Bangkok has some of the best street foods in South East Asia. Unlike Malaysia or Singapore where street food is really little Hawker outlets, Thailand's street food is literally on the street side. You're lucky if they provide a seat for you to sit on.
Yes, yes... Many I know will say it's dirty, unhealthy and so on, but really, it's good food! Touch wood I have never been sick due to eating street food but then again, I do have a 'strong' tummy. Having said that, the only thing that has sent me to the toilet countless times is the damn chilli they seem to love in abundance, which is in almost everything they cook.
Yes, yes... Many I know will say it's dirty, unhealthy and so on, but really, it's good food! Touch wood I have never been sick due to eating street food but then again, I do have a 'strong' tummy. Having said that, the only thing that has sent me to the toilet countless times is the damn chilli they seem to love in abundance, which is in almost everything they cook.
I can't tell you where is the best street food in Bangkok as there are just too many places and all of them are good. Places like Khao San Road is popular with good street food, also the famous Sukhumvit Soi 38 (right off the Thong Lor BTS) and the one close to where I live, which is just off the Saphan Khwai BTS station. Where ever these street side stalls maybe, there would be one little cart that would entice you.
Some of the best foods to try are Pad Thai (fried flat vermicelli noodles), Som Tam (spicy young papaya salad, I mean it's seriously spicy) and the pancake (Thai pancake stuffed with Nutella, bananas, chocolate or sugar). These are some of the must try street foods in Thailand, and usually it's better here than in restaurants.
Some of the best foods to try are Pad Thai (fried flat vermicelli noodles), Som Tam (spicy young papaya salad, I mean it's seriously spicy) and the pancake (Thai pancake stuffed with Nutella, bananas, chocolate or sugar). These are some of the must try street foods in Thailand, and usually it's better here than in restaurants.
The fruits sold by these street vendors are also awesome! The yellow mangoes are sweet and juicy while the green ones are usually crunchy like an apple and served with a type of sugar-chilli-fish sauce paste, which can be rather spicy. Yes, I was caught off guard on this one. I purchased guava, got the guy to cut it up and said yes to this sugary-chilli concoction. In Malaysia, guava usually is served with Asam (powdered dried plum), which compliments the guava with a sour-sweet taste. So I thought that the same Asam was being served with my guava in Thailand as it looked of the same colour and consistency, so I lapped it up and took a bite and had my senses blown way. Tears filled my eyes and clearly my vendor had a good laugh to my facial expressions from the initial shock. It was spicy!
The Thai people seem to love their chilli! Guava-served with a sweet chilli concoction. Crunchy green mango - served with the same concoction. Strawberries-served with sugar+chilli. Everything has chilli! Pff... My system took a really long time to get used to this and boy, the chillies did have their way with my stomach.
The Thai people seem to love their chilli! Guava-served with a sweet chilli concoction. Crunchy green mango - served with the same concoction. Strawberries-served with sugar+chilli. Everything has chilli! Pff... My system took a really long time to get used to this and boy, the chillies did have their way with my stomach.
Grilled fish in salt!
Regardless of if you have a strong or weak tummy tolerance, you have to try street food at least once in Bangkok. It's an experience and a ride of passage! Here are a few simple guidelines I stick too when I'm scouting for street food.
Rule No. 1 - The nose is always right.
If it smells good, it would definitely taste good. Follow the smell and you are sure not to be disappointed. After all your senses are first to be fed, before the sight of it.
Rule No. 2 - Make sure it's cooked there and then.
Now, the food may have been grilled before hand or cooked earlier, just make sure that they reheat the food for you at a high temperature to kill off bacteria. Better still, if they can cook you the dish then and there when u place the order is even better. This minimises the risk of food poisoning by 99%. And if u do get food poising still, you seriously have a weak stomach!
Rule No. 3 - Do NOT scrutinise the surrounding too much.
Now stop looking around the floor of the cart except for maybe the food bit and working table area. If you start looking down and around, you'll never eat street food. It's Asia, expect to see a cockroach or two running around. It's normal for these critters to be on the side of the streets. As long as they are not around where the food is placed and being prepared or cooked, it's ok, it's safe to consume. Like I said, just make sure its cooked fresh then and there and you'll be fine.
Rule No. 1 - The nose is always right.
If it smells good, it would definitely taste good. Follow the smell and you are sure not to be disappointed. After all your senses are first to be fed, before the sight of it.
Rule No. 2 - Make sure it's cooked there and then.
Now, the food may have been grilled before hand or cooked earlier, just make sure that they reheat the food for you at a high temperature to kill off bacteria. Better still, if they can cook you the dish then and there when u place the order is even better. This minimises the risk of food poisoning by 99%. And if u do get food poising still, you seriously have a weak stomach!
Rule No. 3 - Do NOT scrutinise the surrounding too much.
Now stop looking around the floor of the cart except for maybe the food bit and working table area. If you start looking down and around, you'll never eat street food. It's Asia, expect to see a cockroach or two running around. It's normal for these critters to be on the side of the streets. As long as they are not around where the food is placed and being prepared or cooked, it's ok, it's safe to consume. Like I said, just make sure its cooked fresh then and there and you'll be fine.
These Pancakes are greasily good!
Rule No. 4 - If it burns going in, it shall burn going out.
In Thailand, they love their chilli. I love my chilli but even then this chilli in Thailand is lethal. Even I couldn't handle it and it's the sole reason why I would end up with spending the night in the toilet. Keep reminding the street vendors to go easy on the chilli as they tend to make it as how they would have it, with a lot of chilli!
Rule No. 5 - Always have a medical kit.
In the unlikely even of you having a runny belly from the spices or just rotten luck of getting food poisoning, take these:
Please don't be put off with Rule No. 5, it's just a cautionary measure as I got burned by chilli. Countless times. Most travellers forget to pack their travel medical kit for food poisoning, I'm just barely just reminding. I’ve had street food in a lot of places and I’ve only had food poisoning once and that from a restaurant where the seafood wasn’t done properly. But I would still have street food as its just a must in Thailand and its safe.
In Thailand, they love their chilli. I love my chilli but even then this chilli in Thailand is lethal. Even I couldn't handle it and it's the sole reason why I would end up with spending the night in the toilet. Keep reminding the street vendors to go easy on the chilli as they tend to make it as how they would have it, with a lot of chilli!
Rule No. 5 - Always have a medical kit.
In the unlikely even of you having a runny belly from the spices or just rotten luck of getting food poisoning, take these:
- Activated Charcoal - this helps absorb whatever bacteria you might have, reduce flatulence and helps when you have runny belly. Do consult a physician when you purchase them on the dosage requirement in the unlikely event of food poisoning.
- Hydration Salt - helps replenish whatever body salt you have lost from food poisoning. This helps gives you some strength to get yourself up and to the hospital!
- Health Insurance - in the unlikely event that you have to get to the hospital to get your health sorted. If you don't have one, you're a fool! You should always have health insurance or travel insurance when you are abroad!
Please don't be put off with Rule No. 5, it's just a cautionary measure as I got burned by chilli. Countless times. Most travellers forget to pack their travel medical kit for food poisoning, I'm just barely just reminding. I’ve had street food in a lot of places and I’ve only had food poisoning once and that from a restaurant where the seafood wasn’t done properly. But I would still have street food as its just a must in Thailand and its safe.
When you are in Bangkok, be adventures in the culinary department. Sample the street food, and you might not go back to the restaurants so soon.
View gallery for more photographs.
View gallery for more photographs.
Pad Thai with fried crispy pork.
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