I have been going to Bangkok almost every year since i think 5 years back. One of the most important reasons is FOOD. Authentic Thai food uses a lot of greens like fruits/herbs/leafs, which i think is very down to earth. Simple but hearty. But of cause, because the open minded of the people on the land of smile, there are too array of foods from other cultures being brought in which will also be highlighted in this post.
First of, Thai's street foods. They are simply in EVERY CORNER of the streets. Below are few worthy to be highlighted here:
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| Moo Ping, i once thought it is chicken because of the tenderness of the cut :p |
Moo Ping | หมูปิ้ง | Grilled Pork on Skewer
The pork was so tender and grilled to perfection. I believe the main marinate is sweet soy sauce and when it caramelised under the grill, it just adds a distinctive flavour to the juicy pork. Definitely my #1 snack under street food category. I had mine in front of 7-11 right next to BTS Chong Nonsi. 3 sticks for THB 20. I didn't order the sticky rice because of the carb... :( but i think it will be a perfect companion with the pork.
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| This is Bihun Tom Yum. You can request for "half spicy". My top in the list. |
Kuay Teow Tom Yum | ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำ | Sweet, Sour and Spicy Noodle
If you ask me to choose 1 food that can represent the Thai's street food. This is the definite answer! This delicacy first caught my eye because the flavour/colour of the soup is mixed separately upon order. That means, if you like to have "half spicy" - what local can understand, or more sour, you can go for it and they hawker can customise it for you before he add the broth. Also you can choose between flat rice noodle (Kuay Teow), vermicelli, glass noodle (Tang Hun)...etc. As for the toppings, there are fish cake, minced pork, pork lean meat, fish ball and KangKong (veg). Upon serving, you can further add seasoning like dried chili, fish sauce, sugar and crushed nuts. Im actually slobbering now !!! :(
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| THB 35 for half mango and 70 for full. Who cares !! I want double of this !! :P |
Khao Neow Ma Muang | ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง } | Mango Sticky Rice
It is hard to choose between this one and the Tub Tim Grob | ทับทิมกรอบ | Rubies in Coconut Milk but finally i opt for the mango sticky rice combo. Im a bit reluctant when it comes to dessert because of high sugar high carb containt but if i need to all out for one, i need to make sure it is to the max! The chewy stick rice topped with slightly salted coconut milk and the refreshing, aromatic mango are born to be together !!! Sweet and satl, chewy and fluffy.... OMG !! :)
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| One of my MUST BUY item in 7-11 Thailand. THB 32. |
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| My either supper or breakfast :P Fat die me ... sob sob... lol |
Next is convenient shop. It makes travel so much easier because like Taipei, there are every where and i patron 7-11 everyday during my five nights stay there to buy 3 main things that i cant get it here in Penang: Meiji Milk, Pork Bowl Rice (frozen) and Lays chips (Hot Chili Squid flavour). Tried different flavours of the frozen rice and chips too but the mentioned are the best for me. But its worth to mention here the Minced Pork and Basil Rice (another famous street food) is actually good even after being frozen and heated. Can try if you prefer spicy and aromatic flavour.
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| One of the top Irish Pub in town, famous with their "from the tap" beers !! |
Another preferred activity during travel is to explore to beers and I prefer drink beer in Bangkok instead of Penang because in general they serve fresh draught. Also the drinking culture there is more towards drinking. Of all the places i've tried, i love the draught Chang from Molly Malone (click here for location). This irish pub is just 2 minute walk from Sala Daeng BTS (Bangkok's sky train). At THB 100-130 per pint (depending on which day you go), it is so much cheaper. Other draughts like Heineken and Guinness are equally outstanding here. I think this is something to do with they strategy, promo 1 type of draught per day, this will reduce the storage/idle time hence minimise the beers from stale.
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| Clockwise from top left: (1) Traditional Royal Thai Cuisine in Ruen Mallika (2) Mince Pork Ball Porridge in Siam Paragon Food Court (3) Grill Chicken Ramen (4) Fried Oyster Terminal 21's Pier 21 |
If you love street foods but worry about the hygiene issues, you can actually go to the food court in shopping malls like Siam Paragon or Central World. There sells street foods too !! And to my surprise, some of the price are actually SAME with those you can find on the street, i.e. THB 45 for a bowl of noodle with soup. Your choice actually ... :P
Lastly, because of vast number of Japanese working in the city, you can expect a lot 日本料理 (Japanese Cuisine) available across the concrete jungle. Of them all, i pick two mid range restaurants: Ramen King @ A Square (relatively new lifestyle 'mall' that you can eat play relax in Shukumvit area) and Izakaya @ Kudeta Bangkok (lovely restaurant located in 39th floor - dining and overseeing Bangkok's skyline at once). There are other chain outlet like Fuji, Chabuton, MOS but again i think these 2 are more special and worth to try if you are there.
Bangkok, apart from being a food heaven for me, is actually a great way to escape. Strong in culture but gentle towards tourist, i find myself very relax walking along the street. Worry free that kind of feeling. People are smiling always and i particully like the way the female way of greeting "Sawadee Kaaaaaaaa ~~~~" So soft and gentle, just like the smiling face... just melt and take my heart visit after visit !! Till then, i look forward for my next BKK trip :P
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| Clockwise from Top Left: (1) variety of frozen rice from 7-11 (2) My fav Pork Bowl Rice (3) Pork in Garlic Sauce Rice (4) Fried Pork and Basil Rice |
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| Clockwise from Top Left: (1) Hawker Stall just in front of restaurant (2) Fried squid with salted egg york (3) local Cu Char restaurant (4) Instant Tom Yum noodle mixed with assorted vegs and minced pork in JJ Market. |
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| Creativity of Thai is limitless !!!! Thats why i LUV BKK :P |
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