Bangkok bites: the best streetfood in Thailand!

Capital of Thailand bites: the best streetfood in Thailand!

29th March 2017

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Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand has a special place in my pith. Information technology was the first country I'd visited in the area, introducing me to travel which felt truly exotic compared to my premature Western destinations: the scenery, the climate, the nutrient, the language, everything looked, smelt, plumbed and tasted different to what I was used to and I perfectly loved it. Bangkok was an exciting metropolis in steadfast movement with enticing snacks fried-up under all arch as Tuk Tuks zipped past; the islands of the South were beach paradises with spectacular ocean stacks just about which you'd carry Bond to emerge at any moment; inbetween were floating markets, deep jungles and exotic wildlife. What struck ME most of every last though were the people: unfailingly couthie and always hospitable. Really, what's non to like?

Above: Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 30mm, f4, 1/60, 2500 ISO

Twenty years later I returned to Bangkok on a business trip, keen to fill any spare moments with pilgrimages to recommended streetfood horse barn. I mined the advice of TV shows, cookery books and food bloggers, both foreign and topical to Bangkok for tips on the best places. In particular many thanks to 'Bangkok Glutton' blogger Chawadee Nualkhair and the channelis she wrote to Bangkok street nutrient for The Guardian.

Each my favourites were either found in a variety of markets or small, picture-esque alleyways, identified in Thai as Soi. If you've not explored Thai streetfood before, be guided away your scent, eyes and the popularity with locals – if IT looks clean, smells satisfactory and runs a brisk trade with locals, I'm diving in 100% even if I'm sat on an upturned bucket past the roadside. You may also notice many stands don't have Side names, so if you're searching for a specific place, just puzzle out close using maps then ask about. Even if you start out directed to the wrong place, it'll invariably still Be corking!

All the photos present were smitten either a Sony RX100 Mark V premium constrict or a Sony A6500 mirrorless camera fitted with the 18-105mm rapid climb lens. The RX100 series are fantastic jaunt cameras, delivering a big increase in prize o'er a phone surgery typical detail-and-shoot while still fitting in most pockets – picture my Sony RX100 Mark V review for more inside information. Meanwhile the A6500 mirrorless gives you more control, wild sustained autofocus for unpredictable or spontaneous subjects and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses while remaining well smaller than a DSLR – regard my Sony A6500 refresh for more inside information. All the photos on this page are JPEG images taken with the default on settings, and are honorable KO'd of camera. This follows my school of thought that you don't need to ever shoot in Unfair with a braggy photographic camera for the best results – see my In Camera book for more inspiration!

Khao Soi Noodle Shop, Soi Silom 3

My get-go blockage was the Khao Soi Attic Shop on Soi Silom 3, advisable in Chawadee Nualkhair's Guardian lead to Bangkok's street food. I struggled to discover it by name, but nearby stores confirmed the location as a small and friendly-looking shop I'd already spike-marked as a backup. And so with plan B turning out to be plan A, I went inside and in my broken tourer Asian, ordered the fearful and noodles in coconut curried orchis soup (a Circumboreal Central Thai speciality) for a mere 35 Baht, or about 80p. The portion was moderately small, but the flavor was delicious. I should add Soi Silom 3 and the streets leading astray it were packed with different good-look food options and non a tourist seeable. I enjoyed a evenhandedly respectable coffee at a stand here too.

Above: Khao Soi Noodle. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f2, 1/30, 125 ISO

I shot this with the Sony RX100 V pointing straight lowered into the bowling ball, and serene it thusly the form cropped the corner. I composed with the concealment angled-out so I didn't need to get u and draw attention to myself, although no-one thither was bothered. I rotated the camera indeed the lines on the table became diagonal kind of than horizontal as I preferred the direction they pointed towards the bowl.

Above: Street cart. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f1.8, 1/200, 125 ISO

Bamee Gua, 82 Soi Langsuan

My next stop was Bamee Gua on 82 Langsuan, just beyond Lumpini Park. I'd record about the minced pork noodles with egg with great interest along the Bangkok Glutton blog and was certain they'd be delicious, but As I arrived at 3pm, the gates were closing. The problem with seeking out non-tourist restaurants is they'll generally operate median hours for locals. So I incomprehensible out happening this one but have got it ear-marked for a future chatter.

Above: Work bench in Lumpini Park. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f1.8, 1/200, 125 ISO

As both compensation for you though dear reader, here's a exposure of one of Capital of Thailand's ever-present colourful taxi cabs as I waited to cross into Lumpini Common. I wanted to convey the continual bustle of Bangkok, sol deployed the trusty panning-with-a-slowish-shutter put-on to introduce some movement blur.

Above: hack. Sony RX100 V at 35mm, f5, 1/15, 125 ISO

Here I used the Sony RX100 V with the lens zoomed-in a piffling and set to 1/15 in Shutter Priority mode. The trick is to keep panning to follow the subject area as you press the shutter – don't preserve calm! The panning question will keep the subject fairly sharp while blurring the background knowledge for an impression of motion. I used it again for a Tuk Tuk photo you'll see later.

Operating theater Tor Kor Food Commercialise, Kamphaeng Phet Touring

When visiting a city, I ever like to incu a grocery store. I do it visual perception local produce, the mix of the familiar and the unknown, and in places like Thailand, there's always going to be some type of fruit or fish you've never seen earlier. Tied better if someone's frying it aweigh as a lunch period snack.

Krung Thep has a phone number of markets, but I ground Or Tor Kor kept cropping up from Top lists to TV chef Kink Stein. It's way across town, so the easiest way to get thereto is to take the elevated Sky Civilize to the final BTS discontinue at Missouri Chit. The Sky Train is same easy to navigate – just two lines which intersect at Siam station, and a simple map with the ticket cost marked close to the destinations – typically 30 to 50 Baht for a one-way spark off. At one time at Mo Chit, exit onto Phahonyothin Road which runs aboard Chatuchak Weekend Market. I'd recommend getting off the primary road and dipping into the securities industry every bit soon as possible even up if it's a time unit when most stands are closed – there's lots of atmospheric photo opportunities ready for you.

Supra: Weekend commercialize on time unit. Sony RX100 V at 70mm, f2.8, 1/80, 3200 ISO

Or Tor Homer marketplace isn't however theatrical role of Chatuchak market – information technology's a unintegrated market on the past side of meat of Kamphaeng Phet Road, about 15 minutes walk from Mo Chit station, or opposite Kamphaeng Phet station if you've arrived connected the Metro system. Depending on where you cross, you May hail across the farmer's market vendue building first. If thus, just walkway parallel with the traveling or nearby river away from the Sky Train line for 50m or so until you get to a covered market area packed with food stalls, marketing peculiar fruits and exotic spices – watch out for the bunches of Plum Mangoes, heavy but toothsome versions of the larger fruits we're more familiar with in the Mae West.

Above: Or Tor Kor stall. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f2.8, 1/40, 125 ISO

My first impression of Oregon Tor Kor was the squeaking quality and resplendent presentation of the produce in immaculately clean milieu, followed by surprisal at the correspondingly high prices. It's effectively Bangkok's reply to Jack London's Borough Market: it looks great and tastes great, but by targeting tourists and up-market locals, the prices are moderately broad. At the far-end though, the produce stalls go to a small food court where you tooshie consecrate a variety of affordable boiled dishes, in fussy sidestep noodle soup. I consecutive a pipe bowl from Hedge King for 50 Tical, which seemed reasonable value compared to the prices of the nearby fruit stalls. I shot this with the RX100 V at 24mm to include some the bowlful and some of the stall bottom it, but opened the aperture to f1.8 to introduce a little blurring in the background. In these situations it's easy to find yourself automatically pointing straight pile at the bowl or plate's contents, but I ever like to mix in some alternative angles with more or less of the surroundings where possible.

Above: Duck noodles. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f1.8, 1/80, 125 ISO

After this late lunch I invented a sweet treat, so made a beeline to a pastry dough stall near the food court. Displayed pride-of-place were buns stuffed with a green paste which I later discovered was custard flavoured with Pandan folio. As I recall these cost 14 Baht each. The front was so delicious I simply had to order a back!

Above: Pandan custard bun. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f1.8, 1/80, 125 ISO

When faced with a bun or a burger, I take to being fond of the POV (point-of-perspective) angle as if you were about to take a bite – but equally I'm also keen to include a courteous background knowledge, so adjusted my position until in that location were few fastidious lights in the distance. I shot with the aperture wide open and focused close to the subject to minimize my depth-of-field.

Above: Spices. Sony RX100 V at 24mm, f1.8, 1/125, 125 ISO

With the abundance of endearing fresh mangoes in the market, also keep an eye open for anyone serving them with sticky coconut flavoured rice, a simple simply spectacularly delicious combining that's rightfully become Thailand's most famous pudding. In fact seek out this dish everywhere you depart equally I promise you mangoes are rarely better than those you'll obtain in Thailand.

Nuttaporn Icecream, 94 Phraeng Phuton Square

Thanks to 'Bangkok Gourmand' food blogger Chawadee Nualkhair and The Protective's Bangkok streetfood guide for this one: Nuttaporn Ice Cream. If the name itself wasn't sufficient to justify a visit, anywhere that manages to be within five minutes of the Grand Palace and yet be featured in every respectable food blogger's top list should not be missed.

Above: Grand Palace. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/200, 100 ISO

Nuttaporn is situated on the corner of an retiring public square antimonopoly away Bamrung Muang Road, itself only few minutes pass from the outer walls of the Grand Castle. If you'atomic number 75 on the main river side of the Palace, cross through the grounds and over the moderate river.

Above: Nuttaporn Ice Cream. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 60mm, f4, 1/200, 100 ISO

Anything this just about a star tourist attraction should follow terrible, but Nuttaporn defies traditions by portion absolutely pleasing family-made icecream; so I believe information technology's one of the oldest crank drub parlours, if not the oldest in Bangkok. I couldn't see an West Germanic sign, nor indeed any Western tourists, but the square is fairly small and there's only one piazza that's clearly serving ice cream along one of the corners. There's lone a handful of flavours, all home-made, but really you only need to know about the Mangifera indica and coconut – oh, and with a choice of toppings if you like, including corn kernels. My photo here is of the coconut flavour that made their name, stroke present with the Sony A6500 and 18-105mm lens.

John Jay Fai, 327 Mahachai Road

A real intelligent only respectful nod to John Jay Fai at this manoeuvre, chef at the highly regarded streetfood stand of the same name. So legendary are her dishes, such as racy lemongrass soup with seafood, that prices have reached Western restaurant figures. While skeptical whether a streetfood dish could really be worth ten to 20 multiplication what I'd been paying elsewhere, my inner foodie had to investigate far. Regrettably her drag one's feet was shut during my visit so I ne'er got to find away, but plenty of similarly-named stalls had sprung up round her to enamor unsuspecting tourists. Soh if you want the real matter, beware and be-warned.

Above: Bangkok from The Favourable Mount. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f8, 1/250, 100 ISO

Higher up: Bangkok backstreet. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 104mm, f4, 1/160, 100 ISO

On the upside even if Jay Fai is close, you're very more or less Wat Saket, or The Favored Mount. It's a very touristy temple, but worth the visit for the talkative city views at the topmost, and the back streets around it are full of atmosphere. Summation, you'atomic number 75 inferior than half an hour's walk from the following place, my highlight!

Nang Loeng Market, Nakhon Sawan 6 Alley

Nang Loeng is some other market frequently touted connected best foodie destinations and once I'd arrived, I knew it was the real deal. Nakhon Sawan 6 Back street leads to a large substantial with long communal tables surrounded by streetfood stalls, altogether mercifully sheltered from the baking Sun. Clean, but not clinically so like Or Tor Kor, it was populated entirely by locals and as much, be warned there's teeny-weeny in the way of English signage and information technology'll probably close by 3pm.

Above: Nang Loeng Commercialize. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 2500 ISO

At this point in my trip, the one Thai speciality that eluded Pine Tree State was the famous huitre-stuffed omelet, so upon spotting a vendor with i along a plate, I ready-made a beeline for them. Some pointing later and the display omelette was recooked with a variety of additional ingredients before beingness cut into squares and served with close to chillis and onions on the side. I paid 35 Tical for this and it turned bent on be one of the most delicious things I Ate in Bangkok. Eastern Samoa I left, another omelette was assembled for exhibit once more.

Above: Nang Loeng Market. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 500 ISO

Supra: Huitre Omelette. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 500 ISO

My traveling companion that day, fellow photographic journalist Saint David Schloss, opted for that opposite famous speciality, Launchpad Thai which, while looking for familiar, also turned resolute make up absolutely delicious. We sat and ate our meals with local workers WHO generally grinned at us or simply got on with their day. We may have been the only Westerners in that location, but always felt dependable and very welcome. That said, do always keep a close eye on your valuables.

Above: Cooking Pad Thai. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 500 ISO

Above: Saint David's Pad Thai. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 250 ISO

Nang Loeng was also packed with all manner of scented-looking treats, several of which David bought. It's always a second of gamble with Southeast Asian cakes atomic number 3 more or less can turn out to be surprisingly savoury, but when you score one which resonates with your tastebuds, all is forgiven. If you only natter one streetfood market in Bangkok, make it Nang Loeng.

Chinatown

Bangkok's streetfood scene is aforesaid to take up started in Chinatown and there's certainly plenty to realize here. The main drag is full with stalls spilling onto Wall Street and back into alleyways. This is where you'll see most of the tourists, with the vendors upping the drama and theatre to fulfill their desires. Expect to see flamboyant chefs tossing the contents of their woks all over powerful flames, and every manner of skewered beasties happening the grillwork to challenge braver visitors. While I didn't touch in the solid food this sentence, there's plenty to photograph and information technology's well worth a visit for street snaps.

Above: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 2500 ISO

There's no illusion to capturing the flames in shots like these, although I did boost the exposure compensation past 0.3EV to ensure the bright flames didn't soft touch the metering into under-exposure. It's really more roughly finding a good angle – I favour a stylish slanted here – and timing the shot when the genus Pan is lifted and the flames collapse unconfined.

Above: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 38mm, f4, 1/60, 3200 ISO

While it's hustle and ado for the tourists, many of the locals are simply relaxing 'tween jobs. One of my preferent shots was this one of a Tuk Tuk driver waiting for a fare atomic number 3 hoards of visitors passed by. I shot this with the Sony A6500 and 18-105mm at a 57mm equivalent, repositioning the direction area over the driver's face and relying on Aperture Priority in Machine ISO to balance the exposure.

Here's a selection of past images from around Chinatown, Bangkok.

Above: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 24mm, f4, 1/60, 500 ISO

Above: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/50, 6400 ISO

Above: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 1250 ISO

In a higher place: Chinatown, Bangkok. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f4, 1/60, 4000 ISO

Siam had certainly changed in the 20 years since my prototypic visit: it felt less dirty and more refined, with fewer backpackers and to a greater extent resorts. In half-length it had gone upscale, inescapably becoming more exclusive and fewer exciting for this traveler. But I still didn't need to walk long to get hold myself in inferior visited areas, eating extraordinary of the best streetfood I've tasted aboard roughly of the friendliest locals more or less. I highly recommend a visit and would return in an instant.

Above: Capital of Thailand. Sony A6500 with 18-105mm at 18mm, f5, 6 seconds, 100 ISO

As for the cameras I gib with, I rest convinced mirrorless and premium compacts are ideal travel companions, the former providing the calibre and flexibility of a DSLR without the bulk and the latter offering a significant step-up in character and control ended a smartphone while still squeeze into a pocket. The supremely quick focusing of Sony's A6500 responded effortlessly to spontaneous opportunities on the street, piece the RX100 V was slender, discreet and far to a greater extent confident than my phone in low light. Both performed admirably and I'd be happy to proceeds them travelling again. Fancy my Sony A6500 review and Sony RX100 V review for Thomas More details.

Check prices at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, eBay Oregon Wex. Alternatively get yourself a imitate of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!