If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might be apprehensive about travelling Southeast Asia. While it’s true that vegetarianism isn’t that widespread in the region, you will still discover great meat-free foods in every major city. There are plenty of vegetarians in Asia, enjoying tasty plant-based cuisine – you may well be surprised at what amazing veggie eats you find. 

No matter where you travel, carry around translation cards with you, study local restaurants to visit, and/or use a vegan/vegetarian translation app.

VEGETARIAN TRAVEL IN VIETNAM

Visiting Vietnam as a vegetarian can be tricky due mainly to the prevalence of fish sauce. Still, Vietnam has many vegetarian Buddhists who live meat-free, and vegetarian/vegan dishes aren’t hard to find. Pho chay (noodle soup with a vegetable-based broth) is one staple you can rely on. You’ll also find a tofu version of banh mi (the ubiquitous Vietnamese baguette). Dishes like goi cuon (rice paper rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables) and nom du du (papaya salad) can be found freshly made on the street and soy and rice milk are cheaply available in any corner store. In the major cities, you’ll find some fantastic vegan and vegetarian restaurants – including one that make vegan Vietnamese coffee. 

VEGETARIAN TRAVEL IN THAILAND

Fish sauce is a beloved condiment in Thailand, and meat is in nearly every dish. But the country has its fair share of Buddhist vegetarians and even an entire week dedicated to vegetarianism. At any time of year, you’ll find great veggie food, though it will take some vigilance and you’ll have to use some key phrases. (‘Gin je’ is a handy one to learn.)

Some delicious vegetarian Thai dishes include somtum (papaya salad), pak bung (fried morning glory), pak phak thong (fried pumpkin) and larb tofu (spicy minced tofu salad). Non-veg restaurants will use fish sauce in stir-fries, so be sure to clarify when you order. As a bonus, veganism is quite trendy in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where you’ll find vegan foods, Indian cuisine and family-run veg restaurants aplenty.

VEGETARIAN TRAVEL IN CAMBODIA

Vegetarian travel in Cambodia is surprisingly easy. While traditional Khmer food is reliant on animal proteins, you will still find options within local cuisine alongside vegetarian options from Western restaurants and NGO-run operations. A good local dish to try is the breakfast porridge, bor bor, then there are the local noodle dishes of mee sop (instant noodle soup) and guitiyo (rice noodle soup). You’ll find baguettes on the street, which you can fill with the topping of your choice, fresh tropical fruit, sweet potatoes, chive cakes, sticky rice in bamboo, sweet, sugary donuts, local cakes – the list goes on. 

VEGETARIAN TRAVEL IN MYANMAR

Vegetarian travellers in Myanmar aren’t without their challenges, but a wide choice of salads and Indian dishes make it relatively veggie-friendly. Lahpet thoke – fermented tea leaf salad – is the national dish that you can ask for without fish sauce. Vegetarian thali plates, dosas and samosas are common, you can try red, spicy Shan noodles and Shan tofu salad, there are vegetable skewers barbecued on the street and soups, stews and curries to try. To make sure there’s no meat in your dish, say ‘thatalo’, which means ‘no living things’ and will make your veganism immediately understood. 

If you’re keen to try the delicious vegetarian food of Southeast Asia, contact our travel consultants at or simply drop us an email enquiry below!

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