I went to Chiang-Mai, Thailand in November 2011 and it was my first time to see and eat in northern Thailand. I have been meaning to post about Chiang-Mai, but I was a bit lazy with blogging when it comes to Christmas and New Year’s back home so I do apologize for the MASSIVE delay. I’ve heard about PUN PUN Organic Vegetarian restaurant (พันพรรณ / ร้านอาหารมังสวิรัติเพื่อสุขภาพ) through blogs and Happy Cow Chiang-Mai. I only ate there twice and it was so far my favourite vegan-friendly restaurants in Chiang-Mai, Thailand. There are two locations: at Wat Suan Dok temple and Santitham, and I only went to one, the temple. The host spoke mostly Thai, but basic English, but he was a very friendly old lad!
Location & Hours & Notes
- Pun Pun Restaurant Website | Pun Pun on Facebook
- Located behind Monk Chat Building, Wat Suan Dok, Muang Chiang Mai,(Suthep Road) Thailand | Phone: +66-081-470-1461.
- Just ask your tuk-tuk or driver to take you to Wat Suan Dok temple, then walk on the main road until you see “Monk Chat building”, and you will see the restaurant sign.
- Open 9:00am-4:00pm except for Wednesdays
- Most staff speak Thai, but they might be able to know some English, it doesn’t hurt to try to ask. The host speaks mostly Thai though.
Yet I did not find a menu at all even on their website, so I’ve assembled the menu with Jit‘s help (NorthernThailand.com). Feel free to download the menu below if you plan to try Pun Pun Vegetarian Restaurant, however the editing properties are not allowed.
View from Le Méridien, Chiang-Mai Thailand
Coconut & Passionfruit Juices with Ice (30 B. each)
I love their ice juices. So refreshing and fruity when it comes from fresh fruits like coconut or passionflower. But I sadly would choose coconut over passionfruit, there’s something so real about the coconut ice water that I cannot explain in words. Each drink is worth less than a dollar!
{Gang Masaman} Masamman Curry in Coconut Milk w/ Potato, Peanut, Tofu and Mushrooms (45 B.)
I don’t remember what it tasted like since I ate it in November 2011, but it was a decent curry, I recalled. It comes up with one complimentary plate of steamed brown rice. For extra plate of steamed brown rice, it costs 10 B.
{Yen ta four} Noodle Vegetable Soup with Tofu, Topped with Beetroot & Lime Sauce (40 B.)
I never had an actual “Thai” noodle soup so I went for that one since it has unique toppings such as seaweed, beetroot and “lime sauce.” Unfortunately that noodle soup just didn’t really jive with my palate. It was a bit of a let down. It was sort of a tart, beet, seaweedy noodle soup. Seaweed & beetroot doesn’t combine very well for me, it was too sweet for me. I honestly don’t like my noodle soups sweet, but I like my noodle soups spicy and salty. I would love to try other noodle soups when I return to PUN PUN Vegetarian.
{Lap dtow hoo kub hed} Sour, Salty and Spicy Minced Tofu Salad mixed with Roasted Rice Powder (45 B.)
In the U.S., Thai restaurants call them laab or larb, which any meat mince played a role in the dish flavored with fish sauce, lime juice and fresh herbs. But in a veganized laab or larb, they use tofu or seitan as a source of protein and texture. Therefore, in Chiang-Mai, the northern Thais call their dish as, “Lap”, which I find it interesting. The dish was spectacular with some chili heat. I would get it again and it’s a must to try an authentic, vegan-friendly Lap salad for only 45 Bahts!
{Salad dok mai} Edible Deep Fried Flowers & Greens Salad (60 B.)
This is my first time to try fried flowers salad, or an actual flowers salad. It tasted like a sweet tempura salad, but I couldn’t taste the flowers very well, but PUN PUN serves a variety of vegan-friendly dressings. I don’t recall the dressing I had, but it was tasty on the salad. It was a certainly unique dish I have tried in Chiang-Mai. I would love to try it again when I return.
{Pad prig khing dtow hoo} Stir-fried Green Beans & Tofu with Roasted Chili Paste (45 B.)
The host at PUN PUN Vegetarian recommended me the stir-fried dish, and it was my last day to eat with them. Surprisingly the dish didn’t taste that spicy at all but tasty. I liked the combination of green beans & tofu with roasted chili paste, and it is served with one complimentary plate of steamed brown rice. For extra plate of steamed brown rice, it costs 10 B. I would love to try other stir-fried dishes when I return.
{Gang keaw wahn} Green Curry in Coconut Milk w/ Eggplant, Green Bean, Tofu, Mushrooms and Sweet Basil (45 B.)
I’ve tried all sorts of Thai green curries at other restaurants as well as the Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi): all of them tasted a bit heavy, greasy and extremely spicy. But this one at PUN PUN Vegetarian, it tastes like a perfect green curry, well balanced and blended. The vegetables weren’t soggy, but freshly cooked in the curry. I love the combination of the curry. PUN PUN Vegetarian serves very good vegan-friendly authentic northern Thai curries! Served with one complimentary plate of steamed brown rice. For extra plate of steamed brown rice, it costs 10 B.
Wow, you can actually taste the strong Thai basil herb in the deep-fried, yet delicately crispy spring rolls. The sweetness from the tamarind dipping sauce was delish. I love fried spring rolls, but for Thai, they tasted great especially with fresh herbs. I would say it is a twist of Vietnamese fresh and Thai fried spring rolls. Great appetizer dish!
{Som tam Lao} North-Eastern style Green Papaya Salad
When it comes to Northern Thai cuisine, it is a must to try some green papaya salad from that area. At first, we can smell the fermentation from the salad due to the mild pungent smell. I had fermented salads before, but this green papaya salad was not as enjoyable as I had thought. It was too sour and fermented at the same time. But I wouldn’t mind trying their lap (Larb or laab) salad again, which was probably the best one.
May I suggest some local reading via Northern Thailand?
