Bangkok is a city that rewards the hungry. From smoky charcoal-grilled noodles to creamy crab omelettes, the best meals here often come from humble shophouses and sidewalk stalls.
Most cost just a few dollars. Many of these spots sit just minutes from top attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Chinatown, making them easy stops before or after sightseeing.
Here are 10 places you should not miss. 😊
1. Pad Thai Kratong Thong by Ama
This family-run shop near Wat Pho puts a creative spin on pad thai by serving it inside crispy golden pastry cups. The result is a delightful crunch with every bite.
Locals and tourists line up here at lunchtime, with many eating on the sidewalk. The shrimp pad thai is the star, featuring plump prawns in a sweet and savory sauce.
Highlights:
- Unique crispy cup presentation
- Located steps from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace
- Great for a quick, affordable meal between temples
Signature Dishes:
- Pad Thai with shrimp
- Green curry fried rice
- Deep-fried pork shoulder
Price Range: ฿69 to ฿129 per dish
Nearby: Wat Pho and Tha Tien Pier. A short walk from the Grand Palace and the ferry to Wat Arun.
2. K. Panich Sticky Rice
This 90-year-old family institution is a Michelin Bib Gourmand dessert shop with royal roots. The recipe was passed down from an aunt who cooked for King Rama V.
Their mango sticky rice features glossy, fragrant glutinous rice infused with coconut milk, topped with sweet ripe mango and crispy mung beans.
It is often called the best in Bangkok.
Highlights:
- Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Recipe with royal palace cooking roots
Signature Dish:
- Mango sticky rice with Nam Dok Mai mango
Price: ฿130 per set
Nearby: Tanao Road in the Old City near the Giant Swing.
3. Jeh O Chula
This unassuming family restaurant, open since 1967, is Bangkok’s most famous late-night eating spot.
Expect long queues for their viral “Mama Oho” tom yum noodles, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner.
This oversized bowl of instant noodles comes loaded with shrimp, squid, pork meatballs, crispy pork, and egg in a spicy, creamy tom yum broth.
It is comfort food at its finest.
Highlights:
- Open since 1967
- Expect long waits, but worth it
Signature Dishes:
- Mama Oho Tom Yum with seafood or mixed everything
- Yum Salmon (spicy raw salmon salad)
Price Range: ฿150 to ฿850. The famous Mama tom yum is ฿150 to ฿300.
Nearby: Banthat Thong area near Chulalongkorn University. Short taxi ride from BTS National Stadium.
4. Go-Ang Pratunam
Often called the best chicken rice in Bangkok, Go-Ang earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the inaugural 2018 guide.
This family-run shop has been serving silky poached chicken since 1960.
The secret is their addictive sauce, a balanced blend of bean paste, green chili, ginger, soy, and vinegar.
Each plate comes with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and a light soup on the side.
Highlights:
- Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2018
- Pink-uniformed staff and always-busy dining room
- Unbeatable value for the quality
Signature Dishes:
- Khao Man Gai (Hainanese chicken rice)
- Chicken livers
- Crispy fried chicken
Price Range: ฿65 to ฿95 per plate
Nearby: Multiple branches across Bangkok. The original is near Pratunam Market on Phetchaburi Road. Other locations include one near CentralWorld and another in Siam Paragon.
5. Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee
Thipsamai claims to be the oldest Pad Thai restaurant in Bangkok, and the quality speaks for itself.
Their signature Pad Thai is stir-fried in vibrant orange shrimp oil made from river prawn heads. This gives the noodles a rich, savory depth and a distinctive color.
The noodles come wrapped in a paper-thin egg omelette. Fair warning: the flavor leans sweet, which some love and others find too much.
Highlights:
- Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Featured on countless travel shows
Signature Dishes:
- Padthai with shrimp oil, fresh deep-sea prawns, and wrapped with egg
- Padthai Song-Kreung
- Padthai Siam Royal (River Prawns)
- Padthai Siam Royal (Marinated Chicken)
Price Range: ฿150 to ฿500 per plate. The famous shrimp oil version is ฿150.
Nearby: Maha Chai Road in the Old City. About 7 minutes walk from the Giant Swing.
6. Chula 50 Kitchen
Think of this as the budget-friendly alternative to Jay Fai’s famous crab omelette.
Their creamy scrambled eggs with crab meat over rice cost just ฿70 to ฿90. The crab portion is smaller, but the dish is rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying for the price.
This is a canteen-style spot popular with university students. It opens at 7 AM and works great for breakfast or lunch.
Highlights:
- Budget-friendly crab dishes
- Popular with Thai students and office workers
Signature Dishes:
- Rice with stir-fried crab curry
- Rice with creamy omelet with crab
- Stir-fried crab curry
- Creamy omelet with crab
Price Range: ฿50 to ฿120 per dish
Nearby: Chulalongkorn Soi 50 in Pathum Wan. Very close to MRT Sam Yan and Chamchuri Square.
7. Jok Prince
This Bib Gourmand rice porridge shop is famous for its unique smoky flavor.
The porridge picks up a charred undertone from the cooking process, giving it a depth you will not find in typical congee. Some people love it, others find it too intense.
The homemade pork balls are seasoned with white pepper and soy sauce. You can add a raw egg or century egg on top.
Highlights:
- Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Famous for its subtle charcoal smokiness
Signature Dishes:
- Jok Moo (pork congee with handmade meatballs)
- Add a soft-boiled egg, ginger, or pork liver
Price Range: ฿50 to ฿80 per bowl
Nearby: Charoen Krung Road in Bang Rak, behind the Shangri-La Hotel. Near BTS Saphan Taksin.
8. Thong Smith
Thong Smith has turned humble boat noodles into a premium dining experience.
Often called the most luxurious boat noodles in Bangkok, they use Australian Wagyu beef and serve generous, full-sized bowls.
The dark, aromatic broth is enriched with spices and a splash of cow’s blood for authenticity.
Topped with thin-sliced Wagyu ribeye, braised beef shank, and ox tongue, it is rich and deeply satisfying.
Highlights:
- Premium boat noodles with Wagyu beef
- Clean, air-conditioned setting
- Multiple branches in popular malls
Signature Dishes:
- Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles
- Crispy pork crackling on the side
Price Range: ฿149 to ฿529 per bowl. The fully-loaded Wagyu bowl is ฿499 to ฿529.
Nearby: Multiple locations including CentralWorld (3rd floor) and Ari Soi 4. Easily reached via BTS Skytrain.
9. Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (Je Chie)
This 70-year-old Chinatown institution is famous for its “musical chairs” curry rice.
With no tables, customers perch on small red plastic stools to eat, which is part of the charm.
The green curry with chicken and yellow curry with pork are best-sellers, each boasting a soupy, aromatic sauce rich with fresh herbs.
Highlights:
- Over 70 years of history
- Authentic street food experience
Signature Dishes:
- Yellow curry with pork
- Green curry with chicken
- Add a braised egg or Chinese sausage
Price Range: ฿40 to ฿60 per plate
Nearby: Mangkon Road in Yaowarat (Chinatown). 3 minute walk from MRT Wat Mangkon.
10. Raan Jay Fai
This is Thailand’s first street food Michelin star.
Jay Fai herself dons ski goggles and cooks every dish over blazing charcoal fires. The open kitchen is pure theater.
Her famous crab omelette is an absolute legend.
A softball-sized roll stuffed with fresh jumbo lump crab meat, fried to a crispy golden brown outside and tender inside. Trust me, it is worth every baht.
Highlights:
- One Michelin Star since 2018
- Featured on Netflix’s Street Food
Signature Dishes:
- Crab Omelette (Khai Jiao Pu)
- Drunken Noodles with seafood
- Tom Yum Goong soup, around ฿800
Price Range: ฿600 to ฿1,500 per dish. Portions are large and meant for sharing.
Nearby: 327 Maha Chai Road in the Old City near Golden Mount temple. About 10 minutes walk from MRT Sam Yot.
