Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and largest city, is a vibrant metropolis with rich history and culture. Known for its bustling street life, Bangkok is often called a food lover’s paradise. It has a range of street food and international cuisine.
If you’re a foodie, then you’re in for a treat, as this city has something to offer everyone with a diverse range of taste buds, from the world-famous Tom Yum & Phat Kaphrao to spicy and sour Thai Green Curry to the sweet Mango Sticky Rice.
One of the best things about being in Bangkok is its divine food which offers everything from cheap and flavoursome street dishes to high-end cuisine. With the unique balance of spicy, savoury, and sweet, your tastebuds are in for a pleasant surprise.
So get ready to indulge in some of the most delicious food you’ll ever taste as we take you on a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of Bangkok!
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish loved by locals and tourists alike. Endless efforts are made to recreate the dish by chefs worldwide, but nothing comes close to the authentic Bangkok street vendors.
This dish is a blend of stir-fried rice noodles, shrimp, chicken or tofu, bean sprouts, and eggs. Sprinkled with a sweet and sour sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, and chilli flakes. The dish is often garnished with peanuts, lime wedges, and cilantro. Pad Thai is known for its balanced flavours and textures and a perfect blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours; it’s no wonder it is a classic in Thai cuisine.
Along with its contrast between soft noodles and crunchy peanuts, it’s no wonder why this dish is a classic in Thai cuisine.
Its variations include:
- Pad Thai Gai – Stir-fried rice noodles with chicken, vegetables, and a sweet and tangy sauce, garnished with peanuts and cilantro.
- Pad See Ew – Stir-fried wide rice noodles with meat, Chinese broccoli, and a savoury sauce made with soy and oyster sauce.
- Yom Wun Sen – Yum Woon Sen is a Thai salad made with glass noodles, minced pork, shrimp, lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli peppers. It is typically served cold.
Thai Green Curry
This is another international hit, known for its aromatic green curry paste and rich coconut milk sauce. It is a spicy and creamy curry usually served with steamed rice to balance out the spiciness of the curry.
The dish is known for its spicy, sweet, savoury flavours and bright green colour from the green chilli peppers used in the curry paste. The curry paste used in the dish is made from a blend of fresh green chilli peppers, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Plus many more spices, which are all ground together.
Thai Green Curry is commonly found in Thai restaurants worldwide and is a must-try for anyone visiting Thailand or exploring the flavours of Thai cuisine, with its fragrant curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and tender vegetables and proteins. If you don’t try this dish at least once in your lifetime, you’re seriously missing out.
Tom Yum Goong
Another classical dish in Thai cuisine bursting with flavour is Tom Yum Goong, a spicy and sour soup. This world-famous Thai soup combines lemongrass, galangal, and makrut lime leaves to balance flavours. The best part is that it is a healthy pick for the fitness conscious; it is known to have less than 100 calories per bowl.
Tom Yum Goong is made originally with shrimp (goong) as the main meat, but it has numerous variations, which include chicken, fish, or mushrooms. Other variations include Tom Yum Nam Khon, a creamier version of the soup with coconut milk. While Tom Yum Po Tak is a spicy seafood soup with mussels, squid, and fish.
Tom Yum Goong is typically served as a starter. But it can also be done as a main dish with steamed rice on the side. This aromatic soup is a staple of Thai cuisine and is loved in many different countries. You’re denying yourself a great experience if you don’t give this a shot.
Pla Pao
Pla PaoThis Thai dish is enjoyed by people all around the globe. It’s a simple yet delicious dish made by grilling a whole fish over charcoal until it is cooked to perfection. It is marinated with salt, herbs, and spices. It is a common street food found in almost every street nook and corner.
Pla Pao is usually served with a sauce to add extra flavour and spice to the dish. This dipping sauce for the fish typically includes a combination of fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, chilli peppers, and sugar.
With its combination of tender grilled fish and aromatic herbs and spices, all seafood lovers will find it impossible to resist this delicious dish.
Mango Sticky Rice
And the most awaited and loved by all, desserts! As they say, there’s always room for desserts. Mango Sticky Rice is a popular Thai dessert for those with a sweet tooth. It combines sweet glutinous rice with fresh mangoes and coconut milk sauce. It is typically served as a sweet treat at the end of a meal or as a snack.
The main ingredients of Mango Sticky Rice include glutinous rice (sticky rice) and coconut milk. Served with fresh slices of mango on top. The mango adds a sweet, fruity flavour and a pop of colour. The coconut milk sauce adds a rich, creamy sweetness to the rice and is essential to the dish’s flavour.
It is typically served warm, and even though it’s a hugely popular Thai dish, it is immensely enjoyed in other parts of the world as well.
Conclusion
The city offers various delicious and affordable dishes that will satisfy any palate. From street food to fine dining, endless options exist for exploring the city’s rich culinary culture.
Overall, Bangkok is a food lover’s paradise and should definitely be on the list of destinations for anyone who loves to eat and explore new cultures. So, if you’re looking to try out new flavours and experiences, Bangkok is definitely worth a visit!
