Nigel Oakins

If you are vegan you may be somewhat tired of answering the three age-old questions from animal meat-eaters as to what made you decide to become vegan. Was it to help against animal cruelty? To try to improve your health? Or was it to save the planet? Sometimes you might get a helpful fourth question; asking if it is perhaps all three? If, like me, you are getting tired of the virtue-signalling pedestal you are being placed on, let me suggest an alternative answer. One that I have been using subsequent to my recent travels around the city putting this list of my current favourite vegan restaurants together. My answer is two-fold, I remain a plant-based eater because I prefer the taste, with an added benefit that my poo no longer pongs. Admittedly there are a number of vegan restaurants in Bangkok that you might not venture into if the thought of vegan food is a turn-off. But on this list there are many, if not all, that you should be happy to try no matter your dietary preferences. So vegan, plant-based or otherwise give these restaurants a try if you are in Bangkok and want a plant-based animal cruelty free meal. I can highly recommend them all.

What is it?:  A very cool wood and concrete Scandinavian-styled restaurant, mostly black, white and grey with stunning black and white artwork and photography adorning the walls. Located on the ground floor of The Residence apartment building 400m in from the main Sukhumvit road. Why we love it: Their philosophy is plant-based cuisine for health and the extensive menu eschews wherever possible processed food components. Founded in 2019 the guiding principle is to be a friend in health through eating. Unlike many of their vegan counterparts in the city the ambience encourages one to stay on in the comfort of the surroundings enjoying contemporary jazz background music while selecting food and drink items from the extensive menu. They say the food they cook is designed to maximize nutritional intake without compromising taste. Avocado toast indeed looks as good as it tastes with red and orange tomatoes, sliced red radish and crispy sourdough. Strawberry almond pancake is four layers of almond flour pancake with strawberry, blueberry and honey. For a starter, it’s hard to think you will need much more than a filling plant powered smoothie to fill you up. The menu is extensive with wraps, sandwiches, bowls, mains, sushi and maki, pastas, burgers and more. Prices are a little higher than others but it’s hard to argue why they shouldn’t be. Time Out tip: There is a co-working space on the upper floor. One imagines a great place for some really creative thinking. And Plantiful offer

What is it?: A fusion vegan bistro, serving plant-based versions of familiar favourite comfort foods from around the globe.  Why we love it: Vistro was good when it opened in 2019, and it is even better now. The menu knows no boundaries so expect to see dishes from every continent, re-interpreted to plant-based perfection. It says something about the restaurant that the kitchen is almost as extensive as the seating area, which remains informal and inviting for a meal at any time of day. The non-alcoholic drinks menu ranges through kombucha, cold-pressed juices, lattes, smoothies and coconut milk-based shakes. Food-wise, try chili bao bao in soft buns with sweetly glazed meat substitute filling, or vegan crab croquettes that are super creamy in a fried bread crumb case with spicy mayonnaise. For noodle lovers, damn good dan dan combines substitute meatballs with mushrooms, red pepper and dark green bak choy, adding vibrant colours to a mildly spicy soup. In total there is a wide selection of noodles, bowls, wraps, tacos, salads, yum cha items, and cakes that include their famous chocolatey raw Snickers bar with plenty of vegan goodness inside. Time Out tip: Sunday brunch at Vistro is a great way to eat with friends sharing a selection of plates while discussing the various issues of the week. But do not be shy about coming alone, as there is counter top seating to pull up a stool to and scroll, read, or gaze down onto the street below.

What is it?: One of the original vegan warriors in the plant-based dining neighbourhood that is the Sukhumvit 49 to 63 area. Serving calorie-controlled comfort food with a juice and coffee bar in a socially conscious environment that feels perfect for planning the next social uprising. If you are not a fan of broccoli, don’t worry there is little of it on the wide-ranging menu. Why we like it:  Well, the food remains consistently good and the furniture has aged well over the years, and there is very much a lived in and loved feel to hanging out for a meal or a drink here. But the main reason is that owner Saks believes in the cause, and has worked very hard over the years to employ those that might otherwise be disadvantaged to get a headstart in the food and beverage industry in Bangkok and beyond. Right now he is working on a new business that works with migrant workers to place them in jobs in food and beverage. The goal, to provide equal opportunity for migrant workers and also to support the food and beverage industry with much-needed staff. Back to the food – mainly a fusion east meets west concept with some very good staple breakfast options. Order at the counter and the super-friendly staff will bring dishes to you when ready from the kitchen.  Time Out tip: The 10 or so flavours of home-made ice creams are all delicious, but make sure you order them early enough to allow 10-minutes of thaw time before you dig your spoon in. There is also a small but decent selection

What is it?: A Japanese/Californian fusion restaurant with a cocktail bar and DJ deck that gets livelier by the hour as the evening progresses. Why we love it?: No artificial meats are used and the sauces are all imagined in house in this third floor shophouse walk-up, as they constantly dabble with the perfect way to enhance the mostly Californian sushi-oriented menu plates, each as colourfully presented as the decor. This is some of the finest vegan comfort food in the city and the laid back vibe totally matches partners, Oranan and Erics’, views on life in general, and that is to have fun and to take care of those around you. WTF sushi rolls will knock your socks off as the mango chili dressing needs the wasabi side to cool it down. The quinoa-based burger offering comes in the softest of buns, house ketchup and mayonnaise, plus skinny fries as good as they get. There is a limited selection of six well-chosen wines and a bar team that mixes all of the cocktail favourites. Live music is offered on some evenings, so check out their social pages for information.  Time Out tip: Oranan also runs Hidden Closet, one of the best female sex toy and fetish-oriented businesses in town with a shop tucked away behind the restaurant.. She and her team are always happy to show you around and let you sample the goods, if that’s your thing. 

What is it?: An intimate che’fs table, only open on Saturdays and Sundays, that serves an experimental 14-course seasonal vegan menu imagined from the food lab on the upper floors of this four-storey bohemian-inspired townhouse on the Nonthaburi outskirts of Bangkok. Why we love it: The menus change from time to time varying from western themes to a Thai focus, based on the time of the year, and the availability of the ingredients. Choose from three small tables in the main restaurant area if you wish a little intimacy, or at the counter if the preference is to get up close and personal with the chefs as they work. Chef Moss, who runs the kitchen team, will explain the origin of each of the 14 courses, and how and why the ingredients are mixed to achieve sensational plant-only tastes and textures. Chef Son extolls on how and why the boffins played with their test tubes in the lab until the perfected fermentation, foaming and bubbling produced the desired result. He also narrates each dish as it is served and oversees the five-glass fruit-oriented soft drink pairing. When it is the season for the Thai menu all ingredients are local, perhaps save for the occasional truffle from Australia. The menu describes each dish in one word and our favourite is ‘Curry’ which showcases the spices and flavours from southern Thailand, the birthplace of chef Son. Time Out tip: Book seats at the six-place chef’s counter with a close-up view of the five- to six-person kitchen team meticulously c

What is it?: The dining flagship of the EKM6 plant-based wellness mall on Ekamai soi 6. A bright and airy all day diner that offers a full menu of Western plant-based breakfasts, brunches, lunches and dinners. Prices are friendly and the staff likewise. The friendship extends to offering vegan Thai dishes too, from Plant Passion cafe next door. Why we love it: It has that anytime of the day welcome look and feel, and invariably you will see post-workout people grabbing a smoothie and a quick bite while catching up on emails. Many of Bangkok’s newer vegan kitchens are come and go places to grab a meal and move on, but at Kynd Kulture you might want to linger. Favourites include tzatziki sauce burger in a light black bun and crisp side salad with tomatoes and BBF all day big breakfast plate to rival that of any English pub in looks and taste. The bowls are packed with plant protein with cheesy rice bowl, squeezing in sauerkraut, kale, onion, cranberry, apricot, pistachio, chilli and cashew nut cheese, riceberry, tomato, sweet potato and homemade falafel all for just B290. And speaking of cheese, there are two platters of vegan cheese sets on offer that are great to nibble on over a late afternoon drink with friends. Time Out tip: Take the time to explore the mall. Drop your pet off at Oh My Fluffy for a furry spa experience and pick them up after your meal. Do some plant-based protein grocery shopping at the eco-friendly, well-stocked grocery store. In fact make an afternoon of

What is it?: A farm to table restaurant and wine bar, in a stand alone house in the heart of Bangkok, that appeals to vegan diners trying to get their meat-eating friends to sample all that’s good about a plant-based diet. They claim that well over 50% of their clients are not vegetarian. Why we love it: Owner Samantha has passionately built her client base over the past two years since moving into this much larger space. An upstairs yoga studio is a throwback to the original town house location that had a much more healthy-living, pilates arts and crafts feel. The monthly specials are always worth considering as these are often the seasonal ingredients from the restaurant's farm. The menu resembles any you might see at a favourite neighbourhood go-to so no surprise it appeals to all. In the evenings the lighting both inside and out reflects a considered low key ambience with the latest chilled out sounds on the playlist.  Reflecting the owners’ love of animals, any and all are welcome. Dogs of all sizes and cats are commonplace, snakes and hamsters less so but Time Out has been told goldfish are welcome too. Time Out tip: Order for the table from the tapas menu before you get into the plentiful mains which are best ordered individually. Not to be missed is the creamy mushroom hummus with tahini, olive oil, sea salt and sauteed mushrooms with walnut on the side. Order extra flatbreads as the two thin slices it comes with are never enough.

What is it?: A small restaurant, three tables inside and four outside, in the front room of the home of chef Tania, who is third generation Thai, opening every day from 11am to 6pm except Thursday. Now in its fifth year, it sells a small selection of noodle dishes and wonderful, not too sweet, coconut ice cream. Why we love it: This is all about the noodles with broth bursting with big creamy flavours, and plant-based ingredients fleshing out the finish. If you are a khao soi fan then look no further on the menu. The rich medium-hot yellow curry, mixed with a coconut broth, hosts a variety of vegetables and spices including red onions, shallots, coriander, pickled cabbage and a slice of lime. If extra heat is needed there is a home made table chilli that packs a very fiery punch. A great way for first-timers, or those that can never make up their minds, is to go for the tasting tray. Select any four of the menu dishes, which come in smaller portions, and decide for yourself which is your favourite. This really is the front room in Tania’s home, and so there is a good chance you might get drawn into discussion with those on other tables. Just as a neighbourhood restaurant should be. Time Out tip: Tania’s son Eddie (fourth generation) hosts mindful workshops five or six mornings or evenings each week at the restaurant, with titles such as deep listening, self discovery, and ecstatic dance. Come for an early dinner and if Eddie has a session organised stay for some enlightened d

What is it?: A lovingly restored classic Thai wooden house from over 100 years ago with colonial influences, featuring a Thai fine dining plant-based menu not unlike that you might find in one of Bangkok’s wonderful heritage 5-star hotels.  Why we love it: Vegan Mahanakorn fills a distinct gap in the market for plant-based dining in Bangkok. The beautiful white abode stands out distinctly from the surrounding shophouses and long-standing business establishments that serve the local community. Take your shoes off, put on provided slippers, and be greeted bychong kbon-clad wait staff to cross the teak floors to your table. Drinks are imaginatively presented and even those familiar with traditional Thai dishes may have to ask questions of some of the menu items. Heritage Thai dishes are all here with any meat component changed for a plant-based alternative. Somehow the chefs maintain the textures and attributes of food that would expect meat to be the central feature. The appetisers are all noteworthy and a sample plate offers a couple of each of the six items on the menu. Curries can be ordered according to spiciness preference.  Time Out tip: If you have guests in town wanting to visit Wat Arun, take them to the temple around sunset and then head nearby to Vegan Mahanakhon for an encore of Thai classic fine-dining vegan experience. Reservations advised. 

What is it?:  A vegetarian restaurant that is predominantly vegan snuggled under the Ekkamai BTS station on the even numbered side. It started life in 2020 after one of owner Khu Churnjuti’s earlier restaurants was asked to provide vegetarian food for a nearby meditation centre. Why we love it: The white in the title signifies a desire to serve clean and healthy food in a modern cafe style ambience with plenty of potted plants and greenery for contrast. Here you will find one of the best khao soi offerings in town, which is also a nod to Khun Churn’s northern Thai heritage, mixing tofu with yellow noodles in a luscious curry with pickled lettuce, topped with crispy noodles. Other excellent dishes include guay tiew khua hed, stir-fired mushrooms (with or without egg), and hed kum waan, crunchy deep-fried mushrooms topped with lime juice, red chili, sliced garlic and Chinese kale. Cold-pressed juice selections are recommended to partner the cuisine. The chefs and service team will do their best to accommodate their guests’ requests and are happy to adapt many of the dishes to suit requirements. Khun Churn’s home-made vegan ice cream is a must to cap off the meal. Time Out tip: If you are heading there for dinner you will need an early start as they close at 8pm each evening.

What is it?:  A quick service plant-based restaurant on the ground floor of the EmSphere shopping Mall. Order from the extensive menu at the counter and then take a seat at one of the little red tables or ceramic benches and the food will be with you quickly enough not to interfere with your shopping duties. Why we like it: The decor reminds us of a South London pie and mash shop, and the seating resembles a junior school classroom, but the food is consistently top-notch. This is not a place to stay and linger with friends, but rather a place to sample the best of plant-based comfort food cooking. The menu is extensive with a bit of everything from pastas to bowls, rolls to wraps, street snacks to salads, dumplings to noodles and a couple of dairy free desserts. If we had to pick a quick street food favourite it might be a very simple moo grob with rice and a pleasant veggie broth. You will be in and out in 20 minutes. Time Out tip: The signage is a little restrained so V Street can take some finding among the many ground floor eateries. Take a look at the mall signage near the main entrance to get your bearings. For a more relaxed meal, wander over to Vistro, same owner, same good food, just around the corner on Sukhumvit Soi 24.

What is it?: This is the flagship branch of the seven-restaurant chain of Veganerie restaurants founded by a family of animal protectionists who wanted to spread the message that no animals are for eating. Facing Benjakiti park on Sukhumvit Soi 22, there is a plethora of signage that projects a well-meaning, but perhaps uphill struggle to change the world. Whereas most vegan restaurants take it for granted that their diners have bought into cruelty free dining, Veganerie assumes that its guests may not yet have made their minds up. Why we love it: There is a consistency to how favourite meat-based comfort dishes have been converted into plant-based alternatives. Just as in an American diner the plates come stacked. Whether it’s a creamy breakfast bowl, pancakes and a selection of fruits, sauces and creams, or a burger with a bun and french fries you will not be short-changed. The cake counter has freshly baked goodies with gluten free options, the juices and shakes are filling and the coffee cups are larger sized.This is about big vegan dining opening at 9.30 am through to 10pm every day. The restaurant signage has an earnest appeal and it feels right to snap a pic under your favourite vegan slogan. Time Out’s is ‘More than just vegan’, which is a mind-bender that had our table trying to figure it out. Time Out tip: Sneak out of the nearby shopping centres to get away from mall dining into something that rings of an earnest request to eat less meat. If you are vegan you may h

Before we get into the rankings, here’s a little history on the list. 12 years ago, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants launched as an offshoot of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, which started life in London in 2002 as the brainchild of someone at Restaurant magazine. The first Asia list was announced in Singapore, with just four Bangkok restaurants finding their way on to the list that year. Nahm led the way back then in third place, Gaggan was at 10, Eat Me at 19 and bringing up the rear at 36 for Thailand was Bo.lan. No-one really knew how the ratings were achieved and hardly any attention was paid to a mystical list of foodies who apparently travelled around the region eating at well-known and very expensive restaurants. But the PR team back in London did a fabulous job and media outlets across Asia started to publish the results as if it was the definitive list, and a serious assessment of the best places to eat in Asia. Not long after that, the Asia’s 50 Best awards moved to Bangkok for a while, where a savvy cabal of established Thai restaurants found a way to influence the results, having become fixtures on the annual list. This year we offer our congratulations to nine Bangkok restaurants that made the Asia’s 50 Best list and in alphabetical order they are: Baan Tepa, Gaggan, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, Le Du, Nusara, Potong, Samrub Samrub Thai, Sorn and Suhring. Many familiar names from earlier lists in there, albeit with some shuffling of the positions to keep a sense of impa