Cover A view of Bangkok’s Wat Arun Temple from Horsamut (Photo: Shere Au)
A view of Bangkok’s Wat Arun Temple from Horsamut (Photo: Shere Au)
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From a vibrant street market to a Thai massage parlour designed to soothe, here are some of the best ways to experience Bangkok
Bangkok is a vibrant city that rewards curiosity, where the best spots are often found tucked between towering skyscrapers, nestled across the road from expansive shopping malls and hidden behind unassuming shopfronts.
For Shere Au, the Hong Kong-based travel and lifestyle content creator and photographer behind @beneaththemeadow, those who dare to venture off the beaten path are rewarded with an authentic bustle, a slice of peace in the metropolis and food that satisfies and surprises in the same bite.
In this latest instalment of Pocket List, a series in which our community shares five essential recommendations from a destination of their choice, we turn to Au for her insider tips on how to eat, drink and experience Bangkok.
Read more: 5 ways to experience Kyoto according to food stylist and writer Gloria Chung
Above Shere Au, Hong Hong-based travel and lifestyle content creator and photographer, shares her top spots for Bangkok
Shere Au, Hong Hong-based travel and lifestyle content creator and photographer, shares her top spots for Bangkok
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Take a walk down Songwat Road
Above Discover local shops and eateries along Songwat Road (Photo: Shere Au)
Discover local shops and eateries along Songwat Road (Photo: Shere Au)
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Bangkok’s trendiest street is where Shere chooses to begin her journey. Located near Chinatown, Songwat Road stretches alongside the Chao Phraya River, flanked on both sides by century-old Chinese shophouses turned into cafés, restaurants and shops selling local brands. As for food options on your city walk, Shere says, “I highly recommend you to just eat your way down the road—there’s no misses, just good food.”
Songwat Road
Address: Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand 10100
Tuck into a good bowl at Rung Rueang Pork Noodle
Above Fuel up with a warming bowl at Rung Rueang Pork Noodle (Photo: Shere Au)
Above The popular clear pork broth noodles are also worth a try (Photo: courtesy of Yum Yum Kim/ Google Images)
Fuel up with a warming bowl at Rung Rueang Pork Noodle (Photo: Shere Au)
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For something more substantial, Rung Rueang Pork Noodle is an ideal stop for comforting local flavours. Shere recommends the “pork noodle with tom yum broth and fried fish skin,” while clear pork mince broth and fishballs are also available.
Rung Rueang Pork Noodle
Address: 21/2 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Take it slow at Yunomori Onsen and Spa
Above Explore the spa’s serene environment on your visit (Photo: Shere Au)
Above Enjoy a traditional Thai massage at Yunomori (Photo: Shere Au)
Explore the spa’s serene environment on your visit (Photo: Shere Au)
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Yunomori Onsen and Spa is “a Japanese-style bath house that has everything you need.” Traditional Thai massages lead the experience, accompanied by baths filled with water from the thermal springs of Wat Wangkanai and a café serving comforting meals and desserts that make the whole experience feel like a treat. The venue comes with a secluded yet spacious zen garden for guests to stroll through after their treatment.
Yunomori Onsen and Spa
Address: A-Square 120/5 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Grab a treat at Ning’s Mango Stand
Above Ning’s Mango Stand serves fresh mango sticky rice (Photo: Shere Au)
Above Expect a loaded plate with sticky rice and local mangoes (Photo: Shere Au)
Ning’s Mango Stand serves fresh mango sticky rice (Photo: Shere Au)
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You can find mango sticky rice almost anywhere in Thailand, but Ning’s is a spot Shere swears by. Set within a cluster of home-style restaurants, this stand serves an entire mango (seed included) alongside perfectly fluffy and fragrant sticky rice. “Have one right away, then get an extra one to-go.”
Ning’s Mango Stand
Address: 4 Sukhumvit Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Thailand, Bangkok 10110
Eat your way along the gulf at Horsamut
Above Lounge back at the terrace for a view of the Wat Arun Temple (Photo: Shere Au)
Above Savour Thailand’s coastal flavours at Horsamut (Photo: courtesy of Horsamut)
Lounge back at the terrace for a view of the Wat Arun Temple (Photo: Shere Au)
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Perched on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, Horsamut is the “perfect dining spot with outdoor seating to take the city in while enjoying delicious seafood.” Regional recipes guide the menu, led by the bold flavours found around the Gulf of Thailand and crafted using seafood sourced from small fishing communities. A highlight is a grilled section prepared over mangrove charcoal flames, such as reef squid with lime and chilli salsa, and mackerel spiced coconut soufflé wrapped in banana leaf.
The cocktail menu holds its own with mixes inspired by the Siamese epic Pra Aphaimani, featuring drinks like the watermelon and passion fruit-based Sudsakon, and the tangy lotus root and goji berry-infused Nimankon, while the sweeping views of the Wat Arun Temple complete the experience.
Horsamut
Address: 8 Soi Tha Kham, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand 10200
Formerly a lifestyle editor, Celia is now an Associate Dining Editor at Tatler Hong Kong, where she covers local dining stories with a strong sense of narrative and cultural context. She focuses on the people, places and moments shaping the city’s food scene, bringing a storytelling-led approach to restaurant features, chef profiles and on-the-ground coverage.
