Yaowarat, also known as the Chinatown of Bangkok, is a food haven (Photo: Kelvin Han/Unsplash)
Cover Yaowarat, also known as the Chinatown of Bangkok, is a food haven (Photo: Kelvin Han/Unsplash)

From Michelin’s Bib Gourmand snacks to cocktails at the highest rooftop bar, here’s a one-day guide to eating your way through the city

Do we need another food guide to Bangkok? Maybe not, but this vibrant city is so vast and ever-changing that there is bound to be something we miss. Or perhaps not even aware of. As a veritable destination for gourmands with its great mix of upscale to street offerings, it is also impossible to try everything on a short trip. 

See also: A food lover’s guide to Hakuba, Japan

Returning to Bangkok for the first time in three years has inspired me to get out of my comfort zone, and explore nooks and corners I was too lazy to venture out to previously. Dedicating a full day to giving my tastebuds a real treat, this was my itinerary from morning to night. Suffice to say, it was time well spent.

Brunch at SookSiam

Food courts in Bangkok are usually a safe bet if you want convenience. Two of my go-to's are Gourmet Eats in Siam Paragon and Eathai in Central Embassy. SookSiam is now added to the list. 

Located on the ground floor of Iconsiam on the banks of Chao Phraya River, Sooksiam has taken the food court concept to the next level. Designed to resemble a typical street bazaar albeit with air-conditioning, it boasts a vast variety of dishes from 77 provinces in Thailand, giving you the opportunity to truly indulge in authentic local flavours. There are also exotic offerings like fried sago worms, centipedes, and scorpions to try—if you can stomach them! 

From all types of noodles and rice to seafood and curries, there is such a lot to discover in this massive 15,000 sq m space that you wouldn't be able to resist getting some takeaways like the pretty chor muang (Royal Flower Dumplings) for snacking later because, at this point, you're just too full to eat any more. 

Tatler tip: Come early before the crowd builds up or you will be 'fighting' for a table.

How to get here: Take the BTS Skytrain to Krung Thon Buri station and change to the Gold Line. Alternatively, take the complimentary Iconsiam shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (next to the Saphan Taksin BTS station) or Sri Phraya Pier.

Iconsiam | 299 Charoen Nakhon Soi 5 , Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai Sub District, Khlong San District, Bangkok 10600

Bib Gourmand lunches in Chinatown

Tatler Asia
Above Oyster omelette at Nai Mong Hoi Thod (Photo: Brian Cheong)
Tatler Asia
Above Crab meat fried rice (Photo: Brian Cheong)

For street food served along actual streets, we head to two establishments in Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, that were cited in Michelin Guide.

The first is Nai Mong Hoi Thod, which is on the Bib Gourmand 2022 list for value-for-money gourmet experiences. It dishes out hoi thod (oyster omelette) packed with big, succulent oysters as well as crab meat fried rice. Humble dishes they may be but they are also incredibly tasty comfort food. 

How to get here: Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon station and get out at Exit 1. Cross the street to Phlapphla Chai Road, which is directly opposite the station. 

Nai Mong Hoi Thod | 539 Phlapphla Chai Road, Bangkok, 10100

It is by luck that we stumble upon the new Pa Tong Go Savoey shop, which is literally around the corner from Nai Mong Hoi Thod. Renowned for its pa tong go (Thai-style fried dough), it resembles a short version of you tiao (Chinese fried dough) and is usually eaten with pandan custard or sweetened condense milk. Soft and doughy on the inside with a nice crispiness on the outside, we have ours with soy milk, which we often see the locals do. Pa Tong Go Savoey, which still operates in its old location along Songsawat Road, was mentioned in the Michelin Guide in 2018 and 2019. 

How to get here: Take only few more steps north from Nai Mong Hoi Thod to Thanon Santiphap. 

Pa Tong Go Savoey | 7 Thanon Santiphap, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100 

Dinner at Lon Lon Local Diner

Next to the entrance to Trinity Silom Hotel, and almost inconspicuous from the outside, is a charming little place beloved for its take on casual Thai cuisine. It is known for khao tom kui (Thai version of plain rice porridge) served with side dishes. While that may be so, steamed rice is also available. The menu consists of comfort Thai food—think spicy stewed duck thigh soup, massaman curry chicken and crispy pork belly—and a nice selection of small bites designed to pair with after-work drinks. Made with fresh ingredients and packed with flavours, the restaurant can also cook some dishes vegan or gluten-free upon request.

How to get here: From Chong Nonsi BTS station, head towards Soi Phiphat 2 (it's the road between I Residence Silom and The Heritage Bangkok). Walk about five minutes to Trinity Silom, which is opposite Holiday Inn Express.

Lon Lon Local Diner | 150 Soi Naradhiwas 3, Silom, Bangrak 10500 Bangkok 

Cocktails at Sky Beach

We end the night at Sky Beach, Bangkok's newest rooftop bar—which is also its highest on the 78th floor of King Power Mahanakhon building. Part of the newly opened The Standard, Bangkok, the bar offers a spectacular 360-degree bird's eye view of the city. Entrance fee is inclusive of a complimentary drink on the menu as well as access to SkyWalk, a see-through glass floor for those who don't have a fear of heights—or who want to conquer it. Cocktails are decent—start with the Occma's Razor vodka, Prosecco and elderflower cocktail—but the absolutely spellbinding view alone is worth the price of entry. Note, however, that it is a family-friendly bar that admits patrons of all ages.

How to get here: There is direct access to King Power Mahanakhon from Chong Nonsi BTS station. 

Sky Beach Bangkok | The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, 78th Floor, 114 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 

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