Bangkok’s food scene is brimming with tasty delicacies. Here’s our guide to Bangkok’s must-try local bites on what to go for – and where to find it.
Eating like a local is a must in Bangkok, a city famed for its delectable local street food. Read our guide to discover some of the city’s most delicious dishes, sought out on street corners around town, along with our top picks for the best vendors specialising in each.
Savoury
Moo Grob (Crispy Pork): Mr Joe Crispy Pork
Taking pork belly to a whole new level, Mr Joe Crispy Pork sells flavourful plates of Moo Grob that are noisily crunchy, succulently juicy and tender all at the same time. The saltiness of the crisp skin balances perfectly with the tender meat and rich, sweet soy sauce provided for dipping on the side. With a bilingual menu in Thai and English, the delightful culinary experience you’ll find here is only made better by the friendly and helpful staff.
Insider’s Tip: Their Kuayjub, a warm curly rice noodle dish served in clear, peppery soup, is another must-try if you’re looking for something more filling.
Address: 313/7 Thanon Chan, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sun: 8am-4:30pm; Thu: 8am-4:30pm, 6pm-8pm
Moo Yang (Grilled Pork Skewers): Hea Owen
Another pork dish that makes the list of classic Thai street foods is Moo Yang. Although Hea Owen’s success has seen the brand’s expansion into malls across Bangkok, foodie fanatics are still dead set on this local favourite. Check out their original stall just outside of the 7-Eleven store on Silom Road at Soi Convent for their authentically-grilled pork skewers fix. Each slice is charcoal grilled and coated in a shiny, sweet and tangy jaew (Thai dried chilli) glaze that has been fermented for up to 16 hours.
Insider’s Tip: Hitting all the right spots, locals often enjoy the skewers with a side of warm sticky rice.
Address: 76 Si Lom, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sun: 10:30am-3am (or until sold out)
IG: @karentran_sf
IG: @hea_owen
Tom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Seafood Soup Noodles): P’Aor
Winner of Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence 2016-2018, P’Aor serves up generously sized, satisfying bowls of seafood tom yum goong (soup noodles). Tangy, creamy and refreshing, the starred dish here is their luscious lobster tom yum with mussels and squid that looks amazing and tastes even better. It’s rare to find a creamy version like this tom yum goong soup in Bangkok, which is why P’Aor’s unique take on the local delicacy is sought after by many from far and wide.
Insider’s Tip: Their Khao Goong Rad Sauce Man Boo, a buttery rice dish topped with jumbo prawn and crab, is another customer favourite.
Address: 68/51 Phetchaburi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open From: Tue-Sun: 10am-9pm
Boat Noodles: Toy Kuay Teow Reua
Not for the faint-hearted, boat noodles are a Thai delicacy served with broth typically made with pig or cow blood mixed with salt and spices. The dish gets its quirky name from back in the day when vendors sold these bowls on narrow, bobbing boats alongside canals. To maximise convenience and minimise spillage of hot soups, these noodles were served in small portions, a tradition that is kept until this day. Appreciating the rich history behind this dish, Toy Kuay Teow Reua make their broth from scratch with fresh ingredients alongside wide strips of flour noodles, giving it an authentic taste with just the right amount of spice.
Insider’s Tip: Wash your noodles down with their sugarcane juice – it comes highly recommended.
Address: 18 Ratchawithi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sun: 8am-5pm
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Fresh Seafood: Sornthong
Sornthong is a Michelin Plate recipient of the Michelin 2020 Guide, and it’s not hard to see why. Serving up high-quality seafood with wallet-friendly prices for over 20 years, the venue is easily identified by the crowds dining beneath an enormous yellow neon sign, feasting on all sorts of fresh seafood like garlic, chilli crabs and larger-than-life raw oysters still tasting of the sea.
Insider’s Tip: Sornthong is a cash-only establishment.
Address: 2829-31 Rama 4 Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sun: 4pm-1:30am
Kang Keaw Wan Gai (Green Curry): Queen of Curry
Originating from central Thailand, green curry is typically made with fresh green chillies, ginger, eggplant and creamy coconut milk. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Queen of Curry lives up to its name with a mouth-watering chicken green curry that balances out the sweat-inducing spice with sweet coconut milk. The end product is a delicious, silkily textured dish that’s ideal for a quick, cheap bite as you take a break from the bustling streets of Bangkok. Other tasty options on their bilingual (Thai and English) menu include an aromatic duck curry and unique pineapple curry.
Insider’s Tip: At Queen of Curry, customers get to choose their level of spice – so don’t be put off by its name!
Address: 49 Charoenkrung Road, Soi 50 | Soi 50 Bongrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sun: 10am-10pm
IG: @_banana_jana_
IG: @foodingswill
Sweet
Sticky Mango Rice: Kor Panich
Bib Gourmand recipient for Michelin’s 2019 and 2020 Guide, Kor Panich rises above the abundance of mango sticky rice stalls lining the streets of Bangkok with a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. Using quality ingredients imported from all over the country, their version of this beloved delicacy consists of a dollop of perfectly cooked, al dente rice accompanied by chunky pieces of sweet mango with peanut bits sprinkled on top. This renowned dessert spot also offers other Thai sweets like jiggly pandan and coconut pudding as well as steamed egg custards.
Insider’s Tip: Adventurous goers should also try their unique durian take on this dish.
Address: 431-433 Tanao Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sun: 7am-7pm
Coconut Ice Cream: Nattaporn Ice Cream
Bangkok’s year-round warm weather is a good excuse (not that you really need one) to visit Nattaporn Ice Cream for homemade creamy treats. Using luxuriously rich coconut cream as a base, these velvety scoops of ice cream are served in a flaky, fluffy, shaved-ice-like form and feature real coconut bits that add an interesting texture. With an easy-to-read menu, this no-frills dessert haven allows their customers to choose from an assortment of Thai toppings to go with their order, including toasted peanuts, candied yams and red beans.
Insider’s Tip: If one scoop isn’t enough, their salty Mahachanok mango flavour and exotic durian flavour are also big hits as a second.
Address: 94 Phraeng Puthon Road, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open From: Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm
IG: @revendelle
IG: @maxwittawat
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