17 Delicious Vegan Thai Recipes That You'll Love (2024)

FAQs

What are some vegan Thai dishes? ›

The main difference between Pad Mee Korat and Pad Thai is that it doesn't call for tofu, Chinese chives, preserved radish, or peanuts. Also, Pad Thai is not usually spicy (although my version obviously is 😉 ), but Pad Mee Korat has a bit of a kick to it.

Traditionally, pad thai isn't vegan, as it uses fish sauce and eggs (and sometimes dried shrimp). It is easy to make vegan, however, and there are many variations on the traditional recipe. Does pad thai have dairy? No, pad thai is dairy-free – at least traditionally, and it should be.

Yellow curry is mellow and mild. Massaman is perfect if you love peanuts and warming spices. Any of these curries can be made vegan. They're typically made with a coconut milk base, curry paste, veggies, and fresh herbs like Thai basil or cilantro.

In 2019, around eight percent of the total population in Thailand did not eat meat. This percentage was forecasted to increase in the coming years, reaching 15 percent in 2025. In that same year, the market value of plant-based food in Thailand amounted to around 28 billion Thai baht.

Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Certain Thai dishes are high in refined carbs and may contain deep-fried foods, added sugar, or high amounts of salt.

Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles both have a moderate calorie count, making them a good choice at a restaurant. On top of that, they're packed with veggies and protein. Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup.

Drunken Noodles is the literal translation of Pad Kee Mao because the theory is that these spicy Thai noodles should be eaten with an ice cold beer and that they are a great cure for hangover.

While both these recipes are carb happy, Pad See Ew has fewer calories than Pad Thai. As it's also the less sweet of the two, Pad See Ew is considered slightly healthier.

If we get technical, traditional pad Thai is not typically vegetarian because most authentic recipes contain fish sauce which is derived from fermented small fish or krill. Additionally, pad Thai recipes often contain sautéed shrimp or chicken, although tofu is also common.

Does pad thai contain tofu? ›

Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.

The word “pad” means “fried” while “thai” means “Thai”. It is a staple food in Thai Cuisine. The recipe of pad thai has evolved over time. It is believed to be originally a Chinese dish and later on got adapted to the taste of Thais.

The two non-vegan ingredients used in many traditional Thai green curry recipes are shrimp paste (used in the curry paste) and fish sauce (used to flavor the curry).

While most Thai restaurants should have a vegan fish sauce option, those that do not can simply substitute soy sauce for the fish sauce. This will give the Thai food dishes the “umami” flavor that you are craving. The perfect vegan alternative to oyster sauce is a vegetarian stir fry sauce and mushroom sauce.

The word for vegan is jey (เจ). You can download a printable copy of my business card with these translations to take around with you here. Make sure you always say jey as it is a short word, easy to remember and to copy down the only two Thai script letters that you will need.

While many Thai recipes contain fermented fish paste, seafood, or meat, dishes are frequently made to order with the removal of non-vegan products or can easily be veganized at home. The variety of fresh herbs and spices more than compensate for the lack of animal ingredients.

The word for vegetarian is mangsawerat (มังสวิรัติ). The word for vegan is jey (เจ).

Cutwater Spirits Mai Tai is Vegan Friendly - Barnivore vegan liquor guide.