Bangkok Restaurant Tips by richiecdisc

Restaurant Name: Street Stalls

Porridge is a popular food throughout Southeast Asia in one form or another but I must say, I found the Thai version the tastiest. This particular street stall was pretty busy all day and spanned two sides of an entire city corner. I found it most rewarding to have breakfast here but D couldn’t stomach it early in the morning. I generally got up really early and ventured off to eat solo, returning with her sometimes at night for a snack of the same thing I’d had earlier. Typical of the region, you find a seat at one of the low plastic tables and get someone’s attention with a two symbol to expedite your order. Though there were some tourists giving it a go, even most of them were Asian, and certainly lots of Thais digging in as well. In the morning, nary a backpacker could be found and I found myself surrounded entirely by locals slurping down what I must admit would be my everyday breakfast if I lived in town.

Favorite Dish: The porridge itself is a fairly bland rice based thick broth that is enhanced by tasty pork meatballs and a raw egg. I never figured out how to order it without the egg and didn’t get sick so I wouldn’t worry much about it. It does add to the flavor and texture and imagine only people with little money do without. On your table is an assortment of things to add that really makes the whole affair so special. There is fresh chopped lemon grass (truly essential), fish sauce, chillies, sugar (!), and curiously some friend donuts for dipping. It may sound bizarre but I ate this every morning and if I was hungry and in the neighborhood, I’d have it again with D if she was in the mood. At only 20 B (fifty cents), it was a tasty and filling bargain to boot.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: corner of Rambutri & Tanao
Directions: This is a parallel street to Khao San Road, close to many popular nightspots.

Restaurant Name: ???

This was a place that got our attention mostly due to location. It was generally pretty busy, mostly with tourists but had a few scattered locals as well. D had breakfast there a few times while I was up the street scarfing down porridge. She enjoyed her food there and the other meals looked good so we decided to give it a go for lunch one day to try Tom Yam. It’s a comfortable enough place and a good thing as service is a bit slow. It’s certainly somewhere to relax and get out of the midday heat.

Favorite Dish: Tom Yam is perhaps the most famous of Thai foods. It is a sour soup laced with lemon grass and its distinctive broth goes well with the shrimp that is its trademark. If there is one thing you should try when in Thailand, this has to be it. For those that do no eat shellfish, try Tom Ga (made with chicken). It was 210 B (a little over $5) for two heaping bowls and a couple of beverages. You could surely find it cheaper at a street stall but this was a sizable portion with a lot of shrimp so worth the splurge.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: on Rambutri street
Directions: This is not far from the porridge place, just up the street.

Restaurant Name: Roti-Mataba

I was first introduced to rotis about ten year ago in Malaysia and have loved them ever since. It was nice to find a great and authentic place to have some in Bangkok. This very small eatery is a busy place so we timed it well going between breakfast and lunch. You order inside and they bring the food out to you at small street side tables.

Favorite Dish: Rotis are fried Indian flat breads that are used to sop up a thick curry sauce with either chicken or lamb. It is traditionally a breakfast food bit is a great snack any time of day. At only 16B (about 40 cents) a serving, why not grab a couple? Of course, I couldn't resist. ;=)

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 282 2119
Address: Th Phra Athit
Directions: This is close to the river and very convenient when sightseeing.