Bangkok: Where To Eat On Your Next Trip, According To A Singaporean
Having spent a few months there, these are my favourite spots which aren’t the typical tourists haunts to dine at in the capital of Thailand
Clicking into this story means you’re likely heading to Bangkok soon or is thinking of paying a visit.
The capital of Thailand has long been a huge draw for us Singaporeans, especially with the huge variety of yummy street food and an array of shopping options made sweeter by the currency exchange rate. But if you’re bored of the usual tourist food spots, here are 10 restaurants and street food hawkers to dine at the next time you’re in Bangkok, recommended by someone who lived here for a few months.
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Serving up Thai-Chinese food, Rongsi Pochana is one of the restaurants I bring people to dine at. The food isn’t too expensive (at least for us Singaporeans) and, most importantly, it never fails to be delicious. In fact, I’ve never tried any dish I didn’t enjoy here after dining here at least five times. I’ve only been to the Langsuan location where you can take a short stroll to the nearby Lumphini Park for a leisure walk around one of the largest parks in Bangkok.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Deep-fried Fish with Fish Sauce, Razor Clams with Garlic, Stir-fried Noodles with Sour Sausage, Minced Pork in Plum Soup and Tom Yum Soup.
Room No. B107, No. 87 Soi Langsuan, Sindhorn Village Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 and 59 Nang Linchi Road, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120
A recommendation by several locals, KoLun is a place to refuel on Hainanese noodles (which I haven’t found anywhere else) as you explore the quiet and quaint old area of Phra Nakhon that surrounds the palace. The rice noodles, which are larger in diameter and give a satisfying texture, are served either with clear or thickened broth served with various pork preparations from roasted pork to offals. Try the shrimp paste dip as well for extra funk and flavour.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Hainanese noodles, roast pork and stewed lamb.
49 Thanon Mahannop, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
With a few locations dotted around Bangkok, Baan Somtum is one of the more accessible places to get your fill on Thai food. The restaurant prides itself on serving up Isaan food from the northeast of Thailand, with favourites ranging from som tum (salad made with a range of ingredients from papaya to salted egg and crab) to laab, yum (another style of Thai salads) and more. As a result of the extensive menu, Baan Somtum is an all-in-one location to get a deeper understanding of what Thai food has to offer beyond the usual suspects.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Thai Sweet Corn Salad with Salted Egg, Grilled Pork (Blade Shoulder), Spicy Glass Noodle with Mixed Seafood in Thai Salad and Spicy Minced Duck Herbs Salad.
Baan Somtum has multiple locations in Bangkok
Fancy some crispy oyster omelette? Then head over to Hoi Tod Chaw Lae in Thong Lo. Unlike the oyster omelettes we get in Singapore, Chaw Lae’s offerings comes in a web-like omelette that’s exceedingly crispy. And if you get their pad thai, it is also covered in the same crispy web that offers a textural contrast against the sweet and savoury noodles. Don’t forget to dip the oyster omelette into the housemade sweet and spicy chilli dipping sauce.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Oyster omelette and pad thai.
25 Sukhumvit 55 Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
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Methavalai Sorndaeng is another heritage establishment situated in the Phra Nakhon area. It is a Michelin Guide restaurant around for over 60 years and offers live music as you dine in a traditional ambience. While the flavours aren’t as punchy as elsewhere, the restaurant more than compensates with well-rounded and balanced tastes that present how refined Thai food can be with the mask of strong flavours and heat.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Mixed Appetisers, Spicy Pomelo Salad with Shrimps, Stir-fried Fluffy Catfish with Chilli and Stir-fried Rice Noodle with Pork or Chicken.
78/2 Ratchadamnoen Ave, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
On Lok Yun was founded in 1933 and has been serving up Thai-style American breakfast ever since. As such, you can expect items such as toast, eggs, ham, sausages and more as you dine in a setting that transports you back decades ago. According to a local, On Lok Yun used to be the place for celebrities to see and be seen as it is situated near the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, the first movie theatre in Bangkok founded in the same year.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Western-style breakfast.
72 Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Paknang is another restaurant to challenge your tolerance for spice with Southern Thai food, which is influenced by Malay and Muslim cuisines to include greater use of spices and chillies. The vintage-looking restaurant is located in the equally gram-worthy hipster enclave of Ari (akin to Haji Lane).
What I’ve tried/recommend: Kang Poong Pla Meung Khon (fish organ curry), Bai Lieng Pad Kai (stir-fried malindjo leaves) and Nam Prik Sam Sahai (chilli paste with vegetables).
2/23, 5 Phahon Yothin 7, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400
Located along the first road to be built in Bangkok, Charoen Krung Road, Samlor was founded by chefs Joe and Saki and has quickly become known for their efforts to redefine Thai food at the Michelin Guide restaurant. The results are a blend of Thai flavours we are used to elevated with new and unique ingredients and techniques, such as its famous take (pictured) on the Thai deep-fried omelette. There are also daily special dishes that differ from the regular menu.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Samlor Thai Omelette, Spicy Thai Wagyu Tartare, Duck Larb and Roasted Cabbage.
1076 Charoen Krung Rd, Bangrak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Priding themselves on preserving Thai food and culture, The Local is a Michelin Guide-approved restaurant that sits in a colonial-style building near the Asok BTS station. The immersive ambience and interiors aside, The Local serves up a plethora of mean Thai food. And if you’re looking to test your spice tolerance, pick Southern Thai dishes such as Kaeng Tai Pla (fish curry made with fermented fish guts) and Khua Kling Plaa (dry curry with fish).
What I’ve tried/recommend: Kaeng Tai Pla, Khua Kling Plaa, Pomelo Salad, Appetiser Platter.
32 32/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Google “pad thai in Bangkok” and one of the prominent places that will show up is Thipsamai. I am, however, not a fan of that establishment as their pad thai is too sweet for my liking. Instead, Andy Yang’s version at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu is more savoury and closer to how I prefer these quintessential stir-fried rice noodle dish to taste like. Being a rather upscale joint (as compared to streetside vendors), the prices for pad thai here are also higher.
What I’ve tried/recommend: Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu Moo Yang (roasted pork pad thai).
Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu has multiple locations in Bangkok
This article was originally published in Her World.