Vegetarian in Bangkok | Thai food is distinguished by its harmonious blend of bold flavours, including sweet, sour, salty and spicy elements, often enhanced by fresh herbs and aromatic spices. From fried rice to hot pot and spicy shrimp soup, the country abounds with dishes that are a non-vegetarian’s delight.
However, there are plenty of vegetarian options for those on plant-based diets. While meat is a mainstay of most dishes, it can be substituted or eliminated on request.
So, how do you request for vegetarian food in Bangkok? Use the phrase ben mang sa wirat or gin jay to tell the cook or waiter you are a vegetarian. When you order your dish, mention that you want your food without any form of meat (mai gin neua sat). After that, you can give further personal requests like no fish sauce (mai ow nam bplaa) or no oyster sauce (mai ow nam man hoy).
Morning glory is a tropical vegetable with long, tender, hollow stems and thin, elongated leaves. Stir-fried morning glory is one of Thailand's most popular dishes and it is made with water spinach, chillies, garlic and fermented soybeans. The flavours are complex because it is sweet, salty and spicy, all mixed together.
This dish combines stir-fried tofu with vegetables, such as mushrooms, carrots, onions, broccoli and bell peppers. Firm tofu is cut into small cubes and fried with basil, garlic, chilli, and soy sauce to create a savoury and slightly spicy flavour. It can be enjoyed on its own as a snack or paired with rice to make it a full meal.
Stir-fried pumpkin, or pad phuk tong, is one of the best vegetarian dishes in Thailand. The dish is both sweet and savoury, and is typically served with rice to make it a main meal. It can also be eaten as a side dish.
The pumpkin used is typically the golden pumpkin variety, which has a sweet and slightly nutty flavour. The pumpkin is cut into small pieces or thin slices, and stir-fried with garlic, chilli and soy sauce. Other ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and basil leaves may also be added to give the dish more depth of flavour.
This papaya salad is a popular vegetarian street snack in Bangkok. It’s packed with fresh, zesty flavours and is made with shredded green unripe papaya with a dressing made from fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar and chillies. You can request a vegetarian version by asking to skip the fish sauce and substituting with soy sauce. Pair som tum with sticky rice to subdue the spicy kick and enjoy a filling meal.
This spicy basil dish is often served with steamed rice and is typically made by stir-frying sliced mushrooms with garlic, chilli and Thai holy basil, which gives the dish its signature flavour and aroma.
Other ingredients like onions and bell peppers may also be added to enhance the taste and texture of the dish. One thing to note is that when the dish says spicy, it’s really spicy, so you may want to ask for a less spicy meal if you don’t like dishes that are too hot.
This Thai delicacy is typically made with the leaves and stems of the water mimosa plant. It is prepared by stir-frying the water mimosa leaves and stems with garlic, chilli and soy sauce, as well as adding other vegetables like onions, tomatoes and peppers to enhance the flavour. Pad pak gachet has a slightly crunchy texture and a mild, earthy flavour that is complemented by the savoury flavours of garlic and soy sauce. It is a common side dish that is light and healthy.
This popular street food snack is made of sliced bananas coated in batter and deep-fried until they are crispy and golden brown. Kluay kaek is often served with a sweet dipping sauce made from palm sugar, water and a pinch of salt. Order it as a dessert to round off a delicious meal.
