If you travel to Thailand and you’re not willing to try Thai street food, you’re a damn fool.
Sorry, but it’s true.
Getting down and dirty with Thai street food is what Thailand is all about. Don’t worry about getting sick – my husband and I had all kinds of questionable street food all over Thailand and we hardly ever got sick.
I say “hardly ever” because it’s inevitable to get an upset stomach at some point during your trip. Your stomach needs time to get used to new bacteria, but it normally lasts about a day or so – no biggie.
In any case, it’s worth it. I promise.
Here are the best Thai street food joints in Chiang Mai and Bangkok that will electrify your tastebuds.
Thai street food in Chiang Mai
Night market Chang Puak Gate – Old Quarter
The night market near the Old Quarter’s Chang Puak Gate (northern gate) boasts the best street food you’ll find in Chiang Mai.
You’ll be walking through rows and rows of tiny stalls where mouthwatering food is being cooked for your enjoyment.
As a general rule, any food you eat at this night market will be great; you really can’t go wrong. Whether you’re looking for pork, soup, pad thai, seafood, skewered meat, or dessert, you’ll find your heart’s desire all along the strip.
Lady with the cowboy hat
If you’re a fan of Anthony Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown, then you’ve probably watched the Thailand episode.
I watched the episode right before going to Thailand the first time around, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to pass up his advice on Thai street food in Chiang Mai.
That’s when good old Tony introduced me to the lady with the cowboy hat near Chang Puak Gate. He promised I’d find the best khao ka muu (stewed pork leg) in town there, and he wasn’t lying.
The chopped up pork pieces are served on rice with a delicious homemade sauce, and it’s one of the best meals I’ve had in Thailand.
Oh, and it only cost us a couple of bucks.
The night market is open every night as of 5pm and the stalls close at around midnight. If you’re looking for amazing Thai street food in Chiang Mai, this is it.
Thai street food in Bangkok
Yaowarat – Chinatown
You might not expect one of the best Thai street food areas in Bangkok to be in Chinatown, but it is.
Yaowarat is located in Samphanthawong District and it’s always bustling with action. Locals and tourists alike head over to Yaowarat in search of delicious street food and shopping.
You’ll find street food stalls along most of the strip and on every corner, offering all sorts of food ranging from pork to seafood to popular Thai desserts such as bua loy nam king (dumplings stuffed with black sesame seed paste bathed in sweet ginger soup).
Silom, Bang Rak
Silom road is located in Bank Rak District and it’s one of the busiest streets during lunch hour.
Since it is in the financial district (downtown), workers flock there in the afternoon to grab a quick bite at any one of the street food stalls lined up around Silom.
You’ll find all types of food such as Hainanese chicken with rice (khao man gai), beef soup, green papaya salad, noodles with insanely delicious toppings of your choice, desserts, snacks, and so, so much more.
You can also walk to Sathon road, which is parallel to Silom. The entire area basically offers delicious Thai street food to feed the office workers in the area and anyone else who ventures by.
