While there are plenty of fine dining restaurants in Bangkok, I’d argue as a seasoned traveller to the city that the best food to eat in the area is undoubtedly the street food you can pick up roadside for less than a British pound.

Bangkok is hectic, vibrant and bold, much like its culinary offering, packed with flavours that envelop the senses. You’ll find vendors on every street corner, offering typical dishes such as Moo Ping, sticky grilled pork on skewers served with sliced cucumber, or Som Tam, a fresh papaya salad and, of course, classic Pad Thai noodles. All washed down with fresh passionfruit juice or an ice-cold Chang beer.

Part of the fun of Thai street food is watching the chef expertly craft dishes with very little in the way of equipment in a makeshift al fresco kitchen. The fierce heat. The fragrant smells. The clattering noises. It truly is a spectacle.

Bangkok is the motherland of Thai street food. But while it might not be hard to come across plenty of options organically, knowing the best spots in the city will help you uncover the tastiest and most authentic Thai street food.

Best spots for street food in Bangkok

Boat Noodle Alley at Victory Monument

One of the best – and most picturesque spots – in the city for street food is the Boat Noodle Alley at Victory Monument. This quaint and pretty spot is the best place to pick up some delicious noodles, with so many tempting options on offer. There is every kind of noodle dish you could imagine here, from thick and heavy rice noodles, to thin vermicelli-style drowned in a spicy sauce. The street stalls are lined up along the length of a small canal, making for an iconic street food experience.

Yaowarat, the capital’s Chinatown

If you can only visit one place in Bangkok for street food, Yaowarat is the place to go. The Chinese influence on Thai cuisine goes back centuries, making for an exciting blend of cultures when it comes to culinary offerings.

Here you’ll find expert chefs masterfully cooking dishes on the streets, sizzling meats over charcoal, with flashing neon lights in the background. The place to go to get that fix of bustling city life.

Nang Loeng Market

For a more peaceful street food destination, Nang Loeng Market is a bit of a hidden gem, situated close to the hectic Khao San Road, but a million miles away in terms of its peaceful vibe.

Enjoy authentic, fresh dishes like green Thai curry, drunken noodles and Thai sausage on skewers. Plus an array of delicious desserts; the steamed coconut cups, sweet Thai crepes and griddled, sticky bananas are just a few of the highlights.

Old City

Take a wander around the pretty winding streets of Bangkok’s Old Town for a true culinary adventure. Here you can get pretty much any Thai food, from curry and rice to soups and seafood, as well as fish dishes, meat on skewers and Thai-style omelettes. The choice is huge!