In Thailand, it does not matter whether you are selling along the road or in a high-end restaurant. They appreciate good food regardless of the dining ambience. Even if it is difficult to lay your hands on, Thai are patient and are willing to spend time to enjoy good food.
Jay Fai is the best example of all.
Where to eat in Bangkok?
Here are 10 restaurants in Bangkok (or roadside stalls) that deserves your time, with a queue or not:
- Jeh O Chula (Tomyum Instant Noodles)
- Uan Bamee Giew (Thai Egg Noodles)
- Doy Kuay Teow Reua (Thai Boat Noodles)
- Jek Pui Curry (Curry Mix Rice)
- Somsak Claypot Crab
- Insects in the Backyard
- Mr. Jo Crispy Pork
- Nong Rim Klong (Crab Meat Dishes)
- Mont Nom Sod (Coconut Jam Toast)
- Wattana Panich Restaurant (Beef Noodles)
1. Jeh O Chula (Tomyum Instant Noodles)
The recent best supper spot featured by many famous foodie platforms truly lives up to its name. Popular dishes are the gigantic metal bowls containing locals’ comfort food – ‘mama’ brand instant noodles, super crispy roast pork, meatballs, seafood, fresh egg yolks, slices of lime soaked in flavourful tom yum broth and topped with a handful of green onions. Don’t underestimate this not-so-instant dish because it is not your usual instant noodle.
One important thing to note is that the gigantic portions are only made available after 11 pm which is when the queue continues to extend further. If you are unable to visit after 11 pm, you still can get your hands on the regular portions.
Tip! Visit Jeh O on a Monday and join the queue at 10.30 pm for a chance to reduce your waiting time.
If you really hate queuing for food to the core, you can also order via Grab Food, a food delivery service that helps you collect and deliver your food to your doorstep.
Address
113 Charat Muang Road, Rong Muang, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Google Maps
2. Uan Bamee Giew (Thai Egg Noodles)
Rather than the Singaporeans-made famous wanton noodles located on Soi 19, there are many wanton noodles in Bangkok that are better worth your time.
Uan Bamee Giew located along the roadside is one of them. Not only the ambience reflects local style, the generosity of the portion too. I usually prefer the dry version of wanton noodles as the egg noodles would be coated with the flavours of the lard, chilli and fish sauce. Each dry version is given a separate bowl of soup where it contains a huge piece of bone with tender meat.
Like a typical noodle stall in Thailand, each table has its own portion of seasonings that you can add as much as you wish. Commonly in Thai Egg Noodles, you would add in chilli flakes and fish sauce. For those who can’t take spicy food, it is also common to add in just sugar for your noodles, which taste unexpectedly good although that is usually meant for children.
Address
254/8 Soi Pradipat, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Google Maps
3. Doy Kuay Teow Reua (Thai Boat Noodles)
Tucked behind a quiet monastery, this Thai boat noodles is just 10 minutes walk away from the Victory Monument, also away from the cluster of boat noodles stalls.
At 15 baht per bowl, we had one of the freshest bowls of Thai boat noodles. The broth contains pig’s blood if you are not aware so it has to be fresh resulting in a thick, sweet and savoury base. This last time I went, they became a little more tourist-friendly by showing us the 4 types of noodles we could choose from. I always go for the local kuey teow which is a flat rice noodle and beef as the main.
The noodles best go with fried pork rinds and wonton skin which are left on the table and will only be charged when it’s opened. They are relatively cheap and the staff are very transparent about the prices which I really appreciate.
Address
15 Ratchawithi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Google Maps
4. Jek Pui Curry (Curry Mix Rice)
As featured on Netflix street food series, this is undoubtedly another stall that queues are expected. Despite the increase in foreign customers, there are still a large number of locals visiting every day.
On the pushcart, you could see close to 10 different dishes but it is safe to say that no matter what dish you choose to have, it’s bound to be delicious.
If you can’t decide on the spot, a quick guide: first, choose a curry base of either chicken, pork or fish. Next, choose a meat dish which I recommend the crab. Last, add a portion of sausage. Pay and you can pick a stool at the side to enjoy your food! It is also common to see locals mixing all the ingredients and rice together to get a taste of everything in one mouthful.
I wasn’t quite fascinated by the taste but instead, it felt like tasty comfort food since the dining concept and curry itself are familiar to Southeast Asians. Nonetheless, I would revisit and strongly recommend it.
Address
25 Mangkon Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Google Maps
5. Somsak Claypot Crab
Somsak has a couple outlets clustered in the same area in Bangkok. We headed to the original outlet where the owner is still doing the cooking personally.
A very simple dish that uses the sweetness of the fresh mud crab, garlic and soy sauce and plain glass noodles (vermicelli) to balance out the flavours. It gets more and more savoury when it cools down after serving on your table.
I have to warn that it’s not going to be all glam finishing up this dish but feel free to use both hands to devour the whole crab in the pot. They prepared a pot of lime water which helps to get rid of the fishy scent that usually stays on for a while.
Address
2 Thanon Chroen Rat, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Google Maps
6. Insects in the Backyard
The coolest fine dining in town. If you find yourself in a dilemma when it comes to insects on your plates, leave it to Chef Thitiwat Tantragarn at Insects in the Backyard where bugs take the centre stage.
Delicious, beautiful and healthy – that’s how I would describe my experience and that definitely made my first insect dining less intimidating. They offer a 6-course tasting menu so you don’t even have to decide which insect to try. However, if you would like to order full portions, I strongly recommend Nachos with Crickets and Grasshopper Risotto. They also do have non-insect dishes which are amazing as well.
They did so well with it that I would say this is one of the best meals I had in Bangkok so far and I would urge you to just go for it. It is not as scary as it seemed in case you need reassurance. You can reserve a table in advance on their website here.
Address
Si Rat-Outer Ring Rd Express Way, Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700, Thailand (Within Chang Chui Creative Park)
Google Maps
7. Mr. Jo Crispy Pork
Service is very fast here even during peak hours and the restaurant is relatively spacious so there is hardly a queue. The crispy pork has crunchy skin, fatty and tender meat, how perfect is it as a pork belly. The dark sweet sauce served alongside is a great complement to the meat.
The locals usually order them together with a peppery soup containing flat and rolled rice flour called Kuey Chap. The pork is still crispy even when soaked in the soup.
Address
313/7 Thanon Chan, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Google Maps
8. Nong Rim Klong (Crab Meat Dishes)
Not to be confused with Jay Fai. This popular stall also serving chunky crab meat dishes is located along a drain. Although not the best choice for a restaurant, it is doing so well that the drain now becomes a landmark.
We got lucky with this one – no wait when we were there. The locals at the next table shared that they had to make a reservation before heading down and the wait is usually an hour or so. Reservation is not necessary for foreigners but be prepared to wait for a table.
Not knowing what are the signature dishes, we ordered a regular crab meat fried rice and cabbage with crab meat. However, spicy crab meat noodles or fried rice are highly recommended by locals.
Address
Ekkamai 21 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Google Maps
9. Mont Nom Sod (Coconut Jam Toast)
Mont Nom Sod is a low key popular breakfast chain where locals casually visit, is a better alternative to the TripAdvisor, On Lok Yun. Both toast and steamed bread with kaya (or coconut kaya) are good. The chain is also known for their chocolate milk which sweetness and thickness are just right. The brand has a few outlets located across the city and we conveniently visited the one in MBK Shopping Mall.
Address
MBK Center Phayathai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Google Maps
10. Wattana Panich Restaurant (Beef Noodles)
Not sure how does a bowl of beef soup that has been simmering for 40 years sound to you?
The rich, strong traditional Chinese herb soup paired with tender beef or goat meat is definitely worth you visiting the Ekkamai district in Bangkok. Even when there is a queue, it moves very quickly.
Address
336 338 Ekkamai Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Google Maps
Save to Pinterest!
