5 vegan and plant-based destinations plant food lovers must check out

Who says vegan food has to be boring? From refined plant-based menus to cosy spots located between large buildings, Bangkok’s vegan scene proves it’s anything but. Today, vegan dining has taken a creative turn that goes far beyond the mere basics. This edition of Koktail Kuisine spotlights five great plant-based and vegan destinations in Bangkok that every serious plant food lover must know.

Earth House

A Mediterranean vegan restaurant with a zero-waste mindset

For founder Samantha Haberli, vegan dining and a deep commitment to sustainability are two sides of the same coin, with zero-waste practices and local sourcing combined to show a path towards a greener future. Plant-based food doesn’t have to come in the same shade every time. By grounding its menu in Mediterranean flavours, Earth House points to what such vegan cuisine could be.

Aubergine fried to a crisp is glazed with miso and sake, topped with puffed rice for extra crunch. Try their cashew burrata next, whose milky softness contrasts with the previous dish. Tomato tartare is thoroughly plant-based, from dehydrated tomato to egg yolk, a dish in its own right rather than a substitute for the original. Mushroom wellington steals the show, pairing minced duxelles with flaky pastry. Mushroom on mushroom, yet the textures differ just enough to create a real distinction.

112/2 Sukhumvit 53 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok. Tel: +66 64 473 7188. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 5pm-11pm, Friday and Saturday from 11.30am-11pm, and Sunday from 11.30am-10pm.

Khun Churn in White

A cosy vegetarian nook prioritising clean, simple ingredients

Tucked beneath the stairs of BTS Skytrain’s Ekkamai station, Khun Churn in White feels like a well-guarded secret. The restaurant’s compact size adds to its overall cosiness. You could easily mistake it for a trendy coffee shop if you’re not paying close attention. Like its name, the white interiors and warm lighting prepare diners for both clean ingredients and friendly service.

Thai classics get a vegan twist. Avocado receives som tum treatment, peppered with crushed cashew and fresh tomato, a mixture of sweet and umami. Khao soi, a regional dish from the north, combines velvety coconut sauce with crispy rice noodles, satisfyingly vibrant in colour. Their version is one of the best in town, vegan or not. Passion fruit refresher, a standout from the drinks menu, ends things on a pleasant note.

952 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok. Tel: +66 81 660 7031. Open daily from 10am-8.30pm.

Kynd Kulture

A vegan joint where local organics make the difference

Kynd Kulture’s location tells you everything you need to know about its vegan pride. Part of the plant-based (and pet-friendly) community space EKM6 in Ekkamai, the restaurant is meticulous in its selection of ingredients and where to source them from – olive oil instead of seed oils, locally sourced ingredients instead of mass-manufactured. “Let’s start a revolution!” is its motto; the plan is not only to serve vegan food but also to change perceptions around it.

Carb lovers need not fret, as there are plenty of carb-based dishes to try, including krazy spicy pasta, whole-wheat cheesy and hot with fermented chilli oil. Whiskey burger is grilled tempeh and vegetables neatly sandwiched between charcoal buns. The highlight is kulture bowl, a nourishing medley of tempeh, edamame, pumpkin, mixed greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, kimchi, quinoa and soba noodles. The diversity is off the charts here. Pair it with a probiotic smoothie or refreshing cold-pressed juice for fruity goodness.

26 Ekkamai 6 Alley, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Tel: +66 92 874 5669. Open Monday to Thursday from 8am-8pm, and Friday to Sunday from 8am-9pm.

Plant Passion

A vegan spot with a fresh take on Asian classics

Another modest joint at EKM6, with only 10-12 seats available at a time, Plant Passion walks a fine line between reinterpretations of Asian classics and plant-based innovation, such as visually convincing and texturally surprising protein replacements. The menu is rooted in regional culinary customs. Stir-fried glazed pork may look like Isaan-style pork, but the former doesn’t exactly taste like the latter, transcending the non-plant original with its crunchy texture.

Stir-fried duck with soya-based strip is served with basil and chilli, succulent and aromatically inviting. An impressive array of Indian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes takes diners on a grand tour of Asia, though reimagined as one that is unapologetically vegan. Monk pumpkin in coconut sauce provides a soft, creamy finish.

26 Ekkamai 6 Alley, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok. Tel: +66 98 194 5222. Open daily from 10am-10 pm.

Vegan Mahanakhon

Timeless Thai reimagined vegan classics in a century-old colonial teak house

Set in a quaint colonial-style wooden house with over a century of history etched into its walls, Vegan Mahanakhon – literally ‘the vegan metropolis’ – offers another kind of vegan dining experience. Guests remove their shoes upon entrance and put on slippers to carefully glide across polished teak floors. They are led by chong kraben-wearing staff to their designated tables. Elegance is rare when it comes to vegan cuisine; in this sense the restaurant is a pioneer in how the finest ingredients need to be experienced accordingly.

Every ingredient used in the kitchen is sourced from Thai farms. Assorted Thai platter, consisting of chor muang, ma hor, gai hor baitoey, moo sarong and other bite-sized delights, introduces diners to a variety of flavours in a single order. Curries can be made to suit your spice tolerance. They are currently running a special edition of Thai-Chinese cuisine, in time for the Chinese New Year. Dishes include herbal bak kut teh, stir-fried cured olive with minced vegan meat and chai tow kway (fried radish cake) following a 90-year-old Teochew-style recipe. Make sure to reserve your table before showing up.

661 Arun Amarin Rd, Kwang Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok. Tel: +66 85 826 4655. Open daily from 10.30am-9pm.