Serious Eating in Bangkok
My man is going to be in Bangkok next month, for about a week. It's business, so most of his (eating) schedule will be predetermined, but he will definitely be on his own for at least a few meals. We know there are fabulous foodstuffs to be had, and some of the best-rated restaurants in town are in the better hotels. But when we travel, we also make a point of living la vida local, so to speak (when in Rome...).
Any recommendations? Best kept secrets? Places easily accessible by BTS would be especially appreciated.
And it doesn't necessarily need to be Thai food... anything good is always... well... GOOD!
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3 Comments:
You're right that Bangkok is one of the better places in the world to find a great meal and I too love to live the vida local (notice neither of us used the "locovore" word) I have a recommendation but I'm not sure the place has a name. Have your man go to the Chinatown district and find the market alley. Have him turn down the narrow lane and go to the right (toward the river) and go until you almost emerge into the "normal" city again. Right there is a large market eatery (for lack of a better discriptor). Go up to the rack of prepared foods and start pointing at whatever catches his eye. Grab a chair and the food will be served up with plenty of change leftover to find himself a heavenly iced Thai tea and a scooter ride back to his business world. Now I've got to find a rag to wipe the drool off my keyboard!
czken at 9:14AM on 04/27/08
Here are a few of my favorite spots to eat Thai food in Bangkok, with the full range from five star hotel restaurant to a stall on the street:
Spices Market - in the Four Seasons Bangkok on Rajdamri Road, just a few minutes walk from the BTS Skytrain Rajdamri stop (right between the BTS station and the Erawan Shrine). Yes, it's in a hotel but it is also where Thais go for great (and yes, upscale) Thai food. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is upscale but relaxed, the service is great and (I think) it's still a good value overall. Try the yam pla duk fu--green mango salad with crispy fluffed fried catfish; the sea bass steamed with lime and chilies; and fried soft shelled crab with pepper sauce; I also love the pad kee mao, which is not on the menu but the kitchen will make for you (ask for the wide noodles).
Taling Pling-- http://www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/talingpling.html - Here you get yummy, affordable and authentic Thai food in a bright and slightly hip environment. There are at least two locations--the original on Thanon Pan near Wat India (this is the colloquial name of the temple); the second is in the atrium area of the Siam Paragon mall.
Chicken Soi Polo/Polo Fried Chicken - off of Wireless Road, down Soi Polo (amazing fried chicken and all kind of spicy thai salads); this used to be a hot sweaty alley stall, but they have expanded into the space next door which thankfully has air conditioning (if you don't reserve a table, you'll still be sweating it in the heat). Soi Polo is located just south of Lumpini Park and the alley entrance is next to the local police station.
Enjoy!
Beijingkitchen at 12:37PM on 04/28/08
Like you said in many destinations, the best places are usually found off the beaten path, away from the touristy areas.
However, if your husband is looking for more fine dining (aka $30 per person, as opposed to the $1.50 I was spending the rest of my trip) Thai food I definitely recommend Celadon in the Sukhothai Hotel. It's absolutely delicious and a great escape from the craziness that is Bangkok. I wish I remembered the dishes I had more clearly, but I remember the highlights were a crab dish and a duck curry. Mmmmm.
http://www.sukhothaihotel.com/celadon.php
NYCviaRachel at 2:25AM on 05/01/08