Bangkok, Thailand — a cataclysm of old world meets new money, stunning traditional architecture blends with cloud-high condominiums and delicious vegan food can be found in side streets and trendy new cafes. We navigated the sweltering pavement-less roads and marble-walled megamalls looking for the best of the best vegan food available.
Tropical, transcendent and truly tasty, Bangkok was one of my favorite destinations (and I felt especially lucky to have fit it in right before COVID-19 shuttered us away). Because of Thailand’s Buddhist roots, much of their cuisine is naturally plant-based, to my delight.
Veganerie (multiple locations)
Indisputably the leader in vegan fast-casual cuisine in Bangkok, Veganerie, a popular and adored small chain of irresistible vegan cuisine, was our favorite destination for unique-yet-familiar vegan eats. Indulgent whipped cream and Belgian waffles paired with fresh fruit, all-day breakfast platters and decadent milkshakes were the name of the game. Our favorite dishes in the savory category included their BBQ burger, fried chicken waffles, buffalo cauliflower and hearty breakfast scramble.
Though all their food is on point, they especially excel in sweet creations, all of which are not to be missed. I truly was in vegan heaven!
For authentic Thai cuisine lovers, May Kaidee has it covered. Expertly cooked Thai dishes like Khao Rad Gaeng (curry fried tofu rice) and Pad See-U (wide flat noodles) leave nothing to be desired. Their drink menu boasts freshly blended mango smoothies and refreshingly creamy Thai tea which were immensely refreshing in the thick humidity of Bangkok (the restaurant is not air conditioned but they do have overhead fans).
Their noodles were soft, chewy and perfectly seasoned and the veggie rice dish was just the right amount of spicy & sweet.
No surprise for a restaurant that also operates a Thai cooking school!
We may be a bit biased since we dined here numerous times while in Bangkok (it was the closest vegan place to our bnb!), but Nourish Cafe was one of our favorite casual vegan spots to get — yes — nourishing grub. Housed on the second floor of Bangkok Fight Lab, this unassuming refueling spot has so much more to offer than your typical gym cafe, and can rightfully hold its own. Though their menu items were slightly more pricey than some other vegan spots we visited, we could tell that the ingredients they used were quality.
We loved the full English platter, American pancakes, BBQ banana peel burger and fried cheese balls. Pair with one of their slushies or smoothies (we recommend the passion fruit slush and acai + red berries smoothie). Their ice cream is also excellent and can be added a la mode to the pancakes!
So Vegan
Our very first and very delicious meal in Bangkok was brought to us by So Vegan via the Grab app, which is Thailand’s version of Uber. We were thrilled to find a vegan choice on the app after our long flight. So Vegan’s food did not disappoint — spicy and tangy stir-fried vegan fish, chicken with chilies, noodle soup with vegan seafood and subtly sweet drinks like chrysanthemum tea and pandan juice were decidedly delectable. Their soyskin rolls and pork bun appetizers The food came piping hot and we did feel guilty about all the plastic they used, so if you’re near enough, it’s recommended to stop by any of their three locations.
For around the price of a train ride (about $2-7 USD), you can fill a plate with a medley of vegan buffet selections paired with Thai purple rice. Ton Phon is a franchise operated by the same folks as So Vegan, and their food is just as amazing. Portion size is generous and for very little coin, you can taste dishes like clear tofu seafood noodles, vegan BBQ steak, spicy bamboo with bok choy and mushroom seitan curry plus whatever whim the chef feels that day as selections change on the regular.
Mango Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant and Arts Gallery
Some of the freshest-tasting tofu, tempeh and noodles were had at Mango Vegan Cafe, where cute cats frolic by your side as you dine. Everything served to us was absolutely healthy and delicious, without the need for additives. The Pad Kee Mao had super-soft, translucent noodles and the stir-fry dish featured tempeh with a succulent, nutty texture. The only gripe was that their drinks had way too much ice, and for some reason, the ribbons tied around the drink bottles dyed our hands red. This space also doubles as a mini art gallery. Note: those allergic to cats please be aware there are two cats that roam around the restaurant.
The creamiest, flavorful and freshest vegan cheese can be had at Barefood Bangkok. A humble little cafe with a big heart, looks are deceiving when it comes to how delicious Barefood’s menu really is. Not surprisingly, the owner is Italian with a passion for the highest caliber of vegan cheese possible. After placing an order, owner and chef Edoardo Bonavolta served us an amusebouche of fresh cheese and in-house baguette. Their smoky bbq burger and BLT sandwich were both outstanding, with the texture of the veggie meats and, of course, their housemade cheeses.
A restaurant boasting Netflix stardom with a profile featuring Chef Duangporn Songivsava (Bo) on the popular show Chef’s Table, Bo.lan is truly a singular and pricey experience for those wanting an upscale Thai cuisine experience. A dinner at Bo.lan will set you back $150 for a multi-course menu and leave you stuffed with meals cooked with sustainably sourced and responsibly vetted supply chain ingredients.
Bo.lan is not entirely vegan but they offer a full vegan menu, called Bo.lan Botanical. We loved their coconut sugar drink, galangal infused coconut soup and the variety of petit-fours for dessert at the end which came with a smoked cluster of crunchy nuts (with the smoke vapor rising off of the nuts). Advance Reservations are highly recommended!
Honestly, I wanted to try Bo.lan because of Netflix. I wouldn’t say I was necessarily disappointed, but I will say that it doesn’t really live up to the hype (or the $300 price tag).
What Bo.lan does extremely well is their service, which, considering their mandatory tip fee should be nothing less than exceptional. I would say the food doesn’t outshine their hospitality.
Still, I didn’t regret shelling out for our experience at Bo.lan. We did leave feeling stuffed and luxurious, but none of the food itself was particularly memorable.
Opened by an avid runner and home to three cats (Neko, Kintaro and Mimi), Bonita Cafe and Social Club has an eclectic mix of Italian, American, English and Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a club sandwich, all day English Breakfast or even Japanese curry rice in a homey setting, friendly service and feel at ease supporting an establishment that strives for a greater mission — empowering their guests to continue on their journey to optimal health through their running club.
With a dizzying array of both Thai, Japanese and American dishes, Broccoli Revolution is the perfect choice for an indecisive vegan diner. Selections run the gamut: checkout their all-day vegan breakfast menu, artichoke lasagna and organic tom kha soup. They also have a full smoothie and juice bar. We especially loved the broccoli charcoal quinoa burger, which had a toasted sesame seed charcoal bun and a flavorful quinoa patty.
