Bangkok may not be a very big city but planning a trip there for the first time may cause a headache for some. My trip to Bangkok for the first time was 7 days long. Some of the places that I visited were worth going but some were not. So if this is your first time planning a trip to Bangkok, this series of blog posts is a compiled list of places that many will agree are must see, must eat and not forgetting must shop in Bangkok. First up, your comprehensive Bangkok Local Food Guide.
Bangkok Local Food Guide
1. SabX2 (Wanton Mee & Braised Pork Trotter )
Ask anyone for recommendation on the must eat in Bangkok and this place will probably be one of the first few places that they will recommend. I know because that was what happened to me! Wanton Mee is a popular dish in Bangkok. What makes it so different from the wanton mee that you can find in hawker centres in Singapore is the rich flavor from the generous amount of deep-fried lard used in the preparation of the dish. One thing to note is that the portion is very small. So order more at one go if you don’t want to wait for your second bowl.
The braised pork trotter rice (a.k.a pork leg rice) is also a must try! The two dishes can be enjoyed in the same stall. I’m not a fan of braised pork trotter but I must say that I was bought over by this dish. The meat is very tender and the gravy is amazing. You’ll have to try it for yourself to know what I mean. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Address:
4/32-33 Soi Petchburi 19
Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02-653 9618, 081-839 5105
Open: 9.00AM – 4.00PM
Directions:
Cross the road from Platinum mall. Back facing the Platinum Mall, walk towards the left. Turn right after a crepe stall. Walk straight and you will be able to see this stall.
Must Try:
1) Wanton Mee (dry)
2) Braised Pork Trotter
2. Thip Samai (Pad Thai)
Thip Samai
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle that is often wrapped in omelette. As one of the most famous thai dish, it is arguably one of the MUST TRY when you visit Bangkok. Thip Samai is considered the best place for Pad Thai by many. The queue can get quite long during dinner time but don’t be taunted by it. It moves pretty fast.
I tried the popular option, Pad Thai with omelette and prawn. Even though the restaurant was packed, I didn’t have to wait long for my food. It was served pipping hot and the noodle was moist and fragrant. One setback for me is that it is a little too oily for my liking. Overall, it was really one of the best I’ve tasted. Definitely a MUST TRY! Bangkok Local Food Guide
Another highlight is the drinks that the store offer: Coconut Juice & Freshly squeezed orange juice. The Coconut Juice comes in a cup and is mixed with ice shavings and coconut meat. It is sweet and very refreshing especially after walking around for the entire day. The Orange Juice is made of 100% juice and no preservative is added. You’ll have to consume the juice on the day of purchase. One of the sweetest and freshest orange juice around.
If you are a fan of Bo Bo Cha Cha (like me), you may like this roadside dessert that is located down the street from Thip Samai. (When you are back facing Thip Samai, walk towards your right). The signboard was in thai and I couldn’t understand a word. So I’ll just call this the Thai Bo Bo Cha Cha. Bangkok Local Food Guide
The base is made of coconut and it contains chewy glutinous rice balls similar to bo bo cha cha. Difference is that it is slightly salty and has ingredients like corn and water chestnut. Try this if you’re looking for desserts after Pad Thai.
“thai bo bo cha cha”
Address:
313 Maha Chai Road Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200
Tel: 02-2216280
Open: Monday to Sunday 6.00PM – 12.00AM
Directions:
Taking a taxi would be advisable.
3. Kaiton Pratunam Chicken Rice
This stall was highly recommended by one of the friendly concierge of Novotel Platinum when I asked him about the Must Try local food in the area. Since he is a local concierge, I figured that he has to be right. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Kaiton Pratunam Chicken Rice
Like all local Thai food, the portion of the chicken rice is rather small as well. The plate of chicken rice comes with a small bowl of very tasty soup. Having tried so many chicken rice in Singapore, I would not say that this particular one is the best I’ve tried. But it is definitely one of the better ones. The rice is fragrant and not too oily. The plus point for me would be the tender chicken and the chili sauce that they provide.
Address: Bangkok Local Food Guide
Petchaburi Soi 30 Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 081-779-7255
Open: Daily 5.30AM – 3.00PM, 5.00PM – 3.00AM
Directions:
Cross the road from Platinum Mall, walk towards the blue 2 story building. Along the way, you may see a few chicken rice stall. Kaiton is pretty easy to recognize with all their staff wearing pink shirt. Look out for the road sign “30 Petchaburi”. The stall is located right after the road sign. Bangkok Local Food Guide
4. Somtam Nua
Somtam Nua
I was so in love with the Thai food that this chain offers that I went back to the restaurant 3 times during my 7 day stay in Bangkok. This must speak some volume about how good it is.
Papaya Salad
Papaya Salad is one of the highly recommended dishes in Somtam Nua. It is crunchy, fresh with a slight hint of spiciness. Perfect as an appetizer!
Besides the Papaya Salad, here are some of the dishes that I ordered every single time I went back. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Tom Yum Soup
Like Pad Thai, the Tom Yum Soup is also a must try thai dish. With the perfect combination of spicy and sour flavor, this clear soup is a great way to get your meal started. If you cannot take spicy food, you may want to avoid this tom yum soup. I would give it a 4 out of 5 level of spiciness.
Chicken Wings
The Chicken Wings at Somtam Nua is a dish that many of their patrons swear by. Try this well fried and seasoned dish once and you’ll find yourself craving for more.
Hot and Spicy Crispy Fish
I am usually picky with fish dishes because the fishy taste irks me. This dish however is just right for my taste buds. The gravy on top of the fish makes it less crispy but overall, the dish is still awesome. Bangkok Local Food Guide
After your meal, you may want to give Mango Tango (mango sticky rice) that is just down the road a try. The shop is rather small and queue is usually quite long. Takeaways are more advisable. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Mango Tango 120
I ordered Mango Tango 120 which consists of fresh mango, mango pudding, mango ice cream and mango sticky rice. The price is on the steep side as this costs around $7SGD. If given a choice between the authentic thai mango sticky rice and this, I would go for the authentic one. The price is not really justified by the taste. But if you won’t get to try the authentic mango sticky rice during your trip, then this would be a good alternative. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Just next to Mango Tango is a stall that sells Thai Kuehs (thai cakes).
thai kueh
thai kueh
Their green pandan cake is a MUST TRY! It is soft, fluffy and gives off an aromatic pandan flavor. Bangkok Local Food Guide
Address: 392/14 Soi Siam Square 5, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02-251-4880
Open: 10.45AM – 9.30PM
Directions: Take the BTS to Siam Station, look for a blue circular sign that says “5” and walk into that street. You will find Somtam Nua located along the street. Bangkok Local Food Guide
5. Mango Sticky Rice
My favorite thai dessert of all time, mango sticky rice! If you have not tried this awesome thai dessert, you have to try it during your Bangkok trip! Bangkok Local Food Guide
Mango Sticky Rice Stall
mango sticky rice
I love the generous portion of fresh and sweet mango that this stall provides. It is served with glutinous rice drizzled with coconut milk.
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 38
Directions: Take the BTS to Thong Lor Station. Exit 4.
Open: After 6pm – late
Stay tuned for the guide to Restaurants and Cafes next! Bangkok Local Food Guide Bangkok Local Food Guide Bangkok Local Food Guide