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Bangkok Food Tour: Explore Top Best Local Street Foods In Bangkok, Thailand

Monday, January 29, 2024 Food & drink Anna

Considered a paradise of street food, Bangkok is always a top destination for food lovers. Whether you're strolling through Victory Monument, Yaowarat, Sukhumvit, or other neighborhoods, you won't have to worry about going hungry! After a day of exploring Bangkok's temples, treat yourself to a Bangkok food tour and savor the authentic flavors of Thailand. In this article, let's explore with Autour Asia 7 best street foods in Bangkok that you cannot miss!

1. Tom Yum - one of best street foods in Bangkok
2. Pad Thai - street food in Bangkok
3. Khao Neow Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)
4. Green papaya salad (Som Tum)
5. Thai Crispy Pancakes (Kanom Buang)
6. Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)
7. Boat Noodles, Bangkok food tour

1. Tom Yum - one of best street foods in Bangkok

Tom Yum, one of the best street foods in Bangkok, is renowned for its bold and spicy taste. Though the soup's origin is a bit unclear, many believe it started in central Thailand. This soup is traditionally made from freshwater shrimp. Besides shrimp, tom yum can also be made from any other type of meat or seafood. The flavor of this soup is so good that it has been turned into popular dishes like tom yum spaghetti, tom yum fried rice - and even tom yum pizza! The indispensable ingredients to make this dish are galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. Depending on taste, people can add fish sauce, lemon juice and coconut water to make the dish more attractive.

Tom Yum comes in various variations, with one of the favorites being tom yum kung (or goong), showcasing shrimp's sweetness alongside the soup's spicy and sour flavors. If you're on a Bangkok food tour and craving this dish, head to P'Aor at Petchaburi Soi for a delicious bowl of Tom Yum!

2. Pad Thai - street food in Bangkok

If you are planning to start your Bangkok food tour, don't miss trying Pad Thai—it's a must! This is a popular street food dish and a national favorite. You can try Pad Thai everywhere, from small alleys to busy streets in Bangkok. Pad Thai is made from rice noodles, shrimp, chicken or tofu, peanuts, scrambled eggs, and bean sprouts, all cooked together in a pan and flavored with tasty Pad Thai sauce.

These days, Pad Thai recipes can vary based on preferences. You can customize it by choosing different ingredients like chicken or pork, or even go meat-free. A delicious Pad Thai typically includes fresh shrimp and a piece of tofu on top. For vegetarians, Pad Thai can be prepared without fish sauce and meat. When eating Pad Thai, you'll feel a blend of spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. All the flavors make it the best food in Bangkok. To savor Pad Thai, head to Khao San Road or visit 313-315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon.

3. Khao Neow Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

If you're looking for a break from fried foods, Mango Sticky Rice (known as khao niaow ma muang) is a great option. Famous as Bangkok best local food and found in Thai restaurants worldwide, this Thai dessert is irresistible. It comprises three main ingredients: ripe mango, sticky rice, and coconut milk. Additionally, Thai people often roast sesame or green beans, sprinkling them on top to add a crunch to the dish.The seemingly unrelated combination of sticky rice and mango creates a delightful treat.

In making mango sticky rice, it's crucial to ensure that the sticky, white rice grains harmonize with the cool sweetness of ripe yellow mango pieces. A standard Thai mango sticky rice dish cannot lack the fragrant and rich taste of coconut milk, which is said to be the key to creating this dish. Beyond being a dessert, mango sticky rice holds spiritual significance for Thai people. Because in many traditional festivals of this country, mango sticky rice is regarded as a symbol of luck, love and prosperity. Particularly during the Songkran festival, mango sticky rice is considered a special gift to celebrate the new year and bring prosperity to the family.

4. Green papaya salad (Som Tum)

When talking about street food in Bangkok, tourists often think of Green Papaya Salad. In Thai, this dish is called Som Tum or Som Tam. This dish combines the four basic tastes of Thai cuisine: sour, spicy, salty, and sweet. What makes Som Tum popular is its simple, easy-to-find ingredients. The main ingredients include shredded green papaya, sliced green beans, tomatoes, dried shrimp, unsalted roasted peanuts, chili, garlic, and lemon juice. All these ingredients are put in a special bowl and crushed with a wooden tool. That's why it's also called Papaya Pok Pok, referring to the knocking sound during preparation.

You can enjoy Papaya Salad on its own, but it's even more delicious when eaten with sticky rice (Khao Neow) and grilled chicken. The level of spiciness depends on the amount of hot chili peppers added and crushed in the bowl. If you're not used to spicy food, remember to ask for less chili or even none.

5. Thai Crispy Pancakes (Kanom Buang)

Khanom Buang, also known as Thai Crispy Pancakes or Thai Crepes, is one of the best street foods in Bangkok. This thin and crispy dish is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free! The main ingredients for Khanom Buang include rice flour, mung bean flour, palm sugar, and eggs. Making this cake is quite simple: first, the crepe dough is spread on a hot plate using a flat tool called Kra-ja. Once the crepe starts to set, a layer of white meringue-like cream is added on top along with various toppings.

One of the unique features of Thai crepes is that they often contain a combination of sweet and savory ingredients. Sweet fillings may include coconut cream, palm sugar, and shredded coconut, while savory options can consist of minced pork, shrimp, onions, or the popular foi thong (chopped egg yolk). Khanom Buang not only tastes delicious but also has an enticing aroma. Even while walking on the streets of Chinatown in Bangkok, you can catch its scent, tempting you to stop and give it a try!

6. Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Street food in Bangkok is a big draw for tourists, and one of the top favorites is the delicious pork skewers known as Moo Ping. You can find Moo Ping being sold everywhere in Bangkok's night markets and streets. Picture thousands of grilled meat pieces being flipped over hot coals, emitting a sweet aroma that's hard for anyone passing by to resist.

To make Moo Ping, sliced pork is marinated in a delicious sauce that strikes a perfect balance between the saltiness of Thai fish sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, and the grilled sweetness of palm sugar. The marinated meat is then skewered on small sticks and grilled directly over a charcoal stove or on a mesh rack placed on bricks.

While there are various recipes for Moo Ping, coconut milk is a must because it not only tenderizes the meat but also imparts a sweet aroma. Once the meat is cooked, it's taken off the grill. You can enjoy these hot meat skewers and pair them with a dipping sauce made with dried chili vinegar to savor the rich flavors of the dish.

7. Boat Noodles, Bangkok food tour

In addition to the Tom Yum mentioned above, boat noodles are another must-try dish for your Bangkok food tour. Originally, boat noodles were sold on boats floating across canals, rivers, and floating markets in Bangkok, which is how they got their name. In the past, there would be a single noodle seller on each boat, responsible for tasks like rinsing noodles, preparing broth, serving dishes, washing dishes, and rowing the boat from one spot to another. As a result, boat noodle bowls were made small for easy serving to customers. Nowadays, you can enjoy boat noodles at restaurants on various streets in Bangkok.

A bowl of boat noodles typically contains small rice noodles (sen lek) or yellow noodles (ba mee), a few pork slices, and traditional tom yum soup. Depending on personal taste, diners can choose beef, pork, or fish balls to add to their noodle bowl. The secret ingredient that gives boat noodles their irresistible charm is a bit of fresh pig's blood in the broth. Placed at the bottom of each noodle bowl, the fresh pig's blood cooks instantly when hot soup is poured over it. If you're keen to try authentic boat noodles, head to restaurants in the Victory Monument area of Bangkok.

Street food in Bangkok isn't just about tasty treats; it's a celebration of culture, respecting local traditions and spirit. The selection of ingredients, cooking techniques, and even how the food is served and enjoyed all mirror the rich culture and lifestyle of the Thai people. So, even if you're on a tight schedule, make sure to include a Bangkok food tour in your trip!

The following circuits should be considered:

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