Na Aroon
Our first meal in Bangkok was at Na Aroon restaurant, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start. Na Aroon is a pescetarian restaurant; it serves fish & seafood dishes, as well as a selection of vegetarian and vegan courses. A big plus is that they don’t use MSG, and try to use organic produce wherever they can. It’s set back in an old house that feels authentically Thai. The ambience is very charming; the atmosphere is very calm and relaxing. We began with an assortment of appetisers, including the pomelo salad, veggie spring rolls, and shrimp cakes on sugar cane sticks, with assorted dipping sauces. For main we had a vegetarian green curry and blue rice. Everything we had was perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and delicious.
Address: 5 Sukhumvit Soi 1, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Jin Chieng Seng by Inn A Day
The location is well hidden at the end of a side street near the Grand Palace; however, it’s worth looking for. Traditional Thai dishes were presented in a modern way, and all of them were very tasty. Thai tea was the best I had in Thailand.
Address: 57 Maharat Road, Phra-Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
Raan Jay Fai
Jay Fai is a 72-year-old queen of Thai street food. She is the only street food vendor who has been awarded a Michelin star in Thailand, and a third in the world. The place opens at 2 pm, we arrived at 1:30 pm and wrote our name on the waiting list (we were 7th). We only waited about 45 minutes as a very nice couple who was on the waiting list before us, invited us to their table. Otherwise, I think we would’ve waited for about 1:30 h. First, all reservations get a seat then they start with the waitlist, so the waiting time for walk-ins depends on how many advanced bookings they have on a given day. Some diners wait even for 3-4 hours. So, a tip to all of you who plan to eat here, plan ahead and book a table in advance. All the dishes are cooked one at a time by Jay Fai herself over charcoal stoves, and it is amazing to see the way she controls the fire. She is known for wearing ski goggles to protect her eyes from the hot oil. This place is as basic as can get, no fancy tables and no air-conditioning. Some say it’s overrated, for us it’s not. Phad Kee Mao is one of my favourite dishes, and this one was the best I ever had. The signature dish crab omelette was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It may seem a bit expensive, but it was packed with lump crab meat. This experience is indeed not for everyone, but we will definitely be back here next time we’re in Bangkok, but only with a reservation.
Address: 327 Mahachai Road, Bangkok, Thailand
T & K Seafood
While in Bangkok one must experience the chaotic but fun dinner in the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. T & K is one of the most popular seafood places, and it’s always busy! Order the seafood and an ice-cold beer and soak up the atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable, the service and cleanliness, well…don’t expect too much. We enjoyed everything we ordered.
Address: 49-51 Soi Phadung Dao, Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand
Pier 21 Food Terminal
Pier 21 food court is located inside Terminal 21. It’s probably the best and the cheapest food court in Bangkok. It offers a wide variety of options to suit everyone’s taste. None of the food will blow your mind away, but it’s a nice, cheap and clean destination. It’s a good option especially for those who fear the hygiene of street food. You top up a card with however much you want and then go to any stall and order what you like. They refund the difference at the end.
Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, 5F Terminal 21, Bangkok, Thailand
Thip Samai
A list wouldn’t be complete without the most famous pad thai place in Bangkok, Thip Samai. There is always a queue in front of the restaurant. As you wait in line, you can watch the staff cook the food outside. The egg wrapped pad thai with shrimps was cheap and tasty. Don’t forget to order their delicious orange juice!
Address: 313 Mahachai Road, Bangkok, Thailand
