in respect for the environment and all living beings. Drawing from ancestral traditions, their cooking is intentional — made as if for their own loved ones.

Before settling in Montreal in 2018 — a city they deeply love — the partners had already opened several restaurants in Vietnam. Jack and Kim also spent time in France, where they honed their craft before continuing their journey at the Calixa-Lavallée Hotel School in Laval. Tai, for his part, developed his expertise working in several Japanese restaurants in Montreal, before launching this new venture. Together, they blend their experiences, sensitivities, and distinct culinary heritage to shine a light on a cuisine that truly reflects who they are.

A cuisine rooted in ancestral traditions

The menu, created collaboratively, features small shared plates — including dumplings that might bring back memories for fans of Le P’tit frère dumplings, which once occupied the same space. Yes, the same hands are still shaping them. The tofu, corn, and shiitake dumplings, served with house-made kimchi, are among our favourites. The menu also includes a few vegan sushi options — the Namaste, topped with wasabi sauce, is especially noteworthy. You’ll also find udon and ramen dishes, with a signature broth that’s worth the trip on its own. Made from slowly fermented vegetables and grains, it highlights the richness of plant-based ingredients and the depth of umami flavours. Jack explains that the ancestral recipe draws inspiration from culinary teachings passed down by Buddhist monks in the village where they grew up — a legacy that continues to shape their cooking today.

He also shares that the name Hum is inspired by the Tibetan mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum,” which symbolizes the union of body, mind, and nature.

Mocktails that showcase flowers and vibrant colors

While they await their liquor license — a work in progress that will hopefully allow them to showcase a fine selection of shōchū and sake — Jack has crafted a mocktail menu that is as inventive as it is thoughtful. Each drink is made with natural ingredients like toasted coconut sugar and edible flowers such as butterfly pea flower. The results are vibrant and colorful. Special mention goes to the Hum Émeraude, made with freshly pressed green apple juice and wheatgrass — refreshing, delicate, and bold all at once.

Jack, who has a background in pastry, also treated us to the two desserts on the menu — the Silent Brownie, incredibly fudgy, and the Éclat Passion. Both are fully vegan and dairy-free, and it’s fair to say he has mastered the art of ending a meal beautifully.

The 24-seat space, adorned with greenery, also offers a few terrace seats in summer along this pedestrian stretch of Duluth Street. Takeout and delivery are available too! But don’t be fooled: the flavours are so rich and well-crafted that you’ll easily forget there’s no animal protein involved. We’d even wager that the most devoted meat-lovers could find themselves delightfully surprised.

Whether you’re dining with friends or family, Hum is among our top picks for eating vegan and healthy in Montreal. It’s an accessible, genuinely welcoming spot — where the body is nourished, the mind is soothed, and the karma aligns.

Enjoy the discovery!


Photography by Alison Slattery





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