Top 10 culinary specialities in Bangkok

Thailand? We’re already salivating at the mere mention of the word. This country in south-east Asia is known for having some of the best street food in the world, in its capital, Bangkok. If you’re planning a trip there one day, you won’t find it hard to pick up some rare, delicious and inexpensive dishes that even in your wildest dreams you’ve never tasted before.

Thai cuisine is rich in flavour, and you won’t be disappointed! To help you prepare for your trip, here’s a quick list of the top foods we’ve chosen for you and your stomach! Ready to sit down to dinner?

What to eat in Bangkok

1. Pad Thai

Here’s the country’s signature dish. Pad Thaï. It’s a traditional dish based on fried noodles that is sweet, salty and spicy all at the same time. You mix it all together, and the result is an explosion of flavours! Many people like to eat it with prawns, which go very well with the famous noodles, but if you like, you can add chicken or beef. It’s a very popular meal with Bangkok locals, young and old, as well as tourists, who tend to pounce on it as soon as they arrive!

2. Tom Kha

Here’s a dish you may never have heard of. It’s actually a coconut milk soup, simmered with galangal root (which grows a lot in Bangkok), lemongrass for a tantalising aroma, kaffir lime and combava leaves, and a zest of coriander for extra flavour. Thai soups have nothing in common with soups from other countries. They contain many of the country’s own ingredients, giving them a unique flavour. You can add pieces of chicken, seafood or tofu to Tom Kha.

3. Massaman curry

Do you like curry? Perfect, because so do the Thais! There are several varieties of curry, but Massaman is one of the mildest in existence. What does it contain? Most often, it’s made with beef, potatoes, peanuts (yes, apparently it tastes better with them), onions, and sometimes mixed with a little fish. The whole thing is simmered for a long time so that the curry can properly impregnate all the food. Delicious, dear friends!

4. Khao Phat

Here’s another very popular dish that you’ll find in absolutely every restaurant or small street stall in Bangkok. This rice, fried with Thai jasmine, actually originated in China, but has quickly conquered the hearts and stomachs of neighbouring countries, including Thailand. It’s an extremely simple and quick dish to make, and is usually accompanied by a little meat or fish. Above all, the locals like to add lemon juice to spice things up!

5. Tub Tim Krob

This ruby-red dessert is a real eye-catcher, isn’t it? You’d almost think it contained real ruby pearls! This is a particularly refreshing dish to enjoy after a hot meal or soup. Made with chestnuts and coconut cream and coated in a delicious tapioca flour, this dessert has the particularity of being both sweet and crunchy. It’s sure to tantalise your taste buds and touch every nook and cranny of your stomach with the utmost delicacy. A real gem!

6. Phat Krapao

Phat Krapao is made with three key ingredients of Thai cuisine: Thai basil, whose intoxicating spicy flavours are radically opposed to the basil we’re all familiar with; chilli pepper; and soy sauce, which gives the dish a lovely texture. This popular dish is usually served with a bowl of rice, but those with a sweet tooth will know that adding a fried egg to the dish is a must!

7. Som Tam

We thought there was a bit of a lack of salad, so we’ve come up with Som Tam, a crunchy little marvel! Very spicy, it’s a dish in which several kinds of vegetables have been added, in particular finely chopped pieces of green papaya, as well as tomatoes. Shopkeepers generally offer two versions: one with just the vegetables, and another with dried prawns. All mixed with a squeeze of lemon. The result is an explosion of flavour on the palate!

8. Khao Niao Tu-rean

Also known as durian sticky rice, this is more of a sweet treat than a dish in itself. If you love durian, or have always wanted to try it, then we strongly advise you to try it in this form: with steamed glutinous rice, into which a golden treasure (the durian) has been placed, with a little green beans, all drizzled with coconut milk. All the foods go very well together, and leave a pleasant memory in our minds.

9. Thai Oliang

Have you ever drunk iced coffee? Not the kind you can buy in the supermarket, but a real iced coffee that’s just been made. No ? Well, in Bangkok, it’s time to try the legendary Oliang! Interesting fact: the “O” stands for black and the “liang” for cold. It’s made exclusively from corn, rice and soya beans. It’s a pleasant drink, with each vendor adding his or her own personal touch: sometimes black coffee, sugar or a little ice.

10. Khao Niew Moon

Rice is used in every recipe in Bangkok, from simple drinks to main courses and desserts. To give you a concrete example, here’s Khao Niew Moon: rice cooked in a coconut milk sauce. It is usually eaten for dessert with a few pieces of fruit such as mango or watermelon. These rice cakes are generally a hit with everyone!