While Bangkok has never been known as a very vegan-friendly city — from overpriced dishes to a complete lack thereof — it has certainly upped its game in regards to vendors and restaurants serving some delicious (and affordable) vegan options. Here are suggestions for the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Bangkok.
Vegetarians who are less than impressed with imitation meat should head to Khun Churn. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant is not trying to fool anyone with fake seafood or meat. Instead, Khun Churn embraces things like vegetables and tofu, knowing these ingredients are just as delicious (if not more) than meat alternatives. The restaurant originated in Chiang Mai, and Bangkok residents and travelers could not be happier that they set up shop here in the capital. All delicious curries are only ฿125 (US$3.60), and the menu is chock full of delicious, healthy, vegetarian, vegan, and organic dishes.
May Veggie Home checks all the ‘best restaurant’ boxes: meat free, delicious food, friendly staff, a five-minute walk from both the MRT Subway and the BTS Skytrain Station Asok. Dishes range from ฿100 to 200 (US$2.90-5.80), so visitors are not going to shell out too much baht sampling the faux shrimp they have always wanted to try. May Veggie Home’s delicious vegan and vegetarian meals are best paired with one of the mouthwatering juices on the menu, such as pineapple and basil.
Yaowarat Road in Chinatown is seemingly the least vegan-friendly street in the capital, with hanging roast duck to shark fin soup in abundance. But veer off the busy road and meander down a side soi (street) to find an inconspicuous vegan stall: Lee Jae. It is decorated with yellow flags, which symbolize vegan food. Lee Jae (jae means vegan) serves the cheapest vegan-friendly cuisine in the capital. The menu is not in English but the pictures of the dishes certainly do them justice, making it easy to point and choose. The only seating is some rickety tables equipped with red plastic stools facing a concrete wall, but regardless of the decor, the food is delicious and vegan friendly.
The vegetarian stall at Food Island in MBK is one of many stalls trying to appease the herds of hungry visitors this food court receives every day. From Indian cuisine to falafel wraps, the food here is incredibly affordable. Two vegetarian dishes with rice costs only ฿55 (US$1.60), as do a number of set dishes, such as green curry, vegetable noodle soup, and stir-fried noodles. The portions are large, too; so large, in fact, that diners may even struggle to finish their meals.
A no-frills vegan-friendly option is stall in the food market behind Midtown Asok. Make a beeline for the grass green vendor towards the back of the market and you’ll probably find the two friendly women who work here. These ladies know a thing or two about delicious and affordable Thai cuisine. Every dish is filled with vegetables or faux meat, such as massaman curry, mixed vegetables with tofu, stir-fried pumpkin, and more. A particular highlight is the delicious mulberry rice and soup served free with every meal. That, and the ridiculously affordable prices. Three main courses, rice, and soup will cost visitors under ฿100 (US$1.60).
Vegans looking for more than a meal should head to Theera Healthy Bake Room. In addition to mouthwatering meatless menu items, this restaurant and cafe duo is a great spot to simply sit and relax. Comfortable seating, excellent wi-fi, and friendly staff make Theera Healthy Bake Room a great spot to enjoy a vegan-friendly meal with a coffee and a handful of friends in tow.
At Broccoli Revolution, large, green plants cascade from decorative, black bars attached to the ceiling. Almost the whole front of the restaurant is glass, making diners feel like they are dining inside a greenhouse. Everything about this restaurant is cool, from the décor to (more importantly) the food. The menu is a bit on the pricier side, but it is certainly baht well spent. You’ll find a plethora of pumpkin-based dishes at Broccoli Revolution, like mashed pumpkin burritos (฿220/ US$6.30) or the pumpkin macaroni and cheese (฿250/ US$7.20). In addition to being delicious, the portion sizes are incredibly generous, unlike many other specialty restaurants. Many of the meals can also be made gluten-free, peanut-free, and vegan.
Pleasing hungry and vegan backpackers since 1988 is May Kaidee. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant and cooking school now has three locations in Banglamphu in Bangkok, a neighborhood popular with young travelers. The menu consists of a number of mouthwatering meat-free Thai dishes.
Tucked behind Benjasiri Park on a quiet soi is Veganerie Concept. From a vegan grocery corner stocked with delicious snacks to a list of vegan celebrities framed among quaint, greenery-filled glass jars, everything about this restaurant’s decor reflects its vegan-friendly theme. The menu is extensive, from an acai and berry smoothie bowl (฿250/ US$7.20) to vegan cauliflower hot wings with ranch dipping sauce (฿175/ US$5), this restaurant’s menu is sure to please even the pickiest of vegans.
Food courts in Bangkok are the absolute best, with street food prices in the luxury of an air-conditioned mall. Unfortunately, many vendors have neglected to provide meat-free dishes. This is not the case at Gateway Ekkamai. This small but noteworthy food court is home to a strictly vegetarian stall. The woman in charge always has a smile on her face as visitors point and choose their dishes. Items include tofu, pumpkin, deep-fried mushrooms, and more, served buffet-style.
