My Return to Bangkok: A Mission to Fall in Love with its Food
“Hey guys, we’re back in Bangkok, Thailand!” The last time I was here, I barely scratched the surface of the city’s incredible food scene. That’s why I came back with a single mission: to go all out and eat as much as I possibly could over four days. This wasn’t just a trip; it was a full-blown culinary pilgrimage. I’m here to share everything I learned, from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred gems, so you can have your own unforgettable food adventure. Let’s get started.
A Quick Guide to Bangkok Food Prices
One of the best things about eating in Bangkok is how incredibly affordable it can be. To help you budget, here’s a general idea of what to expect:
- Street Food Stalls: A simple, delicious meal like Pad Thai, curry over rice, or a bowl of noodles will typically cost you between 40-80 THB ($1.25-$2.50 USD).
- Local Eateries (like Polo Fried Chicken): For a more substantial meal at a casual, sit-down restaurant, you can expect to pay around 100-300 THB ($3-$9 USD) per person.
- Popular & Michelin-Recognized Restaurants (like Here Hai): For famous spots specializing in premium ingredients like crab and giant prawns, a meal can range from 350 THB to over 1000 THB ($11-$30+ USD) per person, depending on what you order.
Key Tips Before Starting Your Bangkok Food Adventure
Before we dive into the mouth-watering itinerary, here are a few things I learned that will make your experience smoother and even more delicious.
Orange Juice is Sacred (and Other Must-Try Drinks)
I don’t know what it is, but the orange juice in Thailand just hits different. It’s incredibly fresh, sweet, and a little bit citrusy, often with chunks of real orange pulp inside. You’ll see it everywhere, from street-side stalls to high-end restaurants. It became my go-to drink at almost every meal. Don’t leave without trying it.
To Book or to Queue? Patience is Your Best Ally
For famous spots like Jeh O Chula or Here Hai, you have two choices: book in advance if possible (some platforms offer this) or prepare to wait. And I mean really wait. We waited for an hour at Here Hai, and the queue for Jeh O Chula can be just as long. My advice? Go early, or schedule your visit for an off-peak time if you can. The food is almost always worth the wait.
Navigating Spice Levels: From “Normal” to “Inferno”
Thai food is famous for its heat. At places like Phed Mark, they offer different spice levels. We played it safe and went with “normal spicy” or the recommended level 3, and let me tell you, it was already kicking in! If you’re not used to serious spice, start low. You can always add more chili from the condiments on the table, but you can’t take it away.
Bangkok Food Itinerary: A Feast for the Senses (Day 1)
Our first full day was a mix of comforting classics and legendary late-night eats.
Breakfast for Champions: Fried Chicken at Polo Fried Chicken
- Price: Approx. 130-260 THB ($4-$8 USD) for a half or whole chicken; meals around 200 THB ($6 USD) per person.
There’s nothing quite like starting your day with fried chicken and sticky rice. Polo Fried Chicken is a local institution, and I could literally smell the incredible aroma of fried garlic and chicken from the pedestrian bridge on my way there. The chicken skin is perfectly crispy, the meat is tender and juicy, and it’s topped with a mountain of crispy fried garlic that adds an amazing fragrance. Paired with sticky rice, it was a dish that, for me, “brings back childhood memories.” A simple, perfect meal.
A Mythical Lunch (and a Long Wait): Here Hai and its Crab Fried Rice
- Price: Crab Fried Rice approx. 360-400 THB ($11-$12.50 USD); Giant River Prawn approx. 990 THB ($30 USD). Expect to pay 800-1,200 THB ($25-$37 USD) per person for a feast.
Be prepared to queue for at least an hour to get into Here Hai, but I promise you, it’s worth every second. Their Insane Crab Fried Rice is one of the most eye-catching dishes I’ve ever seen. It’s a massive pile of fresh, sweet crab meat on top of perfectly cooked fried rice that has that incredible smoky “wok hei” flavor. We also ordered the giant river prawn, which was the size of a lobster, grilled to perfection with a creamy, rich head sauce. It was probably the most expensive meal of our trip, but a totally unforgettable experience.
Legendary Dinner: Jeh O Chula and its Famous Tom Yum Mama Noodles
- Price: The famous Mama Noodles pot ranges from 220-320 THB ($7-$10 USD) depending on size.
This place is a Bangkok icon, famous for its elevated instant noodles. The Tom Yum Mama Noodles at Jeh O Chula is a massive, bubbling pot of creamy, spicy, and sour broth filled with crispy pork belly, meatballs, squid, prawns, and two beautiful runny eggs. We learned that the portion is huge—perfect for four people, and a bit much for two! The broth is incredibly flavorful, and it’s the perfect, comforting way to end a day of exploring.
Exploring Classics and Hidden Treasures (Day 2)
Day two was all about ticking off some of Bangkok’s most famous and beloved dishes.
Thipsamai: Where I Had the Best Pad Thai of My Life (Literally)
- Price: Pad Thai starts at 90-150 THB ($2.80-$4.70 USD).
I’m not exaggerating when I say this. The Superb Pad Thai at Thipsamai is wrapped in a paper-thin egg crepe, like a beautiful, delicious present. Breaking it open to reveal the steaming noodles inside is part of the fun. The noodles themselves are sweet, savory, and perfectly cooked in rich prawn oil. You have to try it on its own before adding the condiments like lime, chili, and banana flower for extra texture. It was, without a doubt, the “best Pad Thai I’ve ever had in my life.”
Wattana Panich: Tasting a Soup with Over 40 Years of History
- Price: A bowl of beef noodles costs around 80-100 THB ($2.50-$3.10 USD).
Walking into Wattana Panich is an experience in itself. The first thing you see is a giant cauldron of beef broth that has been simmering continuously for over four decades. The soup has a surprisingly light and slightly sweet flavor, but with an incredible depth of umami that gets better with every spoonful. It’s served with tender stewed beef, sliced beef, and bouncy beef balls. The real game-changer is the tangy and spicy chili vinegar sauce on the side, which cuts through the richness of the beef perfectly.
Phed Mark: The Pad Krapao from Famed YouTuber Mark Wiens That Will Make You Sweat
- Price: A plate of Pad Krapao with pork is 129 THB ($4 USD); other options vary.
If you love spicy food, you cannot miss Phed Mark. Co-owned by food vlogger Mark Wiens, this spot serves only one dish: Pad Krapao (stir-fried holy basil). You can choose your meat and, most importantly, your spice level. We went for the recommended level 3, and it was fiery! The dish is served with rice and a crispy fried duck egg with a rich, orange, creamy yolk that is the perfect antidote to the heat. It was a simple dish, executed perfectly.
Krua Apsorn: The Secret to the Fluffiest Crab Omelette
- Price: Crab Omelette approx. 100-150 THB ($3.10-$4.70 USD); other main dishes 150-450 THB.
The crab omelette at Krua Apsorn is a thing of beauty. It’s a fluffy, fist-sized pillow of egg packed with huge, chunky pieces of sweet, fresh crab meat. My advice: go for the large size. It’s not much more expensive than the small one, but it’s packed with way more crab. It’s moist on the inside, perfectly cooked, and incredibly delicious.
A Sweet Day and the Organized Chaos of Chinatown (Day 3)
Our third day was dedicated to desserts and the vibrant, chaotic energy of Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Starting with Dessert: The Mango Sticky Rice from K. Panich
- Price: One portion is around 100-125 THB ($3.10-$3.90 USD).
Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? K. Panich has been serving their legendary mango sticky rice for over 80 years. The mango is incredibly sweet and fragrant, served alongside perfectly cooked sticky rice that is chewy and fluffy. It’s drizzled with a salty-sweet coconut cream and topped with crunchy mung beans for texture. An amazing combination.
Khao Gaeng Jek Pui: The Curry You Eat on a Red Stool in the Middle of the Street
- Price: A plate with one or two curry toppings costs around 60-80 THB ($1.90-$2.50 USD).
For a truly local experience, head to Khao Gaeng Jek Pui in Chinatown. There are no tables here, just rows of red plastic stools lining the street. You walk up, point at the curries you want, and they ladle it over a plate of rice. We tried the green curry and the yellow curry with pork, both incredibly flavorful and rich. It’s fast, cheap, and absolutely delicious—a true Bangkok street food experience.
Diving into the Train Night Market: Insects, Roti, and the Volcano Pork Ribs
- Price: Varies greatly. Small snacks 20-50 THB ($0.60-$1.50 USD); Roti 60 THB ($1.90 USD); Leng Saap 150-300 THB ($4.70-$9.40 USD).
No trip to Bangkok is complete without visiting a night market. We went to the Train Night Market DanNeramit and it was an absolute blast. We started with some Thai sausages, which were juicy and delicious, before I decided to be brave and try the insects. The crickets were crispy and salty, better than the mealworms in my opinion! For dessert, we had a crispy Roti with banana and chocolate, which was the perfect “antidote.” But the main event was the Leng Saap, a massive mountain of tender pork spine bones drenched in a fiery, sour green chili broth. You get gloves to tear the meat off the bones—it’s messy, interactive, and ridiculously tasty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Eating in Bangkok
What is the one dish I absolutely cannot miss in Bangkok?
If I had to pick just one, it would be the Crab Omelette. While Pad Thai is more famous, the quality and flavor of the crab omelettes we had at Krua Apsorn and Here Hai were on another level.
Is it safe to eat street food?
Absolutely! Street food is the heart and soul of Bangkok’s culinary scene. As a general rule, choose vendors that are busy and have a high turnover of customers. This usually means the food is fresh and popular for a reason.
How much does it cost to eat in Bangkok?
Bangkok is incredibly affordable. You can get a delicious and filling street food meal for just 1-2 USD. Even a meal at a popular, sit-down restaurant like Polo Fried Chicken will only set you back around 5-10 USD per person.
Do I need cash or can I pay with a card?
For street food vendors and smaller local eateries, cash is king. While larger restaurants and malls will accept credit cards, it’s always a good idea to have some Thai Baht on you, especially for markets and street food crawls.
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