Bangkok Travel Guide for Food Lovers
Thailand is one of the popular destinations for many travelers and of course, its capital city aka Bangkok is a must-city to visit.
One of the reasons why you should visit Thailand is because of its world-renowned food. Finding great food in Bangkok isn’t difficult. and its cuisine is so diverse that you may not know what to try first. So, here's a compact list of our top favorite Thai dishes to sink your teeth into:
Tom Yum Kung (spicy soup with shrimp) - is one of the national dishes of Thailand. The soup has a great savory and sour combination flavor and a bit of a kick of the heat from chilies.
Pad Thai - is another famous dish here in Thailand. Make with stir-fried noodles with egg, beansprouts, and peanuts with the meat of your choice.
Moo Ping (grilled pork on sticks) - it’s a street food that is very popular with Thai people. Mostly eat with sticky rice.
Som Tom (papaya salad) - It is a northeast dish that is popular around Thailand. It is a sour and spicy green papaya salad flavored with lime, chili, fish sauce, dried shrimp, sweet tomatoes and crunchy peanuts.
Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup) - consists of chicken cooked in creamy coconut milk, and is rich with lemongrass, ginger, and more. It is sure to become one of your favorite dishes while visiting Bangkok.
Pad Kra Pao - is another one of the most popular dishes for Thai people. You can say that locals eat this almost every day. It’s a simple plate of rice transformed by spicy, flavorful basil that is fried with your choice of meat.
Mango and sticky rice - a dessert with a good combination of sweet and salty
Coconut ice cream - what better way to cool off on a hot day than a coconut ice cream with coconut meat that will serve in a coconut shell. Looks good and even tastes better.
Thai Street Food
Street food is a huge part of Thai culture. You can get anything from a snack to eat to an entire meal on the streets of Bangkok, twenty-four hours a day. There are a lot of options to choose from and most importantly it’s cheap and delicious. Here are a few street food areas:
Chatuchak Market - a huge market located in the Chatuchak district. Not only do they sell cheap and tasty food here but they basically sell everything from food, and clothes to trees and souvenirs. Also, you can take BTS to Morchit station or MRT to Chatuchak Park. It couldn’t be simpler!
Wang Lang Market - is located just across the river from The Grand Palace. Wang Lang Market is one of the busiest markets in Bangkok, full of food stalls of all kinds from snacks to full meals.
Local Thai food restaurants (shophouses).
Som Tom Sida
Is located in Wang Lang Market, crowded with stalls but when you’re inside the restaurant, it’s quite calm. Give you a break from all the chaos. They are particularly known for their green papaya salad, which is made specifically by the granny who sits at the front of the restaurant surrounded by ingredients. The flavor of green papaya salad is a perfect blend of sour, salty, sweet, fishy, and spicy. But let me warn you- if you can’t handle spice well, make sure to tell them no spicy.
Location : 112/6 Soi Wang Lang, Thanon Arunamarin, Bangkok 10700
Open hours : 9:30 am – 6:30 pm daily
Jay Fai
was awarded a Michelin star in 2018. Her style of cooking is traditional with charcoal. Jay Fai’s signature dish is the crab omelet. It’s a bit pricey and the queue is quite long but definitely worth it. It’s about the size of a burrito and filled with huge chunks of crab meat. With every bite you take, you will definitely get a mouthful of crab meat.
Location : 327 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Open hours : 9:00 am – 9:00 pm on WED-SAT (Every SUN-TUE Closed)
You can make reservations either by phone (092-724-9633) or by email ([email protected]).
Jeh O
Jeh O Chula is a late-night meal place that got famous for its unique twist on Tom Yum soup with instant noodles. Most of these dishes are upgraded classic Thai dishes, meaning that these dishes are improved with great-quality ingredients or combined as a fusion dish such as spicy salmon salad - large chunks of salmon dressed with your typical Thai spicy sauce.
Location : 113 Soi Charas Muang Khwaeng Rong Muang, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Open hours : 4:30 pm – 12:00 am daily
Wattana Panich
is famous for its beef slow-braised with over a dozen herbs and spices. Aside from its taste, what makes it remarkable is the fact that it’s been simmering in the pot for over forty years. The beef is super soft. When you bite into it, it feels like it melts in your mouth and the broth is thick and tasty.
Location : 336 338 Ekkamai Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Open hours : 9:00 am – 7:30 pm daily
Pad Thai Thip Samai
Pad Thai Thip Samai is Thailand’s longest-standing and most famous pad Thai restaurant. Selling only Pad Thai, you can choose the meat of your choice or if you’re vegetarian, they also have options for you. The quality of food here is consistent and super delicious.
Location : 112/6 Soi Wang Lang, Thanon Arunamarin, Bangkok 10700
Open hours : 10:00 am - 4:59 pm (Takeaway Only), 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Dine-in and takeaway), Close every Tuesday
Fine Dining
As Thai cuisine gets more recognition from around the world, some chefs are trying to improve Thai Dishes to the next level. Here are some of the best fine dining in Bangkok.
Thai Bus Food Tour
This is the alternative of walking around the city without leaving your table while you enjoy both the view and also the Michelin-awarded food. A truly unique gourmet experience.
Sorn
Sorn is the only Thai restaurant that made it to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022 list by Prestige. The restaurant serves Authentic southern Thai recipes brought onto the plate through locally sourced ingredients and meticulous methods.
R. Haan
R. Haan is a two-Michelin-star restaurant that dedicates itself to the concept of using local ingredients, and fresh seasoning with a balance of flavors. The recipe is mostly from the royal Thai recipe, making you experience something unique and beautiful.
How to Get Around (Transportation)
Bangkok offers nearly every type of transportation that you can think of. Here are the most common transportations you can use:
BTS sky train, MRT underground train and Airport Rail link - usually open from 5 am to midnight every day - to avoid the traffic on the road and the easiest way to get to the central districts of Bangkok.
Tuk Tuk - you can’t miss a Tuk Tuk ride if you’re here in Bangkok. Most Tuk Tuk drivers are locals so they know all the roads and where all the attractions are. They can take you sightseeing around the town but they might overcharge you so be cautious and know to bargain.
Taxi or Grab - There are a lot of local taxis on the road, you can wave them up and they will take you to wherever you want to go. It is affordable and convenient but again be careful of some drivers who might overcharge foreigners. An alternative from taxis is Grab (it’s an app) which you can book the ride of your choice from your phone - they offer you from bike taxis (in case you’re in hurry) to luxury cars. The app will show the rate that you have to pay depending on the type of transport that you choose. It is safer and more certain and sometimes even cheaper.
Bangkok is one of the safest cities in the world. But of course, it’s always the possibility for you to be in the wrong time at the wrong time. So, when you walk in a crowded or busy area, and especially in the nightlife areas, please be aware of your surrounding and your belongings. Even though theft is not highly common in Bangkok, it does happen infrequently. The most common things that foreigners experience are scams from taxis and Tuk Tuk. Do your research before you go to attractions and places to go. Knowing your facts and information can help you avoid most scams. Don’t accept an offer that might be too low or too high.
iSmile Thailand Travel Insurance
And just to be safe in a foreign country, you should get Thailand Travel Insurance that covers all the possible sicknesses or accidents you might face.
With iSmile travel insurance , we can protect you from any involuntary cases. iSmile is travel insurance that starts at only 195 THB* (For 7 days). iSmile provides you with the best quality of care in case you get food poisoning (which is pretty common in foreigners) Cover for emergency evacuation up to 2,000,000 THB* and Coverage in case of Loss of Life from accident up to 1,000,000 THB* Medical Expenses up to 400,000 THB* It also will cover you with 4,000 Baht per 6 hours in case your baggage gets stolen or gets delayed*. And important Free! Health2GO Online Doctor Consultation* And many more.
No matter what level of care you’re on, it is better to be safe than sorry. Having travel insurance is sure to prevent you from spending your money on unexpected things that might occur. Giving you the freedom to experience the city and the incredible food at the full limit.
Remark:
*Any product benefits, coverages and premiums subjected to insurance plan you have selected. Please read and understand the plan, underwriting conditions, coverages, exclusion and its policy wording before applying the insurance. Terms and Conditions of underwriting as specified by the company. The insured should fully understand the terms and conditions before purchase.
