From dynamite maki to celeriac dumplings, here are five vegan restaurants adding even more spice to Bangkok’s food scene
Bangkok is known for its unbeatable street food and mind-blowing cuisine, but if you’re a vegan, you might feel like you’re missing out on all the action. We’ve hunted down five fantastic places to find vegan meals that will keep you fuelled for your adventure in the city.
Breakfast: Nature’s Charm Cafe
Located in the Thonglor neighbourhood, Nature’s Charm Cafe is the perfect place to kickstart your day. The cafe tops the vegan charts for healthy, delicious, and Instagram-worthy breakfast and brunch dishes. Highly recommended is the hearty Breakfast of Champions – tofu scramble, guacamole, sausages, hashies, grilled tomato, mushrooms, rice paper bacon, baked beans & rye sourdough. For something sweet, try their fluffy pancakes topped with fresh fruits, whipped coconut cream and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Grab a cup to go of their coconut milk coffee or the Banoffee Cutie Pie Smoothie – so good you’ll want another right after it. naturescharmcafe.com
Address: 29 Sukhumvit 51, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Lunch: Broccoli Revolution
A pioneer in Bangkok’s vegan landscape, Broccoli Revolution is a socially-conscious eco-friendly plant-based eatery and elixir bar, now expanded to three locations. The menu is eclectic, showcasing the bold and vibrant flavours of Thailand and beyond. Start with Cauliflower Dynamite Maki – chickpeas, veggies, Japanese rice, and brown rice encased in fried seaweed, and topped with cauliflower and eryngii mushroom in a Sriracha and soy mayo. The Laphet Thoke from Myanmar – fermented tea leaves salad with cabbage, tomato and assorted nuts – is a must. Still hungry? Order the all-in-one Green Power Bowl with assorted green vegetables, nuts and grains, black quinoa, green pea puree with hummus on pesto brown rice, or the popular Broccoli Quinoa Charcoal Burger, made with a broccoli, black and white quinoa, and bread crumbs patty, served with guacamole and mango salsa in a charcoal whole wheat bun. End with a Lemon Olive Oil cake or the Sea Salt Caramel Cake. broccolirevolution.com
Address: Sukhumvit 49, 899 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Afternoon Tea: The Author’s Lounge at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
For an elegant vegan afternoon tea experience, nothing beats The Author’s Lounge at the Grand Old Dame of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. The creation of Executive Pastry Chef Pablo Gicquel, the special vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea set serves up a delicious assortment of savouries and pastries. You are in august company surrounded by the framed photographs of famous authors who stayed at the hotel as you nibble on baba ganoush wrapped in roasted bell pepper, smoked corn in chocolate chilli tart, Granny Smith apple scones served with home-made tofu cream and seasonal jams, blueberry tartlets and Gianduja & oatmeal cookies. Sip on a cup of premium TWG tea blends or their coffee specialities as you enjoy the Old World charm. mandarinoriental.com
Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500
Dinner: Mia
Tucked away on a quiet sub-soi off Sukhumvit 26, this bijou restaurant created by chefs, Pongcharn “Top” Russell and his Malaysian wife Michelle Goh, offers modern European cuisine with Asian soul and reflects their impressive experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and Asia. The new eight-course plant-based vegan tasting menu is both sophisticated and innovative showcasing premium imported and locally sourced ingredients. You start off with a variety of snacks, including Pear Granita with Radicchio and Shiso, and the delectable Spring Pea Tart with Mint Gel and Pea Puree. There’s also Avocado with Blood Orange and Ginger and Celeriac Dumpling with bronze fennel and black truffle. The centrepiece is the moreish textures of Onion Risotto and Barley. Chef Michelle brings the curtains down on a sweet note with her Watermelon Sorbet with Tomato Jelly and Basil, followed by the addictive Mia’s ‘Snicker Bar’. miarestaurantbkk.com
Address: 30 Attha Kawi 1 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
Dessert: Hebe Plantbar
Still craving something sweet? Order in one of Hebe.Plantbar’s many ice cream flavours, also available at Emquartier shopping mall. Named after the Greek goddess of eternal youth, this award-winning plant-based ice cream experiments with ingredients to craft 22 decadent flavour combinations. Think Mighty Matcha (Kyoto matcha, organic brown rice milk), Hakuna Ma Java (Italian espresso, dates, cacao nibs), Viva Violet (blueberry yoghurt, lemon swirl) and Twilight Thai Tea (Ceylon tea leaves, coconut milk, juice). The standout is the Pistachio Paradiso made from home-roasted Italian pistachios. Other sweet treats available include the Fudge Brownie and the Cheery Cheesecake. instagram.com/hebe.plantbar
Words by Gavin Nazareth
