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Bangkok Street Food
While there are plenty of expensive white-tablecloth spots around Bangkok serving refined Thai fare, the long lines at outside food carts let you in on the locals' secret -- street food is equally tasty at a fraction of restaurants' prices. Vendors sell popular dishes familiar to westerners like Pad Thai as well as unusual side dishes and local delicacies. If you can't read the menu, follow your senses and point to what looks good. You never know what you might find, and you can fill your belly for just a few dollars, or baht.
Food stalls are scattered throughout the city and some are clustered together in outdoor markets. While many food carts and markets are open all day, catering to office workers looking for a bite at breakfast and lunch, some open only at night. While it's perfectly acceptable to grab street food to go, most establishments have some outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meal and do some people-watching.
Types of Food
Noodles are the king of Thai street food and come in all shapes and sizes. Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles served with egg, fish sauce and a selection of bean sprouts, chicken, shrimp or tofu, is familiar to many westerners. However, the traditional street version of this popular dish is dry, unlike the heavier saucy versions often served in the US.
Pad Khee Mao, or drunken noodles, is another popular noodle dish. Wide rice noodles are stir-fried with soy sauce, fish sauce, chili, basil, garlic and sometimes tofu or meat.
Rice is another staple and many food carts allow you to choose your toppings. Diners can pick from a variety of curries and vegetables. The price is calculated based on the number of toppings you choose. Rice served with steamed chicken, known as Kaao Mun Kai, is a classic inexpensive choice.
Tom Yum soup is a hot and sour soup that relies on many Thai staples for its distinctive taste. The soup is flavored with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, lime juice and spicy chili peppers. The soup is often made with shrimp, fish or mushrooms and topped with vibrant cilantro. A variation on this dish is made with coconut milk.
Don't expect to find any lettuce or creamy salad dressings in a classic Thai salad. Som Tam is a spicy salad made from shredded green papaya. Palm sugar adds some sweetness to balance out the tart lime, spicy chili and salty fish sauce. Many street-food vendors serve another popular salad called Larb made of fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves and ground meat.
If you're feeling adventurous, round out your meal with a snack. Food stalls carry a variety of fried or roasted insects, including crunchy ants, grasshoppers and cockroaches. These crispy critters are served whole with a healthy sprinkling of salt, pepper and sometimes chili powder.
