Bangkok street food guide
Bangkok is known as an ultimate haven for foodies, especially the Bangkok street food scene.
Whether your favourite food tastes spicy, sweet, salty, or even a mix, Bangkok has a variety of street dishes that can deliver those flavours and more – so much so that you won’t be able to have just one serving at each place.
Here’s the ultimate guide to Bangkok street food with 16 restaurants that you really shouldn’t miss out on when visiting the Land of Smiles.
1. Maeklong Noodle & Leng Sap (เตี๋ยวแม่กลอง&เล้งแซ่บ) – pork “mountain” soup
Image credit: เตี๋ยวแม่กลอง&เล้งแซ่บ via Facebook
For those itching for spicy food, Maeklong Noodle & Leng Sap at Jodd Fairs should be the first eatery you visit.
Image credit: ryoiireview
This restaurant’s signature dish is a giant bowl of spicy soup with a mountain of pork spine, served with a side of hot rice.
In our opinion, that won’t be able to fill you up unless you order more than one bowl of rice.
Image credit: เตี๋ยวแม่กลอง&เล้งแซ่บ via Facebook
There are four sizes of spicy pork spine soup, each of them feeding different numbers of people.
Size M is recommended for two persons, Size L is for three persons, and Size XL – which includes two bowls of rice dishes – is suited for four-to-five persons.
Image credit: Painaidii
For extra extra large parties, the restaurant has size XXL, which includes six bowls of rice.
The owner of the eatery began this business in 2016. Since then, she’s sold more than 500kg of pork spine soup each day and successfully paid off her ฿600,000 (~USD17,857) debt in 10 months.
Image credit: เตี๋ยวแม่กลอง&เล้งแซ่บ via Facebook
Besides, Maeklong Noodle & Leng Sab also serves other spicy dishes such as Larb Moo, Stir Fried Morning Glory, and Som Tum.
Address: Rama IX Rd, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310
Opening hours: 11am-12am, Daily
Contact: +66 8 1374 7554 | Google Maps
2. Ni-Ang Shaved Ice Cream (นิ-อ่าง น้ำแข็งไส ไอศครีม) – coconut ice-cream with frozen egg yolk
Image credit: @Foodbymay via Instagram
The weather is hot all year round in Thailand. As heat veterans, we would say that the only better way to beat the high temperatures than a glass of ice-cold water is a bowl of sweet ice cream.
If you agree, we’d suggest heading over to Ni-Ang Nam Kaeng Sai, a stall at Talat Phu that features a variety of frozen desserts.
Image credit: @Gingubmay via Instagram
The highlight here is coconut ice cream with frozen egg yolk. Ni-Ang’s yolk is said to offer an extremely rich and oily texture that surprisingly complements the sweet ice cream.
Image credit: @Foodbymay via Instagram
With 40 years in the business, Ni-Ang Nam Kaeng Sai has won the hearts of many dessert lovers, ranging from locals to foreign tourists.
Image credit: Retty
This dessert stall also offers a variety of frozen desserts such as Bokkia and shaved ice with various toppings you can choose from.
Address: PFCH+52W, Talat Phlu, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600
Opening hours: 4PM – 2AM, Daily
Contact: +66 8 0595 2033 | Google Maps
3. Roong Rueng (รุ่งเรือง) – classic tom yum noodle soup
If you have ever visited Bangkok, you’d be familiar with the sight of noodle stalls lining each and every street. Roong Rueng is one of our favorites.
This Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant serves Tom Yum noodle soups that are unlike the ones anywhere else.
The sweet, sour, and spicy soup is served with one of six noodle types you can choose from, featuring wide white noodles, medium white noodles, fine white noodles, egg noodles, glass noodles, and short noodles.
The restaurant’s main highlight is Tom Yum Soup with Egg Noodles whose flavours boast a combination of fresh lime juice and spicy pan-fried chili paste, that adds some extra smokiness to the broth.
You can also add crunchier textures to the dish with their must-try fish crackers, which are finger-licking-good enough that you can also enjoy them as a snack.
Roong Rueng Bangkok uses a 55-year-old noodle recipe. Its decor, which features old-fashioned tiled walls and Chinese-style round chairs, helps deliver a nostalgic ambiance that you rarely find in other noodle restaurants.
With the location near BTS Phrom Phong station, this noodletery is no doubt frequently visited by not only Bangkokians, but also international clients from several countries.
Address: 10/3 Sukhumvit Soi 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
Opening Hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Nearest train station: BTS Phrom Phong (Exit 4)
Contact: +66 8 4527 1640 | Google Maps
4. Heng Hoitod Chawlae (เฮงหอยทอดชาวเล โชคชัยสี่) – stir-fried oysters
They say Pad Thai is Thailand’s signature dish, but only a few people know that Pad Thai is actually part of a duo. If you’re curious about what Pad Thai’s partner-in-crime looks like and how it tastes, pay a visit to Heng Hoitod Chawlae at Soi Chok Chai 4.
This Thai southern-style street restaurant is well-known for its crispy oyster pancakes that are served with vegetables.
The oysters are fried with a spicy sauce that will tantalise your taste buds, alongside the different textures from the crispy pancake they sit on.
Heng Hoitod Chawlae also serves a meatier pancake, the Seafood Cheese Tod. The dish consists of fresh shrimp, oysters, mussels, squids, and crab sticks piled up on a crispy pancake with cheese at the centre, and is served hot with spicy red sauce.
Originating in Phuket, Heng Hoitod Chawlae first opened in 1973. The restaurant’s signature spicy aroma and the sounds of the spatula hitting the massive frying pan will be stuck in your head and keep your visit on repeat.
The nearest train station is MRT Lat Phrao, but we’d suggest visitors take a taxi from the station to the eatery.
Address: 314, Soi Chokechai 4 Rd., Lat Phrao, Wang Thonglang, Bangkok 10310
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Nearest train station: MRT Lat Phrao
Contact: +66 2001 6397 | Google Maps
5. Roti Lat Phrao Wang Hin (โรตีลาดพร้าววังหิน 31) – forever-crispy roti
Image credit: Dooasia
The texture and flavours of roti are said to be at their best when the dessert is served hot and wrapped in parchment paper. However, it isn’t always applicable – especially to the dishes at Roti Lat Phrao at Soi Wang Hin 31.
Image credit: Wongnai
This restaurant’s roti is like no other, in that the crispy texture lasts over many hours. The roti dish is served with condensed milk and sugar on top, which sweetens up the pancake-esque dessert.
Image credit: Wongnai
The owner of Roti Lat Phrao Wang Hin learned the recipe from her Indian ex-partner and adapted the ingredients to fit the style of Thai people.
Image credit: Wongnai
They offer unique takes on the dessert; for example, they can cook the roti to different textures ranging from soft and chewy to crispy. They also have a variety of toppings you can top off your roti with.
With these in mind, it’s obvious how Roti Lat Phrao Wang Hin became a hit among Bangkokians and tourists.
Image credit: Today.line.me
In addition to the roti, there are hot and cold drinks to enjoy alongside the dessert such as iced tea, coffee, and cocoa.
Address: 187 Lat Phrao Wang Hin 31 Alley, Khwaeng Lat Phrao, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230
Opening Hours: 12pm-11pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 1985 0294 | Google Maps
6. Backyard Gyoza – gyoza served pizza-style
Starting as a business chain in 2017, Backyard Gyoza is a collection of small restaurants that serve giant boxes of stuffed dumplings.
There are a variety of dumpling fillings. They have Original, Cheese, Spicy Mala, Larb, and Teriyaki as well as three different meat options (pork, meat, and shrimp).
Image credit: @กิน สิ วะ (Gin Si Wa) via X
Served in a pizza-like arrangement, there’s no doubt that each piece of Gyoza will have your mouth watering right after the box is opened.
Image credit: Backyard Gyoza via Facebook
Backyard Gyoza’s Lat Phrao branch is located not too far from the MRT Lat Phrao station, so it’s a perfectly convenient spot to visit.
Address: 456 Lat Phrao Wanghin Rd, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230
Opening hours: 12pm-8.30pm, closed Tuesdays
Nearest train station: MRT Lat Phrao
Contact: +66 9 2393 5350 | Google Maps
7. Aroi Sure Mala Chuan Chuan (อร่อยชัวร์หม่าล่าช่วนช่วน) – mala hotpot
Extra spicy food lovers who enjoy the nasal-burning sensation should make a beeline for Mala Chuan Chuan BKK.
At this Mala hotpot restaurant, there are three levels of spiciness for the soup. Though, it is said that even the mildest one can make your head feel like it’s on fire.
Visitors can pick from multiple skewered meats and vegetables to dip into soup starting as low as ฿5 (~0.14USD). Specialty ingredients like shirataki noodles and beef tripe are also available.
Mala Chuan Chuan is open until 3am, so if you’re not feeling like going to a club anymore and need something else to burn your insides, we highly recommend this famous eatery.
Address: 170 1 Pracha Rat Bamphen Rd, Khwaeng Huai Khwang, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310
Opening hours: 3pm-3am, Daily
Contact: +66 8 8252 8509 | Google Maps
8. Jok Prince (โจ๊กปรินซ์) – Thai congee
Image credit: @Pe_pong via Instagram
Be it breakfast or a late-night meal, congee has always been a perfect choice to enjoy as a standalone treat or with sides like Chinese sausage.
If that sounds like just what you need, head over to Jok Prince, a Thai congee restaurant in Bang Rak with an old-school porridge recipe.
Image credit: Ryoiireview
This eatery serves Cantonese-style congee with pork balls seasoned with shredded gingers and spring onions. They also have add-ons such as century eggs and fresh eggs.
Image credit: @Nuengmoody via Instagram
The signature characteristic of this restaurant is the aroma of steaming-hot rice porridge that’s stolen the hearts of many visitors for more than 60 years.
Image credit: Wongnai
There are two opening times -in the morning and in the evening- so there’s no need to worry about getting this Cantonese-style jok if you’re not a morning person.
Address: 1391 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Opening hours: 6am-1pm, 3pm-12am; Daily
Contact: +66 8 1916 4390 | Google Maps
9. Wonton Here Lhor (เกี๊ยวเฮียล้อ ดอนเมือง) – wontons with premium fillings
If you find 7-11’s wontons too small to satisfy your cravings, we recommend going to Wonton Here Lhor, where they level up and up-size wontons.
This stall offers jumbo-sized wontons with a wide selection of high-quality fillings -shrimp roe, crab row, salted egg, salmon, and shrimp – that you’d rarely find at other restaurants. Each piece filled with one of the aforementioned fillings is available at only ฿10.
Besides those high-quality options, you can also try their premium wonton fillings such as crab claw ฿25 (~0.71USD), sea urchin ฿40 (~1.14USD), flying fish roe ฿25 (~0.71USD), and jumbo shrimp ฿20 (~0.57USD).
For those who are worried about their wontons being bland, remember that every order is served with shoyu and Thai suki sauce.
Image credit: @Aroithumpsup via X
Featuring more than six branches in Bangkok, this street food franchise is proving to be a worthy rival for restaurant-tier wontons.
Address: Phahonyothin Rd, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani 12120
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (Closed Sundays)
Contact: +66 6 3930 3230 | Google Maps
10. Khao Moo Tod Here Wong (ข้าวหมูทอด เฮียวงค์) – deep-fried crispy pork
Khao Moo Tod Here Wong is a small eatery located near BTS Wongwian Yai.
The restaurant offers only one menu item, which is Deep-Fried Pork with free-flow steamed rice – available together at only ฿34 (~USD1). You can also spice up your dish by pouring the restaurant’s signature sauce over it and mixing everything together.
With a convenient location and low food prices, there’s no denying that Khao Moo Tod Here Wong is definitely worth a visit.
The restaurant is usually crowded in the afternoon as it’s a hotspot, especially for workers who drop by for lunch.
Address: Thanon Krung Thon Buri, Samre, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600
Opening hours: 11am-4pm, closed Sundays
Nearest train station: BTS Wongwian Yai
Google Maps
11. Auntie Tim’s Tung Thong (ขนมถังแตกทรงเครื่องป้าติ๋ม) – Thai-style pancakes
Image credit: @Khnmthangaetkpaatim
Wang Lang is well known for its variety of famous street food markets and stalls. One of which is Auntie Tim’s Tung Thong, aka Pa Tim’s Tang Taek, a roadside stall near Siriraj Hospital that sells Khanom Tang Taek, Thai-style pancakes.
Image credit: Edtguide
The pancakes at this store are overflowing with whipped cream before being overstuffed with fillings such as shredded coconut, pandan, and sweet egg floss.
Image credit: EDTguide
Khanom Tang Taek means “poor man’s pancake” in English. It can also be translated as “getting broke”.
The prices at this restaurant totally explain why they’re called that, as each piece costs only ฿15 (~USD0.45) to ฿20 (~USD0.60). Even salaried workers can afford them at the end of the month.
Image credit: Pantip
With more than 3,000 pieces sold per day, the poor man’s pancakes made by Pa Tim are undoubtedly a must-try roadside sweet treat.
Image credit: @RettyThailand via X
Address: Phran Nok Rd, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok 10700
Opening hours: 6am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 5937 1193 | Google Maps
12. Talay Tord Saladaeng (ทะเลทอด ศาลาแดง) – deep-fried seafood
If you love fried foods but are getting tired of fried chicken, we proudly present Talay Tord Saladaeng in Silom, one of the liveliest districts in Bangkok, which has many alternative selections.
The joint is well-known for its deep-fried seafood – including crab, shrimp, and squid – that is served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
There are three sizes of platters for you to choose from: Small ฿40(~USD1.32), Medium ฿60(~USD1.98), and Large ฿100 (~USD3.31).
All of these options come in a plate that fits in your hands so that you can enjoy walking around town while munching on some crispy seafood.
The famous trolley has served fried seafood for over 10 years and the offerings are just as crunchy in every bite as when they first started.
If you’re strolling around Silom, don’t forget to stop by and queue up to buy these delicious crispy treats.
Address: Soi Saladaeng Corner, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Opening hours: 12pm-9pm, Tuesday-Friday; 3pm-9pm, Weekends; closed Mondays
Nearest train station: MRT Silom or BTS Sala Daeng
Contact: +66 9 6686 4321 | Google Maps
13. Sumo Khanom Tokyo (ซูโม่ ขนมโตเกียว) – Thai-style crepes
There are many larger street food stalls with offerings that are extremely delicious, but smaller trolleys such as Sumo Khanom Tokyo are the main reason why we cannot stray too far from the sidewalk.
This cart offers upsized crepes that are overstuffed with tonnes of fillings and piled with toppings starting at only ฿15.
However, what makes Sumo Tokyo stand out from others is that there are over 13 impressive fillings that come in a big portion.
Due to their popularity, Tokyo Sumo even has started its own franchise across Thailand. Tokyo snack lovers can visit here to check which branch is the closest to them.
Address: Near Empire Tower building, South Sathorn Rd., Yannawa Sub-district, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120
Opening hours: 7.30am-1.30pm, Wednesday-Friday
Nearest train station: BTS Chong Nonsi
Contact: +66 8 6810 6614 | Google Maps
14. Bua Loy Kai Kem Tha Nam Khlong San (บัวลอยไข่เค็มท่าน้ำคลองสาน) – rice balls in hot coconut milk
What’s unique about Thai desserts is not only their association with the country’s history and culture but also their eye-catching and colourful appearance.
If you want to know how they taste and see what we mean by “eye-catching”, head over to Bua Loy Kai Kem Tha Nam, a dessert stall located near the Klong San pier.
This traditional Thai-style store offers delicious rice balls in sweet coconut milk, translated in Thai as Bua Loy. Its signatures are Bua Loy With Egg ฿25 (~USD0.75) and Bua Loy With Salted Egg Yolk ฿30 (~USD0.90) that comes with rice balls in over seven colours.
If you’re wondering where the vibrant tones come from, you’ll be impressed to hear that their colouring is made from all-natural ingredients. The pink rice balls are coloured with beetroot, the blue ones with butterfly pea, and the purple ones with sweet potato.
Made with a unique recipe that’s been passed down and improved over multiple generations, there’s no need to question why Bua Loy Kai Kem Tha Nam has been a popular spot among locals and foreigners for over two decades.
Address: Talat Khlong San or Klongsan Plaza, Charoen Nakhon Rd., Khlong Ton Sai Sub-district, Khlong San District, Bangkok 10600
Opening hours: 11.30am-8pm, Daily
Nearest train station: BTS Krung Thon Buri
Contact: +66 1 697 5971 | Google Maps
15. Pad Thai Jeh Muay Bangkok (ผัดไทยกุ้งสดเจ๊หมวย) – iconic Pad Thai
Last but not definitely not least is a dish that’s synonymous with Thai food.
Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes and is something people can’t wait to try when visiting the Land of Smiles.
However, Pad Thai Jeh Muay proves that not all Pad Thai dishes are created the same.
In addition to Pad Thai’s usual ingredients – flat rice noodles, tofu, dried shrimp, beansprouts, and spring onions – this restaurant’s iconic dish Pad Thai Goong Sod ฿90 (~USD2.69), is served with juicy prawns.
They also add a not-too-watery sweet-and-sour sauce to the dish, which helps elevate the menu item to the next level.
With more than five years of experience serving people the original taste of Pad Thai with fresh prawns and a constant long line of customers in front of the store as testimonies, there’s no need for you to ride around town to find a good Pad Thai restaurant.
Pad Thai Jeh Muay is located behind Wat Hua Lumphong Alley, which is not too far from MRT Samyan station – making it a perfect spot to take your foreign friends to try this iconic dish.
Address: Lang Wat Hua Lumphong Alley, Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Opening hours: 6.30pm-11.30pm, closed Fridays
Nearest train station: MRT Samyan
Contact: +66 8 1689 6572 | Google Maps
16. Kanom Jeb Paexia (ขนมจีบแป๊ะเซี๊ยะ) – 100-year-old food cart selling shumai
Image credit: @dontrie513 via Instagram
Kanom Jeb Paexia, or Pae Sia Dimsum, is a food cart that’s been serving locals around the Wat Mongkol Samakhom area for over 100 years.
The cart owner took over from his father and continued using the same brass steamer, which gives it a unique taste.
Image credit: @dontrie513 via Instagram
One of the best signs that the food is good? There’s a huge line daily despite the food cart being very unassuming and located in an out-of-the-way alley.
Address: 48 Plaeng Nam Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Opening hours: 11am-2pm, Daily
Nearest train station: MRT Wat Mangkon
Contact: +66 8 1726 0777 | Google Maps
Bangkok street food to satisfy your cravings
We’re sure that you must be uber-excited to satiate your street food cravings in Bangkok. With so many Bangkok street food vendors scattered around the city, we hope that this list of our 16 top Bangkok street food items will make planning your trip a little easier.
Here’s a pro tip. Visit each restaurant on an empty stomach because those offerings are so delectable that you won’t be able to help but order more and more.
For something completely different, here’s what we think are the best pizzerias in Bangkok. But if you’re a vegan or vegetarian visiting Thailand, then check out our guide for western vegetarian eateries in Bangkok.
Cover image adapted from: EDTguide, @Foodbymay, Painaidii
Article originally published by Tan Supanat on 24 December 2021. Last updated by buranond on 10 January 2024.