A First Timer's Guide to Bangkok Street Food
Bangkok may be the finest street food city on earth. The moment you step outside, the air fills with smoke, spice and the sound of woks. For a first timer it can feel overwhelming, yet a few simple habits will help you eat well and eat safely.
Follow the crowd
The best stalls have lines of local workers waiting patiently. A busy stall means fresh food and fast turnover, which is exactly what you want. If a place is empty at lunch, there is usually a reason, so keep walking.
Order what the stall does best
Many stalls make only one or two dishes, and they make them perfectly. Look at what people around you are eating and point at the same thing. A stall that grills chicken all day will grill it better than any full menu restaurant.
Dishes worth trying first
- Pad kra pao, minced meat with holy basil served over rice with a fried egg.
- Guay teow, a fragrant noodle soup you can adjust to your own taste.
- Som tam, a green papaya salad that is fresh, spicy and bright.
- Mango with sticky rice, the dessert you will think about for years.
Eat where it is fresh and hot
Choose food that is cooked in front of you and served hot. Steam is your friend. For drinks, bottled water and sealed bottles are the safe choice. A little care here means you spend your trip eating rather than resting.
Mind the spice
Thai food can be far hotter than you expect. The phrase mai phet means not spicy, and it is worth learning on day one. You can always add heat later, yet you cannot take it back once it is in the bowl.
Bring small notes and coins
Street stalls deal in cash and rarely carry much change. Keep small bills handy so you can pay quickly and move on to the next tasty stop.
Bangkok teaches you to eat with curiosity. Follow your nose, trust the crowd and say yes to the dish you cannot name. That is where the joy lives.