A Foodie's Guide to Street Eats in Bangkok

Daytrips Thailand
Aug 26, 2024
3 min read

Bangkok is a street food paradise, offering an incredible variety of dishes that reflect the city’s rich culinary heritage. Here's a guide to some of the must-try street eats in Bangkok, as recommended by daytripsthailand.com

1. Pad Thai

Where to Find: Thip Samai Pad Thai on Maha Chai Road is legendary for its Pad Thai. Established in 1966, this place is often crowded, but the wait is worth it.
What to Expect: Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, tofu, egg, and bean sprouts, served with lime, chili powder, and peanuts on the side.

2. Som Tum (Papaya Salad)

Where to Find: Somtum Der in Silom offers a modern take on this classic dish, or you can find great versions at any street market like Or Tor Kor.
What to Expect: A spicy and tangy salad made from shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chilies, peanuts, and lime juice, often served with sticky rice.

3. Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Where to Find: Find these skewers at street vendors around Victory Monument or Chatuchak Market.
What to Expect: Succulent pieces of marinated pork grilled to perfection and served with sticky rice.

4. Khao Niew Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice)

Where to Find: Mae Varee Fruit Shop in Thonglor is famous for its fresh mango sticky rice.
What to Expect: Sweet, ripe mango served with sticky rice soaked in coconut milk, topped with crunchy mung beans.

5. Guay Tiew Reua (Boat Noodles)

Where to Find: The boat noodle alley near Victory Monument is the best place to sample this dish.
What to Expect: A rich, flavorful soup with thin rice noodles, beef or pork, and a hint of cinnamon and star anise.

6. Khao Mun Gai (Chicken Rice)

Where to Find: Pratunam's Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, is a top spot.
What to Expect: Tender chicken served on fragrant rice, accompanied by a flavorful ginger-garlic sauce and a light chicken broth.

7. Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage)

Where to Find: Head to Chatuchak Market or Srinakarin Train Market to find vendors selling this specialty.
What to Expect: A spicy, herbaceous sausage made with minced pork, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal.

8. Roti Gluay (Banana Pancake)

Where to Find: Found almost everywhere, but the stalls in the Sukhumvit area are particularly popular.
What to Expect: Thin, crispy roti filled with banana slices and drizzled with condensed milk or Nutella.

9. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

Where to Find: Pe Aor in Phetchaburi Soi 5 is famous for its Tom Yum Goong.
What to Expect: A hot and sour soup with shrimp, flavored with lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and chili.

10. Gai Tod (Fried Chicken)

Where to Find: Soi Polo Fried Chicken in the Lumpini area is a beloved spot for this dish.
What to Expect: Crispy, golden-brown fried chicken served with sticky rice and a tangy dipping sauce.

Tips for Enjoying Street Food in Bangkok:

Timing: Street food is often best in the evening or late at night, as vendors start setting up around dusk.
Where to Eat: Explore areas like Chinatown (Yaowarat), Silom, Sukhumvit, and Chatuchak Market.
Staying Safe: Look for places with a steady stream of locals; high turnover means fresh ingredients.

Bangkok’s street food scene is vibrant and diverse, offering something for every palate. Whether you're craving something sweet, savory, spicy, or sour, you’ll find it on the streets of this incredible city. For more detailed guides on where to find these dishes and other street eats in Bangkok, check out daytripsthailand.com for additional tips and recommendations.