Chiang Mai third most vegan-friendly city in Asia: PETA
CHIANG Mai is sparkling in a brand new way and that is as the third most vegan-friendly city in Asia, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia announced yesterday (December 27).
Taipei took the top spot and Singapore came second while Bangkok placed seventh on the animal rights group’s list of top 10 vegan cities in Asia. Makati, a city in the Philippines, and Bangalore rounded up the top five cities.
On Chiang Mai PETA Asia’s expert panel who traveled all over the region to sample vegan restaurants and street food said the following:
“Among Chiang Mai’s unique eateries is Taste From Heaven, with its crispy morning glory salad, panang curry, and vegan brownies for dessert, among other options.
“Happy Green and Chiang Mai Vegetarian Society both offer 100 per cent vegan all-you-can-eat buffets, during which you can gorge on traditional Thai foods. Anchan serves up everything from coconut palmheart Thai basil stirfry to green curry chayote, while Pun Pun prepares nam hed song kreung, a fermented meatless sausage.
“Chiang Mai diners can also treat themselves to Free Bird Cafe‘s vegan pancakes and cheesecake. Even Thailand’s famous street food khanom khrok – a delicious pancake made with rice flour and coconut milk – is vegan.”
PETA Asia’s experts said that Bangkok’s bustling vegan scene offers everything from pizza topped with dairy-free cheese to meatless tom yum kung which is why it placed seventh on this list.
“Among the city’s best vegan-friendly spots is May Veggie Home, which serves up meatless grilled bacon and fried ‘fish’ as well as traditional meals such as panaeng curry and pad Thai.
“Rasayana Raw Food Cafe prepares quirky standouts such as Mexican Taco Cups and Thai Pasta made with coconut and zucchini noodles. Decadent vegan desserts such as strawberry cheesecake frappes and waffles with ice cream abound at Veganerie – the city’s first and only vegan bakery.
“May Kaidee’s offers tom kha soup and mango sticky rice, and at Suananda, you can dine on everything from pak wan salad to Burmese khao soy.”
FULL LIST OF PETA’S TOP 10 VEGAN-FRIENDLY ASIAN CITIES:
1.Taipei, Taiwan
2.Singapore
3.Chiang Mai
4.Makati, Philippines
5.Bangalore, India
6.Hong Kong
7.Bangkok
8.Bali, Indonesia
9.Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
10.Shanghai, China
CAPTIONS:
Top: Chiang Mai has a lot of attractions and among them now is good vegan food. Photo: Tore Bustad (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via PETA Asia
Inset: Bangkok seems to have something for everybody including good food for vegans. Photo: Tore Bustad (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via PETA Asia