Quinoa Salad

B180 at Seven Spoons
Quinoa is an ancient, protein-rich grain that, when cooked, sprouts slightly and goes pop in your mouth. This healthy and exciting ingredient is still very rare in Bangkok. This particular salad, on offer at the new and miniature Seven Spoons, is delicious and comes with thin slices of roasted vegetables and tart, creamy feta cheese.
Seven Spoons, 211 Chakkaphatdi Phong Rd., 02-628-4588

Gaeng Jay

B170 at Soul Food Mahanakorn
If you know anything about the attention to detail they put in at this hip Thai food-serving izakaya, you know that the vegetarian curry takes no shortcuts: no tofu cubes, no bamboo shoots, no carrot sticks. Just a simple, fiery red curry, simmered with coconut cream and chockfull of Thai eggplants and crunchy okra: unusual, yes; delicious, yes.
Soul Food Mahanakorn, 56/10 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 02-714-7708

Tandoori Stuffed Aloo

B220 at Indus
Forget what you think you know: there’s more to Indian vegetarian food than dal, paneer and mashed up vegetables. Try the tandoori stuffed potatoes at Indus: boring old potatoes become exotic in this dish, thanks to the time they spend in the tandoor (an Indian clay oven), and their generous stuffing of mixed vegetables and crushed nuts.
Indus, 71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-4900

Veggie Quesadilla

B220 at La Monita Taqueria
So good, we order this even when it isn’t Vegetarian Festival. Something about the savory mashed beans and herby, guacamole, cut with cool, smooth sour cream in this veggie quesadilla really delight us. Plus, the perpetual party atmosphere at this cozy little cantina (and the face-sized margaritas) will make you forget you have dietary restrictions—and the sometimes sloppy service.
La Monita Taqueria, Mahatun Plaza Arcade, 888/26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9581

Deep-fried Risotto Balls

B160 at Pizzazo
We don’t see this dish often enough in Bangkok, and we are beyond tired of the sloppy, stodgy risotto dishes that are usually served up. Pizzazo’s greasy and grainy risotto balls are balanced nicely with the tart tomato sauce. That, and there are plenty of salads and vegetarian pizzas to pair them with at this newly house and garden pizzeria.
Pizzazo, 188 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-663-8500

Patatas Bravas

B90 at Tapas Café
Ok, so it’s pretty sad that you won’t get to eat the albondigas and the Serrano ham at Tapas Café, but the patatas bravas are a childish joy. They’re very simple: large cubes of baked potatoes, topped with the complex flavors of a garlic mayonnaise and a spicy, slightly sweet tomato sauce. Use the bread to sop up the sauce when you’re done. Also, the tomato bread, gazpacho, and goat cheese salad are all veggie-approved.
Tapas Cafe, 1/25 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-2947

Mean Bean Burger

B195 at Bangkok Burger Company
This brand new, unassuming burger place does about fifteen kinds of burgers in small and large sizes, with pork or beef patties. But we’re equally happy with their vegetarian options, other than an Indian-style veggie patty, the Mean Bean Burger is a hearty combo of black beans and chopped veggies (with crisp kernels of fresh corn).
Bangkok Burger Company, G/F, Opus Building, Thong Lor Soi 10, 02-715-9407

Falafel

B160 at Beirut
What’s not to like about falafel? It’s deep-fried and herby, and the version at Beirut has a great deal of satisfying gritty text ure to it. Pair it with a warm pita and their incredible condiments like the tahini sauce and the strong melt-your-tongue-off, garlic mousse and you won’t feel too bad about the kebabs and the shawarma. Or you could just get their fresh, zesty tabbouleh. The place isn’t much to look at, but it is cozy.
Beirut, B/F, Phloenchit Center, Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7377

ESSENTIALS: Veggie Fest

Strict practictioners of the Vegetarian Festival don’t eat meat, drink alcohol or even have sex for nine days. Get your fake, meatless pork and goose in Chinatown (along Yaowarat) and at Talad Noi in particular. The hood around St. Louis Hospital (BTS Surasak) is also buzzing with veggie stalls. Evenings are particularly fun. Through Oct 5.