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Story, Photos & Poetry NICK M.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is celebrated as a street food paradise with some of the top cafés and bars in Asia. Every corner of the city is filled with untold stories, making Bangkok an intriguing destination.
Street food: The soul of Bangkok
When it comes to street food in Bangkok, images of fresh orange juice, pomegranate juice, coconut ice cream, som tam, mango sticky rice and grilled squid with chili immediately come to mind.
Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, is a popular street food destination bustling with activity, especially at night. It’s a hotspot for content creators, typically Lisa (Blackpink) even spent three days here filming her solo music video Rockstar. One must-try is Guy Kao, serving grilled squid tossed in a spicy sauce. Nearby, Nai Ek, a restaurant famous for its roasted meats, serves traditional rolled noodles featuring crispy roasted pork skin with a sour and spicy broth, topped with offal and stomach. T&K Seafood, known to Vietnamese tourists as “Chinatown Seafood,” is another local favorite.
Other famous street food areas in Bangkok include Khao San Road, the Talad Rod Fai night market known for its giant spicy ribs, Asiatique night market, and the Chatuchak weekend market. For those craving late-night street food in an air-conditioned setting open until 3 AM, Jae Koy near BTS Ratchathewi is a great option.
Café culture
Not to be outdone by Japan, South Korea, or Vietnam, Bangkok is also famous for its unique cafés. A typical example is Factory Café, located right at the base of BTS Phaya Thai station. After achieving international recognition as one of the Top 2 Espresso spots in the world and attracting numerous TikTokers for check-ins, Factory has become increasingly popular, even opening a second location 10 kilometers away from the center. However, the original spot at Phaya Thai still sees long lines from opening time at 8 AM until closing at 4 PM, with some visitors patiently waiting up to two hours for a cup of coffee.
Besides Factory, Bangkok boasts famous cafés such as Nana Coffee Roaster in the Ari area and the historic building The Blue Mustang, which has recently become a popular check-in spot for content creators from all over.
Top bars in Asia
In the list of Asia’s 100 Best Bars 2024, Bangkok alone occupies 10 positions, including BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons Hotel (7th place), Vesper (13th), Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (18th), Bar Us (21st), Tropic City (62nd), Opium (73rd), Firefly (83rd), Asia Today (90th), The Bamboo Bar (91st), and Dry Wave Cocktail Studio (98th). Each cocktail bar in Bangkok has its unique style, but many share a common trait: bold drinks and bartenders showcasing ideas rooted in local culture.
Wandering Bangkok’s narrow alleys, one can easily stumble upon hidden gems. Fans of Wong Kar- wai’s In the Mood for Love may recall a scene where Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen stroll down a night street. In reality, this scene was not filmed in Hong Kong but in Bangkok, specifically on Charoenkrung Road near the French Embassy. The area features many historic houses with weathered walls. Tucked away on this quiet street is a bar called Siwilai Sound Club. It has a touch of Japan, Thailand, old-school New York, and even a hint of pre-1997 Hong Kong. At the center of the bar stands a grand piano, and on weekends, live music, mainly jazz, can be enjoyed.
Sometimes, when visiting a familiar place, it’s worth trying something new. Similar Sound Club offers a nostalgic vibe and a sense of familiarity as if one has known it for a long time, like a movie that evokes memories of bygone days.
Bangkok, a perfect blend of ancient and modern, is an ideal destination for those who enjoy exploring bars and experiencing the distinctive local culture of Southeast Asia. From exceptional street food and beautiful cafés to unique bars, Bangkok always has exciting surprises in store. Take a night stroll through the city’s alleys to understand why Bangkok remains one of the most beloved destinations for young people worldwide, a place that evokes a sense of carefree youth.
“…Those hurried days rushing to the bustling city,
Those long nights wandering aimlessly, oblivious to tomorrow,
Those hasty Tequila shots, then Gin, Or laughter echoing in an empty bar,
as if no worries exist,
Those trips without purpose, just to see the vast sky,
The taste of youth, bitter yet sweet,
Carrying a touch of wildness, a hint of madness in the dead of night…”
Vietnam Airlines offers direct flights between Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok (Thailand).
Please visit www.vietnamairlines.com for more information and special offers.
