VEGETARIAN GUIDE TO CHIANG MAI

THE BEST VEGETARIAN GUIDE TO CHIANG MAI

Northern Thailand is famous for pork. More so than any other protein, they munch down on the humble piggy like it's going out of fashion. Well, for this guide it has gone out of fashion.

The following recommendations are all nestled under the umbrella of vegetarian, vegan and healthy eating. A couple of the restaurants also sell meat products, but they are included here due to the excellent options they offer to non-meat eaters. As with every guide to eating, they are subjective, but we found searching for any decent vegetarian guides to Chiang Mai only threw up the same pile of garbage: Hipster salad bars, restaurants offering vegan fast food, hummus and falafel joints.

Editor: Mr Hangry, spent months on end and multiple visits to the Northern city uncovering local tips and tricks to make sure he didn't end up in a tiktok video whilst trying to eat. He succeeded, and collected below is a comprehensive list of places most tourists would overlook, but the locals keep to themselves in hushed whispers. A few of them are in the more hip areas like Nimman, but for the majority you will have to hop on a Grab bike or hail a songtheauw and be prepared for adventure!

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29 COFFTIES

This tiny kitchen in Santitham serves excellent vegan curries and rice dishes for under 100 baht. Make sure you get there early as they don't take orders after 7.30pm.

IMJAI

Located in the basement of Maya Shopping Mall, helmed by the friendliest staff on earth, this small vegan take-away counter does some bonafide delicious food.

CHIANG MAI VEGETARIAN SOCIETY

Inside an inconspicuous gate by the main road lies this little sanctuary to vegetable salvation. A huge gift shop, fresh juices and healthy shakes in fridges, and the eating area out back where you are free to fill your plates, eat to your hearts content, pay a donation and then wash your dishes before leaving.

An altogether delightful affair.

JAY MAI JUMJAY

You come here for the Nam Ngiao, a delightfully sour/balanced noodle soup with addictive properties. The location is fantastic too, far from the peering tourist eyes, and further up the road is a long line of vendors to stock up on fruit and vegetables for later.

SHEWE VEGAN

Bizarrely located inside a hotel, this is one of Chiang Mai's absolute gems. The owner will tick you through the extensive menu and recommend dishes based on your tastes. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious.

ALCHEMY VEGAN

There are times when you fancy some "Western" comforts wrapped in vegan parchments, then take a songtheauw and head to Alchemy. Space is limited so be prepared to wait as it's almost always full.

p.s. The coffee shop THREE is 40 meters down the road, so pop in there after.

TUECACO CHIANG MOI

Deep fried taro, red bean and tofu patties with dipping sauce to quell the internal rage.

ASA VEGAN KITCHEN

Despite the location, this small studio/restaurant serves one hell of a vegan Khao Soi! Ask for it spicy and they won't hold back.

PUN PUN VEGETARIAN SLOW FOOD

Located inside the compound of the Wat Suan Dok temple, this is a local gem for vegetarian delights. Sit outside if the sun is not too tormenting, otherwise head in and commandeer one of the fans.

REFORM KAFE

Though you will be pummeled by instagram hungry toolbags in aching repose, ignore the communal tables full of tattoos and hide in the corner for a delicious vegan Tom Yum with mushroom dumplings.

KINPHAK

A few ex-pats scurry in and out to grab fresh juices and take-away lunch, and they probably know something most don't. The food is reasonably priced and tasty if you're in the mood for easing the suffering of innocent animals.

NONG BEE

Some vegans refuse to eat food made in a kitchen that cooks both meat and vegan dishes. If you are of that persuasion, then skip Nong B. If not, come here for the Burmese salads! They're bonafide, cheap and cheery.

VEGETARIAN FOOD RATSAMITHAM

A tad out of the general reach of Chiang Mai's claws lies a peaceful oasis for legumes and lentils. Order at the counter and sit in the side-restaurant contemplating carrots and blushing over broccoli.

EKATHIP CHOKEDEE

This behemoth of local finger licking has a bonafide vegan menu with excellent dishes for the curious stomach. Their red curry with deep fried tofu is exceptional!

MING KWAN

If you're stuck in the tourist infested old town, but fancy conjuring a carrot, then head to this little shop and chomp to your hearts content. We've never tasted plant based meatballs that were ten times better than the "real" thing.

KLONG KHUM

Chiang Mai's best tea leaf salad? Perhaps

SANGWIROON

Another popular haunt for the western army of vegetable worshippers. Cheap, clean, tasty. Not much else to say.