Vegan in Bangkok: What to Expect and Best Places to Eat
Eating Vegan in Bangkok
Being vegan in Bangkok is both surprisingly easy and unsurprisingly delicious. There’s a reason that Thai food is beloved the world over, but until I moved to London in 2010, it wasn’t something I’d ever really tried before. When I was in university, my now-husband and I discovered a little place near my flat on Brick Lane, and I swear I could have easily eaten their green curry every day and been happy about it.
Years later, I’ve now been to Thailand twice, and the food is even better than I could have imagined. Travelling as a vegan can be challenging, but as a vegan in Bangkok, it was never hard to find a great meal – and I still have plenty of places on my list for the next visit!
What to Expect as a Vegan in Bangkok
Before I jump into sharing some of my favourite Bangkok finds with you, let’s talk about what to expect as a vegan in Bangkok.
- Plenty of Thai dishes are naturally vegan, using a lot of tofu, vegetables and coconut milk. Som tam (papaya salad, highly recommend), pad pak (stir-fried veg), and curries are great options.
- Keep an eye out for hidden animal products like fish sauce and shrimp paste, which are common even in veggie dishes. Google translate is your friend here, and Google lens is great for translating packaged ingredients.
- There are tons of vegan restaurants in Bangkok. The city has a pretty strong and growing vegan scene and it’s really not hard to find places that are 100% vegan in Bangkok.
- Keep an eye out for the word “เจ” (jay), usually in yellow and red signs. The jay diet is rooted in Thai Buddhism, and it all animal products, plus garlic, onions, and alcohol. There’s actually a Jay Festival each year in October, where many people go fully plant based for 9 days. It’s on my bucket list to visit one year during the festival!
So now that you know what to expect, let’s get into the fun part. Here are some of the places I tried, and my honest thoughts!
Where I Tried and What I Thought
Street Food: Jae Noi
This little spot isn’t easy to find, but once you do, believe me, it’s so worth it. I stumbled across Jae Noi almost by accident. On my second day in Bangkok, I was looking for a place listed on the HappyCow app inside the India Emporium shopping mall. That place was closed down, but right behind the shopping mall, I wandered into Phahurat Market; a small, semi-covered market selling everything from spices and snacks to fabrics. Tucked away in the market is the Jae Noi food stall.
The stall is fully vegan. I couldn’t spot a menu so I just pointed at a couple of things and ended up with a plate of green curry, rice, soy mince crumble and some salad – all for about 40 baht (around 90p). There are a couple of small plastic stools to sit at while you eat, and despite being in a market in the middle of a busy city, felt surprisingly calm. Locals quietly enjoyed their lunch while the air around us filled with the scent of curry and herbs. It was simple, satisfying, and one of my favourite meals in Bangkok.
This is a real locals’ place, and as I mentioned, not easy to find. As I was looking back through my Google maps and photos while I was writing this, I came across another very similar looking place called Jae Lee Vegan – maybe try both!
Traveller’s Favourite: May Kaidee
May Kaidee was the very first vegan restaurant I ever tried in Bangkok. I liked it so much that I had to go again on my last visit. They’ve got two locations and I visited the Tanao branch, a short walk away from the backpackers’ hub of Khao San Road.
The restaurant’s been operating since 1988, when it first opened as a food stall, making it one of the oldest places to be vegan in Bangkok.
The menu focuses on traditional Thai cuisine: think fragrant green curries, spicy stir fries, and warming soups. The food is fresh and flavourful, while the service is fast and friendly. The prices are reasonable, especially given the touristy location – about 120 baht for a curry (~£2.70).
They’ve even got a cooking school onsite if you’re interested in learning how to make Thai vegan dishes. I didn’t have time to take the class, but the smell from the kitchen alone is enough to make me want to go back for a class someday!
Junk Food Heaven: V Street
If you’re looking for junk food as a vegan in Bangkok, then V Street is where it’s at. Inside EmSphere, a bizarre mall-slash-events-space, you’ll find V Street in the food court. The EmDistrict, where the mall is located, is a slick trio of malls along Sukhumvit Road. The mall district is glossy, modern, and a little sterile – not usually my jam, but I’d heard really good things about V Street and I’m glad I checked it out.
On my first visit, I tried the drunken fried rice (a twist on pad kee mao) and loved it. The flavours were great, the portion was a decent size, and it was overall a nice meal. I went back again before an overnight train journey to grab some of their wraps to takeaway. The menu is a lot bigger than I expected for a food court place, most of it a Thai take on Western style junk food.
I did spot a few meals coming out of the freezer and microwave, but I’m not too surprised given the extensive menu and fast-food vibe. It’s the kind of comfort food that does the trick when you’re craving something fast, tasty, filling and fully plant-based.
Brunch Vibes: Kem-Kon
Kem-Kon is a calm, welcoming brunch spot in the Pahurat area of central Bangkok. The vibe is very “post-yoga-brunch” – light, airy, and lots of plants. You’ll find both Thai and Western dishes, alongside classics like overnight oats, smoothie bowls and vegan milkshakes.
I ordered the Thai red curry with vegan fish (yum), plus a side of salt and chilli tofu (which I will always order if it’s on the menu). I also got an iced latte with oat milk. The bill came to around 380 baht (~£8.60). Compared to some of my other Bangkok meals, that’s on the higher end, but it was still a lot cheaper than what I’d pay for the same in London.
The staff were really friendly and welcoming, and spoke great English. If you’re a vegan in Bangkok and looking for a place that feels easy and familiar, Kem-Kon is a great shout.
Cheap and Quick: So Vegan
So Vegan, located in the food court of the I’m Chinatown mall, has a decent selection of vegan food. I stayed nearby on my first visit to Bangkok and ended up eating here again on my most recent trip. I’ll be blunt: It’s not a place I’d make a special trip for.
The food is convenient and okay, and you’ll get a good meal for a low price, but compared to some of the other gems in Bangkok, it doesn’t quite measure up. It’s ideal if you need something quick and easy, rather than a relaxed or special sit down meal. Menus are clear and are available in both Thai and English. Prices are very affordable too, expect to pay around 60 THB (~£1.30) for a simple tofu and rice dish.
Final Thoughts
Being vegan in Bangkok is really easy – honestly, Thailand is one of the best places I’ve ever travelled to as a vegan. Whether you’re wandering through markets, sitting down to brunch or grabbing a quick bite before a train, it’s not hard to find something plant-based and delicious to eat.
Bangkok is such a wonderful city. It’s vibrant, ever-changing and just so full of life. Its vegan scene reflects that – the restaurants I’ve listed in this post are only a tiny fraction of what BKK has to offer. There are so many places saved on my Google maps for a future visit, and I’m excited to go back and try some more (and if my husband is reading this, consider this a not-so-subtle hint).
If you’re planning a visit, you don’t need to stress too much about where you’ll eat. I’d still recommend pinning a few places and downloading the HappyCow app, but even outside fully plant-based restaurants, you’ll be able to find vegan food easily in the city. Either way, you’ll be well fed and excited for your next meal.
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