The Best Thai Food in Bangkok That Will Make Your Mouth Water

Ton Lichauco

Last updated 23 Apr 2024

Image credits to Markus Winkler via Pexels, Lisheng Chang via Unsplash, Streets of Food via Flickr

The best Thai food in Bangkok you can’t miss!

One of the biggest reasons people keep returning to Bangkok is the huge array of delicious and cheap local food! If you’re a foodie planning a trip to Thailand, there's no better place to discover must-eat Thai food than the capital city. We’ve compiled a list of Bangkok's top restaurants and street food stalls, serving only the most authentic Thai cuisine.

You’ll probably only spot locals in these food joints, so you know this place is the real deal! The best part? You can access these spots via the BTS Skytrain, so you won’t have to worry about being stuck and starving in a traffic jam.

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Best local food in Bangkok to add to your must-eat list

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, which is served with generous toppings in an iconic savory broth. People flock to queue for hours just to slurp down a bowl!

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 omelette, crispy pork belly, and stir-fried morning glory.

Vegan Options Available: Yes
Nearest BTS Station: National Stadium

Address: 113 Khwaeng Rong Muang, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330

2. Thip Sa Mai - Pad Thai

You know a stall is famously good when you see long snaking lines outside, especially in the hot, humid Bangkok weather. Some have declared Thip Sa Mai the best Pad Thai in Bangkok, and here’s why.

With over 50 years of history, this plate of Pad Thai is different because they mix shrimp paste into their dish. This gives the Pad Thai a bright orange color, unlike the typical brown-colored Pad Thai. Be sure to order yours with an omelette wrapped around it.

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Ratchathewi
Address: 313-315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

3. Wattana Panich - Beef Noodle Soup

The master soup stock used to stew the beef has been around for 60 years, so just let that sink in. Imagine how flavorful and intense the broth would be after being boiled for that long. That's reason enough to visit this stall!

Wattana Panich's beef noodle soup melts in your mouth, and its fantastic flavor makes you want to slurp your bowl clean. Now, that's the kind of party you'd want your taste buds to experience!

Vegan Options Available: No

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

4. P’Aor - Tom Yum Noodles

Claiming to serve the best tom yum soup in Bangkok, P’Aor even has a sign for it! If you’re looking for a fancy tom yum noodle dish, 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 40 USD, it can feed up to six people!

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Ratchathewi
Address: 68/51 Soi Petchaburi 5, Between Soi 5 – 7, Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok

5. Somsak Boo Op (สมศักดิ์ ปูอบ) - Woon Sen

Woon Sen means vermicelli, and it’s usually served with crab or shrimp in Bangkok. Somsak Boo Op is a small street-side stall serving up one of Bangkok’s best renditions of the dish. This humble Thai restaurant, run by just one chef, consists of a mixture of glass noodles and your choice of seafood and is topped with green onions.

As with all good stalls, you can expect a queue, but the seafood's smoky flavor, topped with perfectly seasoned vermicelli, is definitely worth the wait.

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Wongwian Yai Station
Address: Thanon Charoen Rat Soi 1, Khlong San, Bangkok

6. Hoi Tod Chaw Lae - Oyster and Mussel Omelette

The oyster omelette at Hoi Tod Chaw Lae is one of the crispiest you’ll find in Bangkok. This humble Thailand restaurant is famed for its shrimp Pad Thai and stir-fried mussel and oyster omelette. Topped with plump, juicy seafood, it’s no wonder this shophouse is a local favorite.

Vegan Options Available: No

Nearest BTS Station: Krung Thonburi
Address: Charoen Nakhon Rd. Banglumpoolang, Khet Khlongsan, Bangkok

7. Charoen Saeng Silom (ร้านเจริญแสง สีลม) - Braised Pork Trotter

Braised pork leg Khao Kha Moo is one of the most popular Thai cuisine dishes, and one of the best restaurants to get it is Charoen Saeng Silom. If you don't know about it, you might walk past this hole-in-the-wall eatery, but locals from all parts of the city come here just for this. You can expect deliciously seasoned fats that melt in your mouth, tender pork lean meat, and a bowl of rice to soak up all that gravy.

Vegan Options Available: No

Nearest BTS Station: Saphan Taksin
Address: 492/6 Soi Charoen Krung 49, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

8. Pranakorn - Boat Noodles

Thai boat noodles, or Guaytiao Rua, are a cheap fix for those craving a bowl of noodles. They usually come in small servings, and patrons tend to order several bowls, creating a tall tower towards the end of their meal.

Pranakorn Boat Noodles is always packed with locals, and that’s how you know it’s good! The broth is thick, flavorful, and fresh, and the noodles are topped with quality ingredients, giving you the best in each bowl.

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Victory Monument
Address: Phahonyothin Rd, Khwaeng Samsen Nai, Khet Phaya Thai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400

9. Gokfayuen - Wanton Noodles

While most of us have heard of the famous Pratunam Soi 19 Wanton Noodles with its insane queues, this bowl of noodles from Gokfayuen is definitely worth a try!

Located just a few doors down, these Hong Kong-style Wanton Noodles come with smoky, well-seasoned roasted pork (char shiu), tasty savory soup, springy noodles, and plump giant wontons. What more could you ask for? Plus, everything is priced between 2-4 USD!

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Thong Lor
Address: 161/7 Soi Thong Lo 9, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

10. Soi Polo (Polo Fried Chicken) - Fried Chicken

Everybody loves fried chicken, and every country has a different way of making it. The ones you get in Bangkok are crunchy, well-seasoned, and highly addictive. While you stroll along the streets of Bangkok, you’ll notice golden, crispy fried chicken everywhere.

Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019, Soi Polo Fried Chicken is considered by locals one of the best fried chicken places in Bangkok. Its chicken is flavored with black pepper and topped with crispy golden brown garlic. It also comes with its own spicy sauce that will enhance the taste even more!

Vegan Options Available: No

Nearest BTS Station: Lumpini
Address: 137/1-3 Soi Polo, Th Withayu, Wireless Road, Lumphini, Bangkok, Thailand

11. Jay Fai - Crab Omelette

Jay Fai was the only hawker awarded a Michelin Star in the Bangkok Michelin Guide, which is reason enough to visit. But be warned: You'll have to wait a while for a plate of this crab omelette.

The crab omelette comes at a price tag of 38 USD, which is insane for street food, but once you see the amount of crab meat stuffed into that omelette, you’ll understand what you’re paying for.

Vegan Options Available: Yes

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

12. Go Ang Pratunam - Chicken Rice

Awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2018, Go Ang Pratunam’s Hainanese style chicken rice in Bangkok is a 5-minute walk from the Platinum Fashion mall, making it a quick shopping break to rest your tired legs. The dish is a plate of light, fluffy, seasoned rice with perfectly poached chicken drizzled with spicy dipping sauce for an added kick!

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Chit Lom
Address: Poonam Market, 960-962, Phetchaburi Road, Soi 30, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand

13. Yenly Yours - Mango Sticky Rice

Mango sticky rice is a staple food in Thailand [KW Variation: Thailan/d foo/d], especially if mangoes are not a fruit you often get 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. Grab some sticky rice or a signature smoothie and enjoy discounts on 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!

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Get 11% 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 that you’ll definitely have to try on your trip to Bangkok. Get yours at Siam Pandan, a humble store that sells this chewy pandan cake and other coconut sweet treats. This chewy treat is a great light snack while you shop along the streets of Siam.

Vegan Options Available: Yes

Nearest BTS Station: Siam
Address: Siam Square Soi 6, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

15. Pondtip Pratunam - Duck Noodles

If you’re looking for a bowl of delicious duck noodles, the stewed duck at Pondtip Pratunam is one of the best in Bangkok. Its rich broth and fall-off-the-bone tender meat will have you slurping up your own bowl in no time. The best part? A bowl of noodles only costs 1.63 USD!

Vegan Options Available: No

Nearest BTS Station: Chit Lom
Address: 922-924 New Petchburi Rd, Makkasan, Ratchatewee, Bangkok, Thailand

16. Savoey - Crab curry

If you love curry crab, one of the best restaurants to satisfy your craving is Savoey Restaurant. Just imagine huge pieces of juicy and sweet crab meat tossed in a rich, fragrant curry sauce that will make you scrape your bowl to get every last bit.

It can get pretty packed at times, so be sure to make a 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!

Vegan Options Available: Yes

17. Thanee Restaurant - Crispy Pork Belly

Capping off our list is a Thai dish that is perfect to eat no matter the time of day! Moo Grob, or Crispy Pork Belly, is a treat for the taste buds and the ears. Its crunchy skin will give you an eargasm with every bite, and its soft and tender meat will go down easy, leaving a rich, savory taste in your mouth.

If you're wondering where to get the best Moo Grob in town, many say it can be found at Thanee Restaurant, so it's definitely worth visiting! Looking for a full meal? Order a Khao Moo Grob, which comprises a plate of rice with pork belly and a soft-boiled egg! They’ll also douse your rice with gravy and serve you a side of Chinese sausages.

Vegan Options Available: No

Nearest BTS Station: Ari Station
Address: 1161-3 Soi Phahonyothin 5 Alley Phahonyothin Rd Samsennai Payathai Bangkok 10400.

Indulge in the best dishes in Bangkok!

Whether you're into sweet, spicy, sour, or salty dishes, you can't go wrong with a trip to Bangkok. Visit any restaurant and ask for their Thai food menu; you will see just how stacked their cuisine is! It's the perfect place for friends, tourists, and foodies to go on a flavor-packed adventure and try a variety of dishes that combine all sorts of spices.

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