If you want to get in touch with the culture of the area, one of the best ways to do so is to try the street food in Bangkok, which is not only inexpensive but also excellent and convenient. Still, first-time visitors from other countries can get a little overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve compiled our Street Food in Bangkok guide, detailing what to anticipate, where to get the tastiest snacks, and some translations in case waving and pointing aren’t enough.
Eating street food in Bangkok is a must-do while visiting Bangkok. Food stands abound throughout the city, and you’ll see a plethora of them in the most populated locations. A lot of street sellers, particularly in smaller markets, work in groups, so you can visit the same spot nightly and try something new. There are even some that are open all day.
The best street food in Bangkok
In Bangkok, you can get fresh, inexpensive street cuisine at a variety of establishments, including casual eateries, multi-generational shophouses, and roadside food carts.
It’s safe to say that Thais have a serious food obsession, and the city of Bangkok is a perfect example of this. People here are passionate about food, particularly street food.
Even though there is no lack of high-quality restaurants in Bangkok, the basic street food in Bangkok is a source of community life, purpose, and connection. The air-conditioned comfort and ease of home delivery and gleaming food courts in giant malls are nice, but nothing beats the smells and raw activity of StreetSide cooking, bustling night markets, and little takeout joints. From the masses of lunchtime workers to the revelers refueling after a night at one of Bangkok’s top cocktail bars, these aromatic eateries serve the city all day and night.
If you know where to search, you can get excellent street food in Bangkok, which is pad kaprao (stir-fried holy basil) anywhere in the city, but certain areas do have cultural specialties, such as Yaowarat’s outstanding Thai-Chinese cuisine. From a seemingly ordinary downtown garage come some of the town’s smokiest grilled chicken and spiciest papaya salad; from a deserted sidewalk by day to a famed food cart by night, it’s all about the food.
From dining at noodle businesses that have been in the family for generations to sipping hot tom yum soup on plastic chairs by the roadside, this guide will help you find the best street food in Bangkok. At its heart, each of the featured restaurants serves delicious, locally sourced cuisine, and each has its own special tale to tell.
The Best Street Food Spots in Bangkok
As a result, without further ado, I will now present to you the Top 10 Best Street Food in Bangkok that you should sample during your stay in Thailand, with a particular focus on Bangkok and Phuket.
- Prince Jok
See the Michelin street food in Bangkok Guide for ideas on what to eat while that you’re out and about. One of the top spots in Bangkok to sample jok, or Thai congee (rice porridge), is Jok Prince, which made the ranking for 2023.
Jok Prince is known for its pork congee, which can be enjoyed plain or with the optional addition of offal and egg. The pork congee with offal and century egg is a popular choice. This morning staple in Thailand is sure to perk you up for a day of Bangkok sightseeing when paired with a variety of condiments, including fish sauce, garlic powder, soy sauce, etc.
The Saphan Taksin BTS station is about a 5-minute walk from Jok Prince, which is located in Bang Rak.
- Roti Gluay, Coconut Pancakes with Fried Bananas
One of the best street foods in Bangkok is roti glutay. The process of making Roti Gluay is visually appealing and delicious. It is a sight to see to see the sellers whip up Roti Gluay so quickly. Pancakes can be adorned with a variety of toppings, including Nutella, sugar, honey, coconut, and more! You will be begging for more after trying this Thai pancake.
Some of the greatest spots to taste Roti Gluay in Bangkok are on Soi Rangnam and Sukhumvit Soi 38.
- Delicious Thai Boat Noodles (Kuay Teow Reua)
Originally, boats were used to sell Kuay Teow Reua. You can still locate sellers selling this delicacy along the riverbank booths, even if you might not see them onboard boats anymore. Choose your own noodles and noodle soup to make it your own unique meal. Bowls of this meal are filled with little amounts. Enjoying a bowl of noodles while gazing out at a lake is an experience like no other. You will quickly find yourself with a table covered with empty dishes after sampling this flavor.
Try this place: Near the Victory Monument, you’ll discover the tastiest Thai boat noodles. Soi Ratchawithi 75, Khet Ratchathewi Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand, is a street lined with great boat noodle vendors.
- Khhanom Bueang, a kind of Thai crepe
Of all the street food in Bangkok, this one is the most attractive. You can’t say no to these irresistible crepes that look like little tacos. Frozen berries, crushed coconut, and peanuts are what fill them. The orange filling of certain Khanom Bueangs is a mixture of minced shrimp and shredded coconut.
Where to try: Pratunam and MBK level 4 are great locations to get this taco-like delicacy that is full of flavor. Khanom Bueang Phraeng Nara Restaurant, located at 91 Nan Road, Chao Phraya, Bangkok, Thailand, is another option for Khanom Bueang.
- Thai Green Curry Chicken, also known as Gaeng Keow Wan Gai, is an iconic Thai dish that has Indian influences.
The food looks appetizing, and it tastes much better! People who emigrated from India many years ago brought curry to Thailand. It has been a mainstay of Thai cuisine ever since. This curry uses green eggplants, sweet basil leaves, lime leaves, and green chilies to achieve a lovely shade of green. In addition to being delicious and healthy, this meal has additional health benefits, such as reducing cholesterol and curing a cold.
Krua Apsorn and Baan Glom Gig are two well-known restaurants serving this dish.
- An invigoratingly spicy Thai tea, Cha Yen, is a staple in Thai cuisine.
A spicy black tea blend with cinnamon, star anise, orange blossom water, and vanilla, Thai tea takes its cues from the Indian masala chai and is known for its invigorating heat. To make the tea more creamy, milk is poured over it just before serving. Youtiao, fried breadsticks, are a great accompaniment to this tea.
You should sample the Thai tea at Mont Nom Sod, which is located close to Bangkok’s city hall.
- Thai Traditional Sticky Mango Rice, Also Called Khao Neow Mamuang
Dessert is an essential part of every dinner. If you’re craving something sweet, try this classic summertime street cuisine in Bangkok. On top of sticky rice, you’ll find slices of freshly cut, juicy mango and toasted sesame seeds. This dish would also be delicious with durian. As an alternative to mangoes, some street sellers provide this delicacy using durian. It may seem strange to eat fruit with rice, but trust us when we say you won’t be sorry you did.
The greatest sticky mango rice in all of Bangkok can be found at Pier 21 and Mae Varee, but you’ll need to place your order early since they sell out fast!
- The dish known as coconut ice cream, or I-dtim Mat Phrao, is created from frozen coconut milk.
Although it comes in a coconut, I-dtim Mat Phrao isn’t your run-of-the-mill coconut ice cream. Absolutely out of the usual! The traditional coconut ice cream has been given a Bangkok twist. With cooked corn kernels and peanuts, this extraordinary ice cream is crafted with coconut milk. This devilishly delicious dish can only be described as heavenly.
The Jim Thompson House has the most delicious coconut ice cream—you have to try it!
- The Khao Man Gai is a traditional Thai chicken rice dish.
The Thai version of Hainanese chicken rice, known as Khao Man Gai (the southern Chinese province of Hainan), is a crowd-pleaser. The term “Khao Man Gai” refers to rice that has been cooked in chicken fat, where “Khao” means rice and “Mun” means fat. Sliced chicken rests on jasmine rice cooked in the same poaching water as the perfectly poached chicken. With it comes a dipping sauce that combines soy bean paste with ginger, garlic, and freshly minced Thai peppers. Accompanying this is a simple chicken broth soup, often accompanied with sliced cucumbers.
Location: Near Khao San Road and Phra Sumen Road
- The classic Thai stir-fried rice dish, also known as Kao Pad or Khao Phat
Thai fried rice is called Khao Phat. Khao means rice, and Phat means stir-fried, as we saw before. Thai jasmine rice, rather than the usual long-grain rice used in Chinese cooking, is used to make Khao Phat. To prepare it, you need to throw in some eggs, onions, garlic, and tomatoes with some really spicy wok sauce. The meat you can use can be anything from chicken or pig to shrimp or crab. After the rice is cooked, it is seasoned with soy sauce, brown sugar, chili sauce, and Nam Pla, a key element in Thai cuisine. The ultimate product is a fiery, sweet, and lively street food specialty from Bangkok. Sour, too.
Try Khaosan Restaurant at 4/33 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng, for some real Khao Phat. You get to choose the meats you want on their extensive menu of Khao Phat. Khao Phat is also available at many stands in Banglamphu and Chinatown.
Conclusion
You can get tasty Thai food just about anywhere in Bangkok, but the places I’ve mentioned in this blog are the ones I recommend the most. Tourists adore Bangkok because of them, and they are an integral aspect of the city’s charm.
Most visitors won’t have time to see all 10, so if I had to choose only five, I’d probably go with the ones listed above.
So long for now. I hope you’ve enjoyed our street food guide to Bangkok and had many more memorable meals while you’re here. Thank you!
