Anyone who’s been to Bangkok will tell you that it’s a crazy, chaotic place. The metropolitan city packs quite a crowd — 15 million people! So getting anywhere can be challenging. This is especially true during evening rush hour, when hordes of working professionals make their way home — most of them stopping for a quick snack or dinner at one of the thousands of food stalls. Because of this, it’s advisable to book your stay in the city center at one of InterContinental Hotels Group properties so you’re never too far from the action.
Here’s where you can find some of Bangkok’s best street food:
Chinatown
Chinatown isn’t restricted to Chinese food. Hawkers selling all kinds of Asian fast food as well as old-school restaurants and tea and coffee houses stand side by side on Yaowarat Road, which is a place believed to have the best street food in Bangkok. Some hidden gems include Guay Tiew Kua Gai for fried noodles with chicken, Kuay Jab Nai Ek for a peppery soup with rolled noodles and crispy pork belly, Krua Pom Lamai for gravy noodles, and Yi Sheng for coffee. For dessert, don’t miss Khanom Pang Ping for a steamed or toasted bread stuffed with sweet fillings such as coconut custard.
Silom and Sathorn
These two places are very close together, yet Sathorn is often overshadowed by Silom, which is a more prime locality. In Sathorn, the entire length of the road features food served on street tables and tiny restaurants such as Southern Thai Kaho Gaeng Restaurant and Hia Wan Rice Porridge, making it a cheap, tasty alternative to Chinatown. Don’t leave without heading to the Tee Yai Muay Lek Patong Koh cart, which serves piping hot Chinese-style doughnuts.
At Silom, Soi 20 serves excellent Thai chicken biryani. Most foodies have heard about Prachak Pet Jang and the famous Chinese-style roast duck, but few know that just across the street, Boonsap Thai Desserts serves up mouth-watering mango sticky rice. Somtum Der is said to serve Bangkok’s best Papaya Salad, but also try the Thai-style ice-Kajang, which is a dish that looks intimidating but is mostly air and tastes like bubblegum.
Ratchawat Market
Bangkok locals love heading to Ratchawat Market on Nakhon Chaisri Road in Dusit district, where numerous vendors on both sides of the streets serve crowds of hungry patrons all day. If you ever find yourself there, try the Rad Na Mhoo, which is wide rice noodles and pork in a soupy broth. From here, you can see patrons crowding around the entrance of Rawanstar for an outstanding plate of roasted duck and wonton dumplings.
The desserts at Wantana Khanom Thai stall are well-known too, and you can satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade sticky rice and an assortment of toppings ranging from tender coconut flesh to egg custard. Also, sample some Khanom Kruk or crispy coconut pancakes from the Ratchawat Market. It’s said that the royal family visits the market just for a taste of these!
Feast your way through Bangkok while taking in the sights, sounds, and sensational flavors of its street markets. Asian food will never be the same for you after your visit!