17 Must-Try Local Food In Bangkok: From The Best Tom Yum To Crab Omelette & Pad Thai

Klook Team

Last updated 23 Apr 2024

Credits: @camileeats, @jayfaibangkok and @susu_foodjournal on Instagram

The Best Thai Food in Bangkok You Can’t Miss!

One of the biggest reasons people keep going back to Bangkok is the huge array of delicious and cheap local eats! If you’re a foodie and are planning a food trip in Thailand, there's no better place to discover must-eat Thai food than the capital city itself.

We’ve put together a list of the top restaurants and street food stalls in Bangkok, serving up only the most authentic and hearty plates of your favorite Thai dishes. You’ll probably only spot locals in these food joints and that’s how you know this place is the real deal!

The best part? You can access all of these spots via the BTS Skytrain or MRT - this way you won’t have to worry about being stuck and starving in a traffic jam. Wait no further! Let's get started with the 17 best local foods in Bangkok that you must try.

1. Jeh O Chula - Tom Yum Mama Noodles

Find one of the best tom yum noodles in Bangkok at Jay Oh (also known as Jeh O Chula)! Featured in the 2019 Michelin Guide, this humble diner is best known for its Mama Noodle soup served with generous toppings in an iconic savory broth. People flock over to queue for hours to slurp down a bowl of it, but you can skip the queue and enjoy discounted prices when you book your voucher on Klook!

Choose from many sets available for two to eight people and savor all the best dishes in one go, including a large pot of iconic tom yum noodles, Thai-style shrimp omelet, signature crispy pork belly, and stir-fried morning glory.

Nearest Station: National Stadium BTS
Address: 113 Khwaeng Rong Muang, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330 (Map)

Enjoy skip-the-queue at Jeh O Chula with Klook vouchers!

2. Thip Sa Mai - Pad Thai

Many of you might have thought that Pad Thai is the most popular Thai food the country has to offer. But the most popular Thai dishes among Thai are Som Tam (green papaya salad) and Pad Kra Pao (holy basil stir-fry with a fried egg).

But on the other hand, is mostly popular among tourists. The most famous Pad Thai restaurant can be found in Bangkok, namely Thip Samai, and here’s why.

With over 50 years of history, this plate of Thai style fried noodles is different from the rest out there because of one thing – they mix shrimp paste into their dish. This gives the Pad Thai, the flat rice noodles a bright orange color, unlike the dull brown-colored Pad Thai out there. One regular Pad Thai only cost THB 90! Be sure to order yours with an omelette wrapped around it!

Nearest Station: Sam Yot MRT
Address: 313-315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 (Map)

3. Wattana Panich - Beef Noodle Soup

The master soup stock used to stew the beef has been around for 60 years, just let that sink in. These kinds of places are gems and locals who live nearby know exactly where to get these affordable, tasty Thai foods. Imagine how flavorful and intense the taste of the broth is after being boiled for that long, this is reason alone to visit the stall.

If you need further convincing that Wattana Panich has the best Beef Noodle Soup in town, the melt-in-your-mouth beef will have you slurping up every last bit of meat in your bowl. It's only for THB 100 for the signature Beef noodle soup!

Nearest Station: Ekkamai BTS Station
Address: 336-338 Soi Ekkamai 18, Sukhumvit 63 Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 (Map)

4. Pe Aor - Tom Yum Goong Noodles

Claiming to serve the best tom yum goong in Bangkok, Pe Aor even has a sign for it! First of all, it’s served in a street food “restaurant”, right in the middle of the street.

If you’re looking for some fancy Tom Yum Goong Noodles, their lobster noodles come served with Crab stuffed with minced meat and roe, a medium-sized lobster, mussels, salmon, sotong stuffed with minced meat and tang hoon, an onsen egg, and noodles. While this comes at a price tag of THB 1500, it can feed up to six people!

Nearest Station: Ratchathewi BTS
Address: 68, 51 Phetchaburi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (Map)

5. Somsak Pu Ob - Woon Sen

Woon Sen means vermicelli and in Bangkok, it’s usually served with crab or shrimp. Somsak Pu Ob is a small street-side stall serving up one of Bangkok’s best renditions of the dish. The recipes used for this Thai cuisine are simple, but it’s the superb quality of ingredients and the pinpoint timing of the cooking that makes it so extraordinary.

This humble establishment run by just one chef, consists of a mixture of glass noodles, your choice of seafood, and topped with green onions. As with all good stalls, you can expect a queue, but the smoky flavor of the seafood topped with the perfectly seasoned vermicelli is definitely worth the wait.

Nearest Station: Wongwian Yai BTS
Address: 234 Lat Ya Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand (Map)

6. Nai Mong Hoi Thod - Oyster Omelette

ne of the more famous thai food restaurants is Nai Mong Hoi Thod, which specializes in Hoi Thod (crispy fried Oyster Omelette). This is one of the crispest ones you’ll find in Bangkok. The omelettes here come in different sizes, and a standard version of the crispy oyster omelette, which is a bestseller among all other Thai foods, costs THB 100. You can combine oysters and mussels with crispy and spongy omelettes. Topped with plump, juicy seafood, it’s no wonder this shophouse is a local favorite.

Nearest BTS Station: Krung Thon Buri BTS
Address: 539 Phlap Phla Chai Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand (Map)

7. Somtum Der - Som Tum

Som Tum, or what we also called the spicy green papaya salad, is arguably to most-eaten Thai dish among Thai. This hugely popular sour and spice salad originates comes from Thailand's north-eastern state of Isaan.

At Som Tum Der, which has several branches in Bangkok and is recommended by the Michelin Guide, you can discover fifteen different versions of papaya salad. The som tum is made out of garlic, chilli, green beans, cherry tomatoes, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce and shredded raw papaya are pounded using a pestle and mortar, which releases a sweet-sour-spicy flavour that's quite distinctive.

The sourness and spiciness of som tum go perfectly with grilled meats, so you can also order the salad together with grilled coconut milk marinated pork skewers at THB 110, house special grilled marinated pork THB 95, deep-fried spicy minced pork THB 95 or der styled deep fried chicken at only THB 85.

Nearest Station: Silom MRT
Address: 5, 5 Sala Daeng Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand (Map)

8. Nalin Kitchen - Tom Kha Gai

Thai chicken soup called Tom Kha Gai is made with rich coconut milk. There are also ginger, chilli, mushroom, and lemon to provide more tastes. Among other Bangkok street foods, chicken coconut soup stands out because it is not only delectable but also healthy and has many health benefits.

Nothing will treat you better than a sip of tom kha gai at Nalin Kitchen if you're feeling under the weather.

Nearest Station: Saphan Taksin BTS
Address: 1463 Charoen Krung Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand (Map)

9. Sanguansri - Green Curry

Before traveling to Thailand, especially if you don't know much about Thai cuisine, you may get the impression that curries make up the entirety of Thai cuisine. The truth is that Thai people don't typically like curries, especially because they are an Isaan cuisine. But the capital of Thailand is home to some incredible curries. Sanguansri is one of the most well-known.

The Green Curry, which includes chicken, is the restaurant's signature dish. On the other hand, the restaurant is absolutely filled on Thursdays when the green curry is served with beef. Expect one of the greatest green curries you've ever had with creamy, rich, and just a touch spicy.

Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS
Address: 59, 1 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Map)

10. Polo Fried Chicken - Fried Chicken

Everybody loves fried chicken and every country has a different way of doing Fried Chicken. The fried chicken you get in Bangkok is perfectly crunchy, well-seasoned, and extremely addictive. While you stroll along the streets of Bangkok, you’ll notice golden, crispy fried chicken everywhere.

Award a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019, the Soi Polo Fried Chicken is reckoned by locals to be one of the best fried chicken places in Bangkok. The fried chicken is flavored with black pepper and topped with crispy golden brown garlic. The fried chicken itself comes in two sizes and half a chicken only costs you THB 130. Don’t forget to dip yours in the spicy sauce that comes with it.

Nearest Station: Phloen Chit BTS
Address: 137/1-3 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Map)

11. Jay Fai - Crab Omelette

Jay Fai was the only hawker awarded with a Michelin Star in the Bangkok Michelin Guide, that alone is reason to pay this place a visit. But, be warned, you will have to wait incredibly long for a plate of this Crab Omelette.

The crab omelette comes at a price tag of THB 1000 which is insane for street food, but once you see the amount of crab meat, probably a few crabs worth, stuffed into that omelette, you’ll understand what you’re paying for.

Nearest Station: National Stadium BTS
Address: 327 Mahachai Road (at the intersection with Samranrat Road) Bangkok, Thailand (Map)

12. Khao Pad Pu Mueng Thong - Khao Pad

Khao Pad is the traditional hawker-style Thai fried rice that is beloved for its delicious umami flavors from the soy sauce, fish sauce, and sometimes even oyster sauce, cooked with egg and protein like shrimp or chicken and topped with some fresh green scallions. This is often even enjoyed with traditional Thai basil chicken and that makes for a heavenly pair! Craving for Thai stir fried rice? Just go to Khao Pad Pu Mueng Thong!

Nearest Station: Lak Si Station
Address: 29 Chaeng Watthana 14, Thung Song Hong, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand (Map)

13. Yenly Yours - Mango Sticky Rice

A staple when in Bangkok is definitely Mango Sticky Rice, especially if mangoes are not a fruit you get often back home. Have your fill of this tropical fruit whenever you get to Bangkok at Yenly Yours! The smooth mango pudding coupled with the chewy sticky rice and topped with the sweetest and juiciest mangoes is the perfect sweet treat after any meal.

Get your sticky rice or a signature smoothie and enjoy discounts on your mango desserts! Just flash your Klook voucher on the app to redeem. With so many outlets around the city, find the one nearest to you!

Nearest Station: Ratchathewi BTS
Address: 979 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Map)

Get 10% off mango treats at Yenly Yours in Bangkok!

14. Siam Pandan - Pandan cake Kanom Krok Bai Toey

Kanom Krok Bai Toey is a Thai snack made with pandan and you’ll definitely have to try it on your trip to Bangkok. Get yours at Siam Pandan, a humble store that sells this chewy pandan cake as well as other coconut sweet treats. This chewy treat is a great light snack while you shop along the streets of Siam.

Nearest Station: Siam BTS
Address: Siam Square Soi 6, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Map)

15. Buay Pochana - Duck Noodles

If you love ducks, you have to come here! This nicely cooked braised duck, noodle soups, and rice noodles can make a profound impression on you. Buay Pochana is a 'salt of the earth' Thai local restaurant that's been in continuous operation for over 20 years. Get the stewed Duck Noodles in a clay pot now for only THB 120!

Nearest Station: Khlong Tan Station
Address: 318/1-320 ระหว่างทองหล่อซอย 10-12 ถนนสุขุมวิท 55 แขวงคลองตัน Bangkok 10110, Thailand (Map)

16. Savoey - Crab curry

When you’re in Bangkok, one of the must-try dishes is Curry Crab! One of the best places to try this is the Savoey Restaurant, known to have one of the best curry crabs in Bangkok. The huge pieces of juicy and sweet crab meat are tossed in a rich fragrant curry sauce that you’ll be scraping the bowl for. The deep-fried Snakehead Murrel fish is also another dish you mustn’t miss at Savoey!

It can get pretty packed at times so be sure to place your reservation before you visit. There are seven different outlets in Bangkok, so pick the one nearest to you and get ready to stuff your bellies!

Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS
Address: 10110, Thailand, Bangkok, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Sukhumvit Road (Map)

17. Thanee Restaurant - Crispy Pork Belly

Moo Grob or Crispy Pork Belly is a must-try when you’re in Bangkok! The perfectly crunchy skin that gives you an eargasm when you bite into it, combined with the soft and tender meat makes for the perfect treat no matter what time of day. Many say the best Moo Grob can be found at Thanee Restaurant.

If you’re looking for a full meal, order yourself a Khao Moo Grob, a plate of rice with pork belly, and a soft-boiled egg! They’ll also douse your rice with some gravy and give you a side of Chinese sausages.

Nearest Station: Ari BTS
Address: QGGV+XC4, Phahonyothin Road, แขวงพญาไท Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand (Map)

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