I get questions all the time from readers who want to know what it's like to travel as a vegan in Thailand. While I have traveled all around the country, it was back in my pre-vegan days. So I was thrilled when Dominique Julian offered to share her insider knowledge with Nomadic Vegan readers.
Having lived in both Bankgok and Koh Pha Ngan, Dominique has plenty of insider tips for finding the best vegan food in Thailand, including places that only the locals know about. Here she is to share her tips with you!
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Ordering Food as a Vegan in Thailand
Being vegan in Thailand is easy. Fruit stands are at every corner, fresh markets are abundant, and the demand for organic products is growing. It is always possible to get vegan options in Thai restaurants, since their traditional cuisine is mostly composed of vegetables.
The only problem is what they cook with. They tend to use chicken broth and fish sauce in most dishes, so be sure to speak up if you want to avoid these. Let them know that you are vegan by saying proudly “chan ghin jay” if you’re a woman or “pom ghin jay” if you’re a man.
It’s also a good idea to specify that you don’t eat fish sauce (chan/pom mai ghin nam pla) or egg (chan/pom mai ghin kai).
While in some countries there is no widely understood translation of the word "vegan", in Thailand this is not a problem. The concept of veganism, or "jay" (เจ), has been around for hundreds of years in Thailand and is connected with Buddhist spiritual practices.
Keep an eye out for red and yellow signs with the word "jay" written either in Thai (เจ) or in the traditional Chinese character (齋).
The latter is widely used by Thais of Chinese origin, who make up the largest overseas Chinese community in the world. To explain your vegan diet to Chinese speakers in Thailand and elsewhere, use this list of common Chinese words and phrases.
A sign advertising Buddhist vegan food in traditional Chinese
Vegan in Koh Pha Ngan
I lived in Koh Pha Ngan for two years, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, where yogis and vegans sing naked on the beach. I am not talking about Haad Rin’s Full Moon Party, but rather the village of Srithanu, a yoga community in the north west of the island.
This is vegan paradise. The local Thais offer vegan options with no MSG to please the health-conscious crowd that flocks here.
If you are in the area, check out Eat.co - a 100% vegan hub with a chill ambiance, hippy music and a little organic shop. Try their beetroot burger or the dal of the day. If you have the chance to be there during high season, you will be able to enjoy their lunch special, which is always super tasty.
The lunch specials are always tasty at Eat.co
Photo Credit: Eat.co
If you like Israeli food, be sure to stop in at The Green Gallery on your way to Agama yoga school. They have the best shawarma sandwich. They also make a copious breakfast with tofu scramble, mock-meat and Middle Eastern flavours. The whole menu is fabulous, so you’ll want to make repeat visits!
My favourite restaurant is Orion Healing Centre. Not only because I created most of the menu when I was working there, but also because I know how the food is prepared.
The restaurant is very busy all year long, so you can be sure that the food is fresh. Try the burgers, the bowls, the salads and the breakfasts! Everything on the menu is delicious.
The place is well known in the UK, because the TV show “The Retreat with Nick Knowles” was filmed there. The DIY SOS star came for a 28-day “vegan detox” holiday, along with 8 other participants in search of a way to improve their health. The results were astonishing.
Try a raw version of pad thai at Orion Healing Centre
Photo Credit: Derek Dickson
If you like Thai food, you’ll want to make a stop at Big Mountain restaurant. The green curry pizza is divine (ask twice for no cheese to be sure it’s vegan!). I was never able to decide which of their curries I prefer. Thai, Indian, Massaman, Penang, green curry - they are all super rich and creamy.
Another Thai venue I recommend is JJ Restaurant on Hinkong beach, where you can enjoy a meal watching the sunset. The view is just perfect! Try the fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce, the Burmese salad and the Penang curry. I was also very pleased with their veganized pad thai (you have to request that it be made vegan).
Want to help animals during your trip? Koh Pha Ngan is one of several places where you can volunteer with stray dogs in Thailand.
Vegan in Bangkok
I have also lived in the craziness of Bangkok for almost six months, and in that time I had the chance to visit many vegan hubs. The one that I prefer the most for its food and ambiance is Broccoli Revolution, on busy Sukhumvit road near the Thong Lo BTS (Skytrain) station.
I recommend visiting on a Tuesday, because that’s when they have “2 for 1” specials on all juices and organic wines. Try their broccoli charcoal burger or a meal from the Thai menu. It’s delicious!
The Broccoli Charcoal Burger at Broccoli Revolution
Photo Credit: Broccoli Revolution
When it comes to Thai noodle soups, its worth the extra effort to travel all the way to the Ari BTS station and visit a vegan food court called Baan Suan Pai (Banana Family Park) that’s tucked down a hidden alleyway.
From the station, take exit 1 and walk 2 minutes towards the Esso garage. Take the alley on the right, just before the garage. Walk to the end of the alley to find the food court.
Chances are that you will not see any farang (Western tourists) there. They will give you coupons at the counter and then you can order from whichever restaurants you prefer.
I love the tom yum noodle soup from the second restaurant on the left (only 40 baht). I usually take a 60 baht plate at the last counter on the right side. She makes all sorts of mock meats that taste incredibly good.
***UPDATE May 2020***: The food court at Banana Family Park has sadly closed. However, most shopping mall food courts in Bangkok have vegetarian stalls that offer at least a few vegan options at rock-bottom prices. Two good examples are the MBK and Terminal 21 shopping malls.
Tom yum soup from a vegan food court that only the locals know!
Photo credit: Derek Dickson
If you like Indian food, try Saras on Sukhumvit 20. There is no meat on the menu, but they do serve dairy products. Make your selection from among the vegan options listed on their menu, or you can even make a special request.
Everything is well marked, but it’s still a good idea to mention to the server that you want your meal vegan. This restaurant is always packed with Indian families because the food is amazing. The vegan dum aloo is fantastic!
Another good vegetarian Indian restaurant is Dosa King at Nana BTS station.
If you like hummus and Middle Eastern food, there is an Arab street on Soi 3. Be aware, this is not a vegan area, but it is possible to find vegan dishes there. I’ve been many times to Nefertiti restaurant for a good hummus, baba ganoush, crispy falafels and a super cheap and tasty vegan naan bread.
At Asoke station, you will find May Veggie Home, where you can finally try all the veganised traditional Thai dishes! The spaghetti pat-dhee-maow, the pad thai and all the stir-fried dishes are pretty tasty.
Thanks in part to its Buddhist heritage, Thailand is a paradise for vegans
Also located at Asoke station, Pala Pizza makes the best vegan pizza I’ve ever had. You can get it by the slice, but don’t make that mistake, get the half meter! Call before going to ask if they are making the veggie pizza, because they don’t make it every day.
For desserts, Bangkok vegans are all about Veganerie, but personally I was not impressed. It’s overpriced, and the cakes are just not that good, though the cinnamon bun is to die for.
Fruit is always in abundance in this tropical locale
I definitely prefer going to the fruit buffet at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel for “all you can eat” DURIAN! At the 18th floor, there is a 350 Baht buffet that gives you a 1.5 hour to eat as much fruit as you want….and there is durian! If you are still able to walk after, go to the top of the hotel to see Bangkok from above. It’s quite impressive!
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About the Author
Dominique Julien is a naturopath and health coach who specializes in detox programs. She promotes a healthy plant-based diet to prevent or treat common illnesses. She is the creator of OmDetox.com.
Great tips for speaking the lingo! I spent 6 months in Chiang Mai in the North and loved every bit of the Vegan abundance I found there. Love the blog!
Thanks for your comment! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the vegan abundance in Chiang Mai. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, but I’ve heard lots of great things about it!
Lovely blog so helpful, any tips on where to stay on a budget as a vegan in Koh phangan
Hi Vallary,
I’m so glad that you found it helpful! I will contact Dominique, the guest blogger who wrote this article, and ask her if she can recommend any places to stay. Have a great trip!
You want to stick to the north-west part of the island. The area is called Srithanu. You will find all the vegan restaurants and yoga centres, and you will meet tons of vegans. There is a Facebook group for vegan phanganers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1618583695096002/
My advice is to arrive with the morning boat, rent a scooter at the pier and look for a bungalow in that area. You’ll find cheap bungalows by the beach and nicer houses inland. If you are there for a month, rents range from 8,000 – 20,000 THB. You can also ask people on the facebook group for subletting. There are always yogis from the community who are renting their houses while they are gone to India or Ubud. You can also try this group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KohPhanganCC/
Thanks so much for the helpful tips, Dominique!
So much helpful info from Dominique! Last time I was in Thailand I was just vegetarian, and even then I got a bit of a shock after having it so easy in India. But I know that with a little prep and useful tips like this I can be vegan anywhere. Can’t wait to head back there in April!
Hi Mindy,
I’m so glad that you found the post to be helpful! With a little bit of preparation and the willingness to ask for what you need, you can absolutely be vegan anywhere. May you have many more nourishing vegan journeys ahead of you!
Oh my God that broccoli burger!!!! Awesome post as always! 🙂
Thanks, Kim! The broccoli burger does look amazing, doesn’t it?
I love bangkok and pattaya…
Yeah, I haven’t made to Pattaya myself yet, but I have some very fond memories of Bangkok. I’d love to return to Thailand just to taste all the delicious vegan food there.
Thanks for the post. I am currently on a trip for few weeks 2 hours north west of bangkok close to prachinburi and find it extremely difficult to find vegan options here, they have even given me allergy card 🙂 from hotel to make sure I don’t eat non-vegan options. They don’t even serve me tofu since is cooked with a “powder” presumably animal broth. I am living on two packaged food with “jay” sign. Hopefully when I go to Bangkok for a day can get better meal.
Hi Ania,
I’m sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time finding vegan food in Thailand! There should always be plenty of fresh vegetables, rice, rice noodles and tofu available, but it’s true that the tricky part is avoiding hidden ingredients like shrimp paste, fish sauce, or this “powder” that you mentioned. It’s up to you to decide how rigorous you want to be about avoiding small quantities of these hidden ingredients. I promise you will most definitely find better meals in Bangkok!
I’ve been unable to find any vegan margarine in Thailand. Someone suggested makro, but no good. Is it available anywhere ?
Hi Glyn,
I hope someone living in Thailand is able to answer your question! If you don’t find the answer here, perhaps try posting in the Vegan Thailand Facebook group if you haven’t already: https://www.facebook.com/groups/627077820743760/
I saw the burger in your photo, what is made of? Its color makes me curious 🙂
Hi Kara,
Yes, it’s a curious color, isn’t it?! The patty is made from broccoli and quinoa, and the bun contains activated charcoal, which is what gives it that black color.
hay,Wendy,
great article you’ve traveled all over the Asia. but you’ve missed the paradise. how did you missed Sri Lanka? there are number of destinations around here.
Hi Jhone,
Thanks for stopping by! Actually, I have been to Sri Lanka, but it was a number of years ago, and I was not yet vegan then. I haven’t written about Sri Lanka on the blog because I don’t know enough about its vegan cuisine. BUT, I have a guest blogger who is working on an article about Sri Lanka, so watch this space! Hopefully, the article will be published here in the next few weeks.