Thuyen: A Secret Gem for Authentic Vietnamese Vegetarian Fare
When I first discovered Thuyen, it was because they had cha ca la vong (450 baht) on their menu—a dish that’s not available in every Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok—and I was told it was a great spot for Vietnamese food. But I had no idea I would discover a hidden gem for vegetarian cuisine, which has turned it into one of our favorite spots for a good, affordable noodle fix for my vegetarian nieces.
While many people may not know it, Thuyen has a dedicated and delicious vegetarian menu. The ambiance is what I would call five-star, with lush greenery that makes for a truly relaxing meal. It’s my third visit now, most recently with my nieces, who love it as much as I do.
From the nine items on the vegetarian menu, we’ve tried a few of our favorites: the banh xeo (220 baht), bun bo (120 baht), pho (120 baht), fresh spring rolls with grilled mushroom and aromatic herbs (150 baht), and fried tofu with lemongrass and garlic (150 baht). It was our first time trying a vegetarian banh xeo, and my nieces loved it—it’s a great dish that ticks the protein box with egg, tofu, carrots, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
As a non-vegetarian, I’ve also tried the classic menu. I’ve always stuck with their bun bo, trying both the soup and dry versions, with both pork and beef. The first time I ordered it, I was surprised to receive a dry noodle dish, as bun bo is traditionally a soup noodle. But after trying the soup version on my second visit, I discovered I actually prefer their dry version, and the beef is definitely better than the pork.
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, but we always prefer to sit inside for lunch. The fresh greens provided with our meals—a mix of Vietnamese coriander, basil, mint, and lettuce—are a personal highlight.
Thumbs up and highly recommended! While it’s usually quite a quiet place for weekday lunch, our last visit saw the restaurant completely packed. It’s a testament to its quality, and I hope it continues to thrive.
Practical Information
- Address: 7 Soi Pridi Banomyong 37, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
- Phone: 092 949 5225
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11 AM–2:30 PM, 4:30–10 PM | Sat–Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Closed every third Monday of the month.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thuyen1996/
