☀️Good morning, explorers!

Let me guess… one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat more veggies — maybe even go plant-based?

Good news: you’re not alone! Plant-based eating isn’t just a trend anymore, it’s slowly taking over Asia. Just ask Vivian Kong Man Wai, Hong Kong’s Olympic fencing champ, who credits her vegan diet for world‑ranking success.

The plant-based market across Asia-Pacific now makes up 38 % of the global total, with product launches up 85 % since 2018. Health, sustainability, and culinary creativity are fuelling this plant-powered revolution, and it’s never been this delicious.

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Bangkok has long been famous for bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and legendary street food. But plant-based? That’s a recent revolution. Over the past few years, the city has transformed into one of Asia’s most exciting plant-based destinations, with classic Thai dishes being reinvented, and veggie options popping up everywhere.

Thanks to centuries of Buddhist-inspired vegetarian cuisine, Thai dishes are effortlessly flexible. Chefs can easily swap in tofu or tempeh, leave out the fish sauce, and still deliver the bold flavours and authenticity that define Thai cuisine.

Now pair that with health-conscious locals and Bangkok’s status as one of the world’s most visited cities, and the plant-based boom takes off. In 2025, the Michelin Guide Thailand even introduced its first-ever Vegan category, proving that Bangkok’s green revolution isn’t just a trend, it’s here to stay.

🥗 Our favourite “accidentally veggie” Thai dishes:

Bangkok’s plant-based scene isn’t just about leaving things out or swapping it for green alternatives. Chefs are reinventing classics with bold creativity!

Our must-try plant-based restaurants:

🌶️ Tammang: Michelin-recognised and fearless, turning Thai-Issan classics into plant-powered masterpieces.

🥦 Broccoli Revolution: Sukhumivit’s vegan warrior, serving calorie-conscious comfort food, vibrant bowls, and fresh juices.

🥂 Haoma: Fine-dining genius with Michelin green star, offering Neo-Indian plant-based tasting menus that look like art on a plate.

🇮🇳 Mumbai: India has the world’s largest vegetarian population, with centuries of Hindu and Jain traditions shaping meals that are naturally plant-based.

🇹🇼 Taipei: Buddhist vegetarian practices have long influenced Taiwanese cuisine, making the city one of Asia’s most enduring destinations for plant-based dining.

🇮🇩 Bali: The island is a dream for health-conscious, plant-based dining, with traditional Indonesian dishes and innovative options everywhere.

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Plant-based cuisine is an art in Mumbai, and Rahul Rana is one of its most exciting interpreters. As visionary at Avatara, the world’s first and only vegetarian Indian Michelin Star fine dining restaurant, he has helped put modern Indian vegetarian cuisine on the global map.

🌟 Why he stands out:

Trained in classical Indian techniques but driven by innovation, he transforms humble ingredients, like jackfruit, eggplant, lentils, and seasonal vegetables, into luxury, plant-forward dishes that are as visually stunning as they are flavourful. His menus balance tradition, creativity, and indulgence, proving that plant-based dining can be bold, refined, and unforgettable.

What to try:

We love Bangkok’s energy! The night markets, the street food, the buzz… maybe not so much the traffic though, which can feel a little life-threatening. But after all that chaos and sensory overload, we like to hit pause and soak in some peace and quiet.

Tucked down a quiet residential lane near Sukhumvit, Ariyasom Villa feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city. Once a 1940s family home, this intimate boutique hotel is wrapped in tropical greenery, antique details, and an almost monastic calm. It’s like Bangkok suddenly takes a deep breath.

💸 Price check
From USD 150+ per night. Remarkably reasonable for such a character-filled stay.

Why we love it:

🌿 Old-Bangkok soul: With golden teakwood floors, Thai antiques, and shaded verandas, we felt wrapped in heritage without a hint of dust.

🥬 Vegetarian haven: Restaurant Na Aroon is one of Bangkok’s most respected vegetarian kitchens, serving refined plant-based Thai cuisine.

🏊 Chill mode: A shaded pool, yoga pavilion, and holistic spa make it feel more like a wellness retreat than a city hotel.

At R‑HAAN, mango sticky rice leaves its street‑food roots and enters haute cuisine territory. This is Thailand’s iconic dessert at its most refined, featuring premium mangoes from three of Thailand’s most renowned plantations. Paired with perfectly steamed coconut-infused sticky rice and plated with chef‑curated garnishes that highlight texture and aroma, each bite is meticulously balanced.

K. Panich serves traditional mango sticky rice in its best possible way. Ripe, fragrant mangoes meet perfectly cooked sticky rice, that’s drizzled with just enough coconut cream. It’s the ultimate street‑food version of Thailand’s beloved dessert, and an unbeatable value for both flavour and authenticity.

This is one of Anna’s Top 10 Eats in Bangkok!

Welcome to Bandra, Mumbai’s coolest creative neighbourhood, where street art, heritage houses, and breezy cafés make every stroll a small adventure.

🖼 Culture Fix
Bombay Art Society is a century-old institution and a true hub for Mumbai’s creative scene. Expect rotating exhibitions, a library, an art shop, and an open-air amphitheatre.

☕️ Fuel Break
Greenr is a bright, community-driven café known for its modern plant-forward comfort food. It’s the perfect spot to reset with a cold-pressed juice or nourishing bowl while watching Bandra life drift by.

🛍 Stroll & Shop
Wander along Hill Road and Linking Road, Bandra’s shopping heart. Think colourful boutiques, indie designers, and street stalls selling everything from easy cotton clothes to funky jewelry and classic leather chappals. Haggling is part of the fun.

Bali moves at its own rhythm, and it’s no surprise so many people come here to recharge, reset, and feel a little more human again. We’re no different. Ubud is where we slow down and remember how good doing nothing can feel.

🧘🏼 Move & connect: Ubud Yoga House
Start the day early with a yoga session overlooking lush rice terraces. Ubud Yoga House pairs experienced instructors with an easy, welcoming community vibe. Everyone feels comfortable, whether it’s your first class or your fiftieth.

🍌 Eat & vibe: Blend Café Ubud
The most beautiful smoothie bowls Anna has ever seen — and yes, they taste as good as they look. Think vibrant colours, tropical fruits, nourishing add-ins, and great coffee. Perfect fuel after a morning on the mat.

💧 Detox & restore: Fivelements Retreat
When it’s time for a deeper reset, Fivelements is our go-to. This serene riverside sanctuary focuses on plant-based cuisine, herbal therapies, and Balinese healing rituals. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and fully recharged.

✅ Treat yourself and make vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
✅ Wake up at 5:30 and watch the monks collecting alms in Luang Prabang.
✅ Learn what is apparently the biggest lie about veganism.
✅ Watch Anna’s favourite, accidentally vegan dessert in Hong Kong.
✅ Turn your travel and food adventures into mini-movies with CapCut.*

^{* Yes, it’s an affiliate link. No, you won’t pay more. But it helps support asiabits. Thanks ;)}

Bangkok music city returns, taking over the Charoenkrung Creative District for two days with a multi-stage festival celebrating Thai and international artists. From local indie favourites to sounds from across Asia and beyond, the event blends live performances with creative talks and industry showcases.

When: January 24–25
Where: Charoenkrung Creative District, Bangkok

What else you can’t miss:

🎶 Made By Legacy Flea Market (Jan 23–25): Vintage finds, street food, and pop-up entertainment come together for a lively mix of retail and music culture.

🖊️ Bangkok Design Week (Jan 29–Feb 8): A celebration of the city’s creative pulse, highlighting how design and innovation shape life in 2026.

🎨 Art Exhibitions at BACC: The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre hosts a variety of art shows throughout January, perfect for a cultural afternoon stroll.

Serves: 2–3
⏱️ 30 minutes