If Thailand is known as the land of smiles, then Bangkok is known as the city of delicious food. Out of everywhere I have travelled, The Thailand food scene is probably the best one I have experienced. Every street corner you pass has a vendor cart overflowing with everything you could think of!
The Thai way of eating is so different from here in Canada, here we mainly eat standard breakfast lunch and dinner. You’re walking home from a beach bar? Grab some Thailand food. Why not stop for a kebab? Spent the day at the markets? Garlic bread on a stick might just hit the spot! You snack throughout the entire day, which is healthier for you, but also allows you to eat often, and eat delicious Thailand food everywhere.
The Thailand food is SO varied and SO delicious. I tried things I promised myself I wouldn’t while I was there, and I am honestly so happy I did! I ate a BUG. If you know me, you’ll know that bugs are my worst nightmare. I am definitely not a ‘put the spider outside’ kind of person, let me be absolutely clear about that.
ANYWAYS, if food is a big part of planning your trip to Thailand, Bangkok is the place to be. Make sure you add some Wet Wipes to your Thailand packing list! They recently tried to ban street food in Thailand, which obviously didn’t pan out. Whether you’re a traveller or a local, you’ll end up eating street food more anything else. They serve everything under the sun! If you can think of it, you can find it. I even saw scorpions and tarantulas on a stick there. That one, I skipped.
There are tons of amazing Thailand food markets around Bangkok and in almost every other city in the country (just grab a tuk tuk so you can visit several in the same day). Local food is generally way cheaper than western food there, so it is definitely worthwhile to try some of the local grub. You won’t be disappointed!
I have listed my favorite Bangkok, Thailand Food Markets below!
Asiatique
One of the most interesting Thailand food markets I went to would definitely have to be Asiatique. While it isn’t a traditional Thailand street food market, we ended up staying all night! The food was fantastic, I could hardly walk after we made it out of the food vendors area! They have a really cool Ferris Wheel with an amazing view of the Bangkok cityscape, live performances, and a beautiful indoor market full of vendors. This location tends to be a lot more touristy, so if you’re looking to ease yourself into the food market scene, start here! To get there, just hop on a taxi boat down the river from any stop and there will be a stop called Asiatique. We took a normal taxi home, but had some difficulty finding one. They also tried to sell us on some ping pong shows! No thank you.
Me being photobombed by some tourists
While I was at Asiatique, I decided to do the one thing that scared me more than anything.. A fish spa. For those of you who don’t know what that is, you basically sit there with your feet in a tank full of cannibalistic fish that eat the dead skin cells off of your feet. I hate being tickled. It tickled. Those fish LOVED my feet, I guess the flip flops caused my feet to dry out. Anyways, I lasted 7 of the 15 minutes, and at one point the spa technician had to literally hold my legs into the water. All in all, my feet felt like a babies’ butt.
Me toughing out the fish spa like a trooper
Ratchawat Market
Ratchawat Market (located in the district of Dusit) is one of the oldest and most traditional food markets. This market is a little more out of the way than others, but the food is amazing! I definitely needed to taxi home after eating as much as I did. The easiest way to get there would be a taxi or a tuk-tuk.
Sukhumvit 38
Another food favorite of mine was Sukhumvit 38, full of affordable food amidst Bangkok’s luxury district in Thong Lo. My favorite from here was this one dish I tried: pork with rice and basil + fried egg dish (pad ga pao moo kai dao). This food market is super easy to get to on the BTS too! Just get off at the Thong Lo Station and you’re there! It is open from 5pm to 2am daily, so don’t plan your day around it. I went to see the Wat Phra Kaew temple before I came, and just took the train over afterwards!
Wang Lang
Head over to Wang Lang market if you’re looking to eat until you need to take a taxi home. This place is loaded with street vendors and overflowing carts of delicious smelling food. Pork, prawns, scallops, crabs, rice, every dessert you can think of, bubble tea, fish, chicken, beef, grilled bananas ( a personal favorite). This place is a bustling mecca of people and food all day and night. The easiest way to get here is to take a public boat down the river to Wang Lang Pier.
Silom Soi 20
On my way out of Thailand (a very sad day for me), after visiting the beautiful Thailand islands, I figured I had one more day to eat my face off. I found this cute little market next to our hostel in Bangkok, so we ventured over and I was so impressed! It’s called Silom Soi 20, and offers everything from durian, thai curries, rice dishes, and little desserts. This food market is busiest in the morning, so go early! To get there, just take the BTS to Chong Nonsi station, it’s right in the heart of the Bangkok Business district.
21 thoughts on “Thailand Food Guide (Bangkok Street Food)”
I wanted to pinned it, don’t you have a pinterest icon? I am Thai so it was fun reading to see what your wrote about about Thai cuisine. I knew a few who doesnt like Thai food because they find Thai food taste the same…I can agree on that as most tourist would only have tourist food like curry, pad thai, fried rice and noodles etc. We Thai people eat sooo much more than what the tourist sees. You mention that there is food everywhere anytime of the day…I miss that part of Thailand because living in Switzerland I have to cook everything. But it brakes my heart to see so much food and most of them will be thrown away and I think its a big shame for many reasons.
Hi, Thai food was my favorite! I do have a pin it button above and below my article for you, if you would like to pin this 🙂 Thank you!
Wow did you really eat most of these?? That must be awesome. I am always in the favor of trying local cuisine while on a trip to a foreign land. I don’t enjoy seafood, so I guess not much for me here. But one thing I found here is grilled bananas, this is new for me…I guess you mentioned it as a personal favorite so I can try this 🙂 Plus I have so much about the famous fish spa that it keeps me intrigued now 😀 I think I know what I must try while in Bangkok!!
I sure did! Grilled bananas are the best. There is tons to eat here without seafood if you aren’t a big fan, I can be a little choosey when it comes to seafood as well!
Bangkok is one of my most favourite places I have ever been. The street food here is certainly like no other. I can’t say I have plucked up the courage to eat any of the fried bugs that are often on display but I have seen people do it.
The fried bugs weren’t bad, but wouldn’t be something I’d go to if I was hungry. They’re tolerable. I’m glad you enjoyed Bangkok as much as I did!
Wow! You certainly got the most out of the street food in Bangkok! I actually heard that eating street food in Thailand is safer than eating at a restaurant- did you find that to be true? And I was also wondering if you were able to find any veggie food? My boyfriend and I are vegan, but it would be incredible if we could find some yummy street food to try whenever we get the chance to head over to Thailand 🙂
It is true! The street food in Bangkok is very safe to eat most of the time. The general rule is that if it’s busy, it’s good. Watch for the street food vendors that have a lot of locals. There is a TON of vegetarian food in Thailand as well so not to worry! You won”t have any issues finding some street food that you guys will enjoy there.
Oh, yum–this takes me right back to Bangkok! The street food there is just incredible. So glad you guys got the chance to eat your way through the city–I’m hoping I’ll get to again one of these days!
You and me both! I am glad you also had the chance to do the same, great times in Bangkok!
It totally was, the food and shopping was insurmountable to anything I have experienced yet!
I love Thai food, it’s one of my favourite cuisines, though I’m not if I’ve ever had ‘authentic’ Thai food. This list is great, I’m glad I know where I can find the best curries and Thai desserts, if I visit.
Definitely have to give it a try when you make your way to Bangkok!
Wow. This is a type of planned trip I’d love to have. I can imagine what it would feel like, having the luxury of Thailand’s chained at my feet in the markets. Sounds yummy. The fish spa, I can’t do that for minute. I’d end up laughing out so loud. It’s going to tickle but every of your experience in Bangkok is worth it.
The fish spa definitely wasn’t for me. The markets were amazing, so much to eat and purchase! You definitely have to check it out when you are around. Even if you have a layover in Bangkok, you could make it to a food market pretty quickly from the airport!
Ban street food in Thailand? I don’t think that they will ever succeed that! 🙂 Whilst I haven’t been to Thailand, I have been to other countries in South East Asia and the food was simply delicious. I did eat bugs as well, haha. I also did the foot spa in Malaysia and couldn’t stop laughing from tickling.
I don’t think they ever will succeed in that either *virtual high five for trying bugs!*
Yum, you’ve really made me hungry while reading this! I was in Bangkok a few years ago and loved everything. I can’t remember most of these places on your list, but I’d love to visit Wang Lang; it sounds amazing!
I am hungry now too! You should check it out, great time! I definitely ate more than I planned.
I love street food in Bangkok! We were there last year and ate so much good stuff. Their night markets are amazing! My husband tried the fish tanks and he hated it too! I made him do it for the video.
Props to your husband, I want to see that video haha! The night markets were so much fun. I am glad you enjoyed!