Key Takeaways

• HCMC has 100+ vegan restaurants and a centuries-old Buddhist vegetarian tradition.

• Look for the word "chay" on signs in Vietnam — it means the dish is vegetarian.

• Jakarta's tempeh, gado-gado and ketoprak are naturally meat-free street staples.

• Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Chay Garden proves plant-based food is world-class.

• Guided food tours help older travellers discover hidden vegetarian spots with ease.

A vegetarian guide to Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta

With its heavy reliance on meats and seafood dishes (not to forget the ubiquitous shrimp pastes and fish sauces that add the umami kick), it would seem like Southeast Asia is not the best place for vegetarians. Yes, that is partly correct. 

But what is also true is that even before veganism became a thing, Buddhist temple kitchens in Thailand, street stalls in Vietnam and family-run warungs in Indonesia have been feeding hungry hordes with silky tofu broth noodles, crunchy salads with peanut sauces and fermented soybean cakes. 

Today, two of the region’s most visited cities - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam and Jakarta in Indonesia have become delightfully friendly to those who shun meat, offering dishes spun entirely woven around fresh produce and tasty mock meats. Here’s our guide on how to navigate vegetarian / vegan dining in these two cities:

Ho Chi Minh City: Say Chaaay!

Vietnamese food has long had a head start in vegetarianism, with the country’s sizable Buddhist population keeping a rich tradition of ăn chay (vegetarian eating) alive for centuries. And in Ho Chi Minh City, it's gone mainstream in recent years, thanks to a vocal culture of veganism among western travellers. 

The city boasts over a hundred vegan restaurants, and is also the venue for what is believed to be its largest-ever plant-based food event. The Green Food Festival, spread across more than seven hectares at Binh Phu Park, with over 200 booths, drew more than 150,000 visitors for its first edition in 2025. Along with the food on offer, the festival’s “Zero Waste” theme and free community meals also showcased the city’s evolving socio-civic culture.

But even otherwise, beloved dishes like aromatic noodle soups, banh mi sandwiches, and rice paper rolls stuffed with pickled vegetables, lettuce and herbs are always available in restaurants and street carts alike. Even dishes like pho, traditionally made with bone broth, have excellent veggie versions, and the mock-meat game here (think seitan “pork” and mushroom “duck”) is quite impressive.

Embark on a food tour if you are unsure of finding locations on your own. This Not Just Vegan Tour with a local takes you to places that only insiders will know (yes, not even Google Maps can help you here). Even more fun is this women-led Food Tour, which allows you to sample over 10 vegetarian dishes at hidden spots in the city.

Where to eat: 

Phở Chay Như: This popular family-run spot selling a variety of noodle soups, wontons, and spring rolls makes for an affordable lunch stop for locals, so you can’t go wrong here. Definitely try the Mì Quảng, a thick, turmeric-tinted noodle soup. The bowls are reasonably priced, but be aware that the place accepts only cash payments.

Chay Garden: Featured on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list consecutively for three years, this restaurant with multiple outlets uses organic ingredients to create dishes that blend Vietnamese and international flavours. They offer both a buffet and à la carte meals, relying heavily on tofu, legumes and mushroom for taste and texture.

Kashew Cheese Deli: If you’re tired of local food and want Western comforts (but why, oh why?), then Kashew is your go-to. This deli makes all of its vegan cheese from scratch using locally grown cashew nuts, and offers sandwiches, cheeseboards, salads, pastas, and desserts, across three locations in the city. 

Tip: Look for the word ‘chay’ on signs, which indicates vegetarian. 

Jakarta: Republic of Tempeh

Within Indonesia, Bali (rightfully) gets all the credit for its booming vegan movement, but Jakarta also has a surprisingly good vegetarian scene and deserves more attention than it gets. A growing community of young Indonesians are pushing the vegan conversation and plant-based eating culture further, leading to an increase in vegan café and annual vegan festivals that are now part of the city's social calendar.

Tempeh and tofu are both staples in Indonesian cooking, and a simple meal of the soy protein deep-fried and served with rice, sambal, and veggies can be super satisfying and is available at every street corner.

There are also other naturally vegan dishes available on the street stalls, like ketoprak made with rice vermicelli, tofu, bean sprouts, and rice cakes topped with peanut sauce and fried shallots. There’s also the famous gado-gado, a peanut-drenched vegetable salad that is essentially a part of every meal and sayur asem, a tangy, tamarind-based vegetable soup that has been feeding locals for generations. Even the national dish, nasi goreng – simply translated to fried rice - is easy to make in vegetarian style.

Tip: Just ensure that there is no fish paste added at the end, as is typical even in vegetarian dishes

Where to eat:

Burgreens: Indonesia’s premier plant-based food chain Burgreens offers a range of comfort foods (burgers, rendang, bibimbap, and vegan boba), made entirely using hyperlocal, plant-based ingredients. The vegan rendang is addictive, and the vegan cheezecakes are the stuff of happy dreams.

Dharma Kitchen: Jakarta’s oldest chain of vegetarian restaurants excels at both Indonesian and Chinese cuisine, with some Western staples thrown in for good measure. There is a lot of mock meat here, with a wide array of tofu and nori-based vegan fish and vegan satay. But fret not, for there are also plenty of fresh vegetable-based dishes, like the savoury turnip cakes and the stir-fried gai-lan. Prices are affordable and the portions are generous.

Bamboe Ceria: This small, non-descript eatery serves authentic and flavourful Indonesian cuisine, making it perfect for a good meal on the go. Try the nasi tumpeng, a traditional Indonesian rice dish served in a cone, usually served with meat-based sides, but reimagined here with plant-based accompaniments instead.

FAQS 

Is Ho Chi Minh City easy to navigate as a vegetarian traveller over 50?

Yes — the city has over 100 vegan restaurants, guided food tours specifically for vegetarians, and a handy tip: any sign with the word "chay" means the food is meat-free, making it easy to spot options on the go.

Can I eat vegetarian at street stalls in Jakarta, or do I need restaurants?

Street stalls are a great option — dishes like gado-gado, ketoprak, and tempeh with rice are naturally vegetarian and widely available. Just ask for no fish paste, which is sometimes added even to veggie dishes.

Are there any award-winning vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City?

Chay Garden has been featured on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list for three consecutive years, serving organic Vietnamese and international dishes built around tofu, legumes, and mushrooms.

What are the most iconic vegetarian dishes to try in both cities?

In HCMC: vegetarian pho, bánh mì with pickled vegetables, and Mì Quảng turmeric noodle soup. In Jakarta: gado-gado peanut salad, tempeh with sambal and rice, and nasi tumpeng — all hearty, satisfying, and full of flavour.

Are guided vegetarian food tours available for travellers who prefer company?

Yes — HCMC offers a women-led food tour visiting 10+ vegetarian hidden spots, and a "Not Just Vegan Tour" with local insiders. These are ideal for over-50 travellers who want a structured, social, and stress-free way to explore.