The Natural Mystic provides new flavors in North Kohala

KAPAAU — The Natural Mystic, North Kohala’s latest dining option, offers a flavorful selection of healthy alternative dishes that have been delighting locals and visitors since the food cart’s grand opening in February.

“We had about 100 people at the event Feb. 24 and it instantly took off. Since then, I’ve been running just to keep up,” Virgil Zeidman, its owner, said.

Located on the corner of Kynnersley Road and Akoni Pule Highway, Zeidman created a cozy and convenient dining area, complete with a stage for live music events.

“We’ve had several music events here and on those nights I serve a dinner special,” Zeidman said.

Some of his earliest work experiences included a vegetarian restaurant and a vegan café in Northern California.

“That’s where I got some of my cooking skills and learned how to prep. I worked in a vegetarian restaurant for two-and-a-half years,” Zeidman’s recalled.

While living in Petaluma, California, he spent a few work vacations helping his dad, Larry, who owns L. Zeidman Gallery in Hawi. Then in 2004, Zeidman moved to North Kohala and shortly after began building custom homes.

In 2017, he decided to tap into his food service roots.

“I was inspired by Portland food carts and just really wanted to give the community a quick, healthy option that’s affordable,” Zeidman said.

He put his craftsman’s trade to work and built the cart himself.

“I had a tiny home trailer shipped from Portland. I originally wanted to do a mobile food cart, but I decided it was more practical to have it in one location,” Zeidman explained.

The small kitchen inside the tiny house is designed with no wasted space and is equipped with an induction burner for sautéing, a panini press, a steamer table and an industrial food warmer.

A life-long vegetarian who has never eaten meat, Zeidman changed to a strictly plant-based diet a couple of years ago.

“As I got more educated about the dairy industry and its impact on our health and the environment, it just made sense. It’s something I believe in and it was pretty natural and easy,” Zeidman said.

He started out with just three food items and smoothies, kombucha, ice cream sandwiches and mini cashew cheesecakes, and has expanded from there. Entrees include the Mystic Burger, a satisfying veggie burger; the Sawasdee Thai Bowl, a combination veggie, tofu and rice dish with a peanut sauce; and the Habibi Wrap, locally sourced falafel with a colorful array of veggies and tahini sauce.

Recently, Zeidman added vegan hot dogs, tacos, burritos, an additional bowl and a salad to the menu.

For him, The Natural Mystic is more than just a business, it’s a philosophy and a way of life. All the food is 100 percent plant-based and mostly local and organic, when at all possible.

“I try to support local businesses. I get my salad mixes, cilantro and herbs from Kohala Organic produce and Sage Farms, and sprouts from Lone Palm. Then I get cucumbers and locally grown cherry tomatoes from Big Island Produce,” Zeidman said.

He sources his hot dog and burger buns from local bakeries, ice cream sandwiches from Gelato Ono and his kombucha is made in Pahoa. The cheesecakes are made by Sweets by Nadine in North Kohala.

“Naked Hippie Brew makes my kombucha. I have it on tap. They add a lot of herbs to their brew and it’s really flavorful,” Zeidman said.

Alea Backus first came to the food truck a couple months after it opened. She eats there at least once a month, traveling from her home in Honokaa.

“The Thai bowl is really great. I love it. I’ve also gotten the Habibi wrap as a salad. I love the Hawaiian grown purple cabbage they use,” she said.

More than just a restaurant, The Natural Mystic is a way of sharing an eating alternative that is delicious, healthy and good for the planet.

“One of the biggest things you can do environmentally is to adopt a plant-based diet,” said Zeidman. “I want to cater to everybody. I’ve had people show up and say, ‘I don’t usually eat vegan food but somebody recommended it’ and then they try it and really like it. That’s really meaningful and rewarding to me. It’s good food at an affordable price.”

Locals who work nearby are regular customers.

“There’s a young painter who grew up in Kohala who comes for lunch once or twice a week. I want everybody to feel like there is something here for them and it’s going to fill them up. The Nirvana Dog would be something that anybody who likes hot dogs would like. I like to plant seeds in their minds that they can eat vegan and it still tastes really good, and it’s better for you and the environment,” Zeidman said.

In the spirit of North Kohala, he is doing his part to feed the community, while being a living example of a sustainable lifestyle.

“I’m trying my best to make the world a better place through my actions and choices. The best way to lead is by example,” he concluded.

The Natural Mystic is open noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Orders can be placed by phone at 937-4730. Occasional live events are posted on Instagram @mysticfoodcart.