Unleashing the Best Street Food in Bangkok

Hey Loves!

Legal and Abroad™️ is back with some Travel Tea on things to do in Bangkok! First on the list, we will dive into the vibrant streets of Bangkok for an unforgettable and phenomenal culinary adventure! On my first night, I decided to go on a Tuk Tuk excursion and indulge in the tantalizing street food scene the city has to offer! This 4-hour evening excursion started my trip off with a bang! Let’s get into the keys and gems of riding Tuk Tuks and savoring some street eats in Bangkok!

Tuk Tuks

Tuk Tuks are a quick, fun, and adventurous way of getting around. These three-wheeled vehicles zip through the city’s vibrant streets while effortlessly weaving in and out of traffic. It is a thrilling and unique experience. While I do not recommend using them for your entire trip, it is a must to embark on this unforgettable experience at least once. Tuk Tuks are rarely used by the locals in Thailand, as they are mostly a tourist attraction. 

Loves, I will also admit that Tuk Tuks are not the most glamorous form of transportation. There are also safety concerns due to the lack of seatbelts. While navigating the streets of Bangkok, tourists are exposed to the city’s heat and pollution during standstill traffic.

Taking Tuk Tuks at night elevates the cityscape as it transforms into a lively scene with dazzling lights and energetically crowded streets. While riding on the Tuk Tuk, you will get a view of the captivating architecture of buildings and the nocturnal beauty of the temples throughout the city. Additionally, the refreshing wind helps to keep you cool as you cruise through the night. Another perk is there is very little traffic in the late evenings in Bangkok. This provides a more tranquil experience that avoids dealing with Bangkok’s congested traffic. Traversing throughout the city filled with lights and the wind blowing around you is a thrilling experience.

Tuk Tuk Keys and Gems

🔑: Since Tuk Tuks are a tourist attraction, please use your best judgment when using this service. Exercise caution and employ your negotiating skills to ensure a scam-free experience. It is important to negotiate your fare BEFORE riding the Tuk Tuk to avoid getting scammed.

💎: Bargaining is a cultural norm in Bangkok. When negotiating fares, the driver will often hike the price well above the fare they usually will accept. Counter with a third of the price that you are quoted. Most drivers will accept your counter.

🔑: Exercise caution to avoid potential scams by Tuk Tuk drivers. Some drivers will attempt to persuade you to take an unsolicited tour. These visits include jewelry and clothing shops where they will pressure you to buy items. Politely and equally firmly decline their offers.

💎: One of the best ways to enjoy Tuk Tuks is by booking an excursion. This provides the convenience of a predetermined set price for the Tuk Tuk and a seamless experience throughout your journey.  Additionally, the Tuk Tuk will drop you off at your accommodation after the tour. This adds a welcomed sense of relief, alleviating any worries about logistics for riders.

🔑: When on your tour, it is important to safeguard your personal belongings. Never leave your cell phone, purse, wallet, or any other valuable unattended in your TukTuk.

In conclusion, the Tuk Tuk experience is just that- an experience, not meant for a primary mode of transportation during your stay in Bangkok. Embrace the carefree adventure as you explore Bangkok’s charm while zipping through the bustling streets.

Alright Loves, hold on tight as I whisk you away for an evening of culinary ecstasy filled with Bangkok street foods! 

Food Tour

As I previously emphasized in the last blog post, the culinary scene in Bangkok is exquisite, savory, and delicious.

Thai food tastes different depending on the region in Thailand you are in. The bouquet of flavors in each crafted culinary delight sparks a cascade of endless foodgasms. One way to explore some of the best foods in Bangkok is through a street food tour. What I enjoyed about this tour was that our group avoided the long lines. Our tour guide would call ahead for our orders while on the tour. Once we arrived at each restaurants, we were immediately served our delicious cuisine! 

🔑/💎: Come with an empty stomach. Come with an empty stomach. Come with an empty stomach. There is sooooo much food! As delicious as the food was, it was challenging to finish all of my meals. The silver lining is that you have the option to take away your unfinished meals.

My adventure began at the Samyan MRT Station, strategically located in front of Chamchuri Square Building. This area has a large mall filled with many shops and food establishments. I met my tour guide and we waited for the rest of the group to show off before being paired with a driver and designated Tuk Tuk. 

💎: One thing I cherish about group tours as a solo traveler is the opportunity to connect with people from around the globe. I am so grateful to have met so many wonderful people throughout my travels. Another delightful aspect is that everyone always generously offers to take pictures of one another to capture memories. Our tour guide was kind enough to take pictures of us on her phone throughout our tour and sent them to us via WhatsApp after the tour. Do not hesitate to request pictures from your tour guide. They are usually more than happy to take your pictures and help preserve your travel memories.

Once settled in the Tuk Tuks, our group was whisked away to our first destination! 

At this particular restaurant, we ate family style. Although this kickoff meal set the bar high, I still needed to pace myself as several other food spots were awaiting my taste buds. Food during this experience included papaya salad, chicken, soup, catfish meat with spicy sauce pork, amongst other delectable foods.

During this meal, everyone shared their stories and talked about their travel goals during Bangkok. On this tour with me, there was a couple on a multi-destination honeymoon, some recent college graduates on a post-grad boys’ trip multi-destination vacation, and some businessmen handling business within the country. It was a great group of people and we had a lot of fun.

Pad Thai Ar-Simp

On our next stop, our knowledgeable and energizing tour guide gave us incredible background information on our next culinary haven, Pad Thai before we were served our delicious meal.

With most of our meals, we had the option to choose between “Spicy” and “Thai Spicy” to elevate the taste of our cuisine. As a lover of fiery cuisine, I consistently opted for the tantalizing heat of “Thai Spicy.”

Compliments to the Chef!

Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai

Dining at this Michelin-star restaurant was a memorable dining experience. What set this encounter apart was the privilege of having behind-the-scenes access to the restaurant’s outside kitchen. This is where the culinary magic unfolded! These skilled chefs put on quite the presentation and showcased the intricate process of crafting one of the restaurant’s signature dishes- Guay Tiew Kua Gai, or Fried Rice Noodles with Chicken. The chefs cook the crispy noodles perfectly while remaining soft on the inside. 

Each diner was given the dilemma of choosing between a well-cooked egg or a perfectly runny yolk to crown this culinary delight.

This perfectly seasoned meal achieved the perfect amount of crispiness while still being soft on the inside. Additionally, the succulent chicken and egg added a mouth-savoring touch to this unforgettable meal. This experience was my favorite!

💎: Get the runny egg. It is scrumdiddlyumptious!

Chinatown

Bangkok’s Chinatown hails as the largest and busiest in the world. Filled with an extensive and sprawling array of markets, food vendors, temples, and a vibrant street life, Chinatown is renowned as one of the city’s most iconic and dynamic neighborhoods. Visitors are in for a treat as they explore this urban adventure and the cultural heritage of Bangkok. Chinatown literally had my head spinning as the streets filled with crowded guests, aromatic foods, and fun evening activities. Our group had the opportunity to savor several delectable dishes while strolling the bustling markets of Chinatown.

Khao Niaow Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice)

This traditional Thai dessert consists of sweet rice with creamy coconut milk and succulent fresh mango. Some renditions of this culinary experience are elevated by including a scoop of ice cream. 

It was at this moment my love affair with mango sticky rice began.

Mango is my favorite fruit and the mangoes in Thailand are super sweet and juicy! The added sticky rice combination ascended me to Cloud 9!!! The bites are truly heavenly!

Throughout my stay in Bangkok, I found myself irresistibly drawn to this delightful treat. (You may have peeped it in my last blog and you will certainly see it in future blogs). This sweet culinary treasure forever has my heart and I highly recommend savoring this gem while in the country!

Khanom Buang (Thai Crepes)

These crispy pancakes are a beloved and popular street food in Thailand. This quintessential delightful Thai treat reminds you of a sweet taco. The luscious center is filled with marshmallowy meringue-like creme and generously topped with the rich goodness of coconut. 

Soft Coconut Pancakes

Soft coconut pancakes. Tasty!

Sweet Pineapples

The sweet pineapples are a nice palette cleanse after so many savory and spicy foods.

More Street Vendors

The street tour consists of more street vendors and delicious foods! It is so much! (This is why I say come with an empty stomach).

Sala Arun Eat Sight Story

Towards the end of the tour, we were whisked away to a secret rooftop bar, tucked away, with panoramic views of Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River.

This gem set the stage for a perfectly relaxing stop to unwind from our street food tour.

This gem entails a steep, spiral staircase (My apologies Loves, I only have the videos) that gracefully leads you up to the rooftop bar. Here, you will relish in the picturesque views while relaxing in Bangkok’s warm and enchanting evening weather.

During this stop, we had the choice between mocktails or beer. I was advised to try Chang Beer. While I am not a beer drinker, it has a crisp and interesting flavor profile.

I surprisingly enjoyed this experience while basking in the beauty of Wat Arun and the gentle flowing Chao Phraya River.

Flower Market

In the heart of Bangkok, this enchanting and sprawling floral oasis is a 24/7 flower haven. Bangkok’s Floral Market flaunts an extensive array of fresh and breathtaking flowers with vibrant hues from around the world. While walking through this botanical wonderland, it is inspiring to see vendors transform flowers into stunning creations. The intoxicating scents are truly divine, as I found myself constantly smelling the floral creations.

This bustling market is busiest in the late evening and midnight hours. There is a surge in activity where vendors are hustling and bustling to meet the demands of flower enthusiasts, tourists, and businesses around the city. It is an incredible sight to see how much of an impact flowers have in the Bangkok marketplace.

The market also sells produce.

Another exciting aspect is the hands-on and engaging experience. I had the unique opportunity to learn the intricate process of peeling back flower petals and craft my personalized flower art. This experience was sheer joy, given my deep love for flowers.

Some people choose to leave their flowers at the nearby temple.

Late Night Treats

Our final stop included venturing inside the market for a few late-night treats. Here we indulged in Khanom Tom (Thai coconut balls) and a delightfully sweet jelly dessert. The jelly dessert came in various shapes and flavors, and I loved indulging in the blue and pink ones.

Tour Wrap Up

Presently, this stands as one of my favorite food tours on this trip. This is a truly delightful and memorable experience filled with savory cuisine. After my tour, my Tuk Tuk whisked me away Cinderella-style back to my accommodation.

Next Up!

Stay tuned for the next blog where Legal and Abroad™️ will share more things to do in Bangkok! 

Until our next adventure abroad,

Stay Grateful, Love Deep, Dream BIG, and Happy Travels!