Joanna James
Ranked among Asia's top destinations for foodies, the Thai capital is a dream come true for those with big appetites. Although the city's Michelin-starred eateries are among its best dining venues, here are 10 equally popular street treats every traveller should enjoy during a Bangkok holiday.
Salad fanatics searching for a healthy and crunchy pick-me-up will find that Som Tum or Green Papaya Salad is one of the best meal options accessible on the streets of Bangkok. Made using unripe papaya which is tossed together with tomatoes, chillies, green beans and fish sauce, Som Tum is a sweet and tangy explosion of flavours garnished with peanuts.
Coconut Rice Pancakes or Kanom Krok is a popular breakfast dish in the Thai capital as vendors prepare this soft and decadent meal on a cast iron pan built specifically for this purpose. Crispy textured on the outside, these warm pancakes are often topped off with fried shallots and a dipping sauce whipped together using coconut milk and palm sugar.
Travellers with a hankering for Chinese-style omelettes will find that there's no finer alternative to Kai Jeow when it comes to satisfying their cravings on Bangkok's streets. Prepared on the spot by roadside vendors and often served with a cup of jasmine rice, the eggs are seasoned with shrimp or pork meat and a dash of fish sauce to give the omelette its unique taste.
Seafood fanatics looking for a Thai street food option to whet their appetites should look no further than Pla Pao. This dish which usually is made from sea bass features a lemongrass stuffing and is a grilled seafood meal that's as aromatic as it is delicious. The charred outer layer of the skin exudes its own fragrance when diners sink their teeth into this succulent fish treat.
As the term used for all manner of fried rice meals sold on the streets of the Thai capital, Khao Pad comes in a variety of guises and with varying side dishes. Typically served with a few cucumber slices, a lime wedge and a special sauce called Prik Nam Pla, these fried rice dishes also feature a meat or seafood item of your choice and a fried egg.
Sweet-toothed travellers based at Gardina Asoke and other city hotels will find that Mango Sticky Rice is Bangkok's favourite dessert. Easily accessible near most tourist attractions in Bangkok and listed on nearly every Bangkok restaurant and café menu, Mango Sticky Rice is a decadent and delicious treat that's also ideal for vegetarians. The combination of sweetened sticky rice and fresh mangoes in this dish is only heightened by the drizzling of thick coconut cream and sesame seeds that top it off.
While it's not difficult to find French-style crepes in Bangkok, what sets Khanom Bueang apart from its European counterpart is the diversity of the fillings and toppings that are available in the Thai variation.
As wholesome as it is nutritious, spicy shrimp soup is a Thai street food staple that also highlights the delicate balance of flavours that's unique to Bangkok street food culture and Thai cuisine.
While there are a great many noodle soup carts and kiosks on Bangkok's highways and byways, Guay Teow broths are what locals rely on when they need a hearty meal on the go. Featuring garlic, fried wontons, bean sprouts and coriander leaves, this soup is also ideal for those battling colds.
As the unofficial national dish of Thailand, ordering a plate of classic Pad Thai from a street food stall is a rite of passage for first-time visitors.
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.
