According to Nikkei Asia, Thailand is world-famous for its diverse and attractive street food. From fresh seafood prepared in many different ways, fragrant stir-fried pork, rich grilled chicken curry to carefully marinated beef dishes, Thai street food is like a colorful picture of flavors.
Besides the image of animal dishes sold all over the streets, Bangkok also hides a rich world of vegetarian cuisine. While meat and seafood dishes bring rich flavors, vegetarian dishes conquer diners with their lightness and sophistication. The harmonious combination of tradition and modernity has created a diverse and unique culinary picture in Thailand.
Vegetarian dishes of the land of golden temples also have a very special flavor, satisfying many tourists from all over the world.
Thailand, with its deep Buddhist culture, has nurtured a long-standing tradition of vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is not only a diet but also an act of respect for the gods and compassion for living beings. Therefore, vegetarian restaurants have sprung up all over the country, meeting the growing demand of locals and tourists. Especially during Buddhist holidays, vegetarianism has become an indispensable custom, showing people's respect for Buddha.
Some Thai-Chinese eat ahaan jae – vegetarian dishes made without garlic and onions – for religious reasons. And many Indian eateries in Bangkok serve vegetarian dishes. According to Germany-based data provider Statista, 8% of the Thai population was vegetarian in 2019.
Thai cuisine has a strong attraction for tourists around the world.
The trend of pure vegetarianism, although it has not appeared for a long time, has quickly spread and become popular in Thailand, especially in famous tourist destinations such as Koh Phangan Island or Pai town. The "mindful" lifestyle is increasingly popular with tourists, along with the increase of vegan restaurants, contributing to the creation of a healthy and sustainable culinary movement. The strong development of tourism has promoted the demand for diverse dining options, in which vegan cuisine is increasingly winning the hearts of many people.
The country's vegetarian trend has emerged thanks to the power of social media.
In the past, vegan cuisine was quite unfamiliar and considered an expensive option for Thai people. However, with the development of social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, influencers have played an important role in promoting the vegan lifestyle. Images of eye-catching, attractive vegetarian dishes along with information about health benefits have attracted the attention of young people and more and more people are starting to explore and love vegan cuisine.
The level of attention towards vegan food has changed significantly over the past decade. Even Thais who are not vegan now perceive it as a healthy diet and have a positive opinion about it. More and more people are becoming more flexible in their eating habits and sometimes choose to eat vegetarian to balance their diet.
Vegetarianism is not just a diet but also an act of respect for the gods and compassion for living beings.
Culinary diversity is also increasing as international vegan foods and vegan variations of traditional Thai dishes appear more frequently in Thai kitchens, often with tofu replacing meat or fish.
Meanwhile, some eateries in Bangkok also offer vegan sushi. Many restaurants in luxury hotels also offer culinary diversity by including vegan dishes on the menu.
Notably, this October, Phuket city (Thailand) will become bustling with the 10-day Phuket Vegetarian Festival on the streets.
