1. Pad Thai (Thipsamai)
Possibly the most famous (and best!) 'pad thai' shop (since it cannot really be called a restaurant) in Bangkok, Thipsamai has been around for more than 40 years. There are seven types of 'pad thai' on the menu, ranging from 25 baht to 120 baht per plate. The signature version, 'pad thai song-kreung' consists of shrimp roe, prawns, fried egg, fresh crab meat, grind cuttlefish and sliced mango. The result is a stringy, tangy, juicy and delicious taste that will have you craving for more the next day. 'Pad thai' is Thai-style fried vermicelli/glass noodle. It's eaten with sprouts, freshly squeezed lime juice and 'young banana'. Open from around 17:00 every day until 03:00.
How to find it: A short walk from the Democracy Monument in 313 Mahachai Road, Samranrat (Pranakorn), which is walking distance from Khao San Road.
2. Best Orange Juice
Without a doubt, also at Thipsamai. Better even than the freshly squeezed orange juice at any five-star hotel. Taste for yourself and you'll see what we mean.
How to find it: See Above.
3. Best Frozen Coconut Juice
Again, head straight to Thipsamai. It's an ice smoothie with pieces of sliced coconut. Get there early for this speciality because they normally run out quickly.
How to find it: See Above.
4. Taiwanese Noodles
Not many places in Bangkok make noodles fresh as you order, and it's quite something to see (and taste). This little restaurant specialises in other Taiwanese treats like streamed buns and dumplings too, and the black soya been milk is delicious.
How to find it: Head down Silom Road towards the river. Past the Hindu Temple until you reach Baan Silom on your left (Silom Road Soi 19). Turn left and it's about 10 to 15 metres down that soi (on your right).
5. Thousand Year Old Egg
This is a very unusual (and very delicious) delicacy which is believed to have its origin in the Imperial kitchens of China. We're also told that it is high in lead, and not too much of it should be eaten (or you will sink when you swim?). Hmm... It's worth a taste though and very much legal, so it can't exactly be lethal. To get a taste of this, and the best version we've tried in Bangkok, head to the well-known seafood restaurant called Savoey for a Thai take on this dish (in a spicy salad or 'yum'). And yummie it is - that's if you're not put off by the black, translucent colour. While you're there, also try the tangy honey-roast chicken. Simply sensational. Lots of great seafood too.
How to find it: Between Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Lumpini Boxing Stadium in Rama IV Road.
6. Best Coconut Ice-cream The last place where you'd expect to find Bangkok's best coconut ice cream is in a television repair shop, right? Not easy to locate, but worth looking for.
How to find it: Near Sri Yan Market, between Sam Sen and Ratchasima.
7. Shrimp Won Ton Soup
This little noodle shop is very popular, especially for their shrimp won ton soup. Oh, the lemongrass juice is delicious too!
How to find it: Take the underground (MRT) to Klong Toey, exit number 2. Walk about 200 metres in an eastern direction. Right next to the SCB ATM machine.
8. Japanese Food
This busy little soi just off Silom Road, called Thaniya, is a small piece of Tokyo red light district in the heart of Bangkok. Apart from the many massage parlours here catering to a largely Japanese client base, many great little Japanese eateries abound too (especially towards the end of the soi on the Suriwong Road side). The food is authentic, cheap and delicious. Make your pick.
How to find it: Take the Skytrain (BTS) to Saladaeng.
9. 55
Its name is derived from its location in Sukhumvit 55, where it has been delighting customers for more than 40 years with wonderful Thai-Chinese food. Notable dishes are the stir-fried little flower with glass noodle and salted pork, the irresistible spicy duck with crispy basil leaves, and oyster omelet. In fact, all the food is wonderful, and prepared religiously according to recipes passed on from one generation to the next. A true find. You can eat right there on the pavement or in the air-conditioned room. Open only in the evenings, and until quite late (03:00).
How to find it: Take the Skytrain to Thonglor, exit on the left (travelling towards On Nut). Walk across the intersection of Sukhumvit 55, and it is located about another 20 metres down Sukhumvit Road (on the left).
10. Thonglor
This area in itself is a food paradise. From wonderful street food, simple eateries and a small food market, to trendy and upmarket restaurants serving a wide range of Asian, International and fusion cuisine. Definitely worth exploring.
How to find it: Skytrain (BTS) Thonglor
11. Shrimp on a Stick
About 200 metres into Sukhumvit Soi 69, and in the mornings only from around sunrise until noon, an old man with a street cart sells the most delicious and juicy shrimp on a stick, soaked in chili sauce. At 20 baht for six fat and juicy shrimps, it's a steal!
How to find it: Take the Skytrain (BTS) to Ekkamai, and continue walking along Sukhumvit Road for about 300 metres until you get to soi 69.
12. Steak & Blues
Fancy the idea of enjoying a juicy steak (for variation), while enjoying some great live blues and jazz? If you're heading towards Tokyo Joe's, that's exactly what's in stall for you. Live music nightly from 21:30 onwards.
How to find it: Take the Skytrain (BTS) to Phrom Phong. It's located in Sivaporn Plaza in Sukhumvit Soi 24, opposite the Ariston Hotel.
13. Buffet Feast
One of the cheapest and a real value-for-money buffet feast can be enjoyed at Retro Live Caf- at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). Retro serves a scrumptious buffet of international and Asian food for under 300 baht every day from 11:00 until 14:00.
How to find it: Take the underground to QSNCC and follow the signs.
14. Tandoori Chicken
With a name like Bollywood, it comes as no surprise that they serve the best tandoori chicken in town. Closeby (in Soi 3) is another wonderful Indian restauarant called Akbar.
How to find it: Take the Skytrain (BTS) to Nana, and look out for it in Soi 4.
15. Chocolate
Sweet craving? For the best chocolate in Bangkok, there can be no alternative to Duc De Praslin, hand-made and pure Belgian chocolate following a proven, age-old recipe. Several small outlets in Bangkok.
How to find it: Call +66 (0)2 712 6937 to find out where your nearest outlet is.
16. Khao Tom (Spicy Rice) Buffet at You & Mee
An unusual name for a restaurant, granted, You & Mee at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel serves a fantastic khao tom buffet every evening for a very reasonable 390 baht (++). There are four live cooking stations (Thai salads, noodle delights, boiled rice assortments and Thai omelettes).
How to find it: 494 Rajdamri Road (BTS: Rajdamri or Ploenchit)
17. Half-price Pastries
Also at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel is the Erawan Bakery, one of the finest in Bangkok. And the best news is that everything is sold at half-price after 19:30. Wonderful muffins, croissants, pastries and cakes.
How to find it: 494 Rajdamri Road (BTS: Rajdamri or Ploenchit)
18. Little Arabia
You'll be forgiven if you think you're not in Bangkok anymore. This area is jampacked with Middle Eastern (and Arabic) restaurants where you can find a wonderful experience of something completely different. From falafal and humus to kebabs, shwarma and dolmades. To complete the experience you'd even be able to smoke a hubbly bubbly (pipe) with tobacco flavours like strawberry, grape and orange, while sipping on a glass of refreshing mint tea. Restaurant choices include Egyptian, Lebanese and Iranian.
How to find it: Take the Skytrain (BTS) to Nana station, and explore the area around Soi 3.
19. Pub Food
The Irish X-Change is an institution for lovers of pub culture and food. Great music too and the perfect place to watch a big sport event. It can get rowdy, lively and - if it wasn't for the Thai staff - you'd sometimes think you're in Dublin.
How to find it: Convent Road (BTS Saladaeng)
20. Little India
Phahurat is not only home to Bangkok's largest textile market, but there are also many wonderful and authentic Indian restaurants, specialising in all types of Indian, Pakistani and Punjabi cuisine. Inhabited by Thai people of Indian origin, Phahurat is a culinary experience.
How to find it: The only way to get there is by taxi (it's within walking distance from Chinatown).
Take a look at the next 20 delicious eating experiences. |
