Street Food, Bangkok

Porridge is a popular food throughout Southeast Asia in one form or another but I must say, I found the Thai version the tastiest. This particular street stall was pretty busy all day and spanned two sides of an entire city corner. I found it most rewarding to have breakfast here but D couldn’t stomach it early in the morning. I generally got up really early and ventured off to eat solo, returning with her sometimes at night for a snack of the same thing I’d had earlier. Typical of the region, you find a seat at one of the low plastic tables and get someone’s attention with a two symbol to expedite your order. Though there were some tourists giving it a go, even most of them were Asian, and certainly lots of Thais digging in as well. In the morning, nary a backpacker could be found and I found myself surrounded entirely by locals slurping down what I must admit would be my everyday breakfast if I lived in town.

Favorite Dish: The porridge itself is a fairly bland rice based thick broth that is enhanced by tasty pork meatballs and a raw egg. I never figured out how to order it without the egg and didn’t get sick so I wouldn’t worry much about it. It does add to the flavor and texture and imagine only people with little money do without. On your table is an assortment of things to add that really makes the whole affair so special. There is fresh chopped lemon grass (truly essential), fish sauce, chillies, sugar (!), and curiously some friend donuts for dipping. It may sound bizarre but I ate this every morning and if I was hungry and in the neighborhood, I’d have it again with D if she was in the mood. At only 20 B (fifty cents), it was a tasty and filling bargain to boot.

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There is nothing special about the surroundings or any particular ambience. However, if you'd like to eat like the locals do, and you are at Silom, near Patpong night market, look out for this food vendor who sets up his stall in the evenings, from about 5.30 pm. Before he can even set up his tables and chairs, the customers are already lining up to order their take-aways.

By the way, the stall owner speak English and Mandarin, which is great, isn't it?

Favorite Dish: Braised pork rice. You can choose to have either pork meat alone or pork meat with some pig's intestines (if you like offal, which I do).

The rice is not exactly that warm, but the stew is still hot. If you take a seat, he will serve you iced water at no extra charge (see pics). The table has the usual array of bird's eye chilli, small cloves of garlic and chilli sauce.

The cost: 35-40 baht per plate.

By Malaysian standards, I found the servings to be smallish so we usually ordered 3 plates between 2 persons. I often wonder why the servings are so small-is it because Thais are small eaters? who can tell me?

Favorite Dish: as of Feb. 11, 2004 (dinner)
1. Pat-Priao-Wan (sweet & sour fried vegetables) - THB 30
2. Pat-Kana (fried chinese kale) - THB 30
3. Rice - THB 5

Others:
1. Kuay-Taew-Mu (pork noodles) - THB 25
2. Pat-Pak-Raum-Mid with rice (pork with fried vegetables) - THB 25
3. Phao-Prik-Mu (fried pork w/thai curry) - THB 25
4. Nam-Woon-Bai-Toey - THB 10
5, Cha-Dam-Yen (black chinese tea) - THB 10

NOW... Thailand's famous (Jatujak) JJK market is a treasure throve when it comes to cheap food and even friendlier vendors. Ask ANY visitor to JJK and the thing that would grab attention would be the the fried locust, fried grasshoppers, friend roaches, fried maggots.. .... its not too bad either.. once you get used to the fact that its bugs that you're munching on.

Favorite Dish: Fried roaches.. it taste like sausages.. *honest*..
Add a dash of spicy sauce and bite hard, the squishy insides would burst in your mouth.. really nice..

All over Bangkok on almost every streetcorner you will find stands where you can buy all sorts of food,hot and cold.
I have eaten a lot and never got sick so the food is as trustworthy as the hamburgers you buy at your local cafetaria.
Fresh fruit like pineapple is very refreshing in the heat of Bangkok!

One of Bangkok's greatest attractions is its street food scene - delicious, cheap and fun. If you are on a tight budget you could practically survive on 5-baht-per-stick barbecues, 10-baht pad thai, 20-baht curries and lots and lots of other cheap offerings that are simply delicious. They are also very convenient, with street food vendors found in almost every corner of the city. Sanitation? No worries, many of these food are cooked fresh and on site limiting any chance of getting nasty tummy aches. The biggest danger actually lies in overeating and over indulgence - the food are just too appetizing to resist!

If there is one thing that was the highlight of my short 48-hour trip to Bangkok, this should be it - my great street food adventure. Note that prices in more touristy areas such as Khao San are easily 25-100% more expensive than those served elsewhere.

Try some thing new! you'll never have before, and you'll never forget this Experience. Deep fried Bugs. Let try the crispy once!

Favorite Dish: Deep fried Scorpions, worms, gigolos, scorpions, fogs, and so may more.

On the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 33 just opposite the Londoner Pub is a street seller with about four tables set up just on the street by the corner. This place has the most wonderfull Pad Thai I've ever tasted and I think it's incredibly cheap - don't know 'cos I didn't pay. Sme locals who took me there paid.

Favorite Dish: Pad Thai

During the evening, Chinatown changes into a big open-air market. It seems like every inhabitant of this area takes out his pots and pans to make dinner for the rest of the street. The smell is very attractive and the food is delicious too. I had no stomach problems at all after eating here. Try the delicious fresh fruit juices!!
For me, being terrified by bugs, it was a real adventure walking through these streets, because lots of small creatures were also attracted by the food ;-))

haha, the crazy deep-fried insects again~~ just wanna show you a ZOOM view of one of the deep-fried insects (it's a frog I guessed). Look at it!!! It's starring at you!!! Still wanna put it in your mouth???

Favorite Dish: The most scary dish I've ever seen in Bangkok....

To prove your courage, try them!!!