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Best plant-based food destinations in Asia

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Ho Chi Minh City
A chaotic blend of history and energy
8.1
Temperatures stay warm all year in this city, with a drier and more comfortable season from December to April. Vegetarian food is called chay in Vietnamese and is served in many small restaurants. Many people eat vegetarian on days 1 and 15 of the lunar month, so restaurants are busier then.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Admire French colonial architecture at Notre-Dame Cathedral
  • 🏛️ Visit the War Remnants Museum for a moving history lesson
  • 🕳️ Walk through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels used during the war
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
9.0
As the capital of Taiwan, this city has many vegetarian restaurants, from Buddhist buffets to modern cafes. Vegetarian buffets sell food by weight and are often found near temples and offices. Night markets also sell vegetarian stinky tofu and grilled mushrooms. Some Buddhist vegetarian restaurants do not use onion or garlic.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Beitou hot springs
  • 🍢 Wander through the bustling Shilin Night Market and try local snacks
  • 🏙️ Take in the skyline views from the Taipei 101 observatory
Tel Aviv
Vibrant Beaches and Nonstop Energy
8.4
Sunny and warm for most of the year, this Mediterranean city is pleasant for outdoor dining. Many restaurants are fully vegan and most others offer vegan menu items. Hummus, falafel and fresh salads are local staples that suit plant based eating. Carmel Market is a good place to buy fruit, tahini and fresh produce.
Highlights:
  • 🏢 Admire Bauhaus architecture on tree-lined Rothschild Boulevard
  • 🏖️ Relax and people-watch along Gordon and Frishman Beaches
  • 🏘️ Stroll the historic alleys and flea market in Old Jaffa
Chengdu
Pandas, Hotpot and Laid-back Vibes
8.2
Buddhist monasteries in this city, such as Wenshu Monastery, have a long tradition of vegetarian cooking. Wenshu Monastery has a vegetarian restaurant and a teahouse. Sichuan cooking is built on bold chilli and numbing pepper flavours that suit tofu and vegetables. Ask for dishes without meat, since some vegetable dishes use pork.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley for culture and food
  • 🏯 Explore historic Wuhou Shrine and Zhuge Liang’s legacy
  • 🐼 Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas
Ubud
Bali's Cultural and Spiritual Heart
7.9
Each day Balinese families place small offerings of flowers and rice at shrines and doorways in this town. Vegetables, tempeh and tofu are common in local dishes such as gado gado and urab. Many cafes focus on vegan and raw food and some offer cooking classes.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Explore the historic Ubud Palace and gardens
  • 🌿 Walk the scenic Campuhan Ridge for nature views
  • 🐒 Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud
Pai
Chilled Mountain Vibes and Natural Magic
6.7
Set in a mountain valley in northern Thailand, this small town is about three hours by road from Chiang Mai. Pai Walking Street, an evening market, has vegetarian and vegan stalls. Many cafes in the town serve vegetarian and vegan dishes for backpackers. Hot spring pools and waterfalls are close by.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore Nam Lod Cave with its underground river tour
  • ♨️ Relax in the natural Sai Ngam Hot Springs
  • 🌄 Watch the sunset from the dramatic Pai Canyon cliffs
Rishikesh
Yoga capital meets adventure haven
7.9
Pilgrims and sages have visited this town on the Ganges for centuries. The Beatles stayed at an ashram here in 1968. Most restaurants in the main tourist areas serve vegetarian food only. Cafes also offer vegan dishes, ayurvedic meals and fresh juices. Many visitors come for yoga classes and stay for the food.
Highlights:
  • 🌉 Cross the iconic suspension bridge, Lakshman Jhula
  • 🧘‍♀️ Practice yoga at renowned ashrams like Parmarth Niketan
  • 🕯️ Attend the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat
Ahmedabad
Where heritage meets modern India
7.3
Set on the Sabarmati River in Gujarat, this city has a strong vegetarian tradition shaped by Jain and Hindu communities. Gujarati thali meals often include dhokla, khandvi, lentil dishes and sweets. Manek Chowk is a market square with a busy street food area after dark. Jain food is easy to find.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Wander through the old city’s UNESCO-listed heritage streets
  • 💧 Admire intricate carvings at the Adalaj Stepwell
  • 🕊️ Visit the Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi’s historic residence and museum
Chiang Mai
Ancient temples and mountain escapes
8.1
Relaxed and full of cafes, this northern Thai city has many vegetarian and vegan restaurants within the old walled centre. Khao soi, a curry noodle soup, is often made with tofu and vegetables instead of chicken. Look for yellow flags with red letters, which mark vegetarian food during the Jay festival.
Highlights:
  • 🛕 Visit the sacred Doi Suthep temple atop the mountain
  • 🍲 Join a traditional Thai cooking class with locals
  • ⛩️ Explore the ancient temples of the Old City
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
Clean and easy to explore, this city state has vegetarian food in hawker centres, Chinese restaurants and Little India. Little India has long running South Indian vegetarian restaurants serving banana leaf meals. Chinese vegetarian stalls sell dishes such as mock meat, bee hoon and economy rice.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Mumbai
India's bustling coastal metropolis
7.7
Compared with other big cities, this one is known for vegetarian street snacks. Vada pav is a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun, sold at stalls and stations. Pav bhaji, a mashed vegetable curry with buttered bread, is a popular dinner. Chowpatty Beach has bhel puri stalls. Many Gujarati restaurants serve thalis.
Highlights:
  • ⛴️ Explore the ancient Elephanta Caves by ferry
  • 🌅 Stroll along Marine Drive at sunset
  • 🗽 Visit the historic Gateway of India monument
Delhi
A Kaleidoscope of History and Culture
7.3
Large and busy, this capital has a food scene that suits vegetarians well. Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi is a lane known for stuffed flatbreads with vegetable and paneer fillings. Chole bhature, a chickpea curry with fried bread, is a popular breakfast. Dal makhani and paneer dishes are on almost every menu.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Walk through India Gate and relax in surrounding gardens
  • 🍢 Visit the bustling Chandni Chowk market for street food
  • 🏰 Explore the Red Fort’s majestic Mughal architecture
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Shojin ryori is the vegetarian cooking of Zen Buddhist monks and is served at temples and restaurants in this city. Shigetsu at Tenryuji temple in Arashiyama is a well known place to try it. Yudofu, simmered tofu in hot broth, is a Kyoto speciality near Nanzenji temple. Book ahead for temple meals.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
Varanasi
India’s Timeless Spiritual Heartbeat
7.5
Like Rishikesh, this holy city on the Ganges has a mostly vegetarian food culture. Breakfast is often kachori with potato curry and jalebi near the ghats. Local favourites include tamatar chaat and lassi served in clay cups. In winter, vendors sell malaiyo, a light milk foam topped with nuts.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Explore the ancient ruins of Sarnath Buddhist site
  • 🛕 Visit the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple
  • 🪔 Attend the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
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