How to Find and Order Delicious Vegan Food in Bangkok

Last updated on September 27th, 2023

If you’re a vegan planning a trip to Bangkok, you’re in for quite the trip. While Bangkok may be renowned for its ‘shocking’ street food and traditional dishes, the city doesn’t shy away when it comes to plant-based options. So, keep reading because I’m going to talk about how to find and order vegan food in Bangkok without missing out on the vibrant Thai food culture that truly makes this city.

Absolutely! Bangkok has always been a good place for vegan food but in recent years vegan-friendly restaurants and street food stalls are popping up everywhere! From traditional Thai dishes with vegan twists to international vegan cuisine, you’ll find a wide range of options to suit whatever mood you’re in.

Sukhumvit is a great area to head to when it comes to finding vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants in Bangkok. Sukhumvit is a vegan hotspot with a high concentration of vegan-friendly places.

But I have no doubt that you’ll be able to find vegan food, no matter what part of the city you find yourself in. 

Where to Look: Areas with yoga and meditation centres or retreats often have a strong presence of vegan-friendly restaurants. You can also use the power of Google. It’s obvious, I know, but some people forget that you can simply search for “Vegan food in [wherever you are],” and if you see a cluster of results, you’ve found a vegan-friendly neighbourhood. Don’t choose where to go right away, just take a walk around these areas, and you’re likely to stumble upon menus with plenty of vegan options.

Happy Cow: This popular app and website is a travelling vegan’s best friend, it provides a list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, complete with user reviews and ratings.

TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor is a reliable resource for finding vegan options, especially if you’re looking for reviews and recommendations from fellow travellers. It’s also great to find places that sell both vegan a non-vegan food.

Google It: A simple Google search with keywords like “vegan food in Bangkok” can help you find vegan-friendly spots that haven’t yet made it to the other platforms.

Exploring Bangkok’s streets can be a heck of an experience. You’ll come across all sorts, including shops, restaurants and street markets. Many street sellers offer vegan options, and it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local food scene.

Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with locals or fellow travellers. They can give wonderful recommendations and insider tips on where to find the best vegan food in the city.

• Pad Thai – from a night market: A classic Thai noodle dish made with tofu, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce.
• Green Curry: A fragrant and spicy green curry with coconut milk, tofu, and vegetables.
• Som Tum: A refreshing green papaya salad often made vegan by leaving out the fish sauce.
• Tom Yum Soup: A spicy and sour soup that can also be made vegan by excluding shrimp or fish sauce.
• Massaman Curry: A rich and creamy curry with potatoes, tofu, and peanuts.

Please remember that none of these dishes are vegan in their original form but in vegan-friendly restaurants, you’ll find plant-based versions.

Keep an eye out for the Thai word “เจ” (pronounced “jay” or “jae”). It doesn’t guarantee that everything will be vegan but it shows an understanding of vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based diets. 

• I am vegan: ฉันทานเจค่ะ (Chan taan jay ka)
• I don’t eat meat: ฉันไม่ทานเนื้อสัตว์ค่ะ (Chan mai taan nuea satwa ka)
• I don’t eat: ฉันไม่กิน (Chan mai gin)
• Meat: เนื้อ (Nuea)
• Chicken: ไก่ (Gai)
• Eggs: ไข่ (Khai)
• Fish: ปลา (Pla)
• Fish Sauce: น้ำปลา (Nam pla)
• Shrimp: กุ้ง (Goong)
• Milk: น้ำนม (Nam nom)
• Honey: น้ำผึ้ง (Nam phueng)

Take a screenshot of this or print it out so you always have it available.

If you want to engage more with locals, you can use Google Translate to learn and practice these phrases or use it to actually do the speaking for you.

Yes, you can! Bangkok’s street food scene offers a wide variety of vegan options. While exploring the city’s bustling streets, keep an eye out for stalls offering vegan dishes such as fresh fruit, fried noodles, grilled corn, crispy tofu and vegetable spring rolls.

Absolutely! Many hotels and guesthouses in Bangkok now offer vegan-friendly options for breakfast and other meals. When booking your accommodation, it’s always best to get in touch and ask them about their vegan options. 

In conclusion, Bangkok is a vegan-friendly destination that welcomes plant-based eaters with open arms. With these tips and ideas, you can easily find and order delicious vegan food while immersing yourself in the vibrant Thai culture. So, pack your appetite and go exploring.

Take a look at some of my other tips on travelling as a vegan on my Vegan Food on Tour page.

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Meet the Author

Meet Sinead O’Carroll: Vegan explorer, sustainability advocate and the founder of The Wondering Wandering Vegan. Embracing veganism since 2018 and vegetarianism since 2005, Sinead is armed with a Vegan Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle qualification, and is on a mission to share her passion for cruelty-free living. 

With a taste for adventure and a heart for eco-conscious choices, she’s here to prove that vegans never miss out on flavour, fun or style. Join her in enjoying the delights of a vegan-friendly world! 🌱✈️🌍
Want to know more? Check out Sinead’s About page here.

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Follow me on Instagram to see all the delicious vegan food I find, the vegan and cruelty-free products I use and what I get up to as a travelling vegan.

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