Travel Blog 30: The 8 Authentic Street Eats in Bangkok That No One Tells You

Hello, fellow explorers & foodie out there~

Since the last time, I came back from Bangkok and I couldn't stop myself from thinking those scrumptious foods I had over there. The best part is, everything I had was off from the tourist radar and are local's favourite. Instead of sticking to the same restaurant that is swamped by tourist, why not try something else?

Let's start by knowing a little background of Bangkok that everyone is so fancy about. Despite the hectic shopping districts and night market in Bangkok, the food is what makes them stood out. Street food in Thailand is absolutely no joke as they treat everything seriously to earn the title of "Food Heaven".

Just when we think we have scrabbled around into the tastiest street eats, Bangkok never fails to surprise us with new treasures. So, let's ditch the typical coconut ice-cream at the weekend Chatuchak Market and the ordinary meat skewers by the street side. Bring up your game to dive right into these authentic street eats that I guarantee you that it's going to be your next addiction.

So, let's dive right into it.

1. Thai Beef Noodles at Wattana Panich

If you love noodles and beef, this is exactly for you!

This endless bubbling pot of goodness has never been turned off since their first day of operation. It's been bubbling at the exact same pot and exact same spot for centuries. Passing down from generation to generation. To be honest, knowing their shop located at Ekkamai which is known to be the expensive side of Bangkok, it triggers me to think what makes them so special that it could last so long.

But, seeing the massive pot of beef soup with a whiff of the savory beefy aroma lingers in your nostril makes you salivate immediately.

No one leaves without ordering their signature Kuay Teow Neau Buai Sen Lek ( Thai Beef Braised Noodles) and also the Pae Sen Lek ( Thai Braised Lamb Soup).

It is common for customers to order the beef soup with noodles. The soup might be on the slightly oily side and even a little gelatinous for anyone to just have it without any noodles. But, the condiments on the side like Thai roasted chili flakes and their house-made green chili vinegar will definitely help to spice things up.

Honestly, it was a surprise that the beef soup tasted way more mellow than expected. With just a hint of star anise and cinnamon, but, at the same time, the natural sweetness from the beef blends so well with the spices. However, the portion is slightly on the smaller side, so, if you really want a filling bowl of noodles, you might want to go for a bigger bowl.

Besides the beef soup, this shop is also famous for their authentic Chinese mutton stew. You might want to skip this if you're not a fan of the Chinese medicinal herbs or accepting the gaminess from the lamb. Instead of calling it a soup, I find it quite interesting because the soup is actually a lot thicker than the beef, almost like a stew. Compared with the beef soup, the flavour is way stronger.

The tender pieces of lamb are an excellent choice for everyone to give it a try. However, due to the location and the premium ingredients they are using, the prices are slightly on the higher side. For a bowl of lamb stew cost, 200 Thai baht is actually a premium price for most of the locals and even tourist. But, quality has its price, I definitely won't complain.

Address: 336-338 Ekkamai Soi 18, Thanon Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
Open hours: 10 am – 8:30 pm daily
How to get there: Recommended to reach by taxi. BTS is far from the location.

2. Khao Kha Moo (Braised Pork Leg with rice)

I'm pretty sure you've heard of this dish Khao Kha Moo, but finding an excellent one is actually pretty hard. Skip your usual menu to try out this authentic recipe of braised pork leg at a hidden alley of Charoen Krung Road where you'll be amazed by its tenderness and the packs a punch piece of meat beneath the gelatinous and glistening pork skin.

This dish is normally accompanied by a plate of broken rice where it is best paired with their home-made spicy and sour chilies. The braised pork leg is fall-off-the-bone tender that you could not believe it disintegrated in your mouth without even the need for an effort to chew. Even though I am not exactly sure what are the ingredients used in making this dish, but, I am certain that I've tasted some preserved vegetables in the gravy.

As huge as the pork leg could be, I bet no one could resist ordering a second one. You'll find yourself devouring this tender piece of meat in no time. To top it off, the spicy and sour chilies combined with the cilantro in one bite of a piece of pork definitely bring this dish to a whole new dimension.

Just a slight tip, for those who really want to give it a try, come early! Especially during the weekdays as the office hour crowd can something be overwhelming, at good time they are even sold out as early as 11 am!

Address: 1391, Charoen Krung Road, Silom, Bang Rak.
Opening hours: Daily 8.00am – 2.00pm
How to get there: BTS at Saphan Taksin station,

3. Tom Yam Goong Banglamphu

It is not a surprise that many restaurants have Tom Yam Goong on their menu. After all, Thailand is the origin of this perfect sour and spicy creation. To compete against the massive supply of Tom Yum Goong, every restaurant has their own twist and turn to stand out from the crowd.

For me, after trying so many Tom Yam Goong in Bangkok, this is the best that I am proud to share with all of you.

Being a fan of Tom Yam Goong, I find it no where else as good and glorious as this. Despite that it's just a street side stall that is two streets away from the buzzing Khao San Road. This place is an absolute hidden gem for all the tom yum fanatics. This stall is famous for the river prawns and Thai stir-fried which no one is leaving without a rounded stomach.

While their top seller is nonetheless their "Tom Yam Goong"! The secret of this perfected recipe is the shrimp head butter that are being tossed into the broth. The perfect ratio of sourness and creaminess from the broth creates a flavour concussion on your tongue as it deserves more than a moment of silence. This creamy tom yum goong definitely set a high standard and expectation on your tasting chart. The best of all, it's just priced at 140 Thai baht! Now you probably know why I've been returning to Bangkok so frequently.

Besides the winning dish, they do serve different stir-fried dishes like stir-fried water morning glory, clams and most importantly river prawns. The caramelized oyster sauce and the whole garlic cloves were chucked into the wok and were cooked with such high heat until the sauce was gooey and glistering on the shrimps. The meaty and juicy shrimps are the definition of satisfaction!

Address: Thanon Kraisi, Talad Yawd Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
Open hours: 9 am – 6:30 pm daily
How to get there: Uber ( Tom Yam Goong Banglamphu) / Walking distance from Khao San Road

4. Nai-Ek Roll Noodles ( Kway Chap)

The must try dish in Chinatown Bangkok is, of course, the Kway Chap. Yaowarat is one of the busiest street in all of Bangkok. Tourists from all over the world and is a trading center for most of the locals are the results of why it became the street-food heaven for everyone.

If you haven't known already, Kway Chap is actually a Chinese dish. However, in Thailand, they do have their own version of Kway Chap with a Thai twist to it. You'll see more than just a shop which selling the same dish but yet still a queue at every stalls and restaurant. However, I stumbled on this shop where I personally think that it's worth a try!

The bubbling stew with different braised pork organ bits is what makes everyone's anticipation spiked while queuing for a table. The savory and herbal aroma will literally make you drool. As good as it is, the star dish of this restaurant is their signature "Kway Chap" which is served in a peppery broth together with different cuts of pork.

Good news for the non-organs lover! You can actually customize your bowl of noodles with your desired cuts of meat. For example, just roasted pork with pork slices or a mix of everything is well displayed on their menu with photos. With photos, ordering is so much easier. While you're waiting for your bowl of noodles, don't be surprised that all of the waiters are literally running to fly out the orders.

The slightly peppery and porky flavour of the broth is so addicting. After a spoon, there comes the next one. The noodles are light and thin which is perfect to go with the broth where you won't feel boring after finish a bowl of noodles.

Address: 442 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Open hours: 9 am – 1:30 am daily
How to get there: Uber/ taxi to Yawarat road, walk along the street

5. P’Aor

As I mentioned, I have a strong obsession with Tom Yum Goong, this restaurant falls on a second place, slightly after the one in Banglamphu. I am sure many of you have heard of this restaurant due to its recent popularity on social media. However, as I was strolling around Petchaburi Soi 5 which is known for delicious street food stalls. I decided to give it a try.

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The creamy Tom Yum Goong is what attracted most people lining up for hours just to get a taste of it. While I was wondering what makes the broth extra creamy, I found out that they use condensed milk and abundant of shrimp head butter to create this glorious looking bowl of Tom Yum Goong.

As the hype of this restaurant goes on, they recently even came up with a new menu of Tom Yum Goong lobster which is priced at 1200 Thai Baht. The bowl consists of a medium size lobster, stuffed crab with minced meats, mussels, a good size of salmon, squid and other seafood. Even though I think the price is pretty steep for a bowl of tom yum in Bangkok. But, for adventurers and food lovers who have a higher budget, why not give it a try?

Address: 68/51 Soi Petchaburi 5, Between Soi 5 – 7, Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Open hours: Monday – Sunday 10 – 10 pm
How to get there: BTS to Ratchathewi station, head over to Petchaburi Soi 5.

6. Pa Yak Boat Noodles (Kway Teow Rua)

I find it entertaining to eat these noodles in a very small portion and the way they preserve the Thai culture. Boat noodles was invented by boat vendors to stop their bowl of soup spilling off the bowl while the boat is shaking. Since then, this tradition continues and eventually, the popularity grows to what is it now.

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Depending on the restaurant, but most of the boat noodles are served with raw pork blood where it is cooked when the hot broth is poured in the bowl. It is typical to find beef or pork broth with a hint of cinnamon is being served. A complete bowl of noodle is served with a few slices of meat, a meatball and also some water morning glory.

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If you're a challenging person, it is always nice when you're coming here with your friends to challenge how many bowls of noodles he or she is able to finish. Stacking up a tower high of finished bowls are definitely something you can brag about it when you're home.

Address: Victory Monument, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400.
Open Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily
How to get there: BTS – Victory Monument (Exit 3)

7. Som Tam Jay So

If you love Som Tam ( papaya salad), you're going to love this restaurant. Som Tam Jay So is one of a few Isaan street side restaurant in Central Bangkok. This restaurant is the favorite for the locals and a true hidden gem for tourist like us! In the Isaan culture, fermentation of shell fishes are extremely popular. Thus, most of the dishes have a pretty strong taste to it.

Let me be honest, I am a number 1 loyal Som Tam fan. I personally think that Som Tam is the best creation in all of the Thai dishes. The finely shredded papayas with assorted vegetables and condiments being pounded in a mortar are best served with sticky rice where is perfect to build up your appetite.

Thus, when it comes to Som Tam I have a very high expectation and this restaurant has no chance to let me down. They serve many version of Som Tam and one of my favourite is the "Som Tam Poo". The strong crab flavour with a slightly sweet, sour and savory taste is to die for!

Never miss ordering the "Larb Pla Duk" which is a minced catfish salad that is mixed with plenty of chopped cilantro, shallots, Thai roasted chili flakes, and a good amount of roasted rice powder. The crispy and crunchy bits of rice powder makes it extra addicting!
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Another dish that is a must to order is the "Pik Gai Yang" which is the grilled chicken wings. The wings were so well marinated with a hint of sweetness from the glaze and their secret marinates penetrated the meat completely. When we were served with the wings, I was pretty skeptical as it looks pretty dry. But, the truth is the golden crisp skin retain its juiciness so well that chicken juices are dripping with every bite.

Don't worry about the prices here, everything is very reasonable priced ranges from 40-60 Thai Baht per dish.

Address: Soi Phiphat 2, Silom, Bangkok 10500
Open hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm daily
How to get there: Closest station Sala Daeng BTS station

8. Stir Fried Stall at Silom Soi 9

This street food stall doesn't really have a name nor a sign board. But, it is obvious enough to be spotted when you're at Silom Soi 9, as this is the only street side stir-fried stall that is available on this street.

We stumbled upon this stall after we had our drink at Banyan Tree sky bar while heading back to our hotel. As we were passing by, our tummy decided to make a spontaneous decision for us and it turns out to be a great choice!

​​Having to be living in Singapore now, the salted egg yolk culture is widely embedded in our daily life. From snacks to main dishes like salted egg yolk crab is most of the Singaporean favourite. I don't deny that I am one of them where everything with salted egg seems to be tasted way better.

Thus, this leads to my choice of ordering a stir-fried squid with salted egg yolk, minced pork salad and also a grilled pork cheek. This is one of the street side stalls that surprises you. All of the dishes are exquisite, especially the pork cheek that was grilled to perfection and the minced pork salad was extremely appetizing and well seasoned. Not to be biased, but, the squid was definitely the highlight. It was extremely tender and soft, unlike those rubbery and chewy squids you usually have.

Address: Silom Soi 9
Opening Hours: 6 pm till late at night daily
How to get there: Best by taxi/uber

Conclusion

Bangkok is the absolute food heaven for a food lover. If you ever wonder which country to help you kick-start your Asia street eat journey, Bangkok the best suggestion for you!

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