Bangkok dining guide
Like every capital city around the world dining out is a local pastime. In Thailand eating out at a restaurant is deeply rooted in the Thai culture, and Bangkok boasts perhaps the largest concentration of restaurants per capita in the world. These range from epicurean masterpieces put on for millionaires, to scores of large seafood buffets enjoyed by the locals every night. Visitor’s to Bangkok are spoilt for choice, not only is there something to suit every taste and budget, you’ll discover most menus are reasonably priced, meaning you can tuck into exceptional international and famous spicy Thai cuisine.
Naturally the whole of Thailand is famous for food and Bangkok is no exception, in fact it is where most visitors enjoy their first Thai dishes, spicy or not. Central Thailand has plenty of signature dishes, and Bangkok arguably the best food selection in Southeast Asia. See a list of recommended Bangkok restaurants.
Wining and dining
Bangkok is certainly not a newcomer to the tourist scene and has an extensively developed restaurant market that can cater for all. First class restaurants can be found all over Bangkok, both in hotels and independently, but there are also some interesting and intriguing places: riverside dining, open air dining as well as sky high dining at the highest restaurant in Asia. Even if you’re too lazy to seek these out, just wandering around the tourist areas present you with all sorts of options, so that food becomes a highlight of your visit.
One thing well worth doing is heading out of your hotel restaurant as they are often very over priced, and explore the Bangkok restaurant options. These can range from simple home style restaurants where you can find some of the tastiest dishes to international style cuisine prepared by award winning international chefs.
As eating is so popular with the Thais, Bangkok restaurants are generally exceptional value with some dishes in local restaurants being under 50 baht. In a more typical mid range restaurant prices will generally range from 150 to 500 baht; the deciding factor being whether it is Thai or international food. Thai food is usually cooked fresh when ordered so service can sometimes be slow, but always worth waiting for. For those who are concerned about hygiene look out for the green and blue health inspection signs: ‘Good Taste Clean Food’.
Another bonus is the many other asian restuarants found in Bangkok. A large ethnic Chinese community means plenty of options from all regions of China, particularly the south, but Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indian menus are also popular and usually very well done. When in Thailand take the time to introduce your palate to some of these variations.
Be sure to make food and dining one of the highlights of your stay in Bangkok as there are very few other places in the world where you can enjoy such a high standard of cuisine at an extremely affordable price.
For suggestions have a look at our recommendations on our main 1stopbangkok restaurant page.
Thai cuisine
Fast replacing the Irish Pub phenomenon, Thai restaurants are becoming ubiquitous the world over, but only here in Thailand do you truly get to taste authentic dishes. They’re likely to be spicier than you’ve experienced, as restaurants abroad tend to ‘westernise the flavour’ ñ but waitresses are used to requests for ‘not too spicy’.
Thai food is found in hundreds of Bangkok restaurants, usually the menu includes favourites like tom yum goong (spicy and sour seafood broth), green curry, poached fresh fish (tilapia), and regional dishes such as massaman chicken curry, or mild choices like stir fried chicken with cashew nuts. At lunch millions of Bangkokians share the popular somtam (spicy papaya salad), or easy-to-make phad thai (stir fried noodles). In the top notch restaurants however, you are now more likely to encounter creative Asian-fusion dishes, the likes of which your average Thai has never heard of.
Most Thai food consists either of rich curries with coconut milk, brothy soups with noodles, or stir fried dishes with freshly prepared ingredients. Chicken, fresh fish and seafood or pork are most common, but beef is also found in dishes. There is also frog, deep fried insects and spicy sausage. Tofu is also widely used and rice is the staple that complements all dishes. Noodles are a popular quick lunch choice but less popular with foreigners. Unusual spices such as galangal and lemongrass are used alongside ginger, garlic, basil, green pepper corns and, of course, lots of chillies - which were actually introduced by the Portuguese three centuries ago.
In Thailand people typically share a meal together by ordering multiple dishes (which come at regular intervals throughout the evening) and picking at them. This way everyone gets to enjoy several different flavours at the table. Spoon and fork are the eating utensils usually used. Afterwards fruit is served, and the abundance and range of exotic fruits previously unseen will certainly amaze you.
Thais also love to snack and a large preportion of what they eat is never seen on a menu. Take the time to visit local markets or stop at streetside stalls where you’ll have difficulty deciding just which of the many sweet and savoury delicacies to try. Some are preserved, others dried, while freshly baked sweets and breads are also tasty.
For more information on Thai food and regional dishes visit our comprehensive Thai food section.
