Bangkok, Thailand – We love Bangkok. Many come to the land of smiles for various reasons, shopping for most, Thai massage for some, but for the Pandas, it is definitely the food. Be it fine dining, to local Thai fares, Bangkok has a lot to offer. Though unlike the ever-changing cafe scene, the local food has much more to offer, including some institutions which we are only slowly to discover. Here is an ever-expanding list of recommended local Thai restaurants to check out.

Jeh O Chula
Perhaps the most popular and Instagram-worthy restaurant on this list, Jeh O Chula (tip: skip the insane queue by booking a slot on Klook), is basically a local Thai eatery serving up affordable comfort food. Their signature dish has to be the Tom Yum Mama, where you will find a big pot of instant noodles in Tom Yum broth together with a myriad of ingredients including prawns, cuttlefish, crispy pork belly, meatballs, and the raw eggs right in the middle. This is the perfect noodle after a long day out shopping in Bangkok, or for that late night supper. [Read more here…]
Address: 113 Rong Muang, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Rung Rueng Pork Noodle
Minced Pork Noodles so unpretentious and comforting, this spot has always been on the list of to-go local food in Bangkok for many. Personally prefer the normal soup version, as opposed to the dry noodles or the Tom Yum noodles, with the broth being light yet flavourful. If you prefer to have your noodles with some spices, you can always add the chilli flakes toppings at the dining tables. Order a side portion of the fried fish skin to have with your noodles.
Address: 10/3 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Here Hai
If you are seeking an authentic and unpretentious Thai dining experience, Here Hai Bangkok is located along the bustling Ekkamai Road (near to Wattana Panich Beef Broth) and it is famous for its crab fried rice and crab meat omelette. The Michelin Bib Gourmand casual restaurant has a history of a few decades, and it usually sees a long queue before its opening time on days it is opened. English menu is available and Here Hai uses fresh local blue swimmer crab from Surat Thani for their crab dishes, one of the nest southern local seafood hub in Thailand. There are various sizes and combinations of the famous crab fried rice, crab meat omelette and river prawns, and I zoomed straight into ordering the Insane Crab Fried Rice (THB 340/small). [Read more here…]
Address: 112, 1 Ekkamai Road, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand 

Soma Bangkok  
For something mid-range, look to Soma. A contemporary Thai restaurant located at Siam Patumwan House in the heart of Bangkok, which is a modern social kitchen helmed by Head Chef Pak Yamoo, under the guidance of Executive Chefs Chalee Kader and Num Weerawat. The menu is a modern take on Thai cuisine with bold creativity at accessible prices. Some signature dishes include the likes of Hat Yat fried chicken with fried shallots, Grilled crispy pork belly and more. 
Address: Siam Patumwan House, 414 Phayathai Road Wang Mai Sub District, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand 

Mr Joe Crispy Pork
As its name suggests, head here for crispy pork paired with kway in pork broth. Extremely popular despite it not being in the main tourist districts of the city, you will find many curious foreigners (and locals) heading here throughout the day. Do come early in the morning to avoid a long wait, and make sure you order a sharing portion of the crispy pork beyond your individual servings of Kway with Pork Belly. Our recent visit here was not as satisfying with the pork’s crackling not as phenomenally crispy as the name of the restaurant would suggest, so be warned about consistency. [Read more here…]
Address: 313 7 Chan Road, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Nhong Rim Klong
Formerly located by the canal as a food stall, Nhong Rim Klong has moved to a new space at Ekkamai Soi 23. It is a casual dining ambience with simple furniture and a semi-open kitchen concept. The restaurant is also listed on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list for Bangkok in 2023. The Soft Cooked Crab In Omelette (THB430) is one of the signature dishes to go for. [Read more here…]
Address: 51 Ekkamai 23 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand 

Lek Yai Traditional Tom Yum Noodles Sam Yan 
Lek Yai is a lesser known but highly satisfying spot for traditional tom yum noodles, where the humble eatery serves up classic Thai tom yum noodle soup with a rich, spicy broth and fresh ingredients, including pork crackling and seafood. The flavors are bold and authentic, and the dishes are made in-house daily, offering a comforting and flavorful experience that reflects Bangkok’s street food charm. 
Address: 1440 Banthat Thong Road, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10110, Thailand 

Kub Kao Kub Pla
Kub Kao Kub Pla literally means “dishes to eat with rice” and the menu here is extensive at this cool Thai chain concept. We especially love the fried egg with tamarind, and there are several outlets including at the Empire Tower.   
Address: Various outlets 

Thong Smith
A must for us every trip to Bangkok, the Thai Boat Noodles at Thong Smith has to be amongst the best for us (at least for now). Just go for the basic options, ignoring all the Wagyu options on the menu, the key is to enjoy the broth and meatballs! With so many branches around the city, just head to any branch at your convenience, since Thong Smith really does very well on consistency.
Address: Multiple locations

Khao Tom Pla Kimpo
Just minutes’ walk from Mr Joe, here’s a place for a comforting bowl of porridge. Simply done with fresh seafood, a broth made by pork and fish bones, and Thai rice, this is perhaps the perfect Asian food for the soul. Be greeted by some showmanship at the front of the shop where the kitchen is brought to the front of the restaurant with the chefs preparing Khao Tom Pla Kimpo’s famous porridge with such smooth rhythmic flow. Take your pick of which fish to go with, which we went with a bowl of Seabass and Grouper, and if you will like other seafood options with your porridge.
Address: 1901 Charoen Krung Road, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Jok Prince
Head to Khao Tom Pla Kimpo for a light yet nourishing porridge, and head to Jok Prince for probably the best porridge for the soul. The wok hei is on point, with the to-die-for juicy meat balls and crispy fried you tiao, you must visit Jok Prince in your next visit to Bangkok. This spot ranks highly on this list, and we do recommend going for its Pork Congee with both the Eggs and Century Eggs! That wok hei will make you return again, we promise! [Read more here…]
Address: 1391 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Nai Ek Roll Noodle
Moving further into Chinatown, Nai Ek Roll Noodles have similarities with Mr Joe as both offers Thai Kway Chap with Roast Pork, though Nai Ek offers an extensive menu of braised items too, including my favourite braised pork belly! The kway chap broth here is a tad more peppery, and I finished the entire bowl while still craving for more. The queue may seem long during peak meal times, but they do move rather fast, do not be discouraged by the crowd! [Read more here…]
Address: 442, 9 Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

Wattana Panich
You cannot miss this stall with its humongous pot of stewed beef located at the front of the restaurant. Order anything here that will get you a bowl of the delicious beef broth, try the innards if you fancy those. This is one stall not to miss when you next visit Bangkok. [Read more here…]
Address: 336 Ekkamai Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Polo Fried Chicken
Recommended by many friends, Polo Fried Chicken was relatively empty during our visit as they have just opened for the day, which was great for us. The kitchen has prepared a huge pot of fried whole chicken, ready to invite diners for the lunch service. Order your portion, and the outdoor kitchen will spring into action chopping the fried chicken to be served with the usual chicken rice. Not a must try for me, though if you fancy a good plate of fried chicken rice, this is not a place to miss then.
Address: 137/1-3,9 10 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Saew Noodles
Definitely a spot to be if you are keen on trying out the local Thai noodles. Similar to Rung Rueng, Saew dishes out minced pork noodles complete with fishballs and meatballs. A rather local stall as we did not spot any tourists here in the few occasions we visited here. Go for the Tom Yum noodles if you like spicy food and add in the lemon seasoning to jazz it up. Be here before it becomes the next Rung Rueng.
Address: 1 Sukhum Vit 49, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

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