Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most renowned cities globally for the diversity and taste of street food.
A true symphony of flavors awaits at various street markets and stalls. Thai cuisine is one of the most renowned and appreciated globally due to its rich combination of tastes, colors, scents, and textures. It utilizes diverse spices, fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, complemented by seafood, beef, pork, and chicken. Intense aromas come from fresh herbs such as coriander, mint, basil, and lemongrass. Curries are extremely popular, with red, green, yellow, and massaman curry being the most well-known, each offering a unique taste based on the combination of spices and ingredients. Coconut milk and paste are frequently used to prepare curries, sauces, soups, and desserts, adding a creamy texture and a mildly sweet taste. For Europeans, Thai food might be perceived as spicy due to the generous use of chili.
Some of the best locations in the city are:
- Tha Tian: Located near the Royal Palace, Tha Tian boasts numerous stalls with traditional Thai dishes. Try boiled corn, mango with sticky rice, fish soup, and other delicacies.
- Sukhumvit Soi 38: This street is full of stalls offering various foods. It is recommended to try Pad Thai, Som Tam, Gai Tod (fried chicken), and many other dishes.
- Ratchawat Market: This local market is known for its rich offerings enjoyed by the residents of that part of the city. Here, you can try various curries, soups, and coconut pancakes.
- Talad Rot Fai (Train Night Market Ratchada): This night market offers a wide selection of food, including seafood, barbecue, dim sum, and even experimental desserts.
- Chinatown (Yaowarat): Yaowarat is the heart of Chinatown, known for its street food stalls. Here, you can try various specialties like dim sum, chicken with peanuts, and boiled crabs.
Here are a few popular dishes worth trying in Thailand:
- Pad Thai: is one of the most famous Thai dishes, a mix of fried noodles with shrimp, chicken, or tofu, fish sauce, eggs, pea sprouts, and peanuts.
- Som Tam (Papaya Salad): A refreshing salad made with green papaya, tomatoes, chili, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and lime juice.
- Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers): juicy pork skewers marinated in a sauce made of soy sauce, fish sauce, and spices, grilled to perfection.
- Guay Tiew (Thai Noodles): Various types of noodles, including wide and thin rice noodles, cooked in a broth with chicken, pork, or seafood.
- Kao Niew Mamuang (Mango with Sticky Rice): A sweet dish consisting of sticky rice soaked in coconut milk, served with sliced mango. Sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds.
- Gai Tod (Fried Chicken): battered and crispy fried chicken pieces served with fish sauce or tamarind sauce.
- Kuay Teow Reua (Boat Noodle Soup): A noodle soup often prepared with chicken, pork, or beef, seasoned with various spices for a rich flavor.
- Kai Jeow (Thai Omelette): an omelet with crispy edges, filled with vegetables, seafood, or meat. Often served with rice.
- Thong Yib (Sweet Cookies): Sweet cookies are typically made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, sometimes filled with ingredients like chickpeas or fruit.
- Satay (Skewers): One of the most popular dishes, skewers of chicken, pork, or beef are typically served with peanut sauce and rice.
Consuming insects in Thailand has deep roots in the cultural and historical traditions of the region. Despite the initial aversion that many foreigners may feel towards insect consumption, for many Thais, eating insects is a normal part of their diet. Insects are a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Throughout history, insects have been used as part of the diet in rural areas where they were more accessible than traditional meat sources. Through various cooking techniques, insects can be prepared in various ways, such as frying, boiling, or baking.
In some cases, insects may contain more protein per gram than traditional meat sources. Consumption has become a tourist attraction. Many tourists visit Thailand and try different types of insects as part of their cultural experience or at least for a photo opportunity. Night markets usually operate until late evening, and some even throughout the night, always drawing a good crowd.
Many residents in this city who never sleep live in rooms and apartments without kitchens, so it is common for them to eat on the streets or take food home in bags. They consume less dry or baked food, and you rarely see them eating bread, sandwiches, or baked goods that are so popular in Western countries. The climate in this part of Asia does not allow for significant cereal crops, and rice has replaced them.
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