Vegan (near) Lopburi: Episode 5

This one comes with an asterix, because it’s as close to Saraburi as it is to Lopburi. It’s 20 k / 30 minutes away, but it’s right next to Wat Phraphutthabat, one of the biggest and coolest temples in the area. (See the end of the post for more there.)

Plus it’s Loving Hut. This one is run by two smiley ladies and it has a huge menu. The culty propaganda isn’t as upfront and center as some of the other locations I’ve been to. Prices aren’t the cheapest by Thai standards but each meal is about $1.5-2.50

As always, my only camera is an old phone so sorry for the potato quality photos. But there’s a whole range of vegan ice creams and sorbets as well.

Now I have to say of the two dishes I ordered, I didn’t love either one of them. But they weren’t terrible and with 100 other options I’m sure there’s something there I’ll like.

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Wat Phraphutthabat

One of the oldest temples in Thailand, it is one of many places in SE Asia that claims to have a footprint of Buddha. It’s name actually means something like “Buddha’sfootprinttemple.”

Buddha might be bigger than you have always thought because the footprint is massive, about 21 inches wide, 5 feet long, and 11 inches deep.

The original temple, like so much in this area, was sacked by the Burmese in the same attack that destroyed Ayutthaya. But the current temple is ornate and ancient.

Here are a few pictures of the temple.

Vegan in Lopburi: Episode 4

I wouldn’t say I saved the best for last, but I did save the most obvious for last. Nooms is the vegan-friendly restaurant in all the guidebooks; it’s listed on happycow and it’s the one most tourists in Lopburi are likely to find. It’s good, and by western standards it’s not expensive. (Though it’s 5=10 times the cost of some of the other jeh places in Lopburi.)

There is a vegetarian section of the menu. Someday if I go with an egg-eating friend I’d like to spring for the Vegetarian set.

 

Nooms is the only place I’ve been to in Lopburi where the Thai food tastes like it does in the west. I think that’s pretty much the appeal–it’s like your favorite local Thai diner, but it’s here in Thailand, amidst monkey-strewn ruins and clinging tropical heat.

I’ve been twice, tried the red and the green curry (not sure which one is better) and once got an order of spring rolls as well. They also serve fruit shakes that are up to the standard you’d expect.

 

 

All in all it’s easy to see why Noom’s has become an expat oasis. Noom rents out motorbikes to many of the teachers at my work, there is a quiz night on Thursdays, and there is a decent street market on Wednesdays just outside.