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Thailand is undoubtedly a must-see vacation during the Songkran season in April. Of course, this time I didn't pass up the opportunity to experience the excitement of the water festival, which is always packed with people from around the world. Taking place from April 12 to 15, 2025, people assemble, particularly in the Silom region, for a car-free day from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., where everyone brings water guns, from children to adults, and enjoys the water shooting game, which gives laughter and fun.
On this occasion, I always seek out and sample a variety of culinary delights from unique or popular shops, restaurants, and cafés throughout Bangkok. As is customary, I create an itinerary before embarking on a vacation to better manage my schedule and destinations to visit. Of course, there will be intriguing locations we pass while visiting some streets around downtown. Well, this time I'm sharing a variety of culinary experiences in Bangkok, ranging from the Michelin Bib Gourmand shop, a local favorite, to the aesthetic cafe, an unusual site for the younger generation.
1. No Name Noodle
A Japanese soba shop that is quite famous among both locals
and expats in Bangkok. It's a good idea to make a reservation in advance because in addition to the small shop area, they also only serve soba in
limited portions of around 35 servings per day. You can book through the
Tablecheck platform. The main menu here is Sinature Kombushui Sanshu Tsuke Soba
"Matsuri Gozen" (THB 1,080 Original Set) complete with a rice bowl, 2
types of soup, onsen egg, dessert, and drink. The beautiful presentation of soba
is served directly by the chef in front of the guests. The texture of the cold
soba is quite wide and the aroma of eggs is quite strong for me, but the clean
taste will be more delicious when enjoyed with the two soups available. No Name
Noodle only operates during lunch hours.
2. Kay's Sukhumvit
If you visit Bangkok frequently, you may be familiar with this brunch cafe, which is popular among the residents. There are various branches, and each has its own aesthetic concept and a lovely interior. Of course, it's also a photo location for social media content. The staple menu item here is toast bread presented in a variety of cuisines. Apparently, during the Songkran season, there is a special menu of Mango Sticky Rice French Toast. This traditional Thai dessert dish is a must-have menu served with a modern presentation with Kay's French Toast, sliced mango on top, vanilla ice cream on top of green sticky rice, and thick coconut milk. The sticky rice tastes ordinary with a dry texture but it is true that the toast bread is very outstanding, the soft texture, and the fragrant aroma of butter enjoyed with mango provide a perfect combination of sweet and sour.
3. Joe Wings
There is a new one opening, specifically in Siam Paragon. The chicken wing craze continues to this day. There is a long line and a lot of interest, particularly among locals. Chicken wings, like the overall concept of Chicken Wing restaurants, are available in a variety of sauces ranging from cheesy to spicy. There is a personalized menu for sharing, ranging from original, crispy, and tender like a steak size. I tried the 15-piece set, which allows us to choose three different tastes, side dishes, and additional sauces. The crispy texture is quite appealing, but I would prefer a succulent chicken that is not overly dry. The prices range from THB 139 (4 pieces) to THB 999 (26 pieces). Not the great one, but good enough to join the hype.
4. Gourmet Eats (Empshere)
This is one of the most crowded tourist attractions. This food court area is always bustling during lunch and supper hours. So, among the many dining options, I have a few recommendations. First, this brand, which began on Lerdtip Street, is handled by a Thai Iron Chef named Chef Gigg, who has extensive experience in the culinary field. This time, I tried a simple dish called Pork Pat Kaphrao, which consists of savory and spicy minced pork with a fragrant basil scent and is great when served with white rice and half-cooked eggs. Then try Fatt Chicken rice, which is also known as Hainanese rice. You can get a bundle that includes poached chicken, and crispy chicken, and you can add an additional extra rice. The comforting flavor and Hainanese rice are the best. For noodles, try Wok Master. Chinese-style fried noodles suited to Asian tastes. It's only that the noodles are thicker than I prefer, and the flavor is more dominantly sweet.
5. Holiday Pastry
For cafe hunters, this is a must-see, especially for the famed cheese pie. There are already multiple branches; this time, I stopped by the outlet in Siam Paragon, which is popular among both locals and tourists. Apparently, when I was here, there was a special Matcha season, thus one of the dinners in this series featured Matcha Pie. In my perspective, the matcha taste is adequate; nonetheless, the dairy flavor remains dominating, and the base pie is a little hard and dry. The Signature O.M.G Pie, on the other hand, is truly authentic, with its creamy vanilla custard flavor and thick cheese taste. The base pastry has also softened. The price of the O.M.G pie is THB 350.
6. 32x Bar
A hidden gem that is well-known among the walking tour community in Bangkok's Talat Noi, or old town trading district. We must go through Bangkok's back streets, away from retail malls and glamour. Walking through the settlement, this section is particularly met with tourists on the way to 32x Bar. When you arrive, you'll notice a car collision in front of the bar, which makes for an excellent photo opportunity. The entry of the bar is likewise unusual, resembling entering a ruined structure. A small space with limited seating, the ambiance is rusty and peculiar, similar to that of a workshop. We can taste a variety of chocolates with different flavors. I was taken a while by the variety of combined flavors in both drinks and chocolate bars, but we were able to try the samples supplied before purchasing. Unique chocolate varieties with distinctive flavors provide an intriguing experience. Chocolate drinks cost THB 140, while chocolate and drink packages are available at lower prices. Definitely interesting!
7. Lay Lao
Stop by the Ari district of Bangkok, which is relatively far from the tourist areas. Here is a restaurant that appears to be filled with locals, particularly during lunchtime with office workers. The squid menu is one of the restaurant's features, as is the squid artwork seen throughout the space. Continuing the Northern Thai culinary theme, I had Luang Phra Bang green papaya salad, which is similar to som tam but prepared in a different way. Thinner slices of papaya with a sour taste, combined with shrimp paste for a unique spicy flavor. The grilled squid is also a must-have menu item; FYI, they source their seafood directly from Hua Hin and Petchaburi, so quality is assured. Grilled squid is a simple yet very appealing dish. The smoky scent and texture of squid with squid eggs inside is pretty delicious.
8. Kub Kao Kub Pla
This is also a popular restaurant in Bangkok, with over 20 branches distributed among shopping malls and food court areas. My advice is to go to the restaurant outlet rather than the food court, which is more busy. This time, I visited the outlet in Terminal 21 Mall. I came below 7:00 p.m., and the restaurant still appeared calm, but after that, practically all of the tables were full, despite the fact that the restaurant area was rather large. This restaurant is ideal for a family dinner, as it serves a variety of Thai and Chinese dishes. One of the suggested menus is Stir-Fried Garlic Pork Belly, a fried pork dish with a lot of fried garlic. The fried pork is extremely soft, and the flavor is pretty straightforward, with an abundance of garlic. Other meals, such as Chicken Green Curry with Vermicelli, are also great, offering warmth and a savory flavor that is just right. It is not surprising that this restaurant is popular among both visitors and local Thais; the food is of high quality and made with fresh ingredients, and the recipes are authentic for those who want to try classic Thai cuisine.
The dining experience in Bangkok is never boring. There are several gastronomic options, ranging from street food vendors to Michelin-starred fine dining. Compared to the pre-covid era, when there were more local culinary places, Bangkok currently has a much higher number of modern cafes. Food prices in this area have risen significantly year after year, owing in large part to the current global economy. That concludes my gastronomic journey in Bangkok, and of course, I plan to return because Thailand is one of my favorite destinations.
Yovent, is a full-time content writer and social media influencer who loves to travel overseas with high passion and enthusiasm to explore the world of gourmand. Living in Jakarta with the diversity of cultures, foods, trends, and lifestyles gives him much inspiration to create the stories. Blogging since 2014, with more than 5 years of experience, he has a good capacity to work in food writing & photography.
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