I recently decided to make Bangkok my home base – for three months, at least. And whilst initially feeling overwhelmed at the chaos and bustle of the city, I quickly grew to love Thailand, the people, and of course, the food.
I personally think that the local food is extremely underrated – and let’s be honest, ‘food’ isn’t the first thing you think of when you think Bangkok. But from guay jab to suki, there’s so many dishes to fall in love with. And I’m a strong believer that once you’re familiar with the food, a place can easily become home.
Also, quick side note: if you’re new to the city and want a local introduction, MagicalTrip is a great way to dip your toes in (and I recommend their Bangkok food tour via TukTuk). Their small-group tours are led by local guides who share their favourite hidden food spots and little cultural insights along the way. It’s such an easy, welcoming way to get a feel for the real Bangkok – especially if you’re still finding your footing in all the beautiful chaos.
So, without further ado, here’s 10 of the absolute best street foods to try during your time in Thailand, with a special emphasis on Bangkok and Phuket.
1. Steamed Shrimp and Pork Dumplings (Khanom Jeeb) – I’m going to start this article with my absolute favourite dish. I tried my first ever khanom jeeb whilst exploring the city with A Chef’s Tour – and I’m not going to lie, I have since frequented their recommended dumpling place way too many times. These delicate dumplings are a work of art, each one carefully handcrafted and steamed to perfection. The texture of the shrimp really adds to the dish, and the people making them are all super lovely.
2. Grilled Meat with Satay and Cucumber Relish (Moo Satay) – After trying satay in both Indonesia and Malaysia and discovering that it’s one of the most convenient and yet delicious street food snacks to ever exist, I was pleasantly surprised to have satay again in Thailand. Here, I was met with skewers of juicy, grilled meat served with a zesty cucumber relish and creamy peanut sauce. My mouth is watering just writing about it.
3. Chicken Sukiyaki Noodles (Suki) – Craving something comforting? Look no further than a steaming bowl of sukiyaki noodles. Tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and glass noodles (my personal favourite type of noodles) come together in a flavourful broth, and I swear, it heals something inside of me each time I eat it.
4. Pennywort Juice – I’d never tried anything like this juice before, but apparently pennywort is good for circulation and due to how often I fall during rollerskating, when I went out with A Chef’s Tour I was absolutely covered in bruises. The taste of the drink was herbal with a hint of sweetness, and frankly, it’s the perfect companion as you explore the vibrant sights and sounds of the city. Plus, it’s a great way to cool down under the Bangkok sun (who knew it could be both so hot and humid??).
5. Rolled Rice Noodles and Crispy Pork Soup (Guay Jab) – Dive into a bowl of guay jab and experience the comforting embrace of rolled rice noodles and crispy pork in a super delicious broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food for any noodle lover, and whilst I very rarely eat pork, even I recommend it.
6. Soy Sauce Ice Cream – Due to my lactose intolerance, I couldn’t eat more than a spoonful of this strange little treat – but believe me, it’s absolutely delicious! It was completely unexpected – after all, how often do you hear about soy sauce ice-cream?! It surprised me just how well the savoury and umami tones of the soy balance out the sweet creaminess of the ice-cream, and it’s not a dish I’m going to be forgetting any time soon.
7. Fried Chinese Chive Dumplings (Gui Chai) – I’d already noticed these dumplings on several street corners in Bangkok, yet was a tad shy at trying them myself – hence why A Chef’s Tour was so handy! Each bite revealed a burst of savoury chive goodness, making it another one of those dishes that I would end up consuming what can only be called an impressive amount of times.
8. Spicy Seafood Soup (Poh Teak) – Personally, I’m a tad too weak to handle a lot of spice – but a bowl of spicy seafood soup was actually a great way to sweat out against the heat of the city and accustom myself. Filled with shrimp, fish, and fragrant herbs, it’s a flavour-packed dish that’s sure to leave you feeling both satisfied and warmed to the core.
9. Wok Fried Morning Glory (Pad Pak Bung) – Now I don’t know about you guys but I absolutely LOVE morning glory, and apparently especially when paired with garlic and chilli. I could probably eat this one dish with every single meal from here on out.
10. Mango and Sticky Rice (Khao Neiw Mamuang) – Can you believe that after months of travelling South East Asia, Bangkok was the first time I tried mango sticky rice? But boy, am I glad that I did! This is now my #1 sweet treat to get here (less than an hour ago I ate it for my breakfast), featuring ripe mangoes served with sticky rice and drizzled with coconut cream. It’s sweet, it’s salty, and it’s super refreshing. It might just be one of my favourite things about Thailand.
Eating with A Chef’s Tour
I’ve spoken about A Chef’s Tour and my love for this company previously on this blog (for example, when talking about Bogotá, and then my favourite food scene, Kuala Lumpur), but after going out with them in Bangkok wanted to hype them up again a little more.
It started in Phuket Old Town, right by Ranong Market: scooters buzzing past, the air rich with turmeric and lime, locals setting up for the day. The city was waking up and frankly, so was my appetite.
We spent the morning wandering through narrow backstreets, meeting vendors who’ve been serving the same dishes for decades. Each stop came with a story about family recipes, about how the south’s food reflects the mix of Thai, Malay and Chinese influence, and about how every ingredient carries a bit of history. We tried Michelin star roadside snacks (divine!!) and visited areas I absolutely would not have found by myself.
We tried everything from warm savoury bites fresh off the wok to bright, fiery southern curries and noodles I’d never seen before. The flavours were bolder than I’d expected: spicy, tangy, full of herbs and coconut, but balanced in that perfect Thai way.
My personal favourite was dessert: it was delicious, it was a little fancy, and it was the perfect way to end my trip. I’m not going to tell you what it is though: you have to try it for yourself.
By the time we ended the tour, I was full of food and full of connection: to the city, to people, to a side of Thai cuisine I’d known existed but hadn’t really experienced. I wandered back under the mid-morning sun with new favourite flavours, and contact info for the vendors (yes, I asked). This wasn’t just a food tour: it was a lesson in how much culture and memory can live in a bowl. <3