When you're taking a break from the red light districts in Bangkok, you can replenish yourself by taking in some of the most exquisite street food in Bangkok. While it's cheap and tastes great, you need to ensure that you have the stomach to take it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Street Food in Bangkok Hygienic?
In my experience it's more hygienic than street food in other cities I've visited. There are anomalies, so choose busy stalls and use your judgment. Many people I know complain it's unhygienic, but I disagree. This isn't medical advice, so see a clinic if you get ill after eating.
What Is the Best Street Food in Bangkok?
My list is mango sticky rice, pad thai, som tam, khao pad, pad kra pao moo and barbecue chicken. Mango sticky rice is the dessert, pad thai is the staple noodle dish, and the chicken is the snack I'd eat near Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy with an ice-cold Chang beer.
What Is Mango Sticky Rice?
Mango sticky rice is a Thai dessert with a tangy, exotic mango taste, balanced by bland, thick rice. Thailand is famous for it, and in my view it's one of the finest things you'll eat in Bangkok. Some street food vendors also offer rice cakes.
What Is in Pad Thai?
Pad thai is a blend of noodles, shrimp and peanuts, cooked in fish oil and seasoned with local ingredients. It's a staple meal for a lot of Thai people. Almost every street corner around Sukhumvit has someone selling it, so it's easy to find.
What Is Som Tam, and Is It Good for Stamina?
Som tam is the papaya salad farangs know. Raw papaya is peeled or sliced and stirred with garlic and chilli powder, with a teaspoon of sugar for sweetness, then seasoned with fish sauce and lemon juice. Street vendors will tell you it's great for building stamina, but that's their claim.
Where Can I Try Khao Pad in Bangkok?
Try khao pad around Khao San Road, where vendors have variations designed for international backpackers. It's similar to pad thai, with the noodles fried to a crisp rather than sauteed, so it's crunchy. It goes well with the peanuts, and it's a good snack after a night out.
What Is Pad Kra Pao Moo?
Pad kra pao moo is stir-fried pork with basil, and a great snack that travelers love. Street food vendors in Bangkok use fish sauce to marinate the pork, though you might be lucky and find someone who uses Thai curry paste too. I'd try it at least once.
Where Can I Find Barbecue Chicken Near Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy?
Take a walk around Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy and you'll find plenty of vendors selling different chicken items. The Thai barbecue chicken was created for Westerners and people on the go. It's juicy, and it's a perfect snack with an ice-cold glass of Chang beer.
