Dining Like a Local
Since the majority of apartments in Bangkok are not equipped with a kitchen many locals resort to eating out. And that's a good thing, especially for tourists. I always recommend travelers and visitors to any country to sample the local cuisine and stay away from the western fast food chains pervading central Bangkok. Suffice to say - if you are not use to eating Asian foods then get ready for a culinary adventure of a lifetime that will widen your eyes and expand your palette.
Go to any street corner in Bangkok and you will find a wide assortment of street food hawkers and restaurants. And many of these establishments have a loyal following. Sticks of sweet grilled pork and beef, friend garlic chicken, spicy papaya salad (som tam) and much more can be had without putting you in the poor house.
You can easily spot a great place to grab a bite just by seeing how crowded it is with locals.
The only drawback to eating at most local street food restaurants is that most of the menus are written in Thai, that is even if there is a menu. However most street food vendors located within places where tourists usually stay in do, but you'll be paying a bit more.
So it can be a bit intimidating at first when you plop down on a plastic stool and not knowing what to order. Don't worry. Most street side restaurants are really accommodating and patient. However, armed with a few basic Thai and by following the simple tutorial below you will have an excellent authentic home cooked Thai meal at an exceptionally affordable price.
But there is one thing you should know. Street side restaurants and mobile food carts may not be as clean as you would wish it could be. Most establishments do not have running water and rely on barrels of water. Since Bangkok is hot one can imagine that as the day goes on how can raw meats stay cold in a makeshift cooler.
I suggest first examining the environment you are about to eat in and see how many people are eating. And it is always a good idea to carry with you wet naps and tissue paper that are easily found in 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Go to any street corner in Bangkok and you will find a wide assortment of street food hawkers and restaurants. And many of these establishments have a loyal following. Sticks of sweet grilled pork and beef, friend garlic chicken, spicy papaya salad (som tam) and much more can be had without putting you in the poor house.
You can easily spot a great place to grab a bite just by seeing how crowded it is with locals.
The only drawback to eating at most local street food restaurants is that most of the menus are written in Thai, that is even if there is a menu. However most street food vendors located within places where tourists usually stay in do, but you'll be paying a bit more.
So it can be a bit intimidating at first when you plop down on a plastic stool and not knowing what to order. Don't worry. Most street side restaurants are really accommodating and patient. However, armed with a few basic Thai and by following the simple tutorial below you will have an excellent authentic home cooked Thai meal at an exceptionally affordable price.
But there is one thing you should know. Street side restaurants and mobile food carts may not be as clean as you would wish it could be. Most establishments do not have running water and rely on barrels of water. Since Bangkok is hot one can imagine that as the day goes on how can raw meats stay cold in a makeshift cooler.
I suggest first examining the environment you are about to eat in and see how many people are eating. And it is always a good idea to carry with you wet naps and tissue paper that are easily found in 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Thai Style Barbecue
Every culture in the world has it. Ever since the dawn of man - barbecued meats are the quintessential standards of all cuisine around the world. And Bangkok certainly has their own unique style.
You can easily find barbecue stands on mobile carts. Some are small and some are big and elaborate. You can find all manners of goodies to snack on or even make a meal. Depending on each individual cart you can buy sausages, chicken, beef as well as all types of processed meats and seafood. Most of what they sell are usually marinated in some sort of soy sauce and spice. But you always have the option to add your more after your order has been either cooked or reheated.
Before ordering and picking what you want, I suggest watching how the cook handles the food. It's best to order something that has just been picked off the grill. Otherwise I suggest placing the meat back on the grill for a quick reheating. Yes you are allowed to handle the food you want. Just make sure you don't burn yourself.
Every culture in the world has it. Ever since the dawn of man - barbecued meats are the quintessential standards of all cuisine around the world. And Bangkok certainly has their own unique style.
You can easily find barbecue stands on mobile carts. Some are small and some are big and elaborate. You can find all manners of goodies to snack on or even make a meal. Depending on each individual cart you can buy sausages, chicken, beef as well as all types of processed meats and seafood. Most of what they sell are usually marinated in some sort of soy sauce and spice. But you always have the option to add your more after your order has been either cooked or reheated.
Before ordering and picking what you want, I suggest watching how the cook handles the food. It's best to order something that has just been picked off the grill. Otherwise I suggest placing the meat back on the grill for a quick reheating. Yes you are allowed to handle the food you want. Just make sure you don't burn yourself.
Pad Thai
A perfect meal not just for Bangkok's working men and women but also for budget travelers as well as gourmet foodies. Pad Thais are eaten during anytime of the day and if you are a little hungry or very hungry this dish will definitely satisfy you.
Pad Thai stands are everywhere too - whether it be on a quiet lane or the hectic road of Khao San, this Thai staple is very popular and and best thing of all affordable.
You can easily recognize a Pad Thai stand by a large wok surrounded by various meats and vegetables. But the biggest give away is the large basket of eggs which is a prime ingredient in Pad Thai besides the noodles.
A perfect meal not just for Bangkok's working men and women but also for budget travelers as well as gourmet foodies. Pad Thais are eaten during anytime of the day and if you are a little hungry or very hungry this dish will definitely satisfy you.
Pad Thai stands are everywhere too - whether it be on a quiet lane or the hectic road of Khao San, this Thai staple is very popular and and best thing of all affordable.
You can easily recognize a Pad Thai stand by a large wok surrounded by various meats and vegetables. But the biggest give away is the large basket of eggs which is a prime ingredient in Pad Thai besides the noodles.
There are several variations of Pad Thai - such as vegetarian, gai (chicken) or goong (shrimp) which is my personal favorite.
Pad Kra Pow
Translated means "Fried Holy Basil" and it is usually served with your choice of chicken (Pad Kra Pow Gai) or pork (Pad Kra Pow Muu) and served over rice. And I have to add that Thai chili is also liberally mixed in as well. So remember to say "Mai phet" if you can't handle the heat or say "Phet nit noi" for just a bit of spiciness.
Translated means "Fried Holy Basil" and it is usually served with your choice of chicken (Pad Kra Pow Gai) or pork (Pad Kra Pow Muu) and served over rice. And I have to add that Thai chili is also liberally mixed in as well. So remember to say "Mai phet" if you can't handle the heat or say "Phet nit noi" for just a bit of spiciness.
Pad Kra Pow Moo with Fried Egg (Kai)
Khao Man Gai (Rice with Chicken)
This dish is based on another popular dish in Singapore called Hainese Chicken. Nonetheless Khao Man Gai is a favorite amongst Thais and most are loyal fans of their favorites street side dining spot and will never settle going to another. It's a simple chicken dish served with rice cooked in chicken broth with a side bowl of chicken soup. This is comfort food heaven.
Some places will even add several slices of dried chickens blood. You can see it on the lower left corner of the photo.
This dish is based on another popular dish in Singapore called Hainese Chicken. Nonetheless Khao Man Gai is a favorite amongst Thais and most are loyal fans of their favorites street side dining spot and will never settle going to another. It's a simple chicken dish served with rice cooked in chicken broth with a side bowl of chicken soup. This is comfort food heaven.
Some places will even add several slices of dried chickens blood. You can see it on the lower left corner of the photo.
Plain chicken or fried - You can even order both on the same plate
Som Tom (Papaya Salad)
Like hot dogs and burgers are so famous in the United States - Som Tam is the national food symbol of Thailand. You can easily spot a street vendor selling Som Tom when you see a mortar and pestal.
A Som Tom is a salad of shredded green papayas, tomatoes, green beans and then doused in a wide variety of Asian condiments like fish sauce. Then you have a choice of adding pickled crabs or peanuts. And yes this is Thailand so there's usually plenty of hot chili liberally mixed into the salad.
Like hot dogs and burgers are so famous in the United States - Som Tam is the national food symbol of Thailand. You can easily spot a street vendor selling Som Tom when you see a mortar and pestal.
A Som Tom is a salad of shredded green papayas, tomatoes, green beans and then doused in a wide variety of Asian condiments like fish sauce. Then you have a choice of adding pickled crabs or peanuts. And yes this is Thailand so there's usually plenty of hot chili liberally mixed into the salad.
Mortar & Pestal - A requirement for making the perfect Som Tom