What to Eat in Bangkok, Thailand
When it comes to food, Bangkok is a dream destination, brimming with bold flavours, fragrant spices, and a diversity of dishes that leave you craving more. Whether you’re eating at bustling street stalls or long-standing restaurants, Bangkok’s culinary treasures are not just meals but experiences. Here’s a round up of what I ate and why these dishes are a must-try on your next adventure to Bangkok, Thailand!
Pad Thai: The Classic Crowd-Pleaser
A quintessential Bangkok dish, Pad Thai is sweet, savoury, and tangy all at once. Stir-friend with rice, noodles, egg, shrimp or chicken, and topped with crushed peanuts and lime, each bite is a celebration of Thai culinary finesse. You’ll find this dish at many different restaurants and street stalls, each of which will have their own twist – but the flavours always hit the spot!
Where to Eat: Baan ThaTien, 392/1 Maha Rat Road, Phra Nakhon. I grabbed lunch here on a whim after catching the ferry back across the river from Wat Arun and couldn’t have been happier with this spontaneous choice! Thai Tea was just 50 Thai baht and a generous plate of Pad Thai with Chicken was 80 Thai baht.
Papaya Salad (Som Tum): A Tangy Favourite
Som Tum is a fiery green papaya salad with a zesty dressing made from fish sauce, lime, and chili. It’s crunchy, bold, and packs a serious punch – perfect if you’re ready to embrace the spicy side of Thai food. But, if you want to get technical, Som Tum, isn’t just made out of papaya, they take vegetables and fruits that are in season, along with a variety of spices and pound them all together with a mortar and pestle! There are many versions of this iconic dish, so be sure to try a few from different places!
Where to Eat: I would highly suggest you not only eat a Papaya Salad, but watch and learn how it’s made from scratch first-hand with LostPlate Food Tours! I joined their Bangkok Evening Tuk-Tuk Food Tour during my trip, and at one of the stops at a northeastern / Isan style Thai restaurant, I got to watch exactly how a Papaya Salad is made…and then eat it fresh too! You can read more about the experience here, and if you plan to join a tour yourself, don’t forget to use the code “UNCOVERINGCITIES” when booking to get $5 off your experience!
Lime Leaf-Infused Meatballs
These meatballs are packed with bright, citrusy notes thanks to the addition of kaffir lime leaves. Juicy and aromatic, they’r
Sai Krok Isan: A Northeastern Delight
Sai Krok Isan, or fermented sausages from Thailand’s Isan region, offer a tangy, smoky bite. These sausages are often served with fresh chili, raw ginger, and cabbage – an unexpected but delightful combo! But if you’re on the go and want a quick bite, you may find a vendor or two that’ll chop it up as a to-go snack for you!
Pad Krapow Moo Kai Dow: Stir-Fried Basil Goodness
This spicy stir-fried pork with holy basil, topped with a crispy fried egg (kai dow), is a must-try. It's comfort food at its finest, offering a savory hit of spice and umami. Locals often recommend this dish when you want something authentically Thai.
Spiced Fish Cakes: A Flavoured Kick
These fish cakes are small but mighty in flavor. Infused with red curry paste and kaffir lime leaves, they come with a sweet chili dipping sauce that balances out their spice.
Chili Lime Vermicelli Salad with Minced Pork, Peanuts, and Dried Shrimp
This vibrant salad is a burst of textures and flavors, thanks to the combination of soft vermicelli, crunchy peanuts, and savory shrimp. The tangy chili lime dressing ties everything together perfectly.
Where to Eat: At Rongros Bangkok. Pro Tip: You’ll want to try and book a table in advance if you want to guarantee a good view of the river (and Wat Arun). However, if you just so happen to be in the area and don’t have a reservation, I would suggest getting to the restaurant as soon as it opens for dinner service, that way you’ll have more of a chance of securing a table for 1.5 hours, just as the sun begins to set.
Watermelon with Aromatic Crispy Snakehead Fish: Sweet Meets Savoury
An unexpected yet delightful pairing, this dish marries the sweetness of watermelon with the crunch of aromatic crispy snakehead fish. It’s refreshing, light, and offers a perfect palate cleanser between heavier meals.
Where to Eat: At Rongros Bangkok
Tom Yum Wontons: A Twist on a Classic Soup
These wontons take the iconic Tom Yum flavors—lemongrass, lime, chili, and shrimp—and wrap them in delicate dumpling skins. Each bite is packed with the sour and spicy punch Tom Yum is known for, but with an added comforting element from the wonton wrapper.
Coconut Ice Cream: The Ultimate Street Food Dessert
No meal in Bangkok is complete without a scoop of coconut ice cream. Creamy, refreshing, and often served in a coconut shell with toppings like sticky rice or roasted peanuts, it’s the perfect way to end your food adventure on a sweet note.
Where to Eat: At one of Bangkok’s Floating Markets!
Mango Sticky Rice: Dessert Perfection
Sweet, juicy mangoes served alongside glutinous rice drenched in a sweet (but not too sweet) creamy coconut milk – this dish is as refreshing as it is indulgent! A simple combination, but in Bangkok’s heat, Mango Sticky Rice feels like pure bliss.
Where to Eat: I ordered it straight to my hotel via room service on my final evening (as I realised too late I hadn’t actually eaten any yet!), but many restaurants in Bangkok will offer this staple dessert. If you’re in an around the Phra Nakhon area, you could also check out Make Me Mango, a cute little cafe that experiments with all kinds of desserts with mango – mango sticky rice (175 baht), mango bingsu (265 baht), mango yogurts smoothies (120 baht) and even a “Make Me Mango” set that includes sticky rice, mango ice cream, Thai custard and mango pudding for 235 baht.
Bangkok is a paradise for food lovers, with flavors that surprise and delight at every turn. Whether you're into spicy, sweet, or savory dishes, the city’s vibrant food scene offers something for every craving. From iconic dishes like Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice to unique finds like grilled coconut and twice-cooked pork belly, Bangkok invites you to eat your way through its streets and discover a new favorite dish with every bite.
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