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Updated: 2 August 2023
Yes, I’ve read all the guide books and listened to all the advice about eating, or not eating, the street food in Thailand and it’s worth taking notice of to a degree. I have lived here for many years and eating street food has become part of my daily life.
The range and options seems almost endless with vendors are set up in markets, on street footpaths and sois throughout the city.
Be adventurous, but use your commonsense before jumping in. The things I look for are simple. Does the cooking area look clean and tidy? Do the people cooking/servicing the food use general hygiene methods? Is the food freshly prepared? Is the vendor cart busy? Follow the locals. Where do the office workers and students go to eat? Which vendors are busy and which ones are not. The locals know exactly where to go for good, fresh cheap food. After the rush hour has slowly down I head straight for the vendors who were busy. You tend to have three busy times during the day with vendors catering for breakfast, the lunch break and for people heading home after work pick up dinner on the way.
Thailand is international famous for its street food and rightly so. The range of foods is incredible, from noodle dishes, chicken or pork dishes with rice, spring rolls, vegetables, seafood even wraps and burgers in some areas. Not all Thai food is super spicy so there is no need to worry that you are going to get your head off!!!!
Many of the vendors speak some basic English and they are happy to help you out concerning chilli levels.
The government has hygiene and safety levels in place and has inspectors who check that the vendors are meeting the standards set by them.
Some vendors have array of trays set up and you can pick the dishes you want by just pointing, others cook to order. You can sit down and eat or take the food back home. The choice is up to you and all for a cost of somewhere between 30 to 50 Baht depending on what you order.
Nothing ends my day better than a plate of fried rice with a fried egg on top that has been freshly cooked for me. It’s cheap, delicious and I’m free to relax for the rest of the evening. No food preparation, no cooking, no dishes to do, just relax time. Bliss!!
Be adventurous, go with Thai friends if you can, use your common sense and enjoy the world famous street food that is all around you.
Bon Appetit.
