Stop Asking For Vegetarian Food, Moron!

[hermespan]

I am adressing this firstly to myself.

I have been, for years, severely restricting possible vegetarian meals and traipsing all over the city by asking the wrong question..

"Ahan Je mee mai khrap?"

To me this means food where no creature has been killed: examples--rice, macaroni, veget ables, fruit, grains, arguably eggs, etc . But, what a Thai hears, and indeed what I have been saying (correct me if I am mistaken), is instead...

"Do you have that weird food common to some Chinese Buddhists where no garlic or onions are used, that is identifiable by using fake fleshfoods like clever but not very convincing 'fish' and 'chicken' made from gluten and soyabeans, usually with MSG, and the rice accompanimemt is standard white rice."

That's not what I want.

Or

"Ahan mangsavirat jee mai khrap?"

Which I believe means...

"Do you have healthy vegetarian food, such as served by heretic groups like Santi Asoke, that has no fleshfoods and is popular with educated nouveau Buddhists and foreigners?"

Again, that's not what I seek. All I require is food where no animals or fish are killed to create the dish. And there are some of those in every food court, market and supermarket. Take today at a Robinson Mall food court. I adked both the above questions, and was told NO. However, I just finished a THB60 meal of tom yam hed (mushroom soup) plus veggies in it and a side of brown mixed with white rice. They prepated a veg broth for me and no MSG.

But, technically, it isn't 'ahan je' or 'ahan mangsavirat'.

So, save yourself some bus fare, time and money. STOP asking for 'vegetarian' food.

[ricklev]

The meal you described is ahan mungsawerat. I often eat at curry on rice stalls and check dishes by asking if its mungsawerat. That's what lots of Thai vegetarians do. I don't think Thais make the assumptions you think they are making, but I could be wrong.

[HeavyDrinker]

I'd also say pronounce it 'Aharn Jay' (or simply 'Gin Jay') over 'Je'.

This is indeed a tough call here as even standard veg food is prepped in gear/surroundings that would make your average PETA member weep.

If you do find a good place let us all know as I have a pal - poofy Simon - who is a real pain to sort out when he comes here.

[Payboy]

Ever wonder why the khao phat jay is always served last? Takes some time picking out the pieces of moo from that plate.

Edited March 7, 2013 by Payboy

[Morakot]

But, technically, it isn't 'ahan je' or 'ahan mangsavirat'.

The former could be described in its current English usage as "vegan with the exclusion of some herbs/ vegetables" and the latter as "vegetarian". Far as I understand there is no word for vegan food as such in Thai.

The problem with modern Jay' food in my opinion is that --unlike most Thai food-- it is very greasy and rather plain. If you're quit pragmatic in your approach you could ask for Ahan mangsavirat and specify that you don't want egg (or milk) in it.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Morakot

[ricklev]

But, technically, it isn't 'ahan je' or 'ahan mangsavirat'.

The former could be described in its current English usage as "vegan with the exclusion of some herbs/ vegetables" and the latter as "vegetarian". Far as I understand there is no word for vegan food as such in Thai.

The problem with modern Jay' food in my opinion is that --unlike most Thai food-- it is very greasy and rather plain. If you're quit pragmatic in your approach you could ask for Ahan mangsavirat and specify that you don't want egg (or milk) in it.

I agree. Most Thai places understand vegan though, and not because they are used to foreigners needs, and even when I ask if a dish is mungsawerat at a regular restaurant they will often ask if I eat eggs. There are Thais who are vegans, but are not Jay vegans. Sometimes I do exactly as you suggest. Munsawerat, mei gin Khai.

Edited March 8, 2013 by ricklev

[Fgis]

I don't mind animal but I mind the poison that they give them before we are supposed to eat them.

Veg food is everywhere in Thailand, just east the vegetables and rice without the meat of any dish.

Saying "MAI KIN NUA SAT" can help also.

Edited March 10, 2013 by tombkk
: Disguised expletive deleted.

[tombkk]

Mungsawerat should be the word you are looking for, never mind that it is also chique. Alternatively, "mai gin nuea sat" - I don't eat animal meat, seem closest to what you mean (just saw that it was mentioned in the post above).

Should this be in the Thai language forum rather than the food forum? That's the only forum in which we can write Thai, so that you get the pronunciation right.

Most vegetarians I know are ovo-lacto vegetarians, and you would have to specify whether eggs are OK and if so, only chicken eggs?

[MaxwellsDemon]

Mungsawerat should be the word you are looking for, never mind that it is also chique. Alternatively, "mai gin nuea sat" - I don't eat animal meat, seem closest to what you mean (just saw that it was mentioned in the post above).

Should this be in the Thai language forum rather than the food forum? That's the only forum in which we can write Thai, so that you get the pronunciation right.

Most vegetarians I know are ovo-lacto vegetarians, and you would have to specify whether eggs are OK and if so, only chicken eggs?

Most of the vegetarians or semi-vegetarians I know have rather specific needs/wants - those who don't eat meat but will eat fish, those who don't eat any meat or fish except chicken breast (health reasons), those who don't eat any flesh or eggs or products from animals unless they're minor products like fish sauce or shrimp paste, etc etc etc. More often there's some personal differences than they are 'strict vegan' or whatever.

Obviously, you eat what you eat and I can't change that but sometimes it's just easier to list out what you will and will not eat.

[Morakot]

[...] semi-vegetarians [...] - those who don't eat meat but will eat fish, those who don't eat any meat or fish except chicken breast (health reasons), those who don't eat any flesh or eggs or products from animals unless they're minor products like fish sauce or shrimp paste, etc etc etc.

Actually there is a proper term for this. It's called Meat Reducers. According to this source http://www.meat-free.org.uk/mf_market_trends.aspx 45% of the population in the UK fall into the meat reducers category.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Morakot

[Familyonthemove]

Yes - it's not easy when ordering specific foods that are not the menu. I don't eat pork or beef (or horse as far as I know) ... but sometimes eat fish/chicken (animal welfare reasons and some subjective views on how smart an animal needs to be to suffer). I've been using "mai gin moo/mai gin nua" but I recently discovered that some items like shrimp dim sum can contain pork and fish balls are a bit of an adventure.

[bangkokburning]

Bear in mind you will also be in the unenviable position of ordering lat.khao something that you DO want. Simply stating you font eat animals. OK, what do you want them to do about it? And surely they will not cook you food without animal stock or eggs. Milk is often subbed for coconut cream (kathit). Stir fry? They aint gonna clean the pan.

So, suggest you have a list of foods that can be prepared to suit you.

ACK ...vegetarians...

If you want vegetarian food, go to a vegetarian restaurant. The rest is just headaches all around and dont blame them when your food is not 100% how you THINK you ordered it.

[bangkokburning]

Yes - it's not easy when ordering specific foods that are not the menu. I don't eat pork or beef (or horse as far as I know) ... but sometimes eat fish/chicken (animal welfare reasons and some subjective views on how smart an animal needs to be to suffer). I've been using "mai gin moo/mai gin nua" but I recently discovered that some items like shrimp dim sum can contain pork and fish balls are a bit of an adventure.

Dim sum on top of being totally unhealthy is loaded with pork. If you dont eant to eat pork, dont order dim sum. Pork is the cheap, flavorful filler meat and of course, Chinese loooooooove them pigs.

[carlspencer]

Why not just get a hold of someone and learn the names of some vegetarian dishes. Here are some - Phad phak - Stir fried vegetables, usually served with rice (Khao soi) but can be taken as is, Khao phad je - Vegetable fried rice, Khao phad mad ma muang - vegetable fried rice with cashew nuts. I know a few Indian people living here and they tend to stick to these dishes when out.

EDIT: These are very common dishes to, i haven't found any restaurant which doesn't serve them. Also, I haven't found any weird responses if i said kin je mee mai khab? Usually, you will be given a handicap for being a foreigner and they tend to understand what you are really asking for.

Edited April 17, 2013 by carlspencer

[ChrisB87]

Any good veggie restaurants in BKK? I'm tired of looking - it seems there are hardly any. Indian places are always a good choice though!

[CPT]

Why not just get a hold of someone and learn the names of some vegetarian dishes. Here are some - Phad phak - Stir fried vegetables, usually served with rice (Khao soi) but can be taken as is, Khao phad je - Vegetable fried rice, Khao phad mad ma muang - vegetable fried rice with cashew nuts. I know a few Indian people living here and they tend to stick to these dishes when out.

EDIT: These are very common dishes to, i haven't found any restaurant which doesn't serve them. Also, I haven't found any weird responses if i said kin je mee mai khab? Usually, you will be given a handicap for being a foreigner and they tend to understand what you are really asking for.

Last time I ordered Pad Pahk from my local streetfood vendor I ended up with equal portions snow peas, shrimp, and chicken...

I'm not vegetarian so it's not a problem but I did want something a bit lighter for lunch. It can really be a challenge finding vegetable dishes anywhere but vegetarian restaurants and eating streetfood for the most part leaves me with some serious vegetable cravings on occasion. Most vegetable centric dishes I can find in my area are really low quality and almost always have several tasteless and overcooked shrimp thrown in.