You couldn’t pick a better home base to experience street food in Bangkok than Chinatown. I really enjoyed our little apartment, tucked behind a shopping mall into a surprisingly quiet area with a great view over the city.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that we were also in one of Bangkok’s best street food areas. We really enjoyed the street food tour we did – in fact, it inspired us to seek out street food tours in Hua Hin and Penang! – but we also found lots of great food on our own. Here are some of my favorites.
Did you know that croiffles (croissant waffles) are a thing now? I had never heard of them before, but they seem to be everywhere in SEA! These are from an adorable hidden cafe near our apartment.
The same cafe also had very beautiful drinks, like this matcha pineapple, and a great zodiac mural.
On the day we toured Wat Pho and the Royal Palace, we had lunch at Tonkin Annam. This Michelin recommended restaurant (e.g., not the same thing as Michelin starred, and a lot less expensive) was delicious if a little confusing! I’ve never been served rice paper without a way to get it wet and soften it before, and I’ve spent three months in Vietnam. But the flavors were great!
Going to show that Michelin Bib Gourmet restaurants abound in Bangkok, we also went to Tonchin Ramen. So good, although as you can see, definitely not a light meal.
Ironically, I preferred the version of stewed pork leg that we found on our own to the one on the tour. Admittedly, part of it is that it works better as a whole plate, accompanied by a tea egg, pickled mustard greens, rice, and fresh herbs. This was also ridiculously cheap – I don’t remember for sure, but I think it was under a dollar a plate.
Some of you may have heard my “magic door” game. Basically, you get five magic doors that can go to any restaurant in the world. You can always get a table, but you still have to pay for your meal and you can’t leave the restaurant (e.g., you can’t just use the door to travel for free.) Where do your doors go?
Well, I will have to give serious consideration to allotting one of mine to this alley in Bangkok. A little auntie is running a one-woman shop with a few folding tables and the best omelet-wrapped pad thai you could hope to eat. Perfect spice, perfect balance, perfect richness – just perfect. Just thinking about it now makes me want one a little bit, and I had an enormous plate of nasi kandar – about which more later! – for lunch.
This is Pa Tong Go, Chinese donuts that are often eaten for breakfast. The green sauce is a sweet pandan custard. Geoff and I were a little terrified when we got this plate to share. It looks like a lot of donuts! However, they’re so light and airy that the amount was just right. Delicious! However, the best part was that the shop was the cutest thing ever!
Not pictured: the owner’s angelic dog and the hojicha latte I had with them.