I’ve been breathing, eating, sleeping, and pooping in Bangkok for 25 years. That’s a long time, considering that’s half my life and counting.
So people ask me:
Is Bangkok safe? How easy is it to get around Bangkok? Are Thai taxis really that bad? What Bangkok scams should I be aware of? Is tap water safe in Thailand? Is there going to be a huge language barrier with locals? What’s the secret sauce to life?
It’s All True, Please Don’t Come Here
I’m just kidding.
Let’s start with whether is Bangkok a Safe City to Explore
Bangkok is a major metropolitan city. Teeming with millions of people and growing. With the laws of mathematical probability, there’s bound to be criminal behavior and activity at every level to some degree. It’s the same as any major city with a sizeable population around the world.
I mean Bangkok is way safer than my native city, New York. Even then I never lull myself into a false sense of security and neither should you.
How easy is it to get around Bangkok?
There are too many variables to supply an ample answer for you.
Here’s my approach:
If I am in sort of a hurry, I’m traveling alone or with my wife and it’s a long distance, it’s raining, and it’s rush hour, but there is a train station near my destination I train it.
Take that same long-distance example, if I’m traveling with 2 or more people, it’s not raining, it’s not rush hour, and even if there is a train station near the destination I will take a taxi. Keep in mind, that Thai taxis can seat 3-4 passengers.
Mainly because the combined costs of train fares for 3-4 people for long-distance train rides will equal or possibly cost more than taxi fares.
But aren’t Thai taxis just a bunch of scammers?????
Back in NYC I could count the number of times I’ve taken yellow cab taxis on one hand. Because NYC yellow cabs are expensive.
Out of those five times in a NYC cab, I was taken for “a ride” once. The meter went way too fast for a short distance.
Now in Bangkok, I’ve used Thai taxis hundreds of times. Short distance, long distance. I’ve only encountered one taxi with an overambitious meter.
That said, I stay away from taxis parked outside of hotels and major tourist attractions. I always wave down metered taxis that are moving along with traffic.
You’ll often hear foreign tourists complain about drivers refusing to go by meter.
This happens most often, you guessed it, near busy tourist attractions.
But guess, what? Locals get the same treatment. Especially when it’s raining.
Finally, this shouldn’t be an issue as much these days. Because many foreign tourists now use the Grab Taxi service.
Bangkok Scams?
Not every local or local business in Thailand is out to scam. Please keep that in mind. There’s a lot of (mis)information floating out about making travelers hyper-paranoid.
Sadly it is a perpetual cycle that is harming well-meaning local Thai businesses.
That said, my advice is very simple.
Wherever you go. Do your research online about your destination. Whether it be a tourist attraction, restaurant, or beauty salon. Google Maps is effective but should just be one source for information.
Do not talk to anyone who approaches you out of nowhere. This includes foreigners in Thailand. Not saying you should quickly get into your karate stance and round-kick them in the face with your best war cry.
Scammers are highly motivated sellers. There are also foreigners in Thailand attempting to take advantage of other foreigners as well.
In most cases, they do not mean harm when you reject their offer. They think they are providing you with a valuable service with compensation.
Most importantly do not be overly defensive. Just smile, walk away, and forget about it.
Is the Tap Water Safe?
I’ve never drank tap water in Thailand. I know of some locals that do but not many. Brushing and showering are fine. Just stick with drinking bottled water.
The Langauge Barrier
English is spoken, particularly in Bangkok and especially around the tourist attractions. Practically everything has signage in English, even the local buses in Bangkok.
Many Thais can speak various foreign East Asian languages, particularly Mandarin.
You’ll be fine.
Want to Discover a Little More of Bangkok?
I do love my kebabs
What’s the Secret Sauce to Life?
I was hoping you could tell me by leaving a comment below 😀
Kuala Lumpur Horlick Fried Chicken and Japanese Hamburg – Day One
It’s always exciting to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The diversity of flavorful foods in every direction of the city is spectacular. I always tell people that for me, KL is a culinary goldmine. Because I can find my favorite foods, Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern staples at prices I think are quite reasonable.
I only had four days for this trip, and that’s not a lot of time. Too little time and not enough stomach capacity. So I planned out some places I gotta try out, with the emphasis on visiting some clay pot chicken and rice restaurants.
First Stop – Horlick Fried Chicken
I saw some viral videos about Gerai Ah Kow chicken and rice. When I got off the plane and dropped my bags at the hotel this was the first place I made a beeline to.
If you’ve never had fried chicken in Malaysia, your mind will be blown. Malaysia takes fried chicken to a whole new level.
This shop fries up quarter legs covered in a light horlick and sesame batter. Horlick is a malted milk powder and I drank this a lot when I was a kid. Haven’t had Horlick ever since puberty. So this one will bring back the memories.
Plus I was looking for a new fried chicken recipe for my YouTube food channel, Wally Cooks Everything.
I got lost at first, even following Google Maps. I overshot Gerai Ah Kow by 500 meters. My brain always gets foggy after getting off a plane.
If you don’t know by now I am a dummy. Part of the problem was I assumed it was a standalone restaurant.
Gerai Ah Kow is located inside Medan Selera Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz food center. I have to go back someday because there are many hawker restaurants inside with amazing-looking food.
When I found Gerai Ah Kow I ordered a leg quarter, rice, and a small plate of bean sprouts. It also comes with a small bowl of soup with pickled mustard greens. And a bottle of bright orange chili sauce.
They open at 10:30 am close at 4:00 pm and are closed only on Thursdays. I read it gets busy, especially during lunchtime.
I got there an hour right before they closed. But I think it might be better to get there early
Horlick Fried Chicken with RiceFried Bean Sprouts with AnchoviesGerai Ah Kow Horlick Sesame Fried Chicken
The first bite I kinda knew it wasn’t going to be… not so great. Mainly because the fried chicken was sitting on the tray for at least 30 minutes to an hour. So the chicken cooled down and the crispy skin which Gerai Ah Kow fried chickens are famous for was just not there.
There’s also some soy sauce with oil on the bottom of the plate of fried chicken.
It might be the reason why I couldn’t taste any of the Horlick flavors. But while reading their reviews on Google there were a handful of similar complaints
The sprouts were good and I think the fried anchovies on top gave it a good crunch. The sambal sauce was tasty, more sour than a spicy kick. They give you a whole bottle. I gotta admit, I was tempted to take it with me.
I think to get the best flavorful experience you should get there around lunchtime, when you know for certain they are frying up a fresh batch of horlick sesame fried chicken!
What I ordered at Gerai Ah Kow (Total RM 24):
Fried Horlick Sesame Chicken (Big Set) RM 19
Crispy Bean Sprouts RM 5
Hamburg at Donkai
After a not-so-stellar meal at Gerai Ah Kow, I owed my tastebuds something juicy. Something beefy!
The mighty Hambagu or Hamburg of Japan is a rehashing of the lowly Salisbury steak in the USA. But Japanese Wagyu Beef is Japanese Wagyu Beef! The cost is not that crazy which I will get to later. Donkai is the type of place you can affordably treat yourself to a tasty meal.
This restaurant called Donkai is located in the lobby of Bukit Collectionz Hotel, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur an area called Bukit Bintang.
This location is like the Times Square of New York City it’s a super busy area, close to shopping and train stations.
Close to many restaurants and nearby Jalan Alor Food Street.
Donkai opens every day, 11 am to 11 pm. I arrived there around 9 pm and only a few customers were enjoying their meals. Plenty of seats available so I sat near the main flat-top grill, where I could watch the cook work his magic.
Humbug Choices at Donkai:
Angus Beef
Australian Wagyu Beef
Japanese Wagyu Beef
Chicken
In addition, you’ll get unlimited refills of rice, vegetables, and miso soup. I wish they could also add unlimited hot green tea or iced green tea too.
On top of the type of humbug you’ve got sauce options:
Original (which I think is a tonkatsu sauce)
Truffle Sauce (truffle is overrated)
Tartar Sauce (this one I’m curious about)
Black Sauce (they said it’s an onion sauce)
And also complimentary seasonings and condiments plus unlimited Kim Chee.
Delicious Black SauceMany Condiments to PickPersonal Hot Plate
I ordered 2 Japanese Wagyu Beef Hambug patties. Each patty weighs 100 grams. I was tempted to order three patties. But after my last meal, I still felt pretty full. And to top it off I picked Black Sauce.
Customers get two options on how patties are cooked, medium rare or well done. I chose medium rare. Though if it’s still too rare to your liking there is an individual hot plate right in front of you. Mine was cooked rare but some cooking time on the personal hot plate took care of that.
I also ordered one pasteurized egg. I wanted the onsen egg but they were out. Oh, I also ordered a can of A&W Root Beer. I haven’t had that in ages.
For me, I think the patties could do well with a little bit of salt. Not saying it’s tasteless because there are just so many sauces to pick from. It’s just that simple salt can heighten the natural taste of beef. On the other hand, sauces can overpower it.
What I ordered at Donkai (Total RM 72)
2 Japanese Beef Wagyu set
Pasteurized Egg
A&W Root Beer
Conclusion
My first day, well actually my first half day in Kuala Lumpur. I think I did pretty well covering two foods I wanted to eat. It was a good start for my recipe research so I can’t wait to get started working and planning on what to cook next.
And most certainly excited for my next day full day in Kuala Lumpur!
There are many reasons to stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo for your first visit to Japan. It’s one of the most popular areas in Tokyo convenient for travel, food, and overall full Japanese travel experience.
Shinjuku district has everything you’ll love and or was interested in Japan in the first place. The wonderful culture, the mesmerizing lights of billboards and signs with flashy Japanese characters. The sounds of J Pop music blaring around every corner with maid café hostesses carrying billboard menus.
The vibe of Japan is everywhere!
And who can forget about amazing Japanese foods too!
You’ll either love the Shinjuku in Tokyo or hate it. Some friends told me so when I was looking for good affordable hotels in Shinjuku. It was my first visit to Japan back then.
I’ve stayed in Shinjuku frequently. Although you can visit most of Tokyo via the Yamanote Line I prefer walking. So I’ve never taken a train to Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine to the south. I walked to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to the west before and it was pleasant.
I tell you staying in Shinjuku was everything I expected. It blew my mind.
But there is more to Shinjuku. It will be right in your face and hard to ignore.
Shinjuku’s Famous Red Light District
Shinjuku is home to Tokyo’s largest red light district. To be more precise the Kabukicho Entertainment District. According to Wikipedia, there are over 3,000 nightlife establishments for tourists and locals to behave naughty. All crammed into .15 square miles.
It’s a terrific area to check out, especially at night. I recommend Izakaya Bars, these are popular food and drink establishments preferred by hard-working salary men and women. You can easily find them all over Kabukichō Entertainment District.
Shinjuku bar hopping Magical Tour group…
If you want a guided tour of Shinjuku bars I recommend Magical Trip. An English-speaking guide that will take you on a 3.5-hour bar-hopping tour of Shinjuku to places you might not find on your own.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
If you love beers and hard liquors, in tight quirky spaces with friendly bartenders, you must not miss the bars of Golden Gai! It’s an alley full of tiny bars stacked on top of tiny bars. Many with only 5 seats for bar patrons.
I first took a walk through Golden Gai twenty years ago. Back then it wasn’t really for foreign tourists. And I gotta admit it was intimidating.
Today Golden Gai has become so famous and well-known around the world Golden Gai’s Japanese bars have adopted a foreign-friendly attitude.
Today there are signs welcoming everyone. Even when the bars are super tiny with very little seating.
Golden Gai Bars Shinjuku
Because Shinjuku is NOT for Everyone
I stayed in Shinjuku a few times as a single male traveler. I can tell you with certainty if you’re a guy walking around Kabukicho you will be approached by pimps and touts. It’s annoying but if you can chill and relax they will leave you alone.
Today now that I have a wife and child traveling with them around Kabukicho where you see photos of scantily clad women plastered all over the area I get it. Shinjuku is not the type of place you want to take your mother to.
So why am I recommending Shinjuku for your first time in Japan? When they’re are so many other terrific neighborhoods in Tokyo.
If you can overlook the shenanigans and monkey business, which the local Japanese and millions of foreign travelers with families do you can easily have a terrific holiday.
There’s more good than bad for Shinjuku and safe for solo and female travelers.
Why Stay in Shinjuku
You can find all types of accommodations for all budgets. Because Shinjuku has a high concentration of hotels from the capsule, budget, and luxury, it’s all there.
Shinjuku Station is a great starting point for train travel to neighboring cities in Japan and also around the country.
Whether you prefer traveling by train or on foot, you can reach many popular areas in Tokyo quickly.
Lots of shopping and restaurants, just like it is in any of Tokyo’s major neighborhoods.
Shinjuku JR Station
Shinjuku Station is an incredibly complex transportation hub. All major railways connect to what the Guinness Book of World Records calls the busiest station. It’s where you can ride the city’s subway or catch a bus from the nearby bus depot.
It’s an amazing and beautiful station it’s even possible you can spend an entire day inside.
Although this hotel is the furthest away from Shinjuku station, Kabuchiko, and the center of activity, it’s not that bad. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku is located on the quiet side of Shinjuku. I’ve stayed here more than a few times.
There’s a metro station not far from the hotel with plenty of restaurants for food and drink.
The rooms are typically small but most importantly clean and tidy. The hotel staff are curt and polite it is a good business-class hotel fit for touring Tokyo. I highly recommend this hotel!
Read reviews and find discounts for Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku on Agoda.com
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku – Standard Room
This hotel will put you in the thick of all the nightlife action Kabukicho offers. Still a great little hotel mainly due to its location and quality. Though I warn you the room size is not highly desired at 12 square meters. But the room is clean, there is an onsen bath onsite and the room rate usually includes breakfast.
Overall a pretty good value.
Read reviews and find discounts for Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho on Agoda.com
If you want to stay at a hotel with a massive Godzilla head on the rooftop and close to Shinjuku Station then I’ve got a hotel for you.
It’s a really good value for a 4-star hotel. The standard rooms are just slightly larger at 18 square meters and cost around $125 USD. Though they do have rooms up to 25 square meters you have to pay extra but not that much.
But I gotta warn you this hotel is in a super busy location so there are lots of people especially at night and on the weekends. But none of the stuff outside spills into the hotel.
Read reviews and find discounts for Hotel Gracery Shinjuku on Agoda.com
I always seek out new hotels in Shinjuku. WPU is one of the newest in the district. This means that the rooms will be tiny as most newer hotels in Tokyo are.
Located around the northern tip just a 10-minute walk to Shinjuku station. And Shinjuku subway station is mere meters away. Goes without saying there are plenty of dining options all around.
WPU Hotel has really good reviews for cleanliness and front desk service. But I warn you the rooms are the smallest like I mentioned at around 11 square meters.
Read reviews and find discounts for WPU Shinjuku on Agoda.com
Hotel Amanek is another property in the heart of Kabuchiko. So the price is higher but not so much that it’s not affordable.
The rooms here are slightly larger and the hotel staff is attentive. Again even though Hotel Amanek is located in Shinjuku’s red light district, none of spills into the hotel. Matter of fact it’s like an oasis away from the madness of Kabuchiko.
You can walk to nearby Golden Gai or simply check out the Izakayas for food and drink. Just the perfect location for enjoying local nightlife.
There are many hotels all over Shinjuku and I’ve shown you a few around Kabuchiko and Golden Gai. As well as others that on the outside away from the district’s nightlife.
And even though there are so many transportation options in Shinjuku I recommend getting around on foot if possible. Because Tokyo’s sidewalks are wide and well-paved. Streets signs are in English which makes wandering around fun.
I hope you find my hotel recommendations to your liking. Please check out my other Japan travel recommendations for even more helpful resources:
Affiliate disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a hotel booking via links we may receive a small commission, at absolutely NO EXTRA cost to you. Any commission received helps keep this blog alive and our cats fed.
Where to Stay in Bangkok – A Guide for Foodies – Huai Khwang
This is a guide for all the die-hard foodies looking for delicious local Thai eats in Bangkok. It is a recommended read for anyone familiar with traveling around Bangkok. If this is your first visit to Bangkok check you’ll find this blog post more helpful.
Nevertheless, if you already know the ins and outs of Bangkok. And confident enough to travel around and explore on your own, read on!
I wish I could tell you that there’s only one area of Bangkok where you can find great local Thai food. I’m not talking about Thai food made for foreign tourists and priced for foreign tourists.
This is a popular neighborhood spot for takeaway…
I will point you to areas in Bangkok with amazing, authentic Thai foods where you’ll be eating shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals. It’ll be an authentic Thai eating experience.
On top of that, you’ll find out where to stay in Bangkok near all the best local eats!
There is a simple answer to the simple question of “Where to find the best local eats?”
You go where the locals go!
Huay Khwang – Popular Local Neighborhood in Bangkok
It can’t get any more local than this. Huay Khwang is a district, located just north of central Bangkok. There are two MRT subway stations in this location:
Thailand Cultural Centre MRT
Huai Khwang MRT
Thailand Cultural Centre and Huai Khwang station are the next stop from each other. It is a super popular local area with many shopping centers such as the Street Ratchada which is partially open 24 hours with cafes and supermarkets. Around late evenings a night market appears outside the Street Ratchada’s parking lot.
And you can check out the newly renovated Big C shopping center and pick up some Thai snacks. There is also an updated food court and fast food restaurants serving a wide variety of Thai foods and snacks.
To take advantage of the convenience of this location I recommend Prom Ratchada Hotel. It’s right behind the Big C shopping center. A standard room costs about 1300THB a night, which is an excellent value for the location.
Standard room at Prom Ratchada Hotel
And many local Thai hawkers stand where food is delicious and affordable!
One popular Thai restaurant I can highly recommend is Zabb One Restaurant. I’ve been eating there for nearly 15 years. And back then it was just a dark humble shack. They mainly serve Issan food, a region in northeast Thailand.
Today, they’ve expanded their current location so there’s more space for customers to dine comfortably. Matter of fact they’ve become so popular they’ve even opened another location. It is only 600 meters on the opposite side of the Ratchadpisek Road called Zabb One Soi 5, here’s the location.
Zabb One Ratchada is 250m walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT Exit #1Zabb One Ratchada RestaurantSomtam Kai Kem (spicy papaya salad with salted egg)Gai Yang (grilled chicken)Koo Moo Yang (grilled pork collar)
I like salty foods so for me Somtom with salted egg (ส้มตำไข่เค็ม) is my go to choice for that spicy papaya salad Thailand is famous for. And of course, some grilled pork collar (คอหมูย่าง) and grilled chicken (ไก่ย่าง) with sticky rice round out the meal.
I also highly recommend catfish with green mango salad (ยำปลาดุกฟู) and Tom Saap (ต้มแซบ) another version of Thai hot and spicy soup usually with pork but beef is also an option.
Zabb One Ratchada is popular, especially with the lunch and dinner crowd. I recommend going in before lunchtime and after lunchtime, if you want to eat comfortably. Because it gets busy as it is a very popular local som tam restaurant.
Another Great Huai Khwang Spot for Local Thai Food
Pracharat Bamphen Road Soi 7. Odd-numbered side streets are on the left and even-numbered side streets are on the right.
A little further up north closer, to Huai Khwang MRT station is another area I recommend for local Thai food in Bangkok.
There’s a street called Pracharat Bamphen Road located east of the Huai Khwang junction, with Huai Khwang MRT station entry/exit #1 leading right to the road. This often congested 600-meter-long narrow road is home to Bangkok’s new Chinatown.
Bangkok’s Second Chinatown
This is an area where a small wave of Chinese immigrants gradually settled. Operating restaurants and other businesses catering to Chinese tourists.
You will see the signage of this road spelled Pracha Rat Bamphen Road. However, the word “Rat” alone might be off-putting.
This is why I rather stick with the spelling Pracharat Bamphen Road because it’s the way Google Maps has it spelled. And I don’t want to cause any confusion.
Pracharat Bamphen Map Huai Khwang
In this area, I recommend walking down to Soi 9 and there are a few places I think you will like. It is as local as it will ever get. You might see a few curious foreigners here and there.
Trust me, this place is strictly the local’s favorite spot to pick up a quick meal box.
And these shops don’t have names or signage. You will not find them on Google Maps.
That’s because they open early in the morning. And sell out by the afternoon. You won’t even know they were there as everything they brought is gone. Poof like magic.
And you won’t see them again until early next morning.
Look for Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
Look for Soi 9This corner has a lot of good food in the morning
Right at the entrance of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9, in the morning you will find my favorite takeaway food hotspot!
Yes, only takeaway. There are no tables and chairs. But you can eat on the street in Thailand that sort of behavior is not frowned upon.
Or you can take it back to your hotel. I will recommend a few close to this area below.
Many locals living in this area come here for food. Mainly Thai office workers pick up a quick breakfast to eat at the office.
You will see customers standing in line and some even on their motorbikes ordering several boxes for takeaway.
They’ve got two dozen Thai classic food choices for you to pick from. Thai curries, Thai stir-fries, and stuff maybe you’ve never seen before.
I mean there’s stuff I’ve never seen before here either. But that’s the fun thing. You can eat here every single day without getting bored.
Cooked for Locals, Priced for Locals
You gotta give them credit for keeping food prices affordable. It’s not easy to cook up this quantity of food. Thai cooking requires lots of ingredients. They must be working from early morning to prep and cook these foods. While you are still dreaming comfortably in your bed.
1 Choice 30 THB
2 Choice 30 THB
3 Choice 40 THB
Some clarification for the 2 choices it’s still 30 Baht, they’ll just portion out appropriately. And if you want a bigger box with more portions they charge 40 – 50 Baht extra.
At the current exchange rate, 30 Baht is just under $1 US Dollar.
Everything is served on top of rice in a takeaway box. Bear in mind they do not cook everything on the spot. All of the foods are cooked in a separate location and transported to their location. Which means the food won’t be piping hot.
You can always bring it back to your hotel and ask them to reheat it.
I’ve tried at least 6 to 8 of their dishes. My favorite is their Thai-style fried chicken with cashew nuts. And be sure to try their fried boiled egg in tamarind sauce, it’s delish!
Thai Chicken Cashew Nut, My Favorite!Thai Tamarind Fried Hard Boiled Egg
I recommend their Chicken Massaman and Green Curry Chicken. Two classic powerhouse Thai dishes and they cook it just right.
Thai Fried Donuts
Who doesn’t like donuts?! A fine donut made on a street corner is a beautiful thing in the morning!
Patongo (ปาท่องโก๋) are Thai-style fried donuts locals line up for and enjoy for breakfast. And there are two styles of these puffy delectable treats.
This stand makes amazing Patongo, a Thai fried donut
The version that looks like two sticks stuck together is the most common. You will see small containers of coconut pandan custard (สังขยาใบเตย) or a simple sweetened condensed milk for dipping the fried donuts sold separately. Each container costs 10 Baht.
If you plan on buying coconut pandan custard remember to consume it quickly. Coconut milk spoils easily.
Don’t Forget to Try Salapao
This vendor also fries up fresh Salapao (ซาลาเปา) which is a different version of patongo. The outside has a sweet taste with a soft, airy inside and crunchy inside. Not too overly sweet, though enough that it goes terrific with some black coffee with no sugar. Which is how I like my coffee.
I prefer salapao because it reminds me of the classic Italian zeppole! Just without the powdered sugar.
Each piece is only 3 Baht!
Soy Milk is typically sold next to Patongo…
In Southeast Asia, when you see fried donuts like these, usually hot soy milk is sold beside it; this is because both are enjoyed together as breakfast.
Asians love to dip these fried goodies into soy milk.
Where to Stay Around Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
CMYK Hotel Bangkok is 300-meter walk from Soi 9
CMYK Hotel is a newly renovated hotel on Pracharat Bamphen Soi 5. Only a 300-meter walk to Pratcharat Bamphen Soi 9 and a 250-meter walk to Huai Khwang MRT subway station.
CMYK rooms are on the small side, around 20 square meters. The upside is the room rates are affordable at around 1000 – 1300 Baht per night. You can read reviews and find discounts for CMYK Hotel on Agoda.com.
There are many other hawker stands and small Thai and Chinese-owned restaurants to explore here. And I just mentioned a few of my favorites that are not listed on Google Maps.
Here are a few local eats I like to recommend, that you can find on Google Maps
Por Charoenchai – Thai Chicken and Rice
Chicken Rice Restaurant Huai Khwang Bangkok
One of my favorite chicken and rice shops open 24 hours, Por Charoenchai is again, super popular with locals in this section of Huay Khwang.
Their tasty boiled chicken is tender and they make a good fried chicken. I like to order both over chicken broth-soaked ginger-infused hot rice. And their house ginger, garlic, and chili sauce is on point.
Thai Boiled Chicken and Fried Chicken mixed over Rice – 60 Baht
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun
Fluffy steamed buns stuffed with delectable delights are a staple in Asia. I like to recommend this little shop on a corner right next to patongo hawker stand I mentioned on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9.
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun located on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
This is a very old-school Chinese bakery. And the folks that make their fine buns look like they’ve been around forever. That’s why they are very well known in this neighborhood for steamed buns filled with sweetened black bean paste, minced pork with salted egg, red pork with salted egg, and sweetened cream bun.
Steamed bun at Danchai
One steamed bun costs 30 Baht, which sounds pricey. However, I think the price is justified because it’s handmade. And these folks producing these buns are elderly so let them charge what they want.
Get Out There, Explore, and Eat!
There are other places that I recommend on this post. But I covered the places that are hard to find when you don’t know where to look.
Check out these recommended places to eat in Bangkok yourself and have fun.
Eventually, as I find more places to eat in Pracharat Bamphen Road I will update this post. So I hope you can make it out here one day.
Whether it’s good or bad, I’d like to hear about your experience by commenting below 🙏
See that photo above? That is me, and I am addicted to New York pizza. But I wasn’t in NYC when I took that photo. I wasn’t even in the USA. I was on the other side of the planet in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.
And in my hand, a proper NY slice
For the past year, I’ve been reviewing pizzerias in Bangkok, and I can tell you with certainty—this city’s got the goods. While most pizza restaurants in Thailand are leaning towards Neapolitan style, NYC-style pizza is slowly gaining traction.
I’ve made it my mission to eat and review as much pizza as I can in Thailand!
MY PIZZA QUALIFICATIONS
I grew up in New York City. Specifically on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It’s the early 1980s, and back then, there were many local Italian pizzerias in and around my old stomping grounds
I still remember going to pizzerias with my dad, grabbing a couple of slices and a soda together. I don’t remember what we talked about—just two guys enjoying pizza. Those were good times.
Then when I was old enough to go out on my own, as if a rite of passage, my parents gave me .75 cents to get a slice for lunch. At the same time, avoid the possibility of getting beaten, stabbed, and robbed in that specific order.
I remind you it was the mid-1980s. Peak crack epidemic era. Crackheads everywhere. Also, a time when Chinese triads ran amuck looking to stop any Chinese kid with a funny hairstyle “on their turf” with .75 cents jingling in their pocket for collection.
Back in those days, NYC was life and death I tell you. It’s a miracle I’m still alive. I remember walking alone to Gino’s Pizza on Catherine Street, Richard’s Pasta and Cafe on Pearl Street, Famous Ray’s Pizza (most of them), and Pizza Palace on Bayard… that’s all the pizzerias I can remember on the Lower East Side. When I got back home I would relish my reward.
I can relate to Neatherdals going out in the wild hunting mammoths. Or a hyena back from a successful scavenger hunt. NYC was just that bad.
From then on I’ve eaten pizzas all over NYC’s 5 boroughs. Most taste the same. And then there are the pizzeria gems. Whether good or bad, pizza is pizza.
One of my favorite pizzerias in NYC
Though looking back and counting my lucky stars, it was a privilege to walk a few minutes from where I lived. And smell the sweet, sweet aroma of a freshly baked cheese pizza bubbling away inside a gas oven.
New York Style pizzas are thin and crispy. The outer crust is not fluffy but has a yeasty bite. A well-made cheese pizza with a generous sprinkling of garlic powder and dried oregano afterward. And a dash of spicy chili flakes is a must!
It’s the best I tell ya! THE BEST!
The usual lunch at my favorite NYC Pizzeria
BUT I’M NOT IN NYC ANYMORE
I’ve been living in Bangkok for over 25 years now. It wasn’t until five or six years ago that NYC-style pizza started gaining traction in Thailand.
Before that, options for ‘Western’ style pizza in Thailand were limited. You could find Neapolitan-style pizzas in hotel restaurants, and Pizza Hut—Thailand’s first American pizza chain—arrived in the ’70s, but it just wasn’t the same.
I recall there were a few small foreigner-owned pizzerias near a red-light district in Bangkok. This made sense since those areas are popular spots where many foreign tourists go to drink and “socialize”.
Then there are the local Thai interpretations of pizza: a round piece of baked dough topped with mayonnaise and ketchup, with non-traditional toppings like imitation crab, squid chunks, and hot dogs. But I get it—the locals love their version of ‘pizza’ too, and I don’t blame them
Fancy pizzas were in Bangkok before NY style pizzas…
That’s not to say decent or pizza as close to as I know it was never around Thailand. Like everything else around the world that people are passionate about there is an origin story.
SO MUCH GREAT FOOD IN THAILAND, WHY PIZZA?
Pizza is in my blood. Cut me, and I bleed tomato sauce and cheese—mostly cheese. Just ask my doctor; it’s probably in my medical records. When you’re away from something you love eating for so long, the craving only grows stronger. You just want to be near it, to savor it, to become one with it. I hope I’m not coming off too creepy.
I’m sure there’s a Thai national who’s been living in NYC for two decades, still searching for the perfect Tom Yum Goong or Khao Soi in one of the boroughs—just the way they remember it from growing up in Bangkok.
The fast food business in Thailand started slowly with a cold reception. As the founder of Pizza Hut in Thailand stated in this article, dairy in cheese form wasn’t popular with Thais. And neither was bread.
Times have changed and the Western diet is quickly taking hold in Thailand and most of Asia. Cheese is widely eaten and then some. Seems like many Asian countries are finding a whole bunch of reasons to add cheese to everything.
For example, bubble tea and donuts. And no I’m not making that up.
Currently, there are 180 Pizza Hut Thailand restaurants and delivery outlets. Pizza Hut’s main rival The Pizza Company has 560 branches.
Domino’s Pizza Thailand has the least branches. They are quickly growing in popularity.
First Pizza Chain in ThailandSecond Pizza Chain in ThailandThird Pizza Chain in Thailand
Today chain pizza restaurants spend heavily on flashy commercials that are advertised on social media, and traditional media. And it’s working. The younger Thai population is crazy about fast-food pizza. Plus it’s really affordable. Often you’ll find a buy 1 get 1 free promotion all for under 500B for medium-sized pan pizzas.
Fancy Pizzas in Thailand (Neopolitan Pizza)
Over time, restaurants serving Napoli or Neopolitan-style pizza—or as I like to call them, fancy pizzas—began to appear as well. Many casual Italian dining spots, often opened by foreigners, became popular, especially throughout Bangkok and Pattaya.
Even a famous NYC Neapolitan pizza restaurant Roberta’s has tossed their hat into the pizza ring in Bangkok! I haven’t had a chance to review them yet but it’s on my calendar book after I lose a few pounds.
Neopolitan Style Pizza in Bangkok
THE ARRIVAL OF NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA IN BANGKOK
If I remember correctly I found SOHO Pizza through an advert on my Facebook feed. It looked legit with the classic New York style slice appearance. Matter of fact they sold pizza by the slice like they do in parts of America. And they had the name SOHO in it.
Here’s a smoother version:
Soho (South of Houston Street) is one of those fancy-schmancy neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan, with many popular old-school pizzerias dotted throughout the area.
With SOHO pizza ads crammed in my face, I decided to try it out with my wife at their flagship restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 11.
Half and Half Pizza Pie – SOHO Pizza
I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised with the first bite. It was really good, as close to NYC-style pizza as you can get halfway across the world.
The cheese, the crust, the zingy tomato sauce. And oh yeah, the grease. You know the grease that runs down your hand leaving a yellow-orange streak, down to your elbows if you’re not careful. Whether you like that or not it is a hallmark of a NY slice.
I looked into the background of SOHO Pizza and learned that it’s managed by a powerhouse food and beverage agency called SOHO Hospitality.
I think they did a great job bringing my favorite style of pizza to Thailand. As of writing SOHO Pizza has 6 branches, all inside Bangkok.
Though for me, it’s corporatized pizza.
CHEF BING PIZZA
Then we got Chef Bing! of Chef Bing Pizza also started his pizzeria in Bangkok, around 2019 with the first location near Khao San Road. He has recently moved to the Lumphini area, very close to central Sukhumvit Road.
I learned about the chef from watching Mark Wien’s videos.
The chef has a New York City pedigree. And a real chef. Not just a title he picked up. After working in top-notch restaurant kitchens for a while he eventually returned home to Thailand.
Chef Bing and Mark Wiens
Where he taught himself to make New York City style pizza.
This reminds me of the story of Mark Iacono, a master pizzaiolo and owner of one of the most famous pizza restaurants in Brooklyn called Lucali. And I wish Chef Bing achieves the same level of success here in Thailand
His pizza has a very good char to it. Every bite I took there was a snap and a crunch, the cheese and the sauce, oh man! He had done NYC pizza justice and I am so proud he’s in Bangkok!
Chef Bing Cheese Pizza Pie 14″
PIZZAS IN THAILAND TODAY
Today, if you want to eat Italian or American-style pizzas in Thailand, it’s easy to find them. Whether they’re authentic or meet your taste standards, however, is a whole different matter.
Just take for example if an Italian from Napoli traveled to Bangkok and tried a Napolitana at an Italian-owned restaurant will that pizza remind them of Napoli?
Sad Soggy Neopolitan Pizza
It depends on how well the Italian chef trained his cook. It depends on the ingredients the Italian chef used the same ingredients used in the Italian city of Napoli. Napoli pizzas use specific ingredients native to its surrounding region, such as tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
That’s how serious the Italians are and there’s an organization AVPN that oversees the quality and integrity of Napoletana pizza around the world.
It’s the same way I look at it. Especially when I started making pizza reviews in Bangkok. And I can say for certain it is an exciting time!
As of writing, I made a few pizza reviews on Wally’s Travels and Eats which is my second YouTube channel. Go check it out and discover Bangkok’s pizza scene!
MY FAVORITE NEW YORK PIZZAS, BUT IN BANGKOK
With a growing number of foreigners from the West setting roots in Thailand, it’s not surprising to fin entreprenuers filling a food niche people around the world love.
I mentioned Chef Bing as a prime example.
Then we’ve got Pizza Mania which is quite popular with deliveries from their kitchen in the heart of Bangkok. One of my favorite places for one of my favorite foods! I couldn’t find out too much about the owner of Pizza Mania but it’s all good, I highly recommend their pizzas in Bangkok.
I can also recommend Capone’s Pizza, also located in the heart of Bangkok near the Asoke/Sukhumvit intersection. Though they are more well know for their deep dish pizza, cause you can gather from the name Capone it’s got them Chicago roots.
Classic Cheese Pizza from Pizza Mania
According to this online pizza publication https://www.50toppizza.it/ five of the best fifty best pizzas in Southeast Asia are in Thailand. That’s quite impressive. All pizzas are of the Neopolitan variety as those are the predominant variety in Thailand.
The main reason why I don’t like Neopolitan pizza is because the center is usually soggy. Some restaurants in Bangkok make it soggier than others it really depends on the hands of who ever is making the pizza.
Pannetti Pizza Margherita
There are Thai cultural aspects to consider in the Thai food industry. Thais do not like to eat burnt food. Eating charred bits as a certain population of Thais believe is carcinogenic. Whether or not that is true I would say you have to do your research on the validity of such a claim.
Traditional pizzas have what’s called Leopard Spotting, where spots of dark char are visible under the pizza as well as the crust. It is typically more pronounced in wood and coal-fired ovens.
So if a local Thai sees too many scorched marks on the crust it’s a big no no in their eyes.
A pizza I got at a Hua Hin night market. Looking good from the top.Bottom needs a bit more time in the oven…
My Favorite Neoplitan Pizzas in Bangkok
That said, most of the best Neopolitan pizzerias or Italian restaurants are written up on popular food websites. With the names Pizza Massilia, Pizzeria Mazzie and Peppina coming up as the de facto best.
Never eaten in any of those restaurants before. But it’s on my to go list.
Instead I went to Neoplitan pizza restaurants off the beaten path. And some sorta and around the path.
Daniello’s Pizza has fantastic Neopolitans. And I really enjoy Ronin Pizza too. Both of those restaurants are not really in central Bangkok but it’s not far either and worth a try if you truly love these types of pizza.
Ronin Margherita Pizza
Above is a photo of Ronin’s pizza and as you can see it’s got some dark char on the crust. Which I enjoy and again, some Thais, depending on how hold they are might not be into it.
Which to me is quite challenging for Thai pizzeria’s trying to go the traditional route. Or make the taste palatable for locals. That’s a hard decision.
That said, there are so many pizzerias all over Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin I can’t wait to check them out. I’m pretty sure the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui have many too because of foreign tourists and expats.
Till then, I’m going to eat as much pizzas I can in Bangkok!
What’s your favorite pizzeria in Thailand or from anywhere else you’re reading this?
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