It’s not an exaggeration to say Bangkok is a foodie paradise. The city is brimming with street food vendors selling deliciousness at affordable prices, some matching or even surpassing the taste and quality of full-service restaurants. One neighbourhood filled with irresistible inexpensive meals is Bang Rak and its surrounding Charoen Krung area. Traditional and modern lifestyles coexist harmoniously in this part of Bangkok’s historic district. We present a list of the area’s best hawkers, guaranteed by MICHELIN Guide Inspectors. You can hop on a taxi, tuk tuk, boat, or Skytrain and walk around to enjoy them all, from dawn to dusk.
Congee
Congee is a simple dish popularised by people of Chinese descent. People usually eat it in the morning or evening. It is commonly available throughout Bangkok – from pushcarts, shophouses, markets, or food courts. And each shop usually has its own recipe.
Jok Prince (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
1391 Charoen Krung Road, Si Lom, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand• Street food
This long-standing congee place is Bang Rak’s goodie. Food enthusiasts have been familiar with the name Jok Prince for over six decades. The porridge is smooth with a unique smoky aroma. The pork balls are made with good quality pork that is minced and seasoned in-house. The pork offal is also fresh, well prepared, and simply delicious. Jok Prince opens twice a day – from early morning to early afternoon and then from evening until late night.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for about five minutes. You can also hail a tuk tuk or taxi from the Silom BTS station, or from the Sam Yan MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. It only takes a few minutes by foot to Jok Prince. For nearby attractions, visit Wat Yannawa, the boat temple, with a history going back to the Ayutthaya era. The unique stupa is in the shape of a life-sized Chinese junk.
Egg noodles
Noodles are another street food staple found in every corner of this City of Angels. However, there are not many that can attract and charm crowds all day long. Charoen Krung is home to several quality noodle shops featured in MICHELIN Guide.
Sanyod (Sathon-Bang Rak) (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
89 Soi Charat Wiang, Silom, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand• Chinese
This tiny noodle shop tucked away in a small Bang Rak alley has attracted a loyal fan base for over five decades. Their flat egg noodles are extra fluffy, and the chargrilled roast duck, marinated in the founder’s secret sauce, is aromatic. Apart from noodles, Sanyod also offers Cantonese dishes, such as Braised Beef Spicy Salad, Deep Fried Shrimp Balls Topped with Mustard Greens, Stir-Fried Fish Fillet with Bitter Melon and Salted Black Bean Sauce, and more.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for about 5-10 minutes. You can also hail a tuk tuk or taxi from the Silom BTS station or from the Sam Yan MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. It only takes a few minutes by foot to Sanyod. For nearby attractions, visit the Bangkokian Museum, located at 273 Soi Charoen Krung 43, Charoen Krung Road. This local museum tells Bang Rak’s multicultural history.
Sawang Bami Kam Pu (Si Phraya) (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
264 Si Phraya Road, Maha Pruttaram, Bangkok, Thailand• Street Food
This family-run shop is famous for its fluffy noodles and succulent crab claws. Choose the claw size to match your appetite. They are all fresh and firm. Do not forget to add wantons or barbecued pork, which are just as tasty. We recommend the Dry Crab Claw Noodles with a bowl of soup on the side.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for about 5-10 minutes. You can also hail a tuk-tuk or taxi from the Silom BTS station or from the Sam Yan MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. It only takes a few minutes by foot to Sawang Bami Kam Pu. For nearby attractions, visit River City, a riverside shopping complex that is Bangkok’s arts and antiques hub. It is also a mesmerising place to watch the sunset. Book a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River for a memorable experience. You can also stroll around and check out goods with cool designs at Warehouse 39, a creative community with interesting restaurants, cafés, and shops.
Braised pork leg with rice (Khao Kha Mu)
Rice topped with braised pork leg and aromatic stew is another common dish in Bangkok. There are various elements to making irresistible Kha Moo. There is the beautifully balanced stew of Chinese herbs poured over rice, served with perfectly tender braised pork leg and accompanied with pickled chillies that foodies use to spice up every bite.
Charoen Saeng Silom (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
492/6 Soi Charoen Krung 49, Silom Road, Suriyawong, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand• Street Food
One of the best braised pork legs in Bangkok, guaranteed by the nickname “Melt-in your-mouth Kha Moo”. The recipe has been passed down for three generations since it was first created in 1959. Charoen Saeng Silom does not place the meat on the rice like others do. Instead, the pork leg is served in a separate bowl. After closing shop in the afternoon, the owner starts braising pork legs for tomorrow, using only the front hock. When customers come the next day, tender braised pork legs and a flavourful stew are ready to be served. You can give your dish an extra kick with pickled chillies and vegetables.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for about 5-10 minutes. You can also hail a tuk tuk or taxi from the Silom BTS station or from the Sam Yan MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. It only takes a few minutes by foot to Charoen Saeng Silom. For nearby attractions, the General Post Office boasts Art Deco architecture which has historical significance. The building also houses the headquarters of the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC).
Papaya salad (Som Tam)
This famous Thai dish is most comparable to Western-style salads. The diverse ingredients give each dish its own unique taste. ‘Som tam’ means pounding fruits or something with a sour taste. Thai people enjoy som tam so much and so often that it is one of the most popular street foods and can be found easily throughout the country, not just in the capital. Apart from quality ingredients, the secret to great som tam lies in the preparation. Technique and attention to details can make or break this versatile salad.
Baan Somtum (Sathon) (Recommended, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
9/1 Soi Pramuan, Si Wiang Road, Si Lom, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand• Isan
It is true that som tam is ubiquitous. But how many shops can compete with a staggering 29 different variations? Each version is made from quality ingredients – crab, pork skin, salted egg, coconut sprouts, prawns, etc. The menu showcases Isan cuisine from the Northeast, which is bold and generous on spices and chillies and includes grilled meat and larb, a spicy minced meat salad.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Surasak and walk for a few minutes. You can also hail a tuk tuk or taxi from the Silom BTS or MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. Then, it only takes a few minutes on a tuk tuk to Baan Somtum. For nearby attractions, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, or Wat Khaek, is a famous Hindu temple where Bangkokians come to worship and pray.
Rolled rice noodles in broth (Guay Jub)
Guay jub is a Teochew dish that Chinese immigrants brought with them to Thailand. It uses different types of noodles, and the broth can be either clear or thick, depending on the vendor's recipes. Either way, it is a favourite street food among Bangkokians.
Guay Jub Mr. Jo (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
86 Soi Chan 44, Wat Phraya Krai, Bangkok, 10120, Thailand• Street Food
Mr. Jo brings restaurant-level tastiness to the street. The pork skin is crispy and surrounds rich layers of tender pork, which is delicious as an entrée on its own or with a dish of Guay Jub. The shop is generous with every serving. Offal lovers will definitely enjoy the odourless organ meats. The clear pepper broth is also tasty if you want to slurp it all.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for less than 20 minutes. Or you can take the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. Then, it only takes a few minutes by tuk tuk to Guay Jub Mr. Jo. For nearby attractions, Asiatique The Riverfront is a large open-air mall along the Chao Phraya River. You can enjoy various restaurants and ride the giant ferris wheel, Asiatique Sky, for breath-taking Bangkok views.
Phad Thai
Thai-style fried noodles are famous around the world. Of the many components to making a delicious phad thai, including the sauce, firm noodles, and grounded peanuts that add texture and aroma, the most significant aspect is controlling the flame whilst cooking.
Baan Phadthai (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
21-23 Soi Charoen Krung 44, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand• Thai
This retro-styled restaurant elevates the phad thai conversation in Bangkok. The recommended Phad Thai Kung Mae Nam Yang features perfectly grilled whole river prawns, tasty rice noodles, and a flavourful sauce, plus another 18-20 ingredients for texture and complexity. Their signature dessert, Tub Tim Krob, pairs ruby water chestnuts with coconut juice granita, young coconut meat, and candle-smoked coconut syrup.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for a few minutes. You can also hail a tuk-tuk from the Hua Lamphong MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. Then, it only takes a few minutes on foot to Baan Phadthai. For nearby attractions, visit the old Customs House, or Sunlakasathan, located in Soi Charoen Krung 36. This neoclassical building on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has been in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood for over 130 years.
Soft-boiled rice with fish (Khao Tom Pla)
Although Khao Tom Pla may look simple, this hearty dish requires substantial preparation. The fish or seafood must be of high quality and fresh. The broth must be aromatic and balanced in flavour. There are also other small details that matter, such as selecting the best type of rice and the ideal texture to cook the rice to complement the broth.
Khao Tom Pla Kimpo (Pak Trok Chan Branch) (Recommended, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023)
1897 Charoen Krung Road, Wat Phraya Krai, Bangkok, 10120, Thailand• Street Food
This long-standing spot is near Bangkok’s biggest fish market, and that’s where the owner sources ingredients. The distinguishing element is the broth, made mainly from pork and fish bones for a sweet soup that comes with fresh seafood, rice, and garlic chips. Don’t forget to order an extra dish of boiled fish and seafood. It comes with a homemade sauce made of ground chillies and soybean paste for another memorably tasty experience.
Travel Tips & Attraction: Take the BTS Skytrain from Siam Station to Saphan Taksin and walk for a few minutes. You can also hail a tuk tuk from the Hua Lamphong MRT station. If you prefer a river view, catch the Chao Phraya Express Boat and hop off at Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. For nearby attractions, visit Wat Suthi Wararam, built during the Thonburi Period with a beautiful chapel made of marble.
Bangkok’s neighbourhoods are filled with street food – both long-standing and newly established. Foodies are guaranteed great taste at a good price. Although travel restrictions are more relaxed, you should still be on guard. Wear a mask, rinse your hands, and look for a SHA certificate that guarantees compliance with sanitation measures. The certificate reassures every traveller concerned with their health and safety.
Explore more about SHA at thailandsha.tourismthailand.org. For updates on travel destinations, contact TAT Call Center 1672, or Facebook TAT Contact Center.
Illustration image: © Shutterstock
