Gone are the days when vegetarianism meant sacrifices. Thanks to a burgeoning movement creating vegetarian versions of meatbased classics, today's veggie eater has myriad options. Here’s
where to find the best meat-free burgers in town.
The place: A small burger joint focusing on burgers made using preservative-free natural Australian beef and Singaporean portobello mushrooms.
The burger: The giant ear of grilled Portobello is packed with flavor and hints of garlic and herbs. The bun is fluffy with generous amounts of butter.
On the menu: Portobello mushroom burger, B155.
93 Narathiwas Rd., 095-949-2646. BTS Chong Nonsi
The place: The burger specializing spin-off from a French chef with a dry-aged beef business. Now with 13 branches.
The burger: A heavy slathering of vegetable stew smacked on a small grilled portobello mushroom. It tastes strangely comforting with a hint of Mexican spice. Under a different name—like veggie bread soup—we would be fine with it.
On the menu: Vegetarian, B280.
Narathiwas Soi 15, 02-087-5087. Open daily 11am-10pm
The place: One of Bangkok's most reliable vegan restaurants with a menu of meat-free Mediterranean, Western and Southeast Asian dishes.
The burger: The broccoli patty gives an earthy taste. It comes flecked with quinoa, giving the mixture a satisfying pop when bitten into. Topped generously with guacamole and mango salsa, it unfortunately turns the patty into a soggy mess.
On the menu: Broccoli quinoa charcoal burger, B250.
899 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-5001. BTS Thong Lo
The place: US restaurant chain 25 Degrees is a self-described “bordello meets burger bar.”
The burger: The “broccoli-onion-carrot-oatmeal-tofu” patty, undercooked and strachy, has a sticky, mushy interior despite its golden crust, with a faint aroma of curry powder. Stacked
in-between thick and chewy donut-like bread, the combination looks great but ultimately doesn’t deliver.
On the menu: Veggie burger, B210.
G/F, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, 188 Silom Rd., 02-267-5272
The place: An all-vegan Sukhumvit cafe specializing in dishes that would usually contain meat.
The burger: Generously filled with stringy, shredded mushrooms in sweet, tangy barbecue
sauce. This take on classic American pulled pork boasts a nice bouncy texture with chewy undertones—all overwhelmed by mayo and soggy coleslaw.
On the menu: "Pulled pork" burger at Veganerie Concept, B290.
35/2 Soi Methi Niwet, Sukhumvit Rd., 02- 258-8489. BTS Phrom Phong
The place: A no-frills spot for a meat-free meal that pack full flavors, but aren't necessarily healthy.
The burger: The not-at-all-mushy bean-based patty has a crispy crust, but the inside is dry. The flavor is subtle, spiced like falafel.
On the menu: Veggie burger, B170.
8/3 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 097-247-6925. BTS Asok