What’s uncommon, however, is vegan Thai food. For the uninitiated, vegans do not eat animals or their by-products, which includes milk and eggs.
Those on a vegetarian diet, on the other hand, do not eat meat or seafood, though some might eat eggs (ovo-vegetarian), some consume dairy (lacto-vegetarian), and some consume both (lacto-ovo vegetarian).
There are also those who don’t eat meat, eggs or dairy but allow fish (pescatarian), as well as those who avoid garlic and onions.
To cater to the largest denominator, Veggielicious chef Jimmy Chang cooks garlic- and onion-free meals that are also vegan. What’s unique is that he dishes up fare inspired by the rich flavours of Thailand – making Veggielicious possibly the only vegan Thai restaurant in Malaysia!
After falling in love with Thai cuisine, the 68-year-old began to learn more about it from professional chefs who hailed from Malaysia’s neighbour.
The restaurant in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, was founded seven years ago under the name Kon Rak Pak, but rebranded as Veggielicious about four years ago following a change in management.
The chef and the food, however, remain the same, and the establishment attracts both diners of plant-based cuisine as well as meat eaters.
Chang admitted that veganising Thai cuisine was a challenge at first but, after much trial and error, he succeeded in creating dishes that, according to customers, taste just like the original.
“We don’t take shortcuts,” he told FMT. “We use spices and sauces sourced from Thailand, even though they are more expensive than the local substitutes, and all our meals are crafted to suit local tastes.”
The ambience at Veggielicious is pleasing, with white-grey walls complemented by soothing music in the background. Bedecking the walls are posters featuring quotes from vegan celebrities.
So, what should one order? Start, of course, with a salad: although papaya and green mango is a common dish in Thai restaurants, here, it is highly recommended you give the fresh mixed-herb salad a try.
Made with various seeds, nuts, dried fruit, lime, lemongrass and ginger, and topped off with the chef’s special dressing, a small bite will result in an addictive burst of flavours.
Meanwhile, the crispy kangkung drizzled with the chef’s special dressing is a popular item that is also not commonly served in other Thai eateries.
Then there’s the ever-popular green curry. Chef Chang’s offerings are rich, creamy and aromatic, and come in three versions: soy chicken, tofu, and lion’s head mushroom.
The latter is a must-try as the mushroom has a delightfully dense and chewy texture that could fool any meat-lover.
Other curry options here include the panang curry and the dry-style mutton massaman, both of which are delicious.
Next up is “seafood”, vegan-style. The fish fillet with tangy Thai sauce features a tantalising combination of flavours, and the soy-based “fish” has a tender consistency that practically melts in the mouth.
For a soupy meal, the tom yam goong and tom som seafood are crowd-pleasers.
When it comes to veggies, you can’t go wrong with the grilled eggplant; and if one feels like eating “chicken”, give the grilled lemongrass chicken – also made of soy – a try.
Those who are dining on their own, or who prefer a single meal, should order the tom yam spaghetti or carbonara. Both are served with either satay or a vegan fish fillet and are extremely popular.
With all this rich and spicy food, it’s only natural to follow it with a nice cold beverage or dessert. Luckily, Veggielicious has several tantalising options up for grabs.
The lime grass quencher, made from a refreshing blend of mint, lime and lemongrass, certainly lives up to its name; while the pandan cooler is the perfect drink to wash everything down with.
For a milky beverage with a caffeinated kick, go for the Thai iced tea, which is made using soy milk.
And for afters, the chef recommends the “red ruby”, which is made of diced water chestnut drizzled with fresh coconut milk.
According to Chang, customers travel all the way from Penang and Johor Bahru, and even Singapore, to sample his unique recipes.
So, if you’re thinking of adding more plant-based meals to your diet without compromising on variety and flavour, head on over to Veggielicious today!
For more information, check out its Facebook and Instagram profiles. To make a reservation, contact 03-79313299 or 017-7460383.
Veggielicious
17-G, Jalan 17/56,
Seksyen 17,
46400 Petaling Jaya
Business hours: 11am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-8.30pm (daily except Mondays)