Itineraries for Your Trip to Bangkok
3 Days in Bangkok for Foodies
During my year in Asia, Bangkok served as my base—I’d return to the metropolis to recalibrate between adventures. It began to feel a bit like coming home, even though the Thai capital was worlds apart from my native London.
The first thing I’d eat after landing was a bag of unripe mango, shaken in a plastic bag with chili, salt, sugar, and lime. I’d always go back to the same vendor, who sat on a bridge over the snapping jaws of the 5-lane highway. Sharp, sour, salty, sweet, and spicy, this humble snack encapsulates the joyous complexity and constant surprise of Bangkok’s cuisine. Here’s how to savor the best of Bangkok’s flavors in three days.
Though perennially hot and humid, Bangkok is prone to sudden and dramatic downpours—carry a compact raincoat and a waterproof bag.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Wanglang Market—a fragrant food labyrinth perched on the banks of the Chao Phraya river and beloved by locals.
Kick off your tasting tour with Bangkok Chinatown, a dazzling district laden with neon signs and delectable roast pork. Continue with some classic Thai street food like pad Thai and fried quail eggs in Bang Rak, a historic neighborhood home to some of Bangkok’s oldest buildings. Consider joining a bike tour that combines sightseeing and eating.
From there, take the short stroll over to Sathorn Pier, the main departure point for cruises along the Chao Phraya River. Hop aboard a dinner cruise that lets you see the city lights twinkling into life and feast on buffet-style Thai dishes.
Rise bright and early for a trip to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Sail past long-tail boats laden with precariously-piled produce and sample snacks from passing vessels. Most tours that head here go via the Maeklong Railway Market, where you’ll see locals rush to clear their stalls before the train rumbles past.
Opt for a relaxed afternoon of exploring the cosmopolitan food courts of Bangkok mega-malls such as Central Embassy, Siam Paragon, and Terminal 21. For afternoon tea with a distinctly Thai twist, head to the exquisite Author’s Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, a luxury heritage hotel overlooking the river.
Delve deeper into the alchemy of Thai cuisine this morning with a cooking class. Most include a visit to a market to pick up your ingredients, which will help you decipher signs and stalls piled high with mysterious ingredients.
End your trip with a bang by exploring some of Bangkok’s best night markets. Hail a traditional tuk-tuk and dive into after-dark hotspots such as Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Night Market, the 24-hour Pak Khlong Talat, and Patpong Night Market. If you’re looking for one of Southeast Asia’s wildest nights out, head to Khao San Road—the epicenter of Bangkok’s backpacker scene.
