Innovative Vegan Food in Bangkok

By Reenu Narula

Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, is making significant strides in the vegan movement. Over the past four years alone, more than 20 vegan restaurants have opened in Bangkok, while others have begun offering vegan options on their menu. Some of the best chefs in Bangkok are now creating vegan dishes. In fact, Bangkok consistently ranks in the top-10 of the annual HappyCow list of best vegan cities in the world.

I grew up in Thailand, lived and studied in India, the UK, and Australia, and returned to Bangkok to start my Art and Vegan Food Tour. This culinary venture is all about promoting a plant-based diet, celebrating local cuisine, and championing sustainable living.

The Surge in Demand for Vegan Food in Bangkok

No matter the reason, whether to save the planet or for personal health, the demand for vegan food in Bangkok is surging. The plant-based lifestyle is appealing to a broad audience because it is nutritious, delicious, and ethically sound, considering the welfare of the planet and animals. With the consumer’s mindset shifting towards more plant-based food, restaurants are catering to this demand, with a new vegan restaurant opening in Bangkok every two to three months. Nearly every BTS station along Sukhumvit Road has a vegan restaurant nearby, including many small, hidden gems tucked away in street corners. These restaurants have dedicated efforts to prevent food waste, and commitments to going 100% organic. 

Reducing Waste and Embracing Tradition in Thailand 

While many foods and snacks in Thailand are still wrapped in plastic or foam, there is a push towards more sustainable practices. Pinto, a traditional Thai food container and carrier, has been used by older generations for years. Along with a few other local tour guides, I am working to limit single-use wrapping, starting with one snack-on-the-go at a time.

Thailand has a history of sustainable plating, as evidenced by the use of banana leaves, pandan leaves, betel leaves, and other natural materials folded and shaped into plates, bowls, and baskets for centuries. You will encounter many Thai street vendors selling snacks and desserts that are vegan by default. Additionally, I ensure that some of these snacks are wrapped in banana leaves, making them environmentally friendly as well.

Bangkok’s Most Creative Vegan Food Experiences

Farm to table, mostly organic food at Earth House

Earth House is a vegan restaurant that is committed to farm-to-table principles and offers plant-based cuisine. It stands out by using mostly organic ingredients, supporting local farmers, and promoting sustainability at the same time. Amidst the avocado, quinoa, and teriyaki-sauce poke bowls, a quiet revolution is underway, led by chefs like Samantha Häberli, the owner and chef of Earth House in Bangkok. 

In a culinary landscape where veganism was once considered niche, Häberli is part of a growing movement challenging conventions and redefining plant-based cuisine. Situated in Bangkok’s vibrant Thonglor neighborhood, Earth House is more than just a restaurant; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking nourishment and connection. It has quickly become a fan favourite for vegans, carnivores, and flexitarians alike seeking a place to mingle. With a spacious back garden and a teak-floored studio for yoga and sound healing, Earth House offers a holistic dining experience unlike any other.

Earth House’s menu is designed for get-together, plate-sharing brunches, and dinners. Homemade bread, cashew-based cheeses like burrata, mushroom paella, and array of biodynamic natural wines are just a few examples of the aesthetic. One highlight is Häberli’s cashew camembert, made with organic cashews, miso, and Irish sea moss, fermented and aged for four weeks. “It’s so creamy and delicious, and it has even the most cultured of cheese-lovers fooled,” Häberli jokes.

At Earth House, Häberli aims to challenge perceptions and highlight the versatility of plant-based cuisine.

Vegan fine dining at CANES 

As a traveler dedicated to sustainability, I am always on the lookout for innovative and eco-friendly dining options. Living in Bangkok, I discovered CANES, a groundbreaking name in the plant-based cuisine space. CANES stands for Cruelty-free, Altruistic, Natural, Evolutionary, and Sustainable. This establishment is setting new standards in plant-based food innovation in Bangkok. 

Since its inception in 2017, CANES has been at the forefront of plant-based culinary innovation. Their team of chefs specializes in fields such as food science and fermentation, and their dedication and innovation can be found in most of their dishes. 

CANES offers a wide range of products, from vegan caviar and honey to yogurt and cheeses. These items are not only healthier but also designed with sustainability and practicality in mind. By addressing issues like affordability, shelf life, and ease of use, CANES is making plant-based living more accessible to everyone. 

I learnt that they are the only Plant-based Culinary Lab and fine-dining location in Bangkok. Here, I experienced a unique vegan tasting menu with mocktail pairings, available every Saturday and Sunday. The 14-course menu, paired with six crafted mocktails, changes weekly to feature the freshest local ingredients, in line with their lab-to-table concept. Due to its small size and popularity, reservations are usually needed 1-2 months in advance.

Remark: They change the menu based on what is being experimented at the lab and seasonal ingredients. They do not name all the dishes and it’s unlikely you will get to see the same thing.

Buffalo Trap Bar

For those who prefer a more casual dining experience, Buffalo Trap Bar is an excellent alternative. The bar décor is almost 100% recycled, made with used egg cartons and other materials. I’ve been told that any plastic utensils used at the bar will be upcycled into an art project.

The bar serves mostly finger food, and a must try would be Jizzy Fizz yogurt soda. Buffalo Trap Bar wants to mess with your head. This quirky joint will make you rethink what you know about dining, service and sustainability. Don’t forget to bring your own reusable serving cup and utensils, or you will be forced to pay 5 baht for each serving tray or beer mug that you use! 

Artisanal cheeses and products at Vivin Grocery

I stumbled upon Vivin Grocery in the Bangkok Foodies Facebook group. Vivin selects a range of high-quality artisanal, natural and organic products from local farmers and artisans in Thailand. These are sold in their boutique grocery stores located at Thonglor and Asoke. 

My exploration led me to learn about Vivin Grocery’s involvement in Thailand’s Jeh Vegan Festival, where they introduced a special “Jeh” Vegan Cheese Platter and Apéro boxes. This initiative was part of their “Meet the Artisan” series, in collaboration with Chef Edoardo Bonavolta from Groove Creamery, a trusted vegan cheesemaker and long-time partner. 

Vivin Grocery’s monthly Thai Cheese Buffet has become renowned among cheese lovers and gourmet delicacies enthusiasts. With their expansion into vegan products and the growing love for vegan cheeses, they have decided to offer this exceptional version of their buffet to cater to vegans and those curious about plant-based alternatives. 

Vivin Grocery’s philosophies are in line with organic, local, and artisanal values whilst promoting healthy and responsible eating which resonates with the vegan lifestyle.

I had the pleasure of trying one of the artisanal sandwiches they developed, incorporating Groove Creamery Nutcheese.. Their vegan sandwich comprises artisanal sourdough bread with certified organic roasted eggplants, lettuce, local tomatoes, and a generous filling of original fermented nut cheese.

Vegan-friendly stay at Sivatel Bangkok Hotel

In 2023, I attended a conference which was held at Sivatel Hotel. At the event, I learned about its transformation from a hotel with an energy-saving focus to a sustainable boutique hotel. The hotel is a family business, now in its 3rd generation.

I live in a big city, where tourists can often feel overwhelmed by the crowd and noise. Sivatel Bangkok Hotel is an excellent option for those looking to curate a sustainable Thailand trip. Guests will see how the hotel has integrated sustainability into its daily operations, from reducing waste, to taking action to become a zero-waste hotel to supporting local communities.

Working with the local community

The owner emphasizes working with the community, including waste management within the hotel. Brown rice and organic vegetables from Rai Ruenrom in Chiang Rai Province and Jasmine rice from Thai farmers in Surin Province are among the ingredients sourced from different regions.

Sivatel emphasizes knowing farmers and focuses on their attitude and connections with the community. The intent is to educate customers about the profiles of the farmers who provide the raw materials.

Items used in the rooms are carefully chosen to offer guests a closeness to nature and the local area. Examples include woven furniture from Toei Panan, famous handicrafts of the South and floor mats made from water hyacinth fibers. Additionally, all the equipment in the bathroom is from an environmentally friendly brand like Hug Organic, featuring refillable pump bottles. Furthermore, Sivatel aims to become a zero-waste kitchen by the end of 2024. This demonstrates their dedication to responsible waste reduction, with a particular focus on food waste.

I hope the Bangkok food scene continues to become more committed to cruelty-free, altruistic, natural, evolutionary and sustainable culinary practices. Delicious, innovative plant-based food is great for us city-dwellers, visitors and the environment.