Introduction
I like to think of myself as an explorer. I love the feeling of being in a new place, discovering something new about the culture and cuisine. But it’s not just about seeing beautiful vistas or ancient ruins. The best way to experience a culture is through its food and traveling to Asia is one of the best ways to do that!
It’s a shame I can’t eat everything that I see.
It’s a shame I can’t eat everything that I see.
Food is one of the best ways to experience a culture, and it’s also one of the best ways to meet locals and make friends. Eating together is an important part of everyday life in Asia, especially if you’re traveling alone or with only one other person. In addition to being fun, food can give you insight into local customs and traditions–and even help you learn some basic words! If nothing else, eating out with friends or strangers gives us all something interesting to talk about over dinner or lunch (or breakfast).
I am a foodie, and travel has always been more than visiting beautiful vistas or seeing ancient sites.
Food is always a part of travel, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a culture. Traveling can be exciting, but it’s also exhausting. Food helps me feel connected with my surroundings and gives me something to look forward to at the end of each day.
I love meeting people over meals–the conversations that happen in restaurants are often more intimate than those we have over coffee or drinks alone. A meal shared with others is an opportunity for connection that doesn’t come along every day, so when I find myself at a table with someone new, I try my best not only eat well but also listen closely so as not miss out on any chance for connection (and maybe even friendship).
The cuisine of any country is one of the best ways to experience its culture.
- * *
The cuisine of any country is one of the best ways to experience its culture. Food can be an introduction to the people and their culture, as well as a window into the history of a country. In China, for example, there are many dishes that have been passed down from generation to generation; these dishes represent an important aspect of Chinese culture and history.
Once in Bangkok, I decided that I’d try to eat my way through the city.
Once in Bangkok, I decided that I’d try to eat my way through the city. It was a bit of a daunting task at first–there are so many restaurants to choose from and they’re all pretty good! But then I realized it’s easy: just pick up some takeout from a place near your hotel and eat at home. You’ll save money and get to experience the local cuisine without having to search for parking or fight off crowds of tourists who want photos with their food.
I recommend trying some new things on this trip as well. If there’s something you’ve never eaten before (like frog legs), go ahead and give it a shot; if not, maybe just stick with what you know until later on in your travels when you’re feeling more adventurous!
Some dishes were amazing, but others were just okay.
Some dishes were amazing, but others were just okay.
I was lucky enough to be invited for dinner by a friend who is a local foodie and knows some of the best places in town. We started off with some traditional dim sum at a place called Dim Sum Court, which was great! Afterward we went to an Indian restaurant called Masala Wala (I’m not sure if this is the actual name) where they served us chicken tikka masala with naan bread. It was delicious!
My first stop was Sa Rit Bueng, an outdoor food stall in Silom that specializes in Chinese-style noodles served with delicious broth, veggies and meatballs for just 10 baht (approx $0.30).
The restaurant is located on Soi Chana Songkhram 49/1 between Silom Road and Surawong Road. The main dish is a bowl of noodles with broth and two types of protein options: pork rib or duck skin. I opted for the latter because it sounded more interesting than pork ribs! If you’re not into duck skin then go ahead and get the pork instead–both are equally good options here!
The price was very reasonable at 10 baht per serving; however if you’re looking to eat more than one dish then this might not be the place for you since there aren’t any other menu items available besides their signature noodle soup dish which comes with either duck skin or pork ribs added onto it (they also have vegetarian options available).
My next stop was Tod Mankhan Market, a large open-air market complex where there are hundreds of stalls selling everything from clothes to food. It’s located right next to Khao San Road, so it’s easy to find if you’re staying at one of the many hostels or hotels nearby.
The main reason I went here was because they sell some of the best tasting mango sticky rice ever made! The price is also very cheap compared with other places in town–only 10 baht per serving (less than $0.50 USD).
Another popular dish is grilled pork skewers served with rice vermicelli noodles and bean sprouts called mu-tong gai yang หมูทองไก่ย่าง (20 baht/$0.60).
Mu-tong gai yang is a popular street food dish in Thailand. It consists of grilled pork skewers served with rice vermicelli noodles and bean sprouts.
The word “mu” means “pork,” while “tong” refers to the bamboo sticks used to cook the meat on an open fire or grill. The combination of these two words creates “mu tong,” which translates into English as “grilled pork.”
The literal translation of yang ย่าง means “grilled” or “roasted.” Therefore, mu-tong gai yang literally translates into English as: grilled/roasted pork skewers served with rice vermicelli noodles and bean sprouts (the latter being optional).
There are plenty of great places to try out on your own!
There are plenty of great places to try out on your own!
Some of the best places to try out on your own are in Bangkok, Thailand. If you’re looking for a place to eat, check out the local food stalls.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed my trip to Bangkok and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for an interesting place to visit. There are so many things to do and see, but the food is definitely one of the highlights! One thing I learned from this experience is that eating your way through a city can be just as fun as sightseeing or shopping – if not more so! The best part about eating in Bangkok is that there are so many cheap and delicious options available at any time of day or night.
