Thailand is well-known for its diverse cuisine and great flavors. One does not have to have been to Thailand to know this or to experience the greatness of the cuisine. Enjoying the food was certainly one of the things I planned to do in my short visit to Thailand a few weeks ago. With guidance from a local on a street food tour we found two neat spots in Bangkok with incredible food and experiencing food the same way locals would too! Bangkok has great temples and other things to do (like exploring the countryside on a bike) but food may just rank as the top thing to do in Thailand for me!
Tuk tuk fun
Of course, getting there is half the fun so we took our first tuk tuk ride that night. It was a crammed space (there were three of us plus the drive plus our street food tour guide). Since the driver wove in and out of traffic (fairly safely in my opinion), the time to get to places was not as much as if we had taken a cab. A tuk tuk is definitely the way to go unless a little exhaust from cars around you bother you (in which case, you need a car so you can close the windows…).
Fun and colorful rides
Of course, a selfie was required
Phenomenal seafood in Chinatown
The first spot was a seafood place in Bangkok’s Chinatown, named Lek and Rut Seafood. I enjoyed the sitting: at a street corner with a more important avenue, with plastic table, plastic chairs, and a plastic tablecloth right at the sidewalk’s edge. 
Corner in which Lek & Rut is located
The menu was quite extensive, the food was served quickly AND it was superb. That and a big bottle of beer (or two) (or three) and we were in business. We liked the setting, the vibe and the food so much we went back to it the next night!
Getting pad Thai’d !
Our second stop that first night was a place known for its pad Thai: Thipsamai on Maha Chai Rd. Basically, one stands in line past the cooking station set out on the sidewalk itself until one gets to the front of the line when a table opens up. Until 7PM, the only tables available are inside (a small space so the line is LONG and SLOW) and right in front of the restaurant’s storefront on the sidewalk. We got there right before 7PM and the line was long… I figured we’d be there forever. All of a sudden, the line sort of cleared and we found ourselves being walked to a table! Basically, at 7PM they can set out tables in front of neighboring storefronts, greatly expanding seating capacity. Phenomenal!!
The extra seating area
One of the food prep areas
Waiting for the pad Thai
It is fascinating to watch the guys cook the pad Thai right there. They are masters of efficiency, focus and speed! (Check out the video to see them in motion.)
An army of cooks!
Pad Thai – the final product!
What to Know
- Street food is said to be very safe in Bangkok. We did not hold back and we were OK. Not promising you will have the same outcome but I felt comfortable and I am cautious when it comes to safe food in places I do not know (and even some that I DO know!).
- Chinatown is worth exploring and sitting down somewhere. But there are likely many places in town to explore. We barely scratched the surface as our stay was too short but I certainly look forward to the day I can return and really expand my exploration of this great city.
- Tuk tuks are a cheap and probably faster way to move around town. As long as you are OK with some exhaust around you (it wasn’t horrible but it may make a difference). I found the tuk tuk more fun than a regular taxi (though taxis with A/C are not a bad thing).
- Thai food goes very well with a nice cold (and large) beer!
