Joanna James
If you're visiting Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, then consider it the perfect opportunity to really embark on a culinary adventure exploring the city's divine street food culture. Here are the top dishes that you absolutely have to sample during your visit here.
Som tam is a fresh sour papaya salad served after a muddling in a chili-lined mortar. Served with crunchy green beans, tomatoes, and peanuts, it features the perfect balance between sweet, sour, and spicy flavours. Consider accompanying it with salted hard-boiled eggs, dried shrimps, or soft-shell crabs.
Steamed in a banana leaf and topped with thick coconut cream and chili, the delicious red curry spiced fish mousse features unusual flavours. Foodies can find this dish at Bangkok's Green Lung, located to the east of the city, which can also be reached from many a serviced residence in Bangkok including the likes of Somerset Rama 9.
A classic dish from Chiang Mai, khoa soi can be rather tricky to find in Bangkok. Priced at 50 baht, the rich curry broth is flavoursome and the deep-fried crispy noodles delicious. Usually, the locals have this dish for breakfast or an early lunch.
Another must-try dish while in the city is the delicious Thai-Chinese roasted duck accompanied with rice and an egg. If your feeling more adventurous and up to trying something different you can get a side of duck feet wrapped in intestines. It packs a burst of powerful flavours and has the potential to really add to your culinary experience here.
A popular dish from the Isaan region of the country, this catfish dish is full of flavours and super light and makes for a great snack during your travels. Usually priced at 80 baht, the dish really proves the theory that almost anything tastes better deep-fried true.
A Chinese-inspired dish, khao man gai is a simple dish, and when cooked well, there is nothing like it. The rice is cooked in flavoursome chicken broth and served with crunchy cucumber and green chili sauce for an added kick.
To try this dish, you will have to head to the alleys just off Victory Monument, where you will find locals tucking into this dish with absolute relish. You have the option of ordering kuay Teow reua, boat noodles with rice or eggs along with pork, beef, or fish balls. Pricing starts at 12 baht.
No culinary journey is complete without taking the time to taste local sweets and desserts, most Thai sweets use banana or coconut as a base and are less sweet than western candy. Head to Chinatown and take your pick from these colourful little confectionaries. Favourites to try out include khanom thom and luk chup, made from sweetened mung beans.
Ice cream is a great way to beat the sweltering heat of Bangkok, and it's way better when it's coconut ice cream. This can be found across the city, with generous portions being serves by friendly ice cream makers. For an added touch, the ice -cream is usually served in coconut shells.
Mango and coconut sticky rice is a quintessential Thai dessert! The best place to try this is at Sukhumvit Soi 38 to round off your lunch or dinner with this simple yet sweet dish. This world-loved desert is usually priced at 60 baht.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
