Street Food in Bangkok
The delicious culinary adventures in Bangkok
Street food is a part of Thai way of life for decades, for
not only it is convenient, but it is also inexpensive and most certainly,
delicious. There is no shortage of street food vendors in Bangkok, where the
mouthwatering-smelling option is endless, ranging from grilled pork skewers to
fresh seafood cooked on the spot.
Bangkok is a city that never sleeps, especially when it
comes to serving food, as one can find culinary treasures on the street at no
matter what time it is. Take an edible tour through Bangkok’s most vibrant
roadside food scenes and discover for yourself why Bangkok is one of the best
places in the world for street food!
hinatown
A heaven for those who enjoy eating, Yaowarat Road or
Thailand’s Chinatown is rated on the top of Bangkok street food list. One visit
is never enough to enjoy the variety of sumptuous food and snacks on offer at
the countless stalls that dotted along both sides of the road.
Famous for: Seafood, congee, fish maw soup, Chinese
dumplings, Bami Kiao Mu Daeng (egg noodles with barbecued pork and wonton),
Kuai Chap Noodle (rice noodle soup with pork entrails and roasted pork), Rat Na
Noodle (stir-fried noodles with gravy sauce), and Cheng Sim I (shaved ice with
assorted dried fruits and gelatinous sweets)
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: All day but street food stalls get lively in the evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Take MRT Subway to Hua Lamphong Station and then get a taxi or tuk tuk to Yaowarat Road.
ilom
A major business district of Bangkok that transforms into an
entertainment venue as night falls, Silom offers an array of street food
treasures. Apart from on both sides of Silom Road itself, the mouthwatering
aroma of food cooking at the roadside stalls fills the air specially at Soi
Lalai Sap (Silom Soi 5), Soi Convent, and Soi Sala Daeng.
Famous for: Bami Kiao Mu Daeng (egg noodles with barbecued
pork and wonton), Khao Mu Daeng (rice with barbecued pork), Khao Man Kai (rice
with steamed chicken), Khao Kha Mu (rice with stewed pork knuckles), Yentafo
Noodle (pink noodle soup with fish ball and morning glory), Kai Yang (grilled
chicken), Somtam, and Kluai Khaek (deep-fried banana)
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: Everyday from 8.00 a.m. to late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, tuk tuk, or bus, but the most convenient way is to take BTS Skytrain to Sala Daeng Station or MRT Subway to Silom Station.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is one of the longest roads in Bangkok with many
adjoining ‘sois’ (small streets). Scattered along both sides of the road and in
the sois are carts, stalls, and vendors cooking aromatic and scrumptious food.
The most prominent sois for street food are Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thong Lo), Soi
Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai), and Soi Sukhumvit 38 (directly opposite to Soi
Sukhumvit 55).
Famous for: Bami Kiao Mu Daeng (egg noodles with barbecued
pork and wonton), Khao Mu Daeng (rice
with barbecued pork), congee, pork satay, Pad Thai, Hoi Thot (oyster omelette),
and mango with sticky rice
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: Evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, tuk tuk, or bus, but the most convenient way is to take BTS Skytrain along the Sukhumvit line.
Khao San / Soi Ram Buttri
A world-famous place that is usually the first to welcome
first-time tourists to Thailand, Khao San Road offers a selection of street
food where visitors can get an introductory taste of Thai as well as enjoy a
diversity of delish items. A few minutes walk from Khao San Road is Soi Ram
Buttri, a street full of vendors selling appetising meals and snacks.
Famous for: Pad Thai,
spring rolls, fried rice, Khao Khai Chiao (Thai-styled omelette with rice),
Khao Kraphrao Kai (rice topped with stir-fried chicken with basil leaves and
chili), BBQ skewers, mango with sticky rice, and coconut ice-cream
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: All day but street food stalls get lively in the evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, tuk tuk, bus, or take a boat to Phra Athit Pier.
Phra Nakhon
Phra Nakhon district is the historical centre of Bangkok
that includes Rattanakosin Island and is famous for a wide range of delectable
street food. The most famous areas in Phra Nakhon for street food are the Three
Junctions on Atsadang Road (Phraeng Phuthon, Phraeng Nara, and Phraeng
Sanphasat) and the area around the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Famous for: Grilled
pork ball, Kai Yang (grilled chicken), Khao Man Kai (rice with steamed
chicken), Rat Na noodle, Yentafo Noodle (pink noodle soup with fish ball and
morning glory) Kuai Chap Noodle (rice noodle soup with pork entrails and
roasted pork), grilled squid, fresh milk with toasted bread, and traditional
Thai desserts; such as sweet sticky rice and khanom bueang (crispy crepe)
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: All day but street food stalls get lively in the evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, tuk tuk, bus, or take a boat to Tha Chang or Tha Tian Pier.
Ratchaprasong – Pathumwan
Ratchaprasong Intersection is the main business and shopping
district with countless roadside food vendors lining up in front of the
entertainment complexes and department stores. Located nearby is Pathumwan or
Siam, as referred to by the locals, which comprises several department stores,
boutique shops, as well as carts and vendors offering an alluring option of
street food.
Famous for: Kai Thot
(deep fried chicken), Khao Niao Mu Thot (deep fried pork with sticky rice),
rice and curry, deep-fried meatballs, Kai Yang (grilled chicken), Somtam,
grilled snakehead fish, Saikrok I-san (grilled northeastern-style sausage), and
Chim Chum (northeastern-style hot pot)
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: All day but street food stalls get lively in the evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, tuk tuk, or bus, but the most convenient way is to take BTS Skytrain Siam Station and walk along the skywalk bridge to the Ratchaprasong Intersection.
Pratunam
Pratunam is Thailand’s largest open-air clothing market that
consists of many walking lanes.
Not only can visitors find all the latest fashion trends,
but also there is an incredible range of street vendors offering tasty food to
satisfy all kinds of palates.
Famous for: Khao Man
Kai (rice with steamed chicken), Mu Ping (grilled pork skewers), spring
rolls, Khao Mu Thot (rice and deep-fried pork), Khao
Kraphrao Kai (rice topped with stir-fried chicken with basil leaves and chili),
rice and curry, noodle, Kai Yang (grilled chicken), Somtam, and
Lap Mu (spicy minced pork salad)
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: All day but street food stalls get lively in the evening until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, bus, tuk tuk, or take BTS Skytrain to Ratchathewi Station.
Wang Lang Market – Tha Phrachan
On the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya River is Wang Lang
Market, a bustling open-air market that is famous for fashionable clothing,
secondhand products, and most certainly, mouthwatering street food. Across the
Chao Phraya River on the Bangkok side is Tha Prachan, an area full of lively
university students and delicious street food stalls.
Famous for: Mu Thot
(deep-fried pork), Kai Yang (grilled chicken), somtam, southern-style dishes
with rice, Po Pia Sot (fresh spring rolls), Pad Thai, Hoi Thot (oyster
omelette), Roti and Mataba (roti stuffed with savoury fillings), Khanom Thang
Taek (Thai-styled waffle), and crispy toast
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: During the daytime.
- How to get there: Take the boat to Tha Chang Wang Lang Pier and take a ferry across to Tha Prachan Pier.
Huai Khwang Night Market
A night market that is fairly popular amongst the locals,
Huai Khwang Night Market is always crowded with shoppers looking for trendy
clothes and accessories. The most interesting facet, however, is the food
section that is full of delightful street eats.
Famous for: Seafood, Khao Mu Daeng (rice with barbecued
pork), chicken feet in spicy soup, Khanom Chin Namya (rice vermicelli with
curry), Khao Na Pet (roasted duck on rice), Khao Man Kai (rice with steamed
chicken), Kai Yang (grilled chicken), Somtam, and fresh fruits
Venue Box:
- Best time to visit: From around 5 pm. until late at night.
- How to get there: Taxi, bus, tuk tuk, or take MRT to Huai Khwang Station.
Tips to enjoy roadside food stalls
Bring enough cash, as most of the street vendors do not
accept credit cards.
Beware of pickpockets, as roadside food stalls are often
crowded.
- Avoid raw seafood, such as oysters, and pre-cooked food that has been sitting in pots all day.
- Some street vendors display the sign “Clean Food Good Taste” which means they have been certified by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).