Best Plant-Based Budget Eats in Bangkok
Chinatown, Bangkok, January 2025
Bangkok is truly a city that never sleeps. With each and every corner occupied by a small street vendor, a 7/11, or a group of friends catching up, there is never a dull moment.
During my most recent visit in January 2025, I fell completely in love with its vibrancy, and of course, its endless food options.
Here are the highlights of the absolute best plant-based budget eats in Bangkok:
Jae Oa Vegetarian
Location: 557 Yaowarat Road, Chinatown
Recommended Dishes: Crispy Pork Belly, Pad See Ew, Noodle Soup
Price Per Dish: ฿40 to ฿80 Thai Baht or $1.20 - $2.40 USD
Located in Chinatown, this might be my favorite place to eat in the whole city. It is owned by an adorable family, and you will meet the mother-daughter duo if you decide visit their restaurant. The location is tucked away in an alley, so be sure to follow the street signs!
The entire menu is vegan, and everything that I tried was delicious. An honorable mention to their house specialty - the mock crispy pork belly (featured on the right). I used to LOVE pork belly before going vegan, and this was the first time I’d had a replacement since.
Jae Lee Vegan
Location: 188 Charoen Krung, 14 Alley, Chinatown
Recommended Dishes: Pad See Ew, Fried Rice, Noodle Soup
Price Per Dish: ฿40 to ฿50 Thai Baht or $1.20 - $1.50 USD
Located in Chinatown, and very near to Jae Oa, this place was incredibly delicious as well. The setup is outside and you will likely be seated next to a row of locals on their lunch break.
Pictured on the right their Pad See Ew with which they include their own soy-based mock meat. I generally prefer this dish to Pad Thai, so I like to try it at every restaurant I can. Their food is simple yet delicious and ready in a matter of minutes.
Fun Fact: ‘Jae‘ or ‘Jay’ in Thailand is a way of life that involves abstaining from meat and animal products, as well as certain vegetables and fruits such as garlic and onions.
Each year, there is an entire 9-day Jay (Vegetarian) Festival in many cities across Thailand.
Eat Me Veggie & Vegan
Location: 114, 2 Pramot 2 Alley, Bang Rak
Recommended Dishes: Stir Fried Tofu with Ginger, Pad See Ew
Price Per Dish: ฿70 to ฿90 Thai Baht or $2.10 - $2.70 USD
Moving over to the Bang Rak/Silmon neighborhood where I stayed on my past trip, I found this little gem. Also family-owned, and their food is delicious - I ate here multiple times during my week in Bangkok.
Pictured on the left is once again, their Pad See Ew. Fried up with tofu and served with a side soup, needless to say I ate every bite. And, if you like ginger, their Ginger Tofu is unreal. Enjoy!
Chamlong’s Vegetarian
Location: 580-592, Chatuchak
Recommended Dishes: Katsu, Stir Fried Glass Noodles, Steamed Buns
Price Per Dish: ฿10 - ฿50 or $0.30 - $1.50 USD
This place is a little out of the way, but I ate here during my visit to The Chatuchak Weekend Market & Red Building Vintage Shopping, and I am SO glad I found it. The location is again, a little tough to find, but it is down a gravel road just behind The Red Building. It is only open from 6:00 am until 2:00 pm, so best for breakfast or lunch after seeing the market.
This place is essentially a dozen food vendors behind a counter, each selling their dishes. To pay here, you have to go up to the counter at the entrance on your left-hand side and exchange some Baht for paper tokens that you can then use at any of the stalls.
Pictured on the left is the Katsu from one stall and the glass noodles from another. These were both heavenly - and I paid 50 Baht or $1.50 USD for both together! I also tried some of their mushroom steamed buns (10 Baht or $0.30 USD each and fruit plates - everything delicious, and I would have come back every day if it weren’t far from the city center.
