Five Unexpected Street Foods to Eat in Thailand

 Five Unexpected Street Foods to Eat in Thailand

Every traveler eats pad thai when they get to Thailand—hey it’s famous for a reason. But why stop there? Here are five more delicious street foods to add to your travel list.

1. Pad See Ew ผัดซีอิ้ว

click here to see a blog by a guy who is crazy about Thai food

It’s time for some new Thai noodles in your life: the smoky, chewy noodles of phad see ew. Stir-fried with eggs, local greens, chilies, soy sauce, and wide rice noodles, this dish has a bouncy mouth-feel that kids of all ages can enjoy. Choose chicken or pork, then add vinegar to taste and these noodles will be always hit the spot. My old favorite on Sukhumvit 38 has moved, so my chef friend Joe recommended a new place near his house.

Phad See Ew stall in front of Teens of Thailand, Charoen Krung, Bangkok open 5-9pm

2. Yam Khai Dao ยำไข่ดาว

fried egg salad. this version has either mushrooms or fish maw, not sure tbh

If you are in the mood for a spicy delight, try a Thai fried egg salad. Crunchy celery greens, tomatoes, crisp onions, chilies, coriander, and a light dressing of garlic and mild fish sauce make this salad hearty and fresh. The best part is the Thai-style egg with crispy edges and a soft yolk. Fun fact: khai dao means fried egg but translates to “star egg”.

Tam Sang stall opposite Route 66 Nightclub, Royal City Avenue, Bangkok open 12-5pm

3. Bua Loy Nam Khing บัวลอยน้ำขิง

bua loy + lod chong in the background

Not particularly beautiful, a bowl of bua loy looks a lot like marbles floating in milk. In reality, this warm ‘dessert soup’ is a deliciously comforting way to end a meal. Imagine slurping up hot ginger syrup and coconut milk with soft rice pastry floating in every bite. My favorite bua loy is found in Bangkok’s Chinatown, where the ping-pong sized rice balls are plump with black sesame paste--reminiscent of warm, gooey peanut butter.

Sweettime dessert stall in front of Nai Ek Roll Noodles, Yaowarat Road, Bangkok open 7-11pm

4. Jim Jum จิ้มจุ่ม

check out eatingthaifood.com for more amazing street food blogs

Hoping not to ruin your diet on vacation? Look no further than jim jum or traditional Thai hotpot. Full of flavor, it is a ‘clean’ eating option and a great meal to share with friends. When you order jim jum you can choose pork, chicken, vegetables, or seafood. The broth arrives at your table simmering over hot coals and ready for a group cooking experience. Throw in fresh Thai veggies, mung bean vermicelli noodles (low glycemic index), meat, and an egg and simmer until the tender meat is ready. Add plenty of Thai basil and you won’t be disappointed.

Issan food van opposite Thonglor Soi 2 near the Pridi Banomyong Institute, Bangkok open 5pm-2am

5. Phad Grapao Gai ผัดกะเพราไก่

always a good choice

No street food list is complete without pad gaprao gai or Thai stir-fried basil chicken. It’s not the most exotic thing, but it is a standout favorite among locals. Did you honestly think Thai people eat bugs at every meal like you see on Khao San Road? The standard plate from any street or hotel restaurant is the same: stir-fried chicken, holy basil, chilies, and a rich brown sauce over rice. Ask for a khai dao fried egg on top and you will have the same lunch as millions of Thais across the country!

Try any street stall or restaurant in Bangkok! Look for a large wok and you are in business. My favorite versions of this dish are in casual restaurants like Foodland and Sabai Jai Gai Yang because the chicken quality is a little nicer.

me + a scrimp

Stacy + a chicken wing

gaprao gai, yam khai dao, and bik gai thod fried chicken wings at Sabai Jai

me w some visiting friends in February 2016 at the Issan food van post-jim jum

What unexpected street foods have you tried and loved?

Five Places Worth Another Visit

One of the most obnoxious things to hear from tourists as they travel is that they’ve “done” a country. “Have you done Laos?” “Yeah I did Laos right after I did Cambodia.”

As foreigners, each new place we visit is a rich, diverse, complicated place where people actually live. It’s more than just a vacation spot.

Given the time and money, you could return over and over and discover new things each time. You could live there for years and still not understand exactly how everything works!

With that in mind, here are the top 5 places worth a second (or third!) visit.

5. VIETNAM

probably Bui Vien in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

One trip to Vietnam is not enough.

On your first trip you can explore the south. I went in January 2014 during Tet or Vietnamese New Year. Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon is a city that buzzes with incredible traffic, delicious coffee, and neatly groomed public parks.

A tour of the nearby Cu Chi tunnels is an eye-opening experience. Don’t take it personally when the tour guides speak about “American devils.” Remember this is history from the Vietnamese perspective, and the US has been involved in plenty of shady business throughout history.

After the city, take some time to unwind at the beach. Hop on a bus and head directly east until you reach Vung Tau. Check out the Imperial Hotel for an opulent, colonial-style getaway complete with private beaches and marble statues around every corner. I enjoyed the entire wheel of brie and fresh bread in the breakfast buffet each morning. Go big or go home, right?

outdoor show for Tet

On your second trip to Vietnam, it’s time to head to the north. I was there in December 2015. Try to stay in the capital city Hanoi and leave enough time to travel to the famously beautiful Ha Long Bay.

If you want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the limestone islands along the water, I’d suggest skipping the touristy bay cruises and heading down to Cat Ba Island on the southeastern edge of the bay. With a sleepier atmosphere, Cat Ba Island is full of fishermen instead of touts.

Lan Ha Bay on Cat Ba island, Vietnam

December in the north of Vietnam is anything but tropical, so don’t forget your close-toed shoes and some warm-weather clothes for the evening.

After two trips, Vietnam still has plenty to see. The Mekong River Delta in the far south looks gorgeous in photos and has extended boat tours available. In the far north near the Chinese border, there are bright green rice terraces situated beautifully on the mountainside. Guess I’ll have to go back!

4. MYANMAR (BURMA)

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Burma

Tourism to Myanmar (Burma) is developing rather quickly, although the country has only been open to tourists since 2015. One of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, Burma has plenty of culture for visitors to discover.

The first place most foreigners see is Yangon, the Burmese capital city until 2006. In the central region of Burma, Yangon is famous for the sizable golden Shwedagon Pagoda.

With foreign technology sweeping the country, not everyone is prepared. In June 2014 I saw people taking their first rides on escalators. I even saw a family put their baby through the metal detector on the way into the pagoda.

Since tourism is relatively recent, Yangon doesn’t have a disdain for tourists just yet. One taxi driver took me to eat mohinga, a Burmese fish stew, before he took me to the airport. He said he couldn’t imagine someone leaving the country without trying his favorite food. He even paid.

Burma is a travel destination that visitors will find refreshingly untouched.

downtown Yangon

After Yangon, the second most photographed place in Burma has to be Bagan, the northern plains city dotted with thousands of ancient temples. Stacy and I took my cousin Kike for a visit in April 2016.

Bagan, Myanmar

With the country opening new areas of the country to tourism each year, there is new information all the time.

I have seen photos of untouched islands encircling crystal clear lagoons in the south. I heard a train ride across the country is breathtaking.

With so little information about the country available to foreigners, maybe we need to visit to learn more.

3. HONG KONG

view from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

For any traveler avoiding the expensive Chinese visa fee, Hong Kong is the closest we can get to the Chinese mainland. I went for a visit in February of 2016.

The city is gorgeous and reminiscent of San Francisco: tons of buildings crammed onto hillsides, all cascading down to a beautiful bay. 

soho neighborhood in Hong Kong

If you get excited about fireworks, a good time to go is during Chinese New Year. Before this visit, I had never seen monkey-shaped fireworks before. I didn’t even know it was possible. The CNY fireworks display is definitely a marvel worth seeing.

If you like to shop, remember that much of the city is shut down for the holiday while shop owners spend time with their family. For those who like to party though, HK mainstays are all open. 

Causeway Bay in Hong Kong

Natural scenery is always open too. I climbed Victoria Peak and rode the unique local transportation--these double-decker vintage streetcars.

With a rich history as a major port city of Asia, it would take plenty of visits to Hong Kong before a traveler could get bored.

2. PHILIPPINES

El Nido, Palawan island, Philippines

The Philippine Islands have everything: modern cities, postcard beaches, delicious food, and great people. I took Stacy to the Philippines for her birthday in August of 2016 and I was overjoyed to find there is just nothing uncomfortable or unwelcoming about the country.

Filipinos are definitely the Latinos of Asia. Everyone speaks perfect English so getting around is 100% less intimidating than most other places in Asia. The extrajudicial killings in the news at the time are a little nuts, but we can’t hold government actions against the entire country.

The beauty of the water is impressive in the Philippines. From beaches to waterfalls to the plentiful ocean, a visitor would be hard-pressed to get tired of all the opportunities to be in nature. Whether swimming, hiking, or snorkeling, the Philippines has endless natural attractions that would take multiple visits to explore. 

off the coast of Mactan Island, Philippines

Kawasan Falls in Cebu, Philippines

oldtown + downtown Manila

Beyond nature, there is plenty of modern convenience as well.  I had been hearing horror stories about Manila for years; People told me it’s dangerous, drab, and smelly.  On my trip, I saw quite the opposite--hip restaurant culture, excellent cocktail bars, great local food, and the prices were super affordable.

Some areas of Manila can be rough around the edges, but they still have the open Filipino culture to make visitors feel welcome and enjoy their prized local delights. In Pasay City, a friendly prostitute taught Stacy and I how to eat our first (and last for me!) balut. Hospitality at its finest.

1. CAMBODIA

ride bikes up Phnom Krom 'mountain' in Siem Reap

Who can talk about Cambodia without mentioning Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia

After my visit in Thanksgiving of 2014, the famous ruins of the Angkor archeological site stayed in my mind for months. An ancient wonder, these ruins have fascinated the world since they were built during the time of Angkor during the 8^th-14^th centuries.

Impressive in size, layout, and architecture, no wonder this is Southeast Asia’s major tourist draw. 

Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia

It’s an ancient temple complex but it looks like an entire city. It. Is. Huge.

Stone roads, statues, massive multi-room buildings, and fortified walls as far as the eye can see. In one day, you can maybe see portions of the first two temples Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. In a week you can explore the main sites, but a serious visitor would need a month to see all of the lesser-known temples that make up this entire archaeological site.

Who could even think about cramming in a trip to Siem Reap and the capital Phnom Penh in the same visit?

Even larger than the Incan city of Machu Picchu, the sheer size of Angkor will have you dreaming about your return visit to Cambodia.

What about you? What places have you been that you would go again?

Why I Don’t Ride Tuk-Tuks in Bangkok

Ah the tuk-tuk: the world-famous motorized pedicab from Thailand. A three-wheeled motorbike with a passenger bench; it’s the adorable vehicle you see in all the tourist photos.

Brightly painted in primary colors with shiny chrome guardrails and quirky personal decorations from the driver, it’s easy to see why everyone wants to ride—and take photos—in a tuk tuk.

Every country with a dire need for cheap transportation has its own version of the motorized rickshaw. It’s the resourceful way to turn your cheap, personal motorbike into an income. I’ve ridden the mototaxis in Peru and the tricycle of the Philippines but nowhere have I seen them more prevalent than in Thailand.

mototaxi pulling a friend in the Sacred Valley, Peru

tricycle in El Nido, Philippines 

About 20,000 tuk-tuks are registered as taxis in Thailand, 9,000 in Bangkok alone. Some people have personal tuk-tuks for trips to the grocery store, and countless hotels have tuk-tuk shuttles for sending customers to the BTS skytrain in style. They. Are. Everywhere.

In parts of Bangkok, it’s common to see tuk-tuk drivers milling around outside a tourist attraction. “Tuk-tuk?” they shout at passing tourists.

tuk tuks waiting outside the 7-11 near Thammasat University 

So when visitors come through Bangkok they are surprised when I tell them that I don’t take tuk-tuks. Like, ever.

Sorry. Maybe a few friends have been disappointed because it was on their travel bucket list. I mean, sure you can take one for the experience but it’s not like I use them just because I live here.

I don’t have anything against them…they just don’t make sense.

They make sense in the countryside. Big open roads mean tuk-tuks can squeeze by car traffic and be a cheap, convenient way to get from A to B. Plus, it’s nice to hop in the back and feel the fresh, natural breeze on the way.

my girlfriend Stacy & I riding a tuk tuk in Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Chiang Mai, Thailand 

I remember a late-night tuk-tuk ride in Chiang Rai towards the center of town. We needed a lift and our driver approached from down a dark road in a blaze of brightly-lit glory with a proud smile

tuk-tuk in Chiang Rai 

L-R in Chiang Rai: rickshaw, songthaew, bicycle, motorbike, car 

But in Bangkok traffic? In Bangkok weather? With Bangkok pollution? That’s a no for me, dawg.

Bangkok has two kinds of weather: hot and rainy.
Tuk-tuks are open-air vehicles.
You do the math.

If I am going to sit in traffic in the middle of the city, I’ll do it with a roof over my head in the air-conditioned luxury of a taxi cab.

Or if I’m in a rush, I hop on a motorbike taxi. Motorbikes are slimmer than tuk-tuks and can weave through cars so I still make it to work on time. Without having to sit in exhaust fumes, thanks.

motorbike taxis on Sukhumvit Road 

Maybe it’s because I live on Sukhumvit Road, the busiest thoroughfare in all of Thailand. There are just so many better ways to get around this city. For 50 baht I can get all the way to work on the back of a motorbike taxi AND get a free hair blowout at the same time!

About once a year I’ll catch a tuk-tuk in Chinatown at 5am when the taxis have cleared out. Even then, I just get out when I see a regular taxi. I dont want to go across town in slow motion. Once I took at tuk-tuk from a wholesale market, but only because I knew the exact price.

bumper-to-bumper traffic on Sukhumvit 

Did I mention that it’s hard to get a fair price from a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok? They are so used to tourists who have no clue about local pricing or the value of the Thai baht that they don’t blink at a 500-baht ride.

When I see tourists riding in tuk-tuks I like to play a game. It’s called Guess-How-Much-They-Paid-Based-On-Their-Clothes. Elephant pants are about 300 baht per person. Bandage dresses and high heels at night jumps to 350.

Travel blogs like Lonely Planet always recommend bargaining for tuk-tuk rides. As if it's possible to do. In English. By tourists.

Even if you got down to 150 baht for EVERYBODY for one ride—which let’s be honest won’t be further than a kilometer or two—the fare is so inflated it’s laughable.

As a point of comparison, I pay about 180 baht for a taxi from my place in Thonglor all the way out to either airport.

Hey, I don’t blame tuk tuk drivers for squirreling money out of people, but not me.

late night tuk-tuk ride in Siem Reap, Cambodia 

With my foreign face and speaking Thai, the only response I’ve ever gotten for asking a fair price is a simple rejection. No driver needs to put forth the effort to drive me anywhere when tourists will pay their entire day’s salary with a single ride.

So that’s the long and short of it. Tuk-tuks are a famous mode of transportation here in Thailand. I love them for being a cheap, convenient, and whimsical way to get around in countryside towns. That said, I won’t be taking one in Bangkok anytime soon.

tuk-tuk in Siam area of downtown Bangkok