Bangkok is one of the world's great street food cities. Woks roar on the pavement, grills send smoke into the evening air and vendors who have perfected a single dish over decades serve it for a few dollars. This Food Cadet guide helps first-time visitors eat well and with confidence.
Dishes Food Cadet Recommends Trying First
- Pad kra pao: minced pork or chicken stir-fried with holy basil and chilli, served over rice with a crispy fried egg.
- Som tam: green papaya salad pounded with lime, fish sauce, palm sugar, chilli and peanuts.
- Khao man gai: poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken fat, with a ginger and soybean sauce.
- Boat noodles: small, rich bowls of noodle soup, perfect for ordering several at once.
- Moo ping: sweet, garlicky grilled pork skewers, usually eaten with sticky rice for breakfast.
- Mango sticky rice: ripe mango with coconut-soaked sticky rice, the classic sweet finish.
Food Cadet Tips for Choosing a Stall
Follow the locals
A queue of office workers or a stall packed with families is the best review you can get. High turnover also means ingredients are fresh.
Watch it cooked to order
Stalls that cook each plate in front of you, piping hot, are a reliable choice for sensitive stomachs.
Specialists win
A vendor who sells one dish has usually spent years perfecting it.
Food Cadet's Street Food Etiquette and Safety
- Carry small notes and coins; most stalls do not take cards.
- Learn "mai phet" (not spicy) if you prefer milder food.
- Use the condiment caddy of fish sauce, chilli, sugar and vinegar to season your noodles the Thai way.
- Drink bottled or filtered water and choose ice from busy, reputable vendors.
- Clear your own table area at shared seating when you are finished.
Food Cadet allergy note: peanuts, shellfish and fish sauce are common in Thai cooking. Carry a translated allergy card if you have a food allergy.