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Bangkok - Streetfood Heaven of the World
Bangkok is synonymous with street food, and rightly so. Few other places in the world offer an incredible variety of spicy, savory, and sweet treats cooked street side with recipes passed down for generations. Whether it’s Thailand’s best pad thai, the freshest mango sticky rice, or a damn good noodle dish, these roadside hot spots will satisfy every taste bud for just a few US dollars. Read on for our list of Bangkok's best street food stalls—how to find them, and what to eat when you get there.
Thipsamai Pad Thai
Thipsamai Padthai has been named the best pad thai in Thailand by the Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram, and it also has a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. The recipe has been passed down from grandmother to mother and, now, to son, and the staff here still uses the same cooking method—over charcoal and mangrove wood—to ensure the best flavor. There are several types of pad thai to choose from, but order the signature Superb, with shrimp oil, giant shrimp, squid, crab, and mango all wrapped in paper-thin egg. Coincidentally, it's right next to Raan Jay Fai in Phra Nakhon, and there will always be a line outside, but be patient and wait your turn. This is a must-visit if you're in Bangkok, full stop.
Raan Jay Fai
Be prepared to wait several hours to sample the goods at Raan Jay Fai, a pricy street stall in Phra Nakhon, which (rather unluckily for you) doesn't take reservations and is immediately identifiable by its long line. You'll spot the eponymous septuagenarian chef - wearing her signature goggles, mind you - cooking furiously over an outdoor wok. There are about a dozen options, but the crab omelet and drunken noodles are what earned this joint its Michelin star.
Outside Prachak Pet Yang in Bang Rak, you'll see a row of hanging ducks—and then you'll see a man methodically butchering them up behind a wall of glass. This joint serves the best Cantonese-style duck in Bangkok; the waterfowl is stuffed with herbs and spices, then slow cooked, resulting in soft flesh with a slightly crunchy skin. Many items on the menu are noodle dishes, but go with a large order of the duck, which comes with rice, a side of cucumber and ginger, and a sweet sauce that nicely balances the saltiness of the meat.
Som Tam Jay So
Som Tam Jay So is located down a quiet side street in Bangkok's Silom business district. Locals flock here for som tam, a well-known Isaan dish that's an addictive combination of sugar, fruit, garlic, fish sauce, and an overabundance of chilis. To balance out the spice, order some tender marinated chicken, grilled onsite, or go for a variation on the classic papaya salad. The menu is written in Thai, so take a shot in the dark, or tell the staff what you want.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market is exactly what you pictured when you planned your trip to Thailand. Once you walk in the entrance, past the plants and flowers, the smell of fried fish hits you. Ahead you'll see a small, narrow river flanked by traditional longboats serving every type of seafood imaginable. Little old ladies will grill octopus, shrimp, fish and more on their tiny boats as a frenzy of catfish splash around in the background. An entire salt-crusted grilled fish is a must, as are grilled prawns.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market is exactly what you pictured when you planned your trip to Thailand. Once you walk in the entrance, past the plants and flowers, the smell of fried fish hits you. Ahead you'll see a small, narrow river flanked by traditional longboats serving every type of seafood imaginable. Little old ladies will grill octopus, shrimp, fish and more on their tiny boats as a frenzy of catfish splash around in the background. An entire salt-crusted grilled fish is a must, as are grilled prawns.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
Nai Mong Hoi Thod, a Chinatown hole-in-the-wall with flimsy plastic benches and well-meaning ceiling fans, is a veritable institution that's been making hoi tod, or savory pancake-like seafood omelets, for decades. It's earned a nod from Michelin Bib Gourmand for its sublime signature dish, which you can order with either mussels, oysters, or both. (Hint: go for both.) Make sure to dip it into the mildly sweet chili sauce, which is served on the side.
Mae Varee Fruit Shop
Located less than five minutes from Thong Lo station, Mae Varee is known for having the best mango sticky rice in Bangkok. The mangos are fresh and perfectly sweet; the rice is mixed with high-quality coconut milk. You can also opt for three types of rice, all naturally dyed a different color with flavors like green tea and pandan. Be sure to find a nearby spot to gobble it up; it's best when the rice is still warm, and the coconut sauce and roasted beans are poured on top.
Jae Aun Bua Loy Nam Khing
Perched on the corner of a busy Chinatown intersection, Jae Aun has been serving bua loy nam khing for more than 20 years. The famous Chinese dessert dumplings, which consist of a nutty sesame filling inside sticky rice balls, is traditionally served in a hot broth of spicy ginger, but here you can also order it in condensed milk. The shop opens after 7 p.m., when the neighborhood is in full swing, so prepare yourself for a sensory overload.
Nang Loeng Market
Located within a diverse historic neighborhood in the Dusit district, Nang Loeng Market is a popular street food market that's over a century old. The amount of options here is mind-boggling. There are a handful of old, famous stalls, but it's best to try a little from as many as possible; dishes include Thai sausage, spicy curries, pork puns, and fresh salads. You can't skip out on dessert either: The market is known for its traditional sweets, from sticky rice to egg custard pudding.
Doy Kuay Teow Reua
Located behind a temple 10 minutes from crowded Victory Monument, Doy Kuay Teow Reua, a boat-noodle mecca, is tricky to find—just look for the blue awning out front. The open-air dining room has rows of tables covered with plastic tablecloths; there are also tables with umbrellas outside. At the back of the restaurant, the owner pays homage to the origins of boat noodles by cooking and serving from behind a makeshift longboat. Choose between pork or beef; they're equally addictive. Both meats are served in a charming chipped bowl filled with vegetables and glass noodles in a rich, flavorful broth; for more texture, toss in some complimentary pork cracklins or fried wontons.
Bangkok is synonymous with street food, and rightly so. Few other places in the world offer an incredible variety of spicy, savory, and sweet treats cooked street side with recipes passed down for generations. Whether it’s Thailand’s best pad thai, the freshest mango sticky rice, or a damn good noodle dish, these roadside hot spots will satisfy every taste bud for just a few US dollars. Read on for our list of Bangkok's best street food stalls—how to find them, and what to eat when you get there.
Thipsamai Pad Thai
Thipsamai Padthai has been named the best pad thai in Thailand by the Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram, and it also has a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. The recipe has been passed down from grandmother to mother and, now, to son, and the staff here still uses the same cooking method—over charcoal and mangrove wood—to ensure the best flavor. There are several types of pad thai to choose from, but order the signature Superb, with shrimp oil, giant shrimp, squid, crab, and mango all wrapped in paper-thin egg. Coincidentally, it's right next to Raan Jay Fai in Phra Nakhon, and there will always be a line outside, but be patient and wait your turn. This is a must-visit if you're in Bangkok, full stop.
Raan Jay Fai
Be prepared to wait several hours to sample the goods at Raan Jay Fai, a pricy street stall in Phra Nakhon, which (rather unluckily for you) doesn't take reservations and is immediately identifiable by its long line. You'll spot the eponymous septuagenarian chef - wearing her signature goggles, mind you - cooking furiously over an outdoor wok. There are about a dozen options, but the crab omelet and drunken noodles are what earned this joint its Michelin star.
- Address: 327 Mahachai Road, Samranras Subdistrict, Phra Nakon District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
- How to Get There: Raan Jay Fai is near the Giant Swing and Wat Saket, a few doors from Thipsamai. It isn’t really near any train stations so unless you can walk to the restaurant, then it’s probably best for you to go via taxi or Uber.
- Operating Hours: 2:30 pm - Midnight, TUE-SAT
Outside Prachak Pet Yang in Bang Rak, you'll see a row of hanging ducks—and then you'll see a man methodically butchering them up behind a wall of glass. This joint serves the best Cantonese-style duck in Bangkok; the waterfowl is stuffed with herbs and spices, then slow cooked, resulting in soft flesh with a slightly crunchy skin. Many items on the menu are noodle dishes, but go with a large order of the duck, which comes with rice, a side of cucumber and ginger, and a sweet sauce that nicely balances the saltiness of the meat.
Som Tam Jay So
Som Tam Jay So is located down a quiet side street in Bangkok's Silom business district. Locals flock here for som tam, a well-known Isaan dish that's an addictive combination of sugar, fruit, garlic, fish sauce, and an overabundance of chilis. To balance out the spice, order some tender marinated chicken, grilled onsite, or go for a variation on the classic papaya salad. The menu is written in Thai, so take a shot in the dark, or tell the staff what you want.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market is exactly what you pictured when you planned your trip to Thailand. Once you walk in the entrance, past the plants and flowers, the smell of fried fish hits you. Ahead you'll see a small, narrow river flanked by traditional longboats serving every type of seafood imaginable. Little old ladies will grill octopus, shrimp, fish and more on their tiny boats as a frenzy of catfish splash around in the background. An entire salt-crusted grilled fish is a must, as are grilled prawns.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan Floating Market is exactly what you pictured when you planned your trip to Thailand. Once you walk in the entrance, past the plants and flowers, the smell of fried fish hits you. Ahead you'll see a small, narrow river flanked by traditional longboats serving every type of seafood imaginable. Little old ladies will grill octopus, shrimp, fish and more on their tiny boats as a frenzy of catfish splash around in the background. An entire salt-crusted grilled fish is a must, as are grilled prawns.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
Nai Mong Hoi Thod, a Chinatown hole-in-the-wall with flimsy plastic benches and well-meaning ceiling fans, is a veritable institution that's been making hoi tod, or savory pancake-like seafood omelets, for decades. It's earned a nod from Michelin Bib Gourmand for its sublime signature dish, which you can order with either mussels, oysters, or both. (Hint: go for both.) Make sure to dip it into the mildly sweet chili sauce, which is served on the side.
Mae Varee Fruit Shop
Located less than five minutes from Thong Lo station, Mae Varee is known for having the best mango sticky rice in Bangkok. The mangos are fresh and perfectly sweet; the rice is mixed with high-quality coconut milk. You can also opt for three types of rice, all naturally dyed a different color with flavors like green tea and pandan. Be sure to find a nearby spot to gobble it up; it's best when the rice is still warm, and the coconut sauce and roasted beans are poured on top.
Jae Aun Bua Loy Nam Khing
Perched on the corner of a busy Chinatown intersection, Jae Aun has been serving bua loy nam khing for more than 20 years. The famous Chinese dessert dumplings, which consist of a nutty sesame filling inside sticky rice balls, is traditionally served in a hot broth of spicy ginger, but here you can also order it in condensed milk. The shop opens after 7 p.m., when the neighborhood is in full swing, so prepare yourself for a sensory overload.
Nang Loeng Market
Located within a diverse historic neighborhood in the Dusit district, Nang Loeng Market is a popular street food market that's over a century old. The amount of options here is mind-boggling. There are a handful of old, famous stalls, but it's best to try a little from as many as possible; dishes include Thai sausage, spicy curries, pork puns, and fresh salads. You can't skip out on dessert either: The market is known for its traditional sweets, from sticky rice to egg custard pudding.
Doy Kuay Teow Reua
Located behind a temple 10 minutes from crowded Victory Monument, Doy Kuay Teow Reua, a boat-noodle mecca, is tricky to find—just look for the blue awning out front. The open-air dining room has rows of tables covered with plastic tablecloths; there are also tables with umbrellas outside. At the back of the restaurant, the owner pays homage to the origins of boat noodles by cooking and serving from behind a makeshift longboat. Choose between pork or beef; they're equally addictive. Both meats are served in a charming chipped bowl filled with vegetables and glass noodles in a rich, flavorful broth; for more texture, toss in some complimentary pork cracklins or fried wontons.
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