Cheap vegan eats: Bangkok's best budget plant-based food
You can eat plant-based in Bangkok for under 60 baht a meal — often under 40. The city's jay buffets, market stalls and hole-in-the-wall vegetarian kitchens are where locals actually eat, and the food is some of the most flavourful in this guide.
Expect point-and-choose rice plates, noodle soups with mock meats, and zero English menus at some — pointing works fine, and the yellow เจ flag means everything's safe. Ranked by rating; all are in the cheapest price band in our directory.
The list
Ethos
A backpacker-beloved vegetarian and vegan institution near Khao San Road that has been feeding travellers on a budget for over two decades. Ethos serves generous portions of Thai comfort food, smoothies, full breakfasts and Western staples at prices that feel like another era. Relaxed, unpretentious and dependably good.
May Veggie Home
A long-running 100% vegan restaurant in the Sukhumvit area, established in 2011 and still one of Bangkok's most complete plant-based kitchens. May Veggie Home spans Thai classics (tom yum, pad Thai, green curry, som tam), Japanese-inspired dishes and Western comfort food — vegan burgers, salads and a tempting cake and ice cream selection. No animal products — not even honey.
May Kaidee (Tanao)
The grande dame of Bangkok vegetarian cooking. May Kaidee — named for its formidable founder — has been serving Thai vegetarian food near Banglamphu since the 1990s and is equally celebrated for its Thai vegan cooking school. The menu covers Thai staples (pad Thai, curries, soups) done with decades of precision.
Ruyi vegetarian
A long-loved Thai-Chinese vegetarian restaurant near Hua Lamphong MRT, popular with locals. Generous, cheap plates of mock 'duck' and 'pork', fried dumplings, stir-fried 'crab' curry and tom-yum noodle soup — expect a wait at peak times.
Vegetarian Society in Chatuchak
A Santi-Asoke Buddhist food hall behind Chatuchak with ~20 very cheap jay stalls — open mornings only.
Khun Churn
A Chiang Mai export famous for its all-you-can-eat vegetarian Thai buffet of organic vegetables, near Ekkamai.
Sugam South Indian Restaurant (Silom)
Authentic South Indian vegetarian near Silom's Mariamman temple — dosas, thalis and coconut chutney at fair prices.
Som Tam Jay So
A 100% vegan (jay) restaurant serving plant-based Thai food in Bang Rak. Does delivery, good for groups and has outdoor seating.
Jae Lee Vegan
A fully-vegan restaurant serving plant-based comfort food in Samphanthawong. Good for groups, has outdoor seating and easy on the wallet. A well-reviewed local favourite (4.7★).
Chennai Kitchen
A no-frills South Indian vegetarian institution on Pan Road, Silom, celebrated for its generous thali.
Anmole Indian Restaurant Pratunam Bangkok
A vegetarian spot with vegan options, restaurant serving South & North Indian dishes in Thanon Phaya Thai. Does delivery, good for groups and takes reservations.
Chamlong's
A vegetarian spot with vegan options, restaurant serving plant-based comfort food in Chatuchak. Good for groups and easy on the wallet.