Thailand, "Land of Smiles" can also be called the "Land of Street food". Every street corner you turn you can see the numerous street food vendors. When we landed in Bangkok we checked into the hotel and rested for a while before we took off on our street food expedition. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, even though I was worried a bit about getting an upset stomach. But we were brave enough and held the attitude of an adventurer.
It was raining in the evening since it was monsoon season in Thailand at the time; we walked along the wet roads with street dogs all over. We had our street food experiences in Banglamphu area around the river, near the Golden Palace. Streets full of food stalls, it seemed that nothing stops the Thai people from enjoy their food. People are stopping on their way home after work grab something and go.
Thai meals like noodle soups, BBQ porks, fish cakes and delicious curries served in a row ,carts lined up in every corner of the streets. Eating Thai street food in Bangkok is incredibly cheap, as is the street food in all of Thailand. A bag of meatballs will set you back 20 bhat (less than a $1). We started tasting different foods at different stalls. Even though we hesitated a little bit, but we don't want miss out the unique experiences and started tasting the foods we were familiar and comfortable with. They gave us ginger pieces along with food in plastic bags. The tourist guide was telling us it will help us digest the food and make you eat more. Keep in mind these are chunks of ginger which was very fresh and strong.
It is quite interesting they gave us ginger pieces along with food in plastic bags. The tourist guide was telling us it will help us digest the food and make you eat more. Keep in mind these are chunks of ginger which was very fresh and strong.
We walked along the street and came across the most interesting stall with a women selling all kind of bugs. You name it and they have it all, from grasshoppers to beetles. Mostly fried or roasted. We didn't have the stomach for crunchy worm and crickets.
As a traveller, eating street food has many benefits. It's generally safe, you can see what is been cooked how it was done. It is also a great opportunity to interact with the locals. It's authentic, delicious and it is the best way to give back to the community.
When I travel food became an integral part of my travel and gives me a great sense of joy when I try different cuisines. Food is the most rewarding and intensive lens that I can use to learn about a new place. Most of the time that question that arises is is it safe to eat the street food? I am not an expert to give advice on this, but I know people get sick even when they have food in restaurants. I will leave it unto you to make this decision.