How to enjoy culinary delights in Bangkok? - A foodie’s guide to flavour town!

A trip to Thailand, particularly its capital Bangkok is never complete without indulging in its many culinary delights! The food scene here is pretty vibrant and that might also become the reason that could get you overwhelmed. So get your cutlery and foodie badge ready and hop into this flavourful guide to learn how you could enjoy the food scene in Bangkok.

Thai Foods - Image via Flickr

Make a list of foods you must try

To get the most out of your culinary adventure in Bangkok, you need to put a bit of effort into researching the best food items to try during your time here. Just to start your list, Pad Thai, Mango sticky rice, Tom Yum Goong, Khao man gai, and Cha Tra Mue are some of the popular local delicacies that you must try.

Food courts at malls are your allies

Not only do the malls provide respite for travellers from the humid and hot outdoors, but they are also a heaven for food lovers. The food courts in the malls of Bangkok feature a wide array of eateries that offer a brilliant variety of local delicacies. Even though there will be outlets of global fast food chains, we urge you to head over to the local stalls where you will get most of your money’s worth. But make your orders one after the other since the food portions in Bangkok are fairly large.

Inform the vendors of your spice tolerance levels in advance

Thai cuisine mainly consists of spicy food. However, if you are not a local, food vendors generally assume you can’t handle spice. If you wish to savour Thai food like the locals do, tell the vendor that you have a higher spice tolerance level when you order food. Even though the chances are that he still might add a little less spice than for a local, even the reduced spice level will certainly be a delight for your tastebuds.

Try different variations of Pad Thai

Despite its questionable origins, Pad Thai is commonly enjoyed by everyone in Thailand. There are, however, different variations of it. Some of them might come with a side of the notorious spicy papaya salad, some would be topped with stir-fried Thai chillies or Thai basil, and there are even variations with different meat items other than the ‘usual’ stir-fried prawns - the taste of this dish vary from stall to stall. So remember to order and try pad Thai at different destinations within the city whenever you remember about it.

Consider visiting ChinatownChinatown is supposedly one of the best places to eat in Bangkok and it is where you could find some of the best Chinese Thai food fusions. Additionally, it is also home to a variety of quality drinking spots that serve local spirits along with a top-notch selection of regional delicacies.

Choose your accommodation wisely

If you wish to indulge in some of the most favoured local delights, select accommodation options close to bustling neighbourhoods. Among the many options here, long term serviced apartments in Bangkok, the likes of Citadines Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok come in as a viable option to stay since it is surrounded by a brilliant array of restaurants and eateries.

Head on over to food stalls that are crowded with locals

If you wish to enjoy what locals prefer, pick food stalls with a local crowd queuing up for food. These eateries usually specialise in one or a few popular food items so you cannot go wrong in picking any of the items in the list. If you are still in doubt, ask the vendor which is the most sought-after food item on their menu and go for it.

Trust your nose and gut

Despite all your research, when it comes to food, sometimes you must trust your gut instinct or your sense of smell to find delightful food items. When you are at a bustling market or a food court, follow the scent trail. Or if you see some tasty-looking food on display, sometimes if it looks good, it tastes good too (in the case of Thai food) so embrace your inner adventurer and order it - for a memorable culinary adventure in Bangkok!