Why Bangkok is a Street Food Capital and These are Street Bites to Try
Hunger on Netflix has taken over the number one spot for the most watched film on Netflix Thailand. Are you hungry for more?
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying everybody is talking about Hunger, the film follows the tale of a young aspiring street food chef, who joins the team of fine dining restaurant Hunger in Bangkok. Under the leadership of the famous and notorious Chef Paul, young chef Oil has a lot to learn — not really so much about cooking skill, but about society, power, and the various meanings of food in Thailand, too.
It’s not an exaggeration to say Bangkok is a foodie paradise. The city is brimming with street food vendors selling deliciousness at affordable prices, some matching or even surpassing the taste and quality of full-service restaurants. One neighbourhood filled with irresistible inexpensive meals is Bang Rak and its surrounding Charoen Krung area. Traditional and modern lifestyles coexist harmoniously in this part of Bangkok’s historic district. ou can hop on a taxi, tuk tuk, boat, or Skytrain and walk around to enjoy them all, from dawn to dusk.
Congee
Congee is a simple dish popularised by people of Chinese descent. People usually eat it in the morning or evening. It is commonly available throughout Bangkok – from pushcarts, shophouses, markets, or food courts. And each shop usually has its own recipe.
Jok Prince (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
1391 Charoen Krung Road, Si Lom, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
This long-standing congee place is Bang Rak’s goodie. Food enthusiasts have been familiar with the name Jok Prince for over six decades. The porridge is smooth with a unique smoky aroma. The pork balls are made with good quality pork that is minced and seasoned in-house. The pork offal is also fresh, well prepared, and simply delicious. Jok Prince opens twice a day – from early morning to early afternoon and then from evening until late night.
Egg noodles
Noodles are another street food staple found in every corner of this City of Angels. However, there are not many that can attract and charm crowds all day long. Charoen Krung is home to several quality noodle shops featured in MICHELIN Guide.
Sanyod (Sathon-Bang Rak) (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
89 Soi Charat Wiang, Silom, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
This tiny noodle shop tucked away in a small Bang Rak alley has attracted a loyal fan base for over five decades. Their flat egg noodles are extra fluffy, and the chargrilled roast duck, marinated in the founder’s secret sauce, is aromatic. Apart from noodles, Sanyod also offers Cantonese dishes, such as Braised Beef Spicy Salad, Deep Fried Shrimp Balls Topped with Mustard Greens, Stir-Fried Fish Fillet with Bitter Melon and Salted Black Bean Sauce, and more.
Phad Thai
Thai-style fried noodles are famous around the world. Of the many components to making a delicious phad thai, including the sauce, firm noodles, and grounded peanuts that add texture and aroma, the most significant aspect is controlling the flame whilst cooking.
Baan Phadthai (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
21-23 Soi Charoen Krung 44, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
This retro-styled restaurant elevates the phad thai conversation in Bangkok. The recommended Phad Thai Kung Mae Nam Yang features perfectly grilled whole river prawns, tasty rice noodles, and a flavourful sauce, plus another 18-20 ingredients for texture and complexity. Their signature dessert, Tub Tim Krob, pairs ruby water chestnuts with coconut juice granita, young coconut meat, and candle-smoked coconut syrup.
