Eat like a local in Bangkok: forget about Michelin – and discover these five hidden gems

Fans of Bangkok know that the Thai capital is a melting pot of various cultures, and, as a result, its gastronomic scene is one of the most exciting in Asia. In recent years, a number of the city’s establishments – ranging from posh hotel restaurants to humble street food stalls – have received Michelin stars or Bib Gourmand recommendations, and/or are ranked on World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant lists. Yet, just steps away from some of these famous places, where it can be almost impossible to get a reservation, there are hidden spots where locals enjoy some of the most delicious meals in the city. Here are a few local hotspots that you won’t find in food guides. 1. Khrua Nai Baan (Home Kitchen) Chidlom’s Soi Langsuan will be a familiar address to any serious foodie, as it is the central business district where Gaggan was located. Chef Gaggan Anand shut down his Michelin two-starred restaurant in August, but there is another reason to visit the chic neighbourhood. Rock star chef closes two-Michelin-star restaurant Gaggan in Bangkok Only a five-minute walk away from Anand’s old restaurant is Khrua Nai Baan, a local seafood restaurant that on any given day is sure to be packed with Thai families. The casual institution is known for its prawn crackers and serves fresh seafood that customers can choose from tanks outside the dining area. Their bouncy, home-made prawn cakes are a must-try. And don’t forget to order the coconut chicken soup with galangal and kaffir lime leaves. The creamy soup has a perfect balance of acidity and spiciness. 94 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, tel: +66 2 254 9888 2. Dara Dalay Farm-to-table is a trendy concept these days. Bangkok city dwellers yearning to embrace nature often find themselves at Dara Dalay, an open-air restaurant with its own organic vegetable garden right on the premises. Located in the historical Dusit district and surrounded by trees, the hard-to-find spot is rarely visited by tourists. It’s famous for its khao soi – northern Thai curry egg noodles with chicken leg or pork, garnished with pickled cabbage, shallots and lime. Four great places to eat in Bangkok’s Chinatown when its subway station opens Another hot choice on the menu is the khanom jeen nam ngiaw – a spicy pork and tomato noodle soup. Away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, the Dara Dalay brand also has a huge farm in Chiang Mai that allows for an authentic Thai farm stay experience. Pichai Market, 280/1 Phichai Road, Khwaeng Thanon Nakhon Chai Si, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok 10300, tel: +66 86 378 3837 3. Ba Hao Aesthetically, Bangkok’s Soi Nana (Chinatown) has a charm that is very different from other Chinatowns around the world. Interestingly, the interior of Ba Hao – a bar on Mitrichit Road – looks like a scene out of Janet Jackson’s If music video back in the 1990s. The red-coloured lights and sumptuous atmosphere lend a cinematic background to appreciate Chinese-inspired comfort food such as duck wonton with chilli sesame oil. Another intriguing highlight on the menu is coriander and coconut ice cream covered in shaved peanuts, an exotic creation that plays with layers of textures and flavours. A cocktail named Drunken Mistress – a mix of gin, lychee, star anise and plum – is served in a bowl, just as it’s done in old kung fu films. 8 Soi Nana, Mitrichit Road, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, tel: :+66 64 635 1989 4. Tim Mansion Fans of Raan Jay Fai – a Michelin-star roadside restaurant revered for its crab omelette and seafood drunken noodles– all know how difficult it is to get a reservation there. Guests can wait for up to six hours on a normal day to finally sit down and eat. Bangkok’s swapping street food for fine dining, but will the tourists bite? Fortunately, there is a trick that enables one to eat there without much hassle. Tim Mansion, a hostel right next to Raan Jay Fai on Maha Chai Road, allows its guests to order from the restaurant and eat at the hostel’s own cafe. After booking your stay, but before you arrive in Bangkok, email the hostel and tell them what you want from Raan Jay Fai, and the Tim Mansion employee will arrange it, making sure you get your food at your requested time. Tim Mansion isn’t a five-star hotel, but a stay there might still be worth it for the food. 337 Maha Chai Road, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, tel: +66 2 223 5460 5. Petit Peyton Café Walking around Bangkok’s old town can get tiring, especially on Maha Chai Road. A quiet oasis within the busy district is Petit Peyton, a vintage cafe specialising in coffee blends made from selected single-origin beans from Northern Thailand. The certified organic and premium Arabica beans are freshly roasted to ensure they do not lose flavour. If you don’t drink coffee, try the cafe’s Oreo crunchy shake. 206 Maha Chai Road, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, tel: +66 2 221 4442