The Chinese-influenced Vegetarian Festival or Tesakarn Kin Je has long been a practiced ritual in Thailand. Its origin can be dated back to more than 400 years. During the festivity, devotees are abiding to strict vegan diets and refrain from consuming any kind of meat or animal products. They also focus on maintaining physical and spiritual purity. This year marks the first ICONSIAM Vegetarian Festival Wonder, where ICONSIAM and its alliances bring forth a grand festivity of savory vegan treats from over 100 shops and restaurants across the country to celebrate the festival of merit making and good blessings from today – 8 October 2019 at ICONSIAM, Charoen Nakhon Road. SOOKSIAM “Im Boon Im Je, 4 Regions Vegetarian Delicacies” SOOKSIAM, the town of amazing Thai charm, and its alliances turn its famous food and cultural space into a land of vegetarian heaven in “Im Boon Im Jay, 4 Regions Vegetarian Delicacies.” Over 100 assortments of vegetarian menus from the most sought-after street foods and restaurants from across the country including the Bangkok’s Chinatown are served. Central Region boasts wide arrays of dishes from recommended restaurants in Thonburi and Charoen Nakhon areas including Papa Tiamsim Talat Phlu Chinese Chive Dumpling, Hormok Pudding, Kao Tom Plaeng Nam 24 Nor, Sutunthip Vegan and Je Ngor’s Kitchen. From Northern Thailand are Kanom Sen Jiang Hai Tem Aim from Lampang and Khaosoi Lamduan Faham from Chiangmai. Northeastern treats include spicy Isaan dishes like green papaya salad with imitated fermented fish and spicy herbal soup from Maderla by Phuthai Kaiyang 1971. Southern food on offer is pleasing selections from Homemade Ice-cream made with fresh local ingredients like Baegu, Kumquat and varieties of local fruits from Thung Tako, Chumphon. Fresh premium ingredients are also available such as organic vegetables from Suan Pak Rai Sarn Baan Tai located at Huai Phlu, Bang lane, Nakhon Pathom and Sweet Corn from Suwan Corn Farm, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima.Local brands from Phuket offer the famous Car brand Soy Sauce and Swallow brand Noodle. Available also is homemade yellow tofu specialty from Pga K’nyau communities in Prabat Huay Tom, Thailand’s only vegetarian community located in Li district, Lamphun. |
Visitors can also worship Guanyin or the Chinese Goddess of Mercy for good blessing and get a chance to taste for free an auspicious dish “Nine Emperor Gods Fried Rice” made by an expert in Chinese history and culture Wiroj Tangwanich and the third generation successor of a legendary Chaozhou restaurant Kamol ‘Gigg’ Chobdee-ngarm. There is also a Chinese Opera Performance “Blessing of the Eight Deities” at the opening ceremony.