Tell them 'mai phet' (not spicy) upfront. 'Phet nit noi' means a little. 'Phet mak' = very spicy. Servers will give you tourist-level spice if you say nothing.
🍜Shared dishes, Thai-style
Thai meals are family-style. Order 2–3 dishes for 2 people with rice. Don't order individual dishes expecting a full plate.
💳Cash vs card
Street food and local spots: cash only. Malls and hotels: card OK. 1,000 baht bills not always broken at street stalls — carry 20–100 baht notes.
🕐Peak hours
Bangkok lunch rush is 12–1:30pm, dinner 6:30–8pm. Arrive 15 min before for top spots. Most good street food closes by 9pm.
🪑No reservations (mostly)
Most local places don't take reservations. High-end spots do — book through their website or Line app. Walk-in wait at popular spots is 15–30 min.
🐾Street dogs at stalls
Normal to see dogs near street stalls. They're generally harmless and fed by vendors. Don't worry — the food prep area stays clean.
Long-running vegan Thai restaurant. Authentic Thai dishes, no fish sauce. Very affordable.
🌱
Veganerie Concept฿฿
📍 Various branches (Siam, Ekkamai) · Café & restaurant
Western-style vegan café. Great for brunch. Multiple locations across Bangkok.
🟡
J Festival restaurants (September)฿
📍 Citywide (yellow flag = vegetarian/vegan) · Seasonal
During the annual 9-day Taoist festival, thousands of restaurants go fully vegan. Yellow flags mark participating restaurants.
Key phrases for vegans
Mai gin neuaI don't eat meat
ไม่กินเนื้อ
Mai sai nam plaNo fish sauce
ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา
Mai sai gapiNo shrimp paste
ไม่ใส่กะปิ
Pen mangsa-wi-ratI'm vegetarian
เป็นมังสวิรัติ
Gin jaeVegan (strict Buddhist)
กินเจ
Watch out: Shrimp paste (gapi) is in most Thai cooking. Even 'vegan' Thai dishes may contain fish sauce (nam pla). Always specify both: "mai sai nam pla, mai sai gapi."
🌿 Vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Bangkok
Thai tip: Say "gin jay" (กินเจ) for Buddhist-style vegan (no animal products, garlic or onion). Say "gin mangsawirat" (กินมังสวิรัติ) for vegetarian with eggs/dairy OK.
🌿
May Veggie Home
Thai vegetarian / Buddhist cuisine · Asok / Sukhumvit 12 · Mon–Sat 8am–3pm only
฿80–200
One of Bangkok's best-kept secrets. Buddhist vegetarian cooking with deep umami from mushrooms. Lunch only.
⭐ Order: Pad Thai without egg, green curry with tofu, mushroom larb
🥦
Broccoli Revolution
Modern vegan / plant-based · Sukhumvit 49 · Daily 11am–9:30pm
฿200–500
Most international-friendly vegan restaurant. English menu. Huge portions. Very popular with expats.
⭐ Order: Green bowl, vegan burgers, plant-based pad Thai, fresh juices
☯️
Ethos Restaurant
Vegan / vegetarian fusion · Banglamphu / Khao San Road area · Daily 8am–9pm
฿120–350
Best vegan spot in Banglamphu / backpacker area. Relaxed atmosphere, communal tables. Digital nomad crowd.
⭐ Order: Full English vegan breakfast (฿220), daily curry, smoothie bowls