Phrases for Ordering Vegan Food in Thailand
27 August 2020
Thailand is one of the best countries in the world for vegan food, but ordering can be tricky if you do not speak Thai. Fish sauce, oyster sauce, and shrimp paste find their way into seemingly everything. The good news is that with a handful of key phrases, you can navigate Thai street stalls, restaurants, and markets with confidence.
The Magic Word: Jay (เจ)
The single most important word for vegans in Thailand is jay (เจ), pronounced like the letter "J". Jay food follows the Chinese Buddhist tradition of abstaining from all animal products, as well as strong-smelling vegetables like garlic and onions. When you see a yellow and red sign with the Thai character เจ, you have found a vegan-friendly stall.
To say "I eat jay food", say: Pom gin jay (ผมกินเจ) if you are male, or Chan gin jay (ฉันกินเจ) if you are female. This is the quickest way to communicate that you do not eat any animal products.
Mai Sai: "Without" (ไม่ใส่)
Mai sai (ไม่ใส่) means "do not add" or "without". This is your best friend when customising dishes. Combine it with the ingredient you want to avoid:
- Mai sai nam pla (ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา) — No fish sauce
- Mai sai nam man hoy (ไม่ใส่น้ำมันหอย) — No oyster sauce
- Mai sai gapi (ไม่ใส่กะปิ) — No shrimp paste
- Mai sai kai (ไม่ใส่ไข่) — No egg
- Mai sai nom (ไม่ใส่นม) — No milk
- Mai sai neua sat (ไม่ใส่เนื้อสัตว์) — No meat
Other Useful Phrases
- Gin jay dai mai? (กินเจได้ไหม) — Can I eat jay here?
- Mee aahaan jay mai? (มีอาหารเจไหม) — Do you have jay food?
- Pom/Chan mai gin neua sat (ผม/ฉันไม่กินเนื้อสัตว์) — I do not eat meat
- Aroy mak (อร่อยมาก) — Very delicious (always appreciated!)
Common Vegan-Friendly Dishes
When you spot a jay restaurant or want to order at a regular eatery, these dishes are usually safe or easy to veganise:
- Pad Pak Ruam — Stir-fried mixed vegetables. Ask for it without oyster sauce.
- Pad Thai (jay) — Thailand's famous noodle dish, made without egg, fish sauce, or shrimp.
- Khao Pad Pak — Vegetable fried rice. Specify no egg.
- Som Tam (jay) — Green papaya salad without dried shrimp or fish sauce. Use "mai sai pla ra" (no fermented fish) too.
- Tom Yum Pak — Spicy and sour vegetable soup.
- Gaeng Keow Wan Jay — Vegan green curry, often available at jay restaurants with coconut milk and tofu.
Tips for Vegan Eating in Thailand
- Look for the yellow jay flag: This is your guarantee that the food is vegan. During the annual Vegetarian Festival (usually in October), jay food is everywhere.
- Use the HappyCow app: It lists vegan restaurants across Thailand and is regularly updated by the community.
- Learn to read เจ: Even if you cannot read Thai, recognising this single character will open up a world of food options.
- Be specific: "Vegetarian" in Thailand often still includes fish sauce and eggs. Always say "jay" rather than "mang sa wirat" (vegetarian) for truly vegan food.
- 7-Eleven has options: You will find soy milk, plain rice, peanuts, fruit, and sometimes tofu snacks in Thai convenience stores.
With these phrases in your pocket, eating vegan in Thailand becomes not just possible but genuinely enjoyable. The country has a rich tradition of plant-based cooking, and a little effort with the language goes a very long way.