ladyironchef » Bangkok Travel Guide

Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market — Shop Like A Local Student At This Popular Night Market

Melissa Teo — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 00:00:32 +0000

If you’re planning to visit Bangkok and you’re bored of the usual markets like Chatuchak and Palladium Night Market, why not travel a little out of the main city area and check out what the more local markets have to offer?

For all you broke university students who are in Bangkok for a holiday, we suggest that you pay a visit to Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market to get a feel of how the local university students shop. As the market is catered mostly to youths, you can expect some super cheap bargains as well as clothes, accessories and shoes that are tailored for a younger crowd.

The market has both a tented and open-air section filled with different stalls that sell pretty much anything and everything a university student could ever need and want.

TRENDY FASHION PIECES AT BARGAIN PRICES

Fashionistas and shopaholics will love the selection of clothing here and the best part is that everything is very affordably priced to suit the wallets of the university kids. Here, we found pieces of clothing that we previously saw at places like Chatuchak and Platinum Mall going for 50 baht to 150 baht cheaper, which is really a huge steal!

They also have stalls that sell both new and preloved shoes. Do take note that some of the shoes are little old and grimy, but if you’re the kind of person who loves to inject new life into a pair of old kicks, feel free to go crazy!

If you’re in need of some new accessories, they also have multiple stalls selling things such as glasses, bags, belts and earrings.

As this market is dedicated to the students of Ramkhamhaeng University, it isn’t surprising that they have a stall that sells just school uniforms.

AFFORDABLE COSMETICS

While the market does have a few stalls that sell a pretty extensive range of cosmetics and contact lenses, we suggest that you don’t patronise them as the products all look a little dodgy. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go ahead and do so. Who knows, you may accidentally come across a product that will change your life!

SUPER CHEAP STREET FOOD

Just like all the fashion items, all the food here is sold at incredibly affordable prices. We chanced upon skewers for just 15 baht and lunchbox sets for 25 baht, which is definitely way cheaper than what it usually sells for in the city!

We loved their bottled juice! It definitely helped to combat the sweltering heat.

CHILL LIKE A LOCAL

At the market, we saw many people sitting and chilling around a small pond at the side of the market. After exploring the market, we recommend grabbing some food and drinks and sitting there for the full local experience. It is a surprisingly nice way to end the day

While Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market may not be the most happening and hip night market out there, we do feel that it is worth a visit as it is a nice change from all the other touristy and overhyped markets in Bangkok.

Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market
2345/1 Ramkhamhaeng Road
Khwaeng Hua Mak, Khet Bang Kapi
Bangkok, Thailand 10240
Thu to Tue: 4pm – 11pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

Day Guide To Phra Nakhon— Experience Bangkok Via Its Rich Culture & Authentic Cuisine

Melissa Teo — Fri, 29 May 2020 01:00:17 +0000

Bangkok is indisputably one of the best holiday destinations for people who love cheap shopping, food and massages. However, there’s more to this beautiful city than roaming the streets of Chatuchak and slurping down a cooling cup of Thai iced tea.

Culture enthusiasts who want to enjoy Bangkok beyond just shopping and eating will be glad to know that Bangkok is steeped in a rich, enthralling history that is definitely worth exploring. There are a plethora of landmarks and museums that are open to the public that allows us to dip our toes into the city’s bounteous history and culture, offering a fresh new perspective to the land of smiles.

If you’re keen to explore this side of Bangkok, we recommend that you start off at Phra Nakhon, where you can find a number of culturally significant attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Aside from that, the area is home to a number of eateries serving up authentic Thai fare to complete the experience.

Photo Credit: my.mdi

HAVE BREAKFAST AT THIAN SONG ROAST DUCK

This hole-in-the-wall street restaurant specialises in roast duck and they’ve been in the business for over 70 years. Aside from their ambrosial plates of duck rice and noodles, they are also popular for their coffee and toasted bread with orange kaya, a perfect breakfast combination to start your day!

Dinso Road
Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 4554
Daily: 8am – 7.30pm

GRAND PALACE

To properly immerse yourself in Thailand’s rich, cultural history, a trip to the Grand Palace is a must. Located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya river, this majestic, sacred landmark is nothing short of breathtaking. It will truly make you feel like you’ve been transported to another era.

Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA

The Grand Palace also houses Wat Phra Kaew, which translates to ‘The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha’. This is one of the most sacred places in Thailand and the small Buddha statue that resides in the temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The Buddha was created in India and has been moved a number of times before it was re-discovered in 1434 in a temple in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand.

Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

LUNCH AT THE SIXTH

Located just a short walk away from Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, The Sixth is a cosy and hip little cafe that is run by a young couple. The quirky and homely decor gives the entire place a very relaxed and chill atmosphere, making it the perfect pitstop after a tiring morning of exploring the Grand Palace. They specialise in wholesome and soulful Thai food which include the likes of Tom Yum Koong, Phad Thai and Thai Green Curry.

Maha Rat Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 316 6890
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)

WAT PHO (RECLINING BUDDHA)

Another historical monument that you definitely need to check out is Wat Pho, home of the famous reclining Buddha. Aside from that, it is also the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai massage. You can get a massage at the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School as well to complete the experience.

2 Sanam Chai Road
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 0335
Daily: 8am – 6.30pm

Photo Credit: paolo.patricola

WAT ARUN

Directly opposite Wat Pho is Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. You can reach it by taking a riverboat from Saphan Taksin. The compound features a majestic 70-meter-high spire that is intricately decorated with tiny pieces of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass. If you are observant, you’d even realise that the image of Wat Arun is actually printed on Thailand’s 10-baht coins!

158 Thanon Wang Doem
Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai
Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 891 2185
Daily: 8.30m – 6pm

DINNER AT THIPSAMAI

End off a tiring day of exploring by having dinner at the famous Thipsamai. Dubbed to have the best pad thai in Bangkok, this humble eatery has even managed to snag themselves a Bib Gourmand award by the Michelin Guide. The place is constantly flooded with both tourists and locals alike so do try to head on down early to secure yourself a seat!

313 Maha Chai Road
Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 6666
Daily: 5pm – 2am

Luka – Trendy, Chic Café Concept In Bangkok Offering An Eclectic Menu At Every Location

Natalie Teo — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 01:00:38 +0000

Bangkok is well-known for its beautiful cafés, and Luka is no exception. If you’re craving for a hearty brunch at an idyllic spot, this café is more than perfect for you. It is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye; the food they serve will also excite your tastebuds.

Luka’s laid-back ambience will keep you coming back for more. Having multiple branches around Bangkok will certainly make it easier for many tourists and locals alike to dine at this tranquil café.

Luka has branches in Silom, Thonglor, and Soi Som Kid. In every Luka café, their concept is unique and innovative. That makes them stand out from other cafés in Bangkok.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

In Silom, their first branch, Luka shares its space with a furniture shop called Casa Pagoda. It is no surprise that one can easily feel the warmth and cosiness emitting from the all-day brunch joint.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

In Thonglor, they are known as Luka Moto. This branch is in the heart of Sukhumvit. Teaming up with the luxury brand BMW, they have motorbikes decorated around the café - something else to feast your eyes on, other than the delectable brunches and treats served.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

The last Luka branch is located in Soi Som Kid. More specifically, in Bangkok’s favourite “at-home” hangout spot, Siri House. Whenever you need a spot to chill out, or a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, Luka Siri House is your best bet.

Luka is well-known for its all-day brunches and homemade sweet treats. One of our favourites is the Luka Breakfast Burrito (310 baht), and for good reason.

The burrito boasts a substantial amount of sausage, black quinoa, avocado, capsicum, sour cream, grilled corn salsa, and special Luka spices, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Imagine enjoying the homely feels of the cafe while indulging in a homemade burrito. It sounds like heaven to us.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/lukabangkok/

What pleasantly surprised us was the Acai Bowl (280 baht). The acai berries are blended with coconuts and banana milk, contributing to the dish’s milky and wholesome taste. Add fresh fruits such as bananas and kiwis, pomegranate seeds, house-made granola, toasted almonds, and you have the perfect bowl.

Luka Bangkok
64/3 Thanon Pan, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Nearest BTS Station: Surasak
Mon to Sun: 9am to 6pm

11 Animal Cafes In Bangkok Where You Can Play With Meerkats, Corgis And Racoons

Melissa Teo — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 00:48:27 +0000

Aside from scrumptious food, cheap massages and a plethora of fashion options, Bangkok is also well-loved for their slew of animal cafes. For those of you who love animals but can’t own one, these cafes are the perfect place for you to mingle with some to your heart’s content.

You can choose to have a chill time sipping some coffee while stroking a cat or enjoy a heart-racing play session with a bunch of hyperactive puppies. For the more adventurous, you can even get up and personal with exotic animals such as meerkats, racoons and wild cats. There is truly an animal cafe for everyone!

BIG DOG CAFE

Despite the rather intimidating name, the big dogs in this cafe are surprisingly tame and very friendly! Aside from these gentle giants, the cafe houses an array of other dog breeds which are equally as adorable and as lovable as their massive counterparts. We do recommend that you make a reservation prior to your visit as the cafe can get rather crowded at times.

82 Ratchadaphisek Road
Khwaeng Huai Khwang
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10310, Thailand
Tel: +66 95 259 2392
Daily: 9.30am – 10pm

CATURDAY

Feline lovers will be glad to know that Bangkok has Caturday Cat Café, a cat cafe that is brimming with adorable, fluffy kitties of all shapes and sizes. With its convenient location near BTS station Ratchathewi, cat lovers have no excuse to not visit this cat heaven. Aside from feline friends, they have an array of scrumptious desserts and snacks for you to tuck into while you stroke the head of a fluffy cat.

Caturday Cat Cafe
89/70 Phayathai Road
Khwaeng Thanon Phetchaburi, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 656 5247
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Photo Credit: Coffee Puppy

COFFEE & PUPPY

Like its name says, Coffee & Puppy is a cafe that serves up a good dosage of both puppies and cuppas of coffee. Aside from that, it also has a pretty decent menu with food such as burgers, fries and pasta. Dog owners are free to bring their own pups as well and there are menus available for both humans and dogs, so you can have dinner alongside your pet!

36 3-4 Chaeng Watthana Road
Thung Song Hong, Lak Si
Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 982 6519
Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays)

CORGI IN THE GARDEN

If you’re a corgi lover like the majority of the internet is, you need to check out Corgi in the Garden, a cafe that houses 12 short-legged, pouty-faced, fluffy little pups. The entrance fee is inclusive of a free drink and there are also other snacks available for you to indulge in as you watch these adorable corgis frolick around.

338/1 Kallapaphruek Road Bang Wa
Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Tue to Fri: 12.30pm – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Photo Credit: Dog in Town

DOG IN TOWN

Another dog cafe for all the dog lovers out there is Dog in Town. The cafe is home to a variety of dog breeds such as the Shiba Inu, Poodle, Corgi, Frenchie and Husky. Unlike most animal cafes, where the animals are kept in a separate area from the dining area and there are fixed playtimes, the dogs here at Dog in Town get to roam around freely. Do be careful because sometimes, the puppies will try to steal your food!

16/1 Ekkamai 6 Alley
Khlong Tan Nuea
Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel: +66 88 942 4964
Daily: 11am – 8pm

Photo Credit: HoPs Dog Cafe

HOPS DOG CAFE

Located in central Bangkok at Siam is House of Paws, another animal cafe that features several breeds of dogs that include the likes of Pomeranians, Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and Beagles. It is a great place to check out after a tiring day of shopping!

458, 458/1 Siam Square Soi 8
Khwaeng Pathum Wan
Pathum Wan District
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 89 896 8690
Tue to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)

LITTLE ZOO CAFE

Another cafe conveniently situated in the heart of Siam is Little Zoo Cafe, a cafe that features all sorts of animals such as dogs, cats and birds of different breeds. What makes it stand out from the rest of the animal cafes in the list is how it also houses quite a number of exotic animals which include an Arctic Fox, a Fennec Fox, an owl and a massive raccoon.

424/7 Siam Square
Rama I Road, Pathum Wan District
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 92 448 1116
Daily: 11am – 8pm

Photo Credit: Pooltime Cafe

POOLTIME CAFE

Racoon lovers should pay a visit to Pooltime Cafe, an adorable pool-themed cafe that has a bunch of racoons that you can play with and feed. Do note that you have to purchase an additional ticket on top of your food to visit these playful creatures and that their playtime is only limited to certain times of the day.

Ramkhamhaeng 110 Alley
Khwaeng Saphan Sung
Saphan Sung, Bangkok 10240, Thailand
Tel: +66 90 652 4109
Fri: 8am to 10pm
(Closed from Saturday to Thursday)

Photo Credit: Rabbito

RABBITO CAFE

We are pretty certain that a trip to Rabbito Cafe could brighten up almost anyone’s day. This garden-themed cafe is perfect for brunch as well as to play with some adorable rabbits. The bunnies are very tame, friendly and well-groomed, making it a kid-friendly environment that is perfect for your little ones. It is also conveniently located next to Udom Suk BTS.

9-29/1 Sukhumvit Soi 101/1
Di Wavery Community Mall
Bangkok 10260, Thailand
Tel: +66 61 632 2365
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 8pm

Photo Credit: The Animal Cafe

THE ANIMAL CAFE

Similar to Little Zoo Cafe, The Animal Cafe has exotic animals that you can play with such as Fennec Foxes, African Wild Cats, racoons and owls. Though they do not have as much of a variety of animals as compared to Little Zoo Cafe, it is still worth a visit!

311/2 Sathu Pradit 19 Alley
Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa
Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 674 0277
Daily: 11am – 8pm

TRUELOVE @ NEVERLAND

TrueLove @ Neverland is one of Bangkok’s most famous and popular animal cafes, and for a good reason too. This Siberian husky cafe is perfect for dog lovers and fans of these beautiful sledge dogs as you can get up close and personal with them. Aside from huskies, the cafe also has old English Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds; it’s a dog paradise!

153 Soi Ari Samphan 2
Phaya Thai Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 85 908 2777
Daily: 12pm – 4pm

Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice —Is Bangkok’s Famous Chicken Rice As Good As Singapore’s?

Melissa Teo — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 21:01:33 +0000

Ask any Singaporean living overseas what Singapore food they miss and we can bet with you that the majority of them would say chicken rice. Chicken rice holds a special place in many of our hearts and it is no mystery why this simple yet flavourful dish has always been a crowd favourite.

We aren’t the only place in the world that has chicken rice though; Bangkok has its own rendition of the dish and while they both may look pretty similar, they do have their differences too.

We tried out Bangkok’s famous Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice on our recent trip to Bangkok and here is how we feel it compared to Singapore’s Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice is a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee and it started out in 1960 as a simple pushcart stall by a Hainanese immigrant in Bangkok. Today, it is bustling eatery in the middle of Pratunam and it never fails to attract swarms of both tourists and locals alike.

We ordered one large plate of chicken (120baht) to share amongst ourselves as well as some rice (10baht). The serving size is pretty generous and definitely very value-for-money, especially if you come with a big group of people. Aside from the fresh slices of chicken, the dish also came with a cube of blood pudding.

The meat served to us was very lean and some of the slices were covered in slithers of chicken skin which added more flavour and texture to the chicken. While the chicken was fragrant and flavourful, its flesh was not quite as tender and as succulent as the ones you can find in Singapore, which we found a tad bit disappointing.

To enhance the flavour of the chicken, we recommend smothering it in some of their signature chilli sauce which consists of fermented bean paste, ginger and fermented chilli. The chilli added a lovely spicy kick to the chicken and definitely enhanced the flavours of the overall dish. We have to admit that if we had to choose between Singapore’s Chilli and Bangkok’s we would have a pretty hard time!

All in all, we still prefer Singapore’s Hainanese chicken rice over Bangkok’s chicken rice as we prefer our meat to be more on the tender side. However, Bangkok undoubtedly serves up some pretty solid plates of chicken rice as well and we highly recommend that you give it a try if you’re ever in Bangkok!

Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice
960 962 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 252 6325
Daily: 6am – 2pm, 5pm – 2am

8 Places To Eat At In Phra Nakhon After Visiting The Grand Palace And Wat Arun

Melissa Teo — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 18:33:10 +0000

The Phra Nakhon area in Bangkok is the perfect spot to head to for a day trip to experience the rich and gorgeous culture of Thailand. History buffs and photographers will love how the place is packed with historical monuments and temples such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho.

A tiring day of exploring also means that it is crucial for one to suss out some good eateries in the vicinity to refuel yourselves. With that, here are 8 places that we recommend you check out during your adventures in Phra Nakhon!

Photo Credit: carmilya

AMA

For wholesome and legitimate Thai food, you definitely need to add AMA to your list of must-try eateries in Bangkok. Aside from the impeccable service and hospitality, the restaurant dishes out authentic Thai fare at wallet-friendly prices. If you’re spoilt for choice, we recommend getting their Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice!

270 272 Maha Rat Road
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 84 716 8185
Daily: 11am – 5.15pm

KRUA APSORN

Krua Apsorn rose to fame when a member of the Thai Royal family mentioned that he loved the food here. The restaurant has been consistently dishing out scrumptious Thai fare for years and it is an eatery that only locals and foodies in-the-know head to. We highly recommend that you get the Signature Stir-Fried Crab In Curry Powder as well as their Omelet with Crab.

169 Dinso Road
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 80 550 0310
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 8pm

Photo Credit: crisber24_7

TANG HENG KEE

Tucked away amongst the temples and historical monuments is Tang Heng Kee, an unpretentious restaurant that serves affordable yet authentic Thai food. Diners adore their Tom Yum Koong, Pad Thai and Coconut Ice Cream! The owners speak both English and Chinese as well, so communicating with them is pretty convenient too.

302 Maharaj Road, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 222 7072

THE SIXTH

Located just a short walk away from the famous Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, The Sixth is a cosy and hip little cafe that is run by a young couple. They specialise in wholesome and soulful Thai food which include the likes of Tom Yum Koong, Phad Thai and Thai Green Curry.

The Sixth’s quirky and homely decor gives the entire place a very relaxed and chill atmosphere. While the place only has five tables and is perpetually crowded, we promise you that the experience here is well worth the wait.

Maha Rat Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 316 6890
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)

Photo Credit: moonsong__

THIAN SONG ROAST DUCK

This hole-in-the-wall street restaurant specialises in roast duck. They’ve been in the business for over 70-years and is very popular with the locals. Aside from their ambrosial plates of duck rice and noodles, they are also popular for their coffee and toasted bread with orange kaya, both of which are very good for breakfast.

Dinso Road
Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 4554
Daily: 8am – 7.30pm

THIPSAMAI

Located on the outskirts of Chinatown, Thipsamai has been around since 1966 and the store is constantly flooded with both tourists and locals. Many dub it as the best Phad Thai in Bangkok and honestly, we can see why it is such a hot favourite amongst both the locals and tourists. Pair your Pad Thai along with some of their famous orange juice as well!

Thipsamai
313 315 Maha Chai Road
Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 6666
Daily: 5pm – 2am

Photo Credit: luiscpss

RAAN JAY FAI

If you’ve watched Netflix’s “Street Food” you probably would have heard of the legendary Raan Jay Fai, a woman in her 70s who cooks all her dishes wearing her iconic oversized goggles. With a Michelin Star under her belt, it is no surprise that Raan Jay Fai sees never-ending snaking long queues that sometimes do not even guarantee you a chance to try her food.

The food here is definitely on the pricier side, but that doesn’t stop people from joining the lines just to have a quick sample of what she has to offer.

327 Maha Chai Road
Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 92 724 9633

TEE YEN TA FO

If you aren’t feeling the queues at Raan Jay Fai and Thipsamai, you should pop by the less famous but just as good Yen Ta Fo, where they serve up authentic and wholesome bowls of the Thai version of Yong Tau Fu. Each bowl features springy noodles and an assortment of ingredients doused in a pink-hued soup that gets its colour from fermented soybean paste.

256 Maha Chai Road
Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 92 817 4200
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 2am
Mon: 6pm – 12am

The Ultimate Food Bucket List – 23 Must-Try Food In Bangkok And Where To Find Them

Melissa Teo — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 19:58:41 +0000

We will never run out of things to eat in Bangkok. Period.

This gluttons paradise is home to a smorgasbord of scrumptious grub that we wouldn’t mind getting fat for. From cooling husks of coconut ice cream to fiery bowls of Thai green curry, Bangkok hands down has some of the best food that we have ever tasted.

Whether it’s your first time stepping foot into this food heaven or if you’re a frequent traveller to Bangkok, we have here a guide of local food and snacks to give you some ideas on what you need to try on your next trip to the land of smiles.

BOAT NOODLES

There are few things as addictive as boat noodles and we love the satisfying feeling of stacking all those finished bowls up high. The great thing about boat noodles is that because the portions are all so small and cheap, you get to try a variety of different broths and noodles till your heart’s content without feeling a pinch in your wallet.

Where to get it: Lung Prathunam Boat Noodles, Kin Tiew Kan, Baan Kuay Tiew Ruathong, Doy Kuay Teow Reua Boat Noodles

COCONUT ICE CREAM

The Bangkok heat can get pretty unbearable at times and that’s why we love indulging ourselves in some Thai coconut ice-cream to cool ourselves down. We absolutely love the rich coconut cream base and we like to garnish our ice creams a sprinkling of peanuts, fruits, and candies.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Hua Mum Night Market, Natthaphon Coconut Ice Cream

CHARCOAL CREPES

Choose to have your crepes savoury or sweet—we had our charcoal crepe with sliced bananas. You are likely to find crepes in most night markets of Bangkok as it is a common snack you can find even on the streets itself.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada

Photo Credit: erikhasoewito

CRISPY PANCAKES (KHANOM BUANG)

Khanom buang is a must-eat snack when you are in Thailand. It’s a Thai-style crepe that looks like a crunchy taco. It’s made with rice flour and stuffed with sweet meringue or savoury cream. Toppings vary from egg yolk threads to shredded coconut or chopped shrimp.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada

DUCK RICE/NOODLES

If you love duck, we insist that you try the Thai’s rendition of duck noodles and rice. We prefer it over Singapore’s any day and we love how their version features more tender and succulent cuts of duck.

Where to get it: Buay Pochana, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Pondtip Pratunam, Tung Sui Heng Pochana

Photo Credit: feebz9210

FRIED BUGS

This one isn’t for the faint-hearted (and that includes us). If you’re a brave soul who loves trying out new things, we recommend that you have a go at some fried bugs. Bangkok is one of the few places in the world that dishes out these critters like delicacies and you can often get your hands on some at most of the night markets there.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, Khao San Road, Soi Cowboy, Klong Toey Market

FRIED QUAIL EGGS

Fried quail eggs are one of our favourite street snacks in Bangkok. They taste great, albeit extremely simple. The special seasoning used is a sauce that elevates the savoury taste. The egg is also usually not fully cooked, so the yolk bursts once you bite into it.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Chinatown, Ramkhamhaeng University Night Market, Hua Mak

LENG SAAP

Leng Saap essentially translates to ‘Spicy Pork Bone Soup’ and it basically consists of giant portions of pork ribs and spine that are generously doused in a rich and addictively spicy broth as well as plenty of lime, coriander and chilli. We’ve tried the one at Golden Mile Tower back in Singapore and were instantly hooked, and we pleased to say that the ones here in Bangkok taste even better.

Where to get it: Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, Rot Fai Market Ratchada

MANGO STICKY RICE

The vast abundance of street food might be a tad too overwhelming for first-timers to Thailand, but one will never go wrong with this classic Thai dessert. Made with coconut milk, fresh mangoes and sticky glutinous rice, this dessert is a delightful contrast of sweet and saltiness.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Talad Neon Night Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Mae Varee Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango, Boonsap Thai Desserts, Muhammad Roddee, Je Meaw Sukhumvit 38

OLIVE RICE

If you’re tired of plain white rice, why not try some of Thailands olive rice? We love how the rice has an aromatic olive flavour that pairs well with whatever dish it is served with it. It also tastes great eaten on its own!

Where to get it: Street outside Union Mall, Sanguan Sri Restaurant

PAD THAI

It would be a crime to come to Bangkok and not have tried the pad Thai here. This classic stir-fried noodle dish is chock full of different flavours from all its various components such as the nuttiness from the peanuts to the sweetness of the prawns and chilli. It isn’t hard to see why it’s so popular amongst both locals and tourists alike!

Where to get it: Thipsamai, Baan Phad Thai, Pad Thai Mae Am

PAN-FRIED SQUID EGGS

Squid eggs do sound a little intimidating to people who have never tried them before but we promise you that they taste way better than they sound! Most places serve them in two ways: deep-fried or pan-fried. We prefer the deep-fried version which is first coated with batter for a crispy outer layer, before being deep-fried in hot oil and then drizzled with a tangy green chilli sauce for extra oomph.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Rot Fai Market Ratchada

PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE (KHAO OP SAPPAROT)

Nothing beats an iconic plate of pineapple fried rice and this well-loved Thai dish features fluffy Jasmine rice cooked with juicy pineapple chunks. Some places even serve up the dish in a hollowed-out pineapple which makes for a great photo opportunity for the gram.

Where to get it: Ko Eay Ko Kafaa, Tealicious Cafe

PORK TROTTERS RICE (KHAO KAA MOO)

Whenever we are in Bangkok, we love to indulge ourselves in a sinful plate of pork trotters rice. Here, outrageously tender chunks of braised pork trotters lie atop a bed of white rice and then doused in a generous amount of braising gravy. We honestly wouldn’t mind getting a heart attack for this dish.

Where to get it: Bamee Sawang, Khao Kha Moo Truk Sung

Photo Credit: linhlengkeng

SALTED GRILLED FISH

The Thai’s prepare their salted fish very differently from the Chinese. Here, they coat the entire fish in a layer of salt while discarding the skin. This interesting technique helps to preserve the moisture of the fishes flesh during the grilling process, keeping it nice, moist and chock full of flavour.

Where to get it: Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Pa Porn Pla Phao, Talad Neon

SOM TUM

For the uninitiated, som tum is essentially Thai-style green papaya salad. There are many roadside stalls selling fresh som tum that is prepared to order. Unripened green papaya is shredded and mixed with chilli, sugar, garlic, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes and several other ingredients to produce a spicy-sour taste that will have you lingering for more.

Where to get it: B-Story Cafe, MBK Mall, Chatuchak Weekend Market

THAI CHICKEN RICE

While Thai-style chicken rice is somewhat similar to Singapore’s, the chicken is much drier and the rice is a little less oily. Many stalls specialise in both fried and steamed chicken rice and we sometimes have a hard time choosing between the two. We love the chilli sauce that accompanies the dish and it provides anything that is dunked into it with a savoury and fiery touch that packs a punch.

Where to get it: Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice, Kuang Heng, Kaiton Pratunam Chicken Rice

THAI ICED MILK TEA

To combat the sweltering heat, we love to get ourselves a cup of satisfyingly cooling Thai iced milk tea. Renditions of this popular drink can be found in many places around the world but nothing beats going back to the original. While the drink may get too cloyingly sweet at times, we still can’t help but slurp it down because it’s just so addictive.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road, Rot Fai Market Ratchada, Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin

THAI GREEN CURRY

We love how creamy yet fiery a good bowl of Thai green curry is. The green chillies used give the dish its murky green colour and this is further enhanced with basil leaves and lemongrass. If you can’t take spicy food, be warned that this dish might be a bit too much for you.

Where to get it: Krua Apsorn, Methavalai Sorndaeng, The Sixth

THAI FISH CAKE

Thai fish cakes are one of our favourite snacks in Bangkok and we love how they are easily available. If you are lucky, these fish cakes will be freshly deep-fried in front of you, so you can have it piping hot with a generous drizzle of Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Where to get it: Pratunam Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market

THAI-STYLE OMELETTE

There is something very addictive about Thai-style omelettes that make us prefer it to any other omelette out there. For some unbeknownst reason, the omelettes in Bangkok are the fluffiest and sweetest. Pair it with some rice and Thai green chilli sauce and you’ve got yourself a simple yet satisfying meal that’ll substantially fill you up.

Where to get it: Chatuchak Weekend Market, The Sixth, Raan Jay Fai, Nhong Rim Klong

TOM YUM KOONG

Common but oh-so-addictive, a hearty bowl of tom yum koong is an ideal centrepiece for meals with large groups of people. The dish is creamy, spicy and tangy all at once and we could easily just eat it doused over a plate of rice without anything else.

Where to get it: The Sixth, The Place 168, Pee Aor

WANTON NOODLES

If you love Singapore’s wanton noodles, you may wanna give the Thai version a try. Here, springy egg noodles are tossed in oil, soya sauce and chilli, accompanied with greens, small dumplings and slices of honeyed pork. We admittedly can’t decide if we prefer the Thai or Singapore rendition!

Where to get it: Sukhumvit Soi 38, Bamee Sawang, Nai Meng Ba Mee Poo, Odean Noodle

Tee Yen Ta Fo — Skip The Queues At Thipsamai And Try Out This Thai Style Yong Tau Foo Instead

Melissa Teo — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 21:36:48 +0000

If you travelled all the way down to Thipsamai just to be disheartened by the snaking long queues, why not try a Thai style yong tau foo instead?

Located around 100 metres away from popular Thipsamai and Raan Jay Fai is Tee Yen Ta Fo, a humble street stall that specialises in an underrated Thai dish called yen ta fo.

And here’s what we love about it.

Yen ta fo is essentially a noodle dish which features springy noodles and an assortment of ingredients doused in a pink-hued soup that gets its colour from fermented soybean paste. It may not be a plate of Bib Gourmand pad Thai but this simple yet flavourful dish makes up for it in its own comforting way.

While the store sells a variety of soup and noodle dishes, we went straight ahead and ordered their original dish, the Tee’s Yen-Ta-Fo Red Soup Noodle (80 baht). Upon ordering, you get to choose between 3 spice levels and we chose the moderate spice level.

Served to us in a pretty porcelain-printed bowl, the dish was brimming with ingredients such as rice noodles, fishcakes, fishballs, dumplings and leafy greens. All these varying components added a myriad of varying texture to the dish and it tasted nostalgically similar to the yong tau foo back home in Singapore.

However, what truly differentiates the two is the dishes striking pink-hued broth. Not only does it look interesting, but it also tastes special too. The broth was sweet, tangy and spicy all at once and we love how it injected flavour into all the other ingredients in the bowl.

We also had a go at their Egg Noodle with Red Roasted Pork, Minced Pork and Boiled Egg (80 baht). The noodles here were springy and well-cooked with a decent bite to it. It paired well with the minced pork and sliced red roast pork which added bursts of umami into every bite.

Tee Yen Ta Fo
256 Maha Chai Road
Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 92 817 4200
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 2am
Mon: 6pm – 12am

Pratunam Guide Bangkok — What To See, Eat And Do For First Timers

Melissa Teo — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 16:39:16 +0000

It is no secret that Bangkok is a food and shopping paradise that is full of dirt-cheap deals, and we always make it a point to come here at least once a year to get our fill on affordable food, shopping and massages.

For those of you who are visiting Bangkok for the first time and you need some ideas for your itinerary, we recommend you pay the Pratunam area a visit. The place is chock full of endless shopping, food and even more shopping and once you’re done with all that, you can give your body a break by heading over to one of the many massage parlours that are scattered around the area.

If you want to visit Pratunam but you are absolutely clueless about what you should do there, here’s our guide to give you some ideas.

WAKE UP EARLY FOR CHEAP WHOLESALE DEALS AT PRATUNAM MORNING MARKET

You can forget about scrolling through Taobao for the next few months after visiting this gargantuan wholesale paradise. The market is filled with hundreds of vendors selling trendy pieces for dirt cheap prices. We recommend coming here with a group of friends because you can get even cheaper prices when you bulk buy!

Ratchaprarop 1 Alley
Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 5am – 6pm

HAVE BREAKFAST AT LUNG PRATHUNAM BOAT NOODLES

There are multiple places in Bangkok that serve up decent bowls of boat noodles but one of our absolute favourites is Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle. Here, they have 6 different broths and 8 different types of noodles to choose from. Each bowl costs a mere 30 baht and an upsized version would be 40 baht. For those of you who are in a rush, you can also do a take away for 50 baht.

960/14 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 85 919 1994
Daily: 8am – 5pm

GO SHOPPING AT PLATINUM FASHION MALL OR PANDTIP IT MALL

It is impossible to not have heard of Platinum Fashion Mall and this shopping paradise is home to a plethora of stalls that sell cheap and trendy clothes, accessories and shoes. With 6 floors housing over 2000 stalls, the place will keep you busy for hours! If you aren’t keen in fashion, you can also head on over to Pandtip IT Mall to check out some of the tech stuff that they have available.

GET A MASSAGE ALONG PETCHABURI SOI 15

While shopping may be fun, it can also be pretty exhausting. To ease those muscles and give yourself a break, we recommend heading over to the row of massage parlours at Petchaburi Soi 15 to treat yourself to a good session of kneading and back cracking. While all the parlours there are pretty decent, our favourite is Number One Massage!

Number One Massage
1/7-8 Pratunam
Phetchaburi soi 15
Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewei
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +65 +66 2 653 9967
Daily: 9.30am – 12am

HAVE LUNCH AT GONG TONG CAFE

Gong Tong is a charming and quirky cafe that dishes out themed homemade dishes revolving around different historical periods of Thailand. They serve up both sets and à la carte options and each and every dish here will take you to a completely different era. While the prices here are on the steeper end, we can assure you that it is well worth every cent.

Thanon Phaya Thai
Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 879 0149
Daily: 10am – 8.30pm

PAY A VISIT TO BRAND NEW MALL ‘THE MARKET’

The shopping scene in Bangkok just keeps getting better and joining the slew of malls is The Market. Located just across the road from Central World, The Market is home to plenty of stalls like boutiques, blogshops, cafes and massage parlours. The prices here are a little on the steeper end as compared to the markets but we feel like the things sold here are of better quality.

111 Ratchadamri Road
Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 121 8888
Daily: 10am – 10pm

HAVE TEA AT BOYY AND SON CAFE

Located conveniently at the recently renovated Gaysorn Village, BOYY & Son is a chic, stylish and incredibly Instagram-worthy cafe that sells coffee, tea and an interesting array of pastries. We absolutely love their croissants which are flaky, buttery and fragrant all at once!

BOYY 127 Unit L00-01 GAYSORN Tower2 Lumphini
Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 253 8300
Daily: 8am – 8pm

VISIT CENTRAL WORLD SHOPPING MALL

Like we said, the shopping never ends at Pratunam! Another mall to check out is the famous Central World Shopping Mall. While it is similar to many Singapore malls and the stuff here isn’t as cheap as the markets, it’s still a great place to do some window shopping and enjoy the air-con!

999/9 Rama I Road
Khwaeng Pathum Wan
Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Daily 10am – 10pm

HAVE DINNER AT GO-ANG PRATUNAM CHICKEN RICE

If you want to try a different variation of chicken rice aside from Singapore’s Hainanese chicken rice, we recommend that you pop by Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice. These plates of Michelin Bib Gourmand chicken rice certainly live up to its name and we can see why it’s so popular with both the locals and tourists. Brace yourself for some really long queues!

960 962 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 252 6325
Daily: 6am – 2pm, 5pm – 2am

CHECK OUT PALLADIUM NIGHT MARKET

As the sun sets for the day, all the night markets come out to play. Pratunam has its own share of night markets that come alive when the sky turns dark and one of the more popular ones is Palladium Night Market. Here, you can find rows of stalls selling things like clothes, accessories and random knick-knacks.

487 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 6pm – 12am

END THE NIGHT WITH TALAD NEON NIGHT MARKET

If you still have time, you can also hop on over to Talad Neon Night Market for even more shopping and feasting. We prefer this place to Palladium Night Market as we feel that the things sold here are catered more to the youths. They also have a larger array of stalls that sell food so it’s a great supper spot!

1087, 167 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 5pm – 12am

Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle — Slurp-worthy Bowls Of Boat Noodles To Try After Shopping

Melissa Teo — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:27:19 +0000

For those of you who have small appetites or just need something small to munch on before your next meal, boat noodles are a perfect meal option. Tiny yet incredibly hearty and substantial, don’t underestimate these little bowls of goodness that pack a powerful punch.

There are multiple places in Bangkok that serve up decent bowls of boat noodles but one of our absolute favourites is Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle. Located right smack in the middle of bustling Pratunam, its convenient location makes it a great pitstop for ravenous shopaholics who need to refuel after a tiring day of shopping.

The menu here at Lung Prathunam Boat Noodle is pretty straightforward. Here, they have 6 different broths and 8 different types of noodles to choose from. Mix and match to get your desired bowl of boat noodles; the combinations are endless!

Each bowl costs a mere 30 baht and an upsized version would be 40 baht. For those of you who are in a rush, you can also do a take away for 50 baht.

We decided to try a combination of Thicken Beef Soup with Rice Noodles. The beef soup was outrageously robust and packed full of umami. For such a small bowl, they were rather generous with their serving of beef slices which were chunky and not too tough on the teeth.

For something a little lighter, you can choose to have their Clear Soup with Minced Pork and Fish Ball. We had our bowl with glass noodles. The soup was less heavy on the palate as compared to the Thickened Beef Soup, yet, it still was satisfyingly flavourful. The minced pork also added a nice meaty bite to the dish as well as enhanced the flavour of the soup.

Other soup flavours that you can try are Dark Soy Sauce with Pork or Beef, Dry Tom Yum, Yong Tau Fu and Tom Yum Soup.

Lung Prathunam Boat Noodles
960/14 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 85 919 1994
Daily: 8am – 5pm

11 Less Known Markets In Bangkok That Are The Locals’ Best Kept Secrets

Melissa Teo — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:37:39 +0000

It is no secret that Bangkok is a night market paradise that has something for everyone. Even if you aren’t a diehard shopaholic, Bangkok’s night market scene has everything from food to entertainment to services, making it a versatile destination that should be at the top of everyone’s itinerary.

While many people tend to patronise the more common markets such as Chatuchak Weekend Market, Pratunam Market and Palladium Night Market, Bangkok is home to a plethora of other night markets that are less explored and frequented by tourists.

For the full local experience and significantly smaller crowds, here is a list of 11 less known night markets in Bangkok that you can visit on your next trip to the land of smiles.

CAMP VINTAGE FLEA MARKET

If you want to pop some tags but you only have 20 dollars in your pocket, you can head on over to Camp Vintage Flea Market to go thrift shopping. Not only is this place a vintage paradise, but it is also a very artsy spot to snap some great photos for the gram. We also love how they decorate the place with repurposed planes and other air crafts to go with the vintage theme.

The Camp Vintage Flea Market
482 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, Bangkok, Thailand
Tue to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11.45pm

CHANG CHUI BANGKOK PLANE MARKET

The term ‘”chui” refers to being disorganised in the Thai language but do not be deceived by its name—the huge lifestyle space is a one-stop destination for everything art-related. Think fashion apparel stalls, concept cafes, food trucks and a vintage cinema for the film buffs. There even is an old aeroplane right smack in the middle of ChangChui market—yes, that is how massive this night market is.

460/8 Sirindhorn Road
Bangpld, Bangkok
10700 Thailand
Tel: +66 81817 2888
Tue to Sun: 4pm – 11pm

HUAI KHWANG NIGHT MARKET

Huai Khwang Night Market is just a short walk away from Huai Khwang MRT station, which makes it very convenient and accessible. Do not expect rows of tented stalls like what you usually see at night markets in Bangkok; the stalls here are mostly located within buildings along a long winding road and to us, it seemed more like a row of shophouses that function like night market stalls.

Soi Pracha Rat Bamphen
Khwaeng Din Daeng, Din Daeng
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 24-hours

HUA MUM NIGHT MARKET

Hua Mum Night Market is considered a hidden gem because most foreigners probably don’t know about it nor wouldn’t discover it on their own—and evidently, that is its main draw. This under-the-radar localised market is not as congested as the other popular tourist attractions and you can shop for absolutely everything such as handcrafted handbags, customised keyrings as well as trendy apparel.

They are also famous for their Seafood Hunks who will provide you with some live entertainment as you enjoy your seafood!

11 Kaset-Nawamin Rd
Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 12am

INDY NIGHT MARKET DAO KHANONG

Indy Night Market is heavily frequented by the locals and while it is pretty far out from central Bangkok, the place is well worth the trip down! As the market is catered mostly to the locals, things here are also significantly cheaper as compared to other night markets out there.

Suk Sawat Road
Khwaeng Chom Thong, Khet Chom Thong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10150
Daily: 6pm – 12am

Photo Credit: agentdeclan

LIAB DUAN NIGHT MARKET

Liab Duan Night Market is a massive, overflowing market that is a shopaholics paradise for both men and women alike. Aside from that, they even sell pet accessories, homeware and collectables. Do keep a lookout for the massive transformers that are standing in the middle of the market; it makes for a pretty cool picture for the gram!

Thanon Rarm Intra
Khwaeng Tha Raeng
Khet Bang Khen, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10220
Daily: 6pm to 1am

Photo Credit: Hirolink43

MALI MARKET

Mali Market is more catered to kids and kids at heart. Here, you’ll be able to find old school games and rides that’ll bring you back to your childhood days. Aside from that, they have the usual stalls that sell clothes, accessories and food, making it an all-rounded market that your whole family will love.

111 Moo 5 Pak Kret 39 Pak Kret District
Nonthaburi 11120
Daily: 5pm – 12am

Photo Credit: Bangkok Info Guide

PATPONG NIGHT MARKET

Patpong Night Market has made a name for itself with its sheer number of counterfeit goods. The night market is jam-packed with tourists and visitors so do be prepared for some massive crowds! It is important to note that the bazaar is located in a red-light district, hence it isn’t necessarily the most children-friendly area.

Phat Pong 2 Alley
Khwaeng Suriya Wong, Khet Bang Rak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 1am
Sun: 6pm – 12am

RAMKHAMHAENG NIGHT MARKET

2345/1 Ramkhamhaeng Road
Khwaeng Hua Mak, Khet Bang Kapi
Bangkok, Thailand 10240
Thu to Tue: 4pm – 11pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

SAI TAI MAI CENTER NIGHT MARKET

Sai Tai Mai is another night market that only the locals know about and everything here is dirt cheap. The sprawling space will keep you occupied for hours and there is plenty to see, do and buy for people of all ages. The market is a little inaccessible by public transport so you’ll need to take a Grab or taxi down.

8 Borommaratchachonnani Road
Khwaeng Chim Phli, Khet Taling Chan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10170, Thailand
Daily: 6pm – 2am

TALAD ROT FAI SRINAKARIN NIGHT MARKET

Rot Fai Market (Srinakarin) is a dream come true for shopaholics and it is one of the biggest night markets in Bangkok. There are thousands of shops here and we promise you that you will not have enough time to cover all the vendors in one night. It will take plenty of stamina to strike off this attraction in your list but hey, they don’t call shopping Singapore’s national sport for nothing!

Srinakarin Road Soi 51
Srinagarindra 51 Alley
Nong Bon, Prawet, Bangkok 10250, Thailand
Mon to Wed: Closed
Thu to Sat: 4pm – 1am
Sun: 4pm – 12am

10 Free And Fun Things To See And Do In Bangkok For The Broke & Curious

Melissa Teo — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 01:00:10 +0000

In this day and age, the wanderlust is strong, especially amongst youth who want to get out and experience the world before they grow old.

It can be easy to be swept away by the glitz and glamour of travelling portrayed by influencers and your friends on social media but sometimes, our budgets aren’t very supportive in funding our travels.

However, fret not as there are many gorgeous places to check out that won’t hurt your wallet and one of them is Bangkok. While Bangkok is already known for its cheap shopping, food and massages, this bustling city has a number of free things to see and do that’ll help you cut costs yet enjoy yourself at the same time.

BANGKOK BUTTERFLY GARDEN & INSECTARIUM

If you’re not afraid of little critters and creepy crawlies, you can check out Bangkok’s very own Butterfly Garden and Insectarium to admire some gorgeous butterflies. The lofty enclosure is home to a few species of butterflies which flutter around the various rockeries, flowers and shady ferns. We are surprised that entry for this place is free!

Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road
Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 272 4359
Tue to Sun: 8.30am – 4.30pm

Photo Credit: ambshencho

EXPLORE PAK KHLONG TALAT FLOWER MARKET

Skip the night markets and check out Bangkok’s famous flower market instead. If you love flowers or colourful sights, this is the perfect place to admire the spectacle of colours and to snap some pretty shots for the gram. Here, you also can witness both locals and tourists purchasing gorgeous, fresh flowers for whatever purpose.

Chak Phet Road, near the Memorial Bridge or Saphan Phut Chao Phraya pier
Daily: 24-hours

Photo Credit: ashleahalpern

GO MUSEUM HOPPING

Bangkok’s history and culture are incredibly rich and the best places to learn all about them are museums. While many of such museums charge for entry, some of them happen to be free. We recommend dropping by the Silpa Bhirasri Memorial and Museum and the Bangkokian Museum.

Bangkokian Museum
273 Saphan Yao Alley
Khwaeng Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 233 7027
Tue to Sun: 9am – 4pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Silpa Bhirasri Memorial and Museum
Na Phrathat Road
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
Phra Nakhon
10200 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 223 6162
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

Photo Credit: travellers_are_travelling

HAVE AN ADVENTURE AT KO KRET ISLAND

Don’t just limit yourself to the city area; located just a little out of Bangkok is Ko Kret, an artificial island that that is packed full of Thai crafts, culture and food. The area also has plenty of local temples such as Wat Phat Lorn and Wat Salakun for you to visit to soak in the culture. You can reach the island via taxi, driving or a riverboat so it is easily accessible.

Photo Credit: combatgotv

MBK FIGHT NIGHT

For a more exhilarating activity, you can head on down to MBK mall on a Wednesday night to check out MBK Fight Night. A ring will be set up outside Tokyu Department Store next to National Stadium BTS and there, people can watch and experience a live Muay Thai Fight. Best of all, it’s free!

444 Phayathai Road
Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Daily: 10am – 10pm

RELAX AT CHATUCHAK PARK

Walk off the food coma after feasting on street food by taking a stroll in Chatuchak Park. This scenic spot is full of lush greenery and it is one of the oldest parks in Bangkok. The place is also well-connected to Chatuchak MRT Station and Mo Chit BTS station, making it a convenient pitstop for a nice walk

Kamphaeng Phet Road
Khet Chatuchak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Daily: 4.30am – 9pm

WANDER AROUND YAOWARAT STREET AT NIGHT

The streets of Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, are filled with a plethora of things to eat see and do. We recommend coming here during the evening or at night as that’s when the place comes alive with people, street vendors and lights.

Photo Credit: si_rina

VISIT ERAWAN SHRINE

Bangkok is a city that is full of shrines but the most popular one out of the lot is Erawan Shrine. It was built back in 1956 by Erewan Hotel to counter the bad karma of laying the foundations of the hotel on the wrong date. Located conveniently near Phrom Phong BTS, throngs of tourists and locals alike flood the place to pray and admire the gorgeous shrine. Traditional Thai dance troupes often perform here as well.

Ratchadamri Road
Khwaeng Lumphini
Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

Daily: 6am – 11pm

Photo Credit: yoroom

GO TEMPLE HOPPING

Bangkok is home to a plethora of gorgeous temples and worship sites and many of them have free entry. Visit these temples to understand Thai history and culture better as well as admire the breathtaking handiwork and architecture. Some recommended temples to visit are Mangkorn Kamalawat, Wat Indharaviharn and Wat Patum Wanaran.

Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat
423 Charoen Krung Road
Khwaeng Pom Prap
Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 222 3975

Wat Indharaviharn
144 Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 282 3173
Daily: 6am – 6pm

Wat Patum Wanaran
969 Rama I Road
Khwaeng Pathum Wan
Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 251 6469

VINTAGE WINDOW SHOPPING AT CAMP VINTAGE FLEA MARKET

If you want to pop some tags but you only have 20 dollars in your pocket, you can head on over to Camp Vintage Flea Market to go thrift shopping. Not only is this place a vintage paradise, but it is also a very artsy spot to snap some great photos for the gram. In addition, we love how they decorate the place with repurposed planes and other air crafts to go with the vintage theme.

The Camp Vintage Flea Market
482 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, Bangkok, Thailand
Tue to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11.45pm

4D3N Bangkok Itinerary — What To See, Do And Eat At This Food And Shopping Paradise

Melissa Teo — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 01:00:29 +0000

It is no secret that Singaporeans love Bangkok for being such an affordable travel destination; who can resist cheap shopping, food and massages all conveniently situated in one place?

If you’re visiting Bangkok for the first time or you just want some new ideas to add to your itinerary, we have here a 4D3N Bangkok itinerary that you can use as a guide to plan your next Bangkok trip!

DAY 1

HAVE LUNCH AT INTER RESTAURANT AFTER CHECKING INTO YOUR HOTEL

If you’re feeling a little peckish after your flight and you want to find some hearty Thai grub to dig into, we recommend popping by Inter Restaurant at Siam. This place is one of our perennial favourites in Bangkok and they serve up unpretentious and authentic local dishes at affordable prices.

9 Rama I Road
Pathum Wan District
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 251 4689
Daily: 11am – 9pm

INDULGE YOURSELVES IN SOME DECADENT DESSERTS AT AFTER YOU

If you’ve been to Bangkok before, this dessert cafe should be no stranger to you by now. After You first started in 2007, and it has been synonymous with Shibuya Toasts ever since. The Shibuya Honey Toast is what After You got famous for, and fast forward many years, queues still form outside its various outlets every day for their amazing desserts. They have multiple outlets across Bangkok but the biggest and prettiest one is at Siam Square one.

Siam Square One
991 Rama 1 Road
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 02 115 1949
Daily: 11am – 12midnight
Nearest BTS: Siam

SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT SIAM CENTER, SIAM PARAGON, SIAM DISCOVERY AND MBK CENTRE

The Siam area is the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district and the place is packed with popular malls such as Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and MBK Centre. As the area is conveniently linked to a BTS station, this shopping paradise is easily accessible and not hard to locate.

PET A RACOON AT LITTLE ZOO CAFE

While Bangkok is famous for having plenty of animal cafes, our absolute favourite out of the lot is Little Zoo Cafe. The place features all sorts of animals such as dogs, cats and birds of different breeds. To top it all off, there are also exotic animals such as an Arctic fox, Fennec foxes and a massive raccoon. Rest assured, all the animals here are tame and docile when they play with humans.

Entrance to the cafe is free, but all visitors are expected to purchase a main and drink each in order to maintain the welfare of the animals.

424/7 Siam Square
Rama I Road, Pathum Wan District
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Daily: 11am – 8pm

HAVE DINNER AT NUER KOO

Located on level four of Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Nuer Koo is known for its premium beef noodles, with prices ranging from THB170 for the sirloin to a whopping THB950 for a bowl of Kobe beef noodles. The beef noodles may be pricey by Bangkok’s standard, but by its quality and taste, it is still considerably reasonable, especially when we are talking about premium beef cuts such as wagyu and Kobe.

Rama I Road
Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 610 9773
Daily: 11am – 10pm

TAKE SOME INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SHOTS AT CHANG CHUI PLANE MARKET

If you’re looking for a more unique and artsy night market to explore, we recommend that you pay Chang Chui Plane Market a visit. Located in the Thonburi district, this massive lifestyle space is a one-stop destination for everything art-related.

Think fashion apparel stalls, concept cafes, food trucks and a vintage cinema for the film buffs. The creative co-working space looks more like a page from a fairy tale book than the usual boisterous Thai night markets you are used to seeing in Bangkok. Also, remember to get a picture with their iconic plane that’s right smack in the middle of the place!

460/8 Sirindhorn Road
Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand
Tel: +66 81 817 2888
Thu to Tue: 11am – 11pm

DAY 2

WAKE UP EARLY FOR CHEAP WHOLESALE DEALS AT PRATUNAM MORNING MARKET

Ratchaprarop 1 Alley
Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 5am – 6pm

HAVE BREAKFAST AT LUNG PRATHUNAM BOAT NOODLES

960/14 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 85 919 1994
Daily: 8am – 5pm

GO SHOPPING AT PLATINUM FASHION MALL AND PANDTIP IT MALL

GET A MASSAGE ALONG PETCHABURI SOI 15

If you want more recommendations for other massage spots worth checking out, you can read our article about them here.

Number One Massage
1/7-8 Pratunam
Phetchaburi soi 15
Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewei
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +65 +66 2 653 9967
Daily: 9.30am – 12am

HAVE LUNCH AT THE PLACE 168

If you’re on a tom yum hunt with a group of ravenous friends, we recommend that you pop by The Place 168 to share their massive Tom Yum Koong Soup. The Place 168 is a humble Thai restaurant tucked away at a rundown building near Pratunam Market. While the small shop has a pretty extensive menu filled with authentic Thai dishes, most people go there for their gargantuan bowls of Tom Yum Koong Soup.

1/49 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 657 0880
Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm

VISIT THE NEW MALL, ‘THE MARKET’

The shopping scene in Bangkok just gets better and joining the slew of malls is The Market. Located just across the road from Central World, The Market is home to plenty of stalls like boutiques, blogshops, cafes and massage parlours. The prices here are a little on the steeper end but we feel like the things sold here are of better quality.

111 Ratchadamri Road
Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 121 8888
Daily: 10am – 10pm

HAVE TEA AT BOYY & SON CAFE

BOYY 127 Unit L00-01 GAYSORN Tower2 Lumphini
Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 253 8300
Daily: 8am – 8pm

SHOP EVEN MORE AT CENTRAL WORLD SHOPPING MALL

999/9 Rama I Road
Khwaeng Pathum Wan
Khet Pathum Wan
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Daily 10am – 10pm

HAVE DINNER AT GO-ANG PRATUNAM CHICKEN RICE

960 962 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 252 6325
Daily: 6am – 2pm, 5pm – 2am

END THE NIGHT WITH TALAD NEON NIGHT MARKET

1087, 167 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Daily: 5pm – 12am

DAY 3

VISIT THE MAJESTIC GRAND PALACE

If you’re into culture, history and art, one place you definitely need to check out is the majestic Grand Palace. Located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya river, this majestic, sacred landmark is nothing short of breathtaking.

Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

ADMIRE THE GORGEOUS STRUCTURES AT WAT PHO

After the Grand Palace, you can head on over to the gorgeous Wat Pho, home of the famous reclining Buddha. The breathtaking structures and statues make for the perfect backdrop for a nice photo for the gram!

2 Sanam Chai Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 226 0335

HAVE LUNCH AT THE SIXTH

If you’re feeling a little peckish after exploring the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, you can have your lunch at The Sixth. located just a short walk away from the famous landmarks, The Sixth is a cosy and hip little cafe that is run by a young couple. They specialise in wholesome and soulful Thai food which include the likes of Tom Yum Koong, Phad Thai and Thai Green Curry.

Maha Rat Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 316 6890
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)

TAKE A TUK TUK TO CHINATOWN

Travel in style to your next destination by hopping onto a Tuk Tuk. These adorable little open-air taxis are a fun way to get around Bangkok while you enjoy the sights along the way. However, do be careful as some of the Tuk Tuk drivers tend to overcharge customers to earn a quick buck.

GRAB SOME DIM SUM AT LHONG TOU CAFE

Situated right smack in the middle of Chinatown is Lhong Tou Cafe. This eclectic, cosy eatery is popular for their dim sum as well as their very interesting interior; both of which are incredibly Instagram-worthy. Our favourite menu item here is the Shitake Mushroom Bun!

538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 935 6499
Daily: 8am – 10pm

EXPLORE THE STREETS OF YAOWARAT

SLURP SOME NOODLES AT NAI EK ROLL NOODLE

Situated at the heart of Chinatown, Nai Ek Roll Noodle is a humble stall that specialises in —you guessed it — roll noodles, as well as some of the crispiest deep-fried pork we’ve ever tried. The food here is so good that they’ve even earned themselves a place in the Michelin Guide

442 Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
+66 2 226 4651
Daily: 7.30am – 1.30am

EXPLORE THE MASSIVE TALAD ROD FAI SRINAKARIN

If you don’t have much time to go night market hopping in Bangkok, the one market you need to head to to get the full experience is the famous Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, also known as Rot Fai Train Market. There are a number of similar train markets across Bangkok but this is one of the bigger ones.

What we love about this place is how it feels like there are multiple night markets packed into one area. Just when you think that you’ve finished walking the whole stretch, you find yourself in another completely different area filled with more rows of exciting things to explore.

Soi Srinagarindra 51
Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Thu to Sun: 5pm – 1pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

EAT LENG SAAP FOR SUPPER

Soi Srinagarindra 51
Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Thu to Sun: 5pm – 1pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

DAY 4

DO SOME LAST MINUTE SHOPPING AT UNION MALL

One mall that has slowly but surely gained some popularity over the years is Union Mall. Located near Chatuchak Weekend Market, this mall has 8 levels full of shopping, food and services. Girlfriends, your boyfriends will love this place as much as you do as there is a whole level just dedicated to men’s fashion. Do take note that as this is a mall that is more frequented by locals, some of the stall owners here may not be fluent in English.

1 Khwaeng Chom Phon
Khet Chatuchak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 512 5000
Daily: 11am – 10pm

EAT BOAT NOODLES AT KIN TIEW KAN

One hot spot to try out boat noodles is Kin Tiew Kan at Union Mall. The stall is perpetually packed with patrons but don’t let the queues discourage you; the place is completely worth a try!

Lat Phrao, Khwaeng Chom Phon
Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Tel: +66 81 849 9292
Daily: 11am – 9pm

STROLL THROUGH CHATUCHAK PARK

Walk off the food coma after lunch at Kin Tiew Kan by taking a stroll in Chatuchak Park. This scenic spot is full of lush greenery and is one of the oldest parks in Bangkok. The place is also well-connected to Chatuchak MRT Station and Mo Chit BTS station, making it a convenient pitstop for a nice walk

Kamphaeng Phet Road
Khet Chatuchak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Daily: 4.30am – 9pm

VISIT THE BANGKOK BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND INSECTARIUM

Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road
Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 272 4359
Tue to Sun: 8.30am – 4.30pm

POP BY CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

Chatuchak Weekend Market is no doubt one of the most well-known markets in Bangkok and for many good reasons too—the sheer size of this outdoor market makes it impossible for you to cover the entire place in a day. Covering 27 acres of land in total, this is one of the largest markets in Bangkok and it is home to over 8,000 stalls featuring Thai street food, fashion, homeware, flowers and so much more.

Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Sat to Mon: 9am – 6pm
Wed & Thu: 7am – 6pm
Fri: 6pm – 12am
(Closed on Tuesdays)

GRAB SOME COOL VINTAGE WEAR AT THE CAMP VINTAGE FLEA MARKET

The Camp Vintage Flea Market
482 Kamphaeng Phet Soi 1, Bangkok, Thailand
Tue to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11.45pm

7 Tom Yum Goong In Bangkok – Where To Satisfy Your Cravings For Legit Tom Yum

Melissa Teo — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 22:03:22 +0000

Sour, tangy and packed full of heat, there are few things out there as satisfying as a bowl of spicy tom yum goong.

This classic Thai dish is a hot favourite amongst both locals and tourists alike and it is a must-try item whenever you visit the land of smiles. We love how the dish can be eaten on its own or be used as a centrepiece for meals with a group of friend, making it a versatile option for any occasion.

While tom yum goong can commonly be found in most parts of Bangkok, some places do the dish better than others. With that, here is a guide to some of our favourite tom yum spots in Bangkok.

INTER THAI FOOD

Inter Thai Food is a humble, unpretentious restaurant that specialises in dishing out homely and authentic Thai dishes at very affordable prices. Their tom yum soup is some of the best that we have ever had in Bangkok and it has just the right amount of spice to it without being too overwhelming. We also like how despite the price point, they are very generous with their serving sizes.

9 Rama I Road
Pathum Wan District
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +65 +66 2 251 4689
Daily: 11am – 9pm

MBK FOOD COURT

We went straight for the classic Tom Yum Kung (THB90, S$3.60) at MBK food court. ‘Kung’ means prawns, and we were sure delighted to see so many huge and plump river prawns in the soup, alongside mushrooms and lemongrass. Have it with a bowl of steamed white rice and you are set.

PEE AOR TOM YUM

Pee Aor Tom Yum is famous for their 999 baht Lobster Tom Yum Goong Noodles. This massive bowl of goodness is enough to feed two to three ravenous people and each serving comes with a generous amount of premium ingredients such as lobsters and crabs. We also love the tangy and spicy broth which is packed full of flavour and incredibly addictive.

68, Soi Phetchaburi 5
Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi
Bangkok 10400
Daily: 10am – 9pm

THE SIXTH

Located just a short walk away from the famous Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, The Sixth is a cosy and hip little cafe that is run by a young couple. They specialise in wholesome and soulful Thai food which includes bowls of hearty tom yum goong. The tom yum here is tangy, sweet, creamy and spicy all at once and just a small spoonful of this packs a mighty punch; just the way we like it!

Maha Rat Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 316 6890
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Sundays)

THE PLACE 168

The Place 168 is a humble Thai restaurant tucked away at a rundown building near Pratunam Market. The small shop has a pretty extensive menu filled with authentic Thai dishes but they are most famous for their gargantuan bowls of Tom Yum Koong Soup. At just 195 baht, each colossal bowl of this piping hot goodness comes brimming with ingredients such as pork belly, squid, prawns, meatballs, spring onions, two runny eggs and lime slices atop a bed of instant noodles.

1/49 Phetchaburi Road
Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 657 0880
Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm

SANSAB BANGKOK

Sansab is a comfortable restaurant that sits on level 4 of Siam Paragon and it is popular for its Instagram-worthy Tom Yum UFO. The dish is essentially a steamboat that features a giant pot of tom yum surrounded by four separate pockets of ingredients such as cheese, corn, quail eggs and seaweed soup. The tom yum itself is decently spicy and has a nice amount of sweetness to it from the seafood.

Terminal 21 Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 108 0821

Photo Credit: c.y.c_

JEH O CHULA

Jeh O Chula is a popular supper spot in Bangkok that became a social media hit with their instagrammable pots of Tom Yum Mama. The queues for this can be as long as 2 hours but we promise you that it is well worth the wait. Each Tom Yum Mama features instant noodles, shrimp, squid, pork balls, ground pork and two eggs doused in a spicy, tangy tom yum soup.

Banthat Thong Road
113 Charat Muang Road, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 64 118 5888
Daily: 5:30pm – 2am

T&K SEAFOOD

Located in the heart of Yaowarat is T&K Seafood, a humble eatery that has an extensive menu filled with seafood dishes prepared Thai-style. Their tom yum goong is sweet, spicy and tangy all at once and we love how the seafood adds an extra depth of flavour to the dish. Do expect long queues for this popular seafood spot!

49 51 Phadung Dao Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 223 4519
Daily: 4pm – 2am

B-Story Cafe — Botanical Paradise In Bangkok That Serves Up Great Cafe & Local Nosh

Melissa Teo — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 17:41:52 +0000

Nestled away in a crevice near Ratchathewi BTS station is B-Story Cafe, a botanical wonderland that not only looks picturesque but serves up fantastic food too.

You’ll feel like you’ve walked into a fairytale upon stepping into this magical French bistro-style restaurant. Brick walls and metal finishings are adorned with luscious green plants and pretty dried flowers that fit in perfectly with the mismatched chairs and tables. Every corner of this quaint, elegant cafe is Instagram-worthy and the place is a short respite away from Bangkok’s bustling city life.

Aside from the enchanting get-up, the cafes extensive menu is something else to get excited about. From local delights to your usual cafe nosh, B-Story dishes out scrumptious dishes that are as stellar as their interior.

We had to wait a fair bit for our food to be prepared but that was no problem at all because it gave us time to be mesmerised by their gorgeous interior.

We started off our meal with a bowl of their Som Tum Thai which for the uninitiated, is spicy Thai papaya salad.

We have to warn you in advance that the papaya salad here is really very spicy and we actually got a shock when we took our first bite. However, the fiery spice did not outshine the refreshing flavours of the papaya and we feel that this is a great appetiser and palate cleanser, especially if you’re about to have a very heavy meal ahead of you.

The dish that surprised us the most was this unassuming plate of Stir-Fried Cabbage with Thai Fish Sauce. We honestly weren’t very impressed when the server placed this on our table but we were proven wrong after taking our first bite.

The amount of wok hei in this dish was off the charts and we were shellshocked by how much flavour was packed into this otherwise sad-looking plate of vegetables. A serving of this goes amazingly well with rice and other dishes but honestly, we could eat it all by itself.

For something a little more filling and substantial, we ordered ourselves a plate of Basil Fried Pork Rice with Fried Egg. Each plate features a generous helping of your choice of basil fried pork or chicken, cucumber, a dollop of white rice and a fried egg.

The basil fried pork was chock full of umami and its juices provided a nice meaty flavour to the rest of the components of the dish. Overall, it wasn’t the best plate of basil pork rice that we’ve ever had but we like how it had an authentic and homely touch to it.

B-Story Cafe
89, 70 Phayathai Road
Khwaeng Thanon Phetchaburi
Khet Ratchathewi
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand

A Backpackers One-Day Guide To Bangkok’s Bustling Yaowarat Road

Melissa Teo — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 20:31:43 +0000

If you’re planning to make a trip to Bangkok and you’re still clueless on how to fill your itinerary up, why not pay a visit to Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown?

Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, is a culturally rich area that’s packed with plenty of history, stunning architecture and of course, food. It’s the perfect place to check out if you want to learn and experience the way Thai and Chinese cultures have intermingled and co-existed in Bangkok for years.

The streets here are lined with a plethora of food vendors, temples, monuments and locals going about their daily lives and there is always something happening at any point in time. This can make it quite overwhelming for first-time visitors so if you are worried about being swept away and lost in this hectic enclave, you can refer to this guide for some ideas.

Photo Credit: dumtok

GOLDEN BUDDHA TEMPLE (WAT TRAMIT TEMPLE)

Wat Tramit houses the largest golden Buddha in the world and this breathtaking monument that stands at 3m tall sits majestically on an altar surrounded by traditional Thai golden arches. From the top of Wat Tramit, you also get a fantastic view of the ornate Chinatown Gate that is just a stone throws away. There is also a museum in the temple that teaches you about the history of Yaowarat and how it came about.

661 Charoen Krung Road
Talat Noi, Samphanthawong
Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 89 002 2700
Daily: 8am – 5pm

Photo Credit: beyond.frontiers

CHINATOWN GATE

Standing tall and proud in the middle of Chinatown is the Chinatown Gate, an ornate ceremonial gate that sits on a large traffic island at Yaowarat Road. Constructed in 1999, the gate was built to symbolise the loyalty of the Chinese community to King Bhumibol of Thailand and it was opened just in time to celebrate the King’s 60th birthday on the Throne.

Photo Credit: yaizamartinezrodriguez

KUAN YIM SHRINE

Kuan Yim Shrine is one of Yaowarat’s most vibrant attractions and it features a 900-year-old statue of Guan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Throngs of both locals and tourists alike come here to pray, especially during the holiday season, and the place is always filled with smoke and incense.

606 The King’s Birthday Celebration Arch
Yaowarat Road
Bangkok, 10100
Tel: +66 91 769 0824

HAVE BRUNCH AT LHONG TONG CAFE

This eclectic, cosy eatery is popular for their dim sum as well as their very interesting interior; both of which are incredibly Instagram-worthy. The common thing about quirkily designed eateries is that they usually have pretty subpar food. This isn’t the case for Lhong Tou Cafe; we never thought that we would ever have some of the best dim sum of our lives in Bangkok and the dim sum here puts some of the ones we’ve tried in Hong Kong to shame!

538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 935 6499
Daily: 8am – 10pm

Photo Credit: drewparrett

TALAT KAO (CHINATOWN OLD MARKET)

Talat Kao is a 200-year old open-air market in the heart of Chinatown and here, you can watch the locals go about their daily lives as they go marketing for fruits and vegetables and trade items with one another. Foodies can also fill their bellies with plenty of scrumptious street food that is readily available at every turn. We recommend trying their Chinese food; there is no better place to try it than in Chinatown!

Soi Lat Krabang 5, Lat Krabang
Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Tel: +66 99 383 0304

Photo Credit: gerdaaboushanab

SAMPENG MARKET

This long, narrow street is a wholesalers idea of paradise. Expect rows of stalls selling a mish-mash of random items like fabrics, clothes and electronics for dirt cheap prices. If you bulk buy, you can get an even larger bargain so you can come here with some friends for even better deals!

96 Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong
Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Daily: 9am – 6pm

Photo Credit: ambshencho

PAK KHLONG MARKET (FLOWER MARKET)

Chak Phet Road, near the Memorial Bridge or Saphan Phut Chao Phraya pier
Daily: 24-hours

HAVE DINNER AT NAI EK ROLL NOODLES

442 Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
+66 2 226 4651
Daily: 7.30am – 1.30am

ENJOY YAOWARATS FAMOUS TOASTED BUNS

Yaowarat Toasted Bread sees perpetual long queues on the daily made up of both locals and tourists. What makes the bread here stand out from anywhere else is its filling; each perfectly toasted and buttered bun comes generously chock full of a filling of your choice and they have sinfully good options such as condensed milk and sankaya.

Yaowarat Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 0677
Sun, Tue to Fri: 6.30pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)

EXPLORE THE STREETS OF YAOWARAT AT NIGHT

The streets of Yaowarat are undoubtedly exciting in the day, but the entire place truly comes alive when the sun goes down. Watch the various street food vendors slowly set up their stalls and see the bright lights come on, illuminating the streets with a soothing neon glow. The place looks very different at night and you’ll feel like you’re in a completely different area altogether.

Photo Credit: cassidyfowler

HAVE DRINKS AT ENJOY THE VIEW AT SKY VIEW 360° ROOFTOP BAR OF GRAND CHINA HOTEL

End of the hectic day with a chill session of drinks and a magnificent view at Sky View 360°. This gorgeous restaurant that is perched atop Grand China Hotel provides diners with a breathtakingly beautiful 360° overview of Chinatown and Chao Phraya River. Here, they have an international-style menu that has something for everyone as well as fizzy cocktails and ice-cool drinks.

215 Yaowarat Road
Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 9977
Daily: 7am – 12am

Kin Tiew Kan Noodle — Hearty Bowls Of 15 Baht Boat Noodles At Union Mall

Melissa Teo — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:12:48 +0000

Bangkok is no short of places that dish out scrumptious bowls of boat noodles and one of our favourite haunts whenever we are there is Kin Tiew Kan Noodle.

Located conveniently at the bustling Union Mall, Kin Tiew Kan Noodle is a great place to check out after a hectic day of shopping and getting your nails done.

The cosy eatery is always packed with people which is a testament to how good their boat noodles are!

Each bowl here costs an affordable 15 baht each which gives you even more reason to build yourselves a tower of boat noodle bowls after you’ve polished everything off.

There are 5 broths available for you to choose from, namely Thicken Soup Noodle With Beef, Dried Noodle with Pork or Beef, Brewed Bean Curd Noodle, Hot and Sour Noodle ‘Tom Yum’ and their signature broth, Thicken Soup Noodle with Pork.

We can see why the Thicken Soup Noodle with Pork is their bestseller as it was our favourite too. Chock full of umami with a strong, porky flavour, we feel that this full-bodied concoction goes best with rice noodles.

We also really enjoyed the Brewed Bean Curd Noodle which features a tangy and slightly sour fermented tasting soup that comes with some fishcake, crackers and minced meat.

To spice up your boat noodles, you can always opt to add some ingredients such as Boiled Morning Glory (15 baht), Boiled Pork Balls (15 baht), Stewed Beef (20 baht) and Bounced-Boiled Pork (20 baht).

Kin Tiew Kan
Lat Phrao, Khwaeng Chom Phon
Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Tel: +66 81 849 9292
Daily: 11am – 9pm

Yaowarat Food Guide — What To Eat At Bangkok’s Bustling Chinatown

Melissa Teo — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:22:11 +0000

Aside from cheap shopping and shiok massages, another thing that keeps people coming back to Bangkok is their diverse food scene. The streets and malls here are packed with a smorgasbord of scrumptious eats and we easily find ourselves spoilt for choice every single time we come to this glutton’s paradise.

If you don’t know where to begin the feasting, we suggest that you start at Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of food options here but fret not, we have created this short guide to help you narrow down your choices.

Photo Credit: 1996_summer.bk

KWAY CHAP AUON POCHANA

Thai kway chap is very different from Singapore’s rendition of the dish. The dish here features rice roll noodles and different parts of the pig that are doused in a peppery, full-bodied broth that pulls all the different components of the dish together. Guay Jub Ouan Pochana serves up some pretty mean bowls of this goodness and the only gripe that we have with it is that we wish that the portion sizes were a little larger.

408 Yaowarat Road
Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 86 508 9979

LHONG TOU CAFE

538 Yaowarat Rd, Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 64 935 6499
Daily: 8am – 10pm

Photo Credit: tl.sia

MUNG KORN KHAO NOODLE

While we love our Singapore-style wanton mee, we have to admit that the Thai’s do up a pretty solid rendition of the dish. Mung Korn Khao Noodle serves up just that and despite the portion size being rather small, the wanton mee here is so good that we wouldn’t mind ordering a few bowls of it at one go.

395 Yaowarat Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Daily: 6pm – 11.45pm

NAI EK ROLLED NOODLES

Nai Ek Roll Noodle is a humble stall that specialises in — you guessed it — roll noodles, as well as some of the crispiest deep-fried pork we’ve ever tried. The food here is so good that they’ve even earned themselves a place in the Michelin Guide. Be prepared for some snaking long queues that can last up to 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours!

442 Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
+66 2 226 4651
Daily: 7.30am – 1.30am

Photo Credit: pimpimmu

NAI MAO DUCK NOODLES

Fans of anything duck related will absolutely love Nai Mao Duck Noodles. Here, they dish out hearty bowls of duck soup and duck noodles which feature a homemade Chinese herbal soup that is sweet, full-bodied and packed with plenty of duck essence. If noodles aren’t your thing, you can also opt to have a plate of duck rice with a side of that ambrosial soup.

768/6 Mangkon Road
Khwaeng Pom Prap
Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100
Tel: +66 2 222 3172
Daily: 9am – 4pm

Photo Credit: yv_wong

PLAENG NAM SHARK FIN-BIRD’S NEST

If you’re a fan of birds nest soup, Yaowarat is the perfect place for you to check out as the place is home to plenty of stalls that serve up soothing bowls of birds nest soup. We recommend getting your fix at Plaeng Nam Shark Fin-Bird’s Nest where they dish out hearty bowls of Shark Fin Bird’s Nest Soup at very affordable prices. Aside from that, they also sell other scrumptious Thai dishes such as oyster omelette and crab.

45 Plaeng Nam Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 222 8716
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

Photo Credit: tkseafood

T & K SEAFOOD

If you’re hankering for some solid seafood, a great place to check out is T&K Seafood, one of Yaowarat’s most popular seafood spots. They have both indoor and outdoor seating but if you don’t like waiting, we recommend that you grab a spot outside. The seafood here is fresh and they are very generous with their portion sizes. Best of all, everything here is incredibly affordably priced!

49 51 Phadung Dao Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 223 4519
Daily: 4pm – 2am

YAOWARAT TOASTED BREAD

Yaowarat Road
Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 224 0677
Sun, Tue to Fri: 6.30pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)

Nai Ek Roll Noodle — Humble Stall In Bangkok With Roll Noodles And Crispy Deep Fried Pork

Melissa Teo — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 02:03:54 +0000

It is no secret that Bangkok’s Chinatown is a gluttons paradise that is home to rows of stalls that sell scrumptious local eats. It can be easy to be spoilt for choice here and if you just can’t decide on what to eat, we recommend that you give Nai Ek Roll Noodle a try.

Situated at the heart of Chinatown, Nai Ek Roll Noodle is a humble stall that specialises in —you guessed it — roll noodles, as well as some of the crispiest deep-fried pork we’ve ever tried.

The food here is so good that they’ve even earned themselves a place in the Michelin Guide.

Started in the 1960s by a man from China called Nai Ek, Nai Ek Roll Noodle began as a simple pushcart stall. As his reputation grew, Nai Ek eventually set up a shop along Chinatown in 1989 and the rest is history.

A peppery bowl of Roll Noodles Soup comes in small (50 baht), medium (80 baht) and large (100 baht). Each bowl comes brimming with meticulously made roll noodles, minced pork, crispy pork, sliced pork and pig innards.

The spiral-shaped noodles are cooked to a nice al dente and its shape gives it an interesting texture that complements the rest of the ingredients. We also love how the variety of innards and meats gave the dish a lovely meaty bite as well as provided the soup with plenty of umami.

There are few things as satisfying as a plate of outrageously crispy deep-fried pork and the ones here at Nai Ek Roll Noodle slams every other pork dish we’ve ever had out of the ballpark.

The Deep Fried Crispy Pork (100 baht) features a plate laden with generous chunks of pork that have been fried to a lovely, golden brown crisp. Each and every bite of pork you take unleashes a myriad of flavours as well as a satisfyingly loud ‘crunch’ that can be heard from a few tables away.

The true mark of a good plate of pork is how long it can remain crispy and the pork still remained as crispy as ever even after we had taken our time to snap some shots of our food before tucking in.

We can definitely see why Nai Ek Roll Noodle is part of the Michelin Guide and we really hope that you’ll give it a try the next time you’re in Bangkok.

Nai Ek Roll Noodle
442 Khwaeng Samphanthawong
Khet Samphanthawong
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
+66 2 226 4651
Daily: 7.30am – 1.30am

BOYY & Son Café— Chic And Aesthetic Cafe In Bangkok By International Brand Boyy

Melissa Teo — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 01:00:31 +0000

When it comes to food, Bangkok is no short of variety and this food paradise is a glutton’s idea of heaven. Aside from all the sinfully good street food and scrumptious local delights, they also have a popping cafe scene which includes aesthetically pleasing cafes such as BOYY & Son.

Located conveniently at the recently renovated Gaysorn Village, BOYY & Son is a chic, stylish and incredibly Instagram-worthy spot to chill at after a hectic day of shopping. Many similar cafes that we have come across produce pretty subpar food but that isn’t the case here at BOYY & Son.

The cafe is by the people behind BOYY, which explains its gorgeous and clean interior. For shopaholics, you’ll be glad that right next door, you can find BOYY Boutique which sells handbags, shoes and accessories.

Their simple and straightforward menu consists mostly of drinks and pastries that are pretty affordably priced.

We’ve heard great things about their croissants so we ordered ourselves a Plain Croissant (80 baht) which came with a side of apricot jam. If apricots aren’t your thing, you can choose to have either strawberry or wild blueberry jam instead.

The croissant was the perfect combination of fragrant, crisp and buttery and we appreciate how it wasn’t too oily and flaky. We also love how the apricot jam paired well with the croissant and added a lovely sweet and slightly tart touch to it.

We enjoyed our croissant with a very aesthetic glass of Iced Latte (140 baht). Smooth and rich with a mellow amount of acidity, the iced latte definitely was a mid-day perk-me-up from all that shopping.

If you love pastries and fragrant brews, we highly recommend a visit to BOYY & Son the next time you’re in Bangkok.

BOYY & Son Café BOYY 127 Unit L00-01 GAYSORN Tower2 Lumphini Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 2 253 8300 Daily: 8am – 8pm Daily