The best local eats in Bangkok
Introduction
Bangkok is a foodie's paradise! The bustling city is home to some of the most delicious, eclectic and inexpensive street food in the world. Thai cuisine is renowned for its balance of five key flavors – sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty. Bangkok's street food scene is a melting pot of traditional Thai dishes, Chinese and Indian influences, and modern twists that cater to every palate. In this article, we'll explore some of the best local eats to try in Bangkok.
1. Pad Thai at Thipsamai
Thipsamai is a historic restaurant located in Bangkok's Old Town, which has been serving up the city's best Pad Thai since 1966. What makes their Pad Thai so special is the crispy and fluffy texture of the noodles. They use a mix of egg, tamarind, palm sugar, and fish sauce to create the perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and umami flavors. The dish is served with fresh prawns, bean sprouts, and garlic chives, and topped with crushed peanuts, dried shrimp, and lime wedges.
2. Som Tam at Jay Fai
Jay Fai, also known as the 'Queen of Thai street food,' is a legendary chef who has been serving up some of Bangkok's best street food for over four decades. Her signature dish is Som Tam, a spicy green papaya salad. Her version is a heady mix of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors that will make your taste buds dance. She also adds crispy pork skin, grilled chicken, or prawns to the dish for extra textures.
3. Khao Soi at Thong Lor
Khao Soi is a Northern Thai dish that has gained popularity in Bangkok in recent years. It consists of egg noodles in a curried coconut milk soup, topped with pickled mustard greens, crispy fried noodles, and a choice of chicken, beef, or pork. The Khao Soi at Thong Lor is particularly good, with a hearty and flavorful broth and tender meat.
4. Tom Yum Goong at Amphawa
Tom Yum Goong is a classic Thai spicy and sour soup that is a must-try when in Bangkok. Amphawa's version of the dish is particularly noteworthy. The broth is packed with flavor from lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and coriander roots. It's also loaded with generous portions of plump shrimp, making it a filling meal in itself.
5. Moo Ping at Kaset
Moo Ping, or grilled pork skewers, is a ubiquitous street food in Bangkok. However, the version at Kaset is a cut above the rest. The restaurant marinates the pork with honey, soy sauce, and fish sauce, giving it a sweet and salty flavor. The pork is then grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy and tender skewers that are perfect as a snack or a meal.
Conclusion
This list only scratches the surface of Bangkok's street food scene. There are countless other dishes to try, from crispy fried chicken to hearty curries. Bangkok's street food markets, such as Chatuchak Weekend Market and Khao San Road, are great places to sample a variety of food in one place. So, grab a cold beer and a plastic chair and indulge in the delicious culinary delights that Bangkok has to offer.