18 Places to find official Michelin-star street food you can eat in central Bangkok

What would Bangkok be without it’s street food?

The official Michelin Guide even created a category just for it – recognising that just because it’s not in a fancy restaurant, street food can still pack a delicious punch.

So what’s the Michelin for all the non-foodies out there reading this?

It started as a French book listing all the best restaurants around the world, and has now turned into a sort of reward system used to score restaurants worldwide based on their food. Just a mention on one of their lists is an honour!

Usually working from 1-3 stars (three being the highest), they also have the Bib Gourmand award aimed at restaurants serving fantastic food at great value. 

Lastly the Michelin plate is for restaurants serving delicious food that are still worth a mention on the list!

Read more:

13 types of Tom Yum noodles locals love within 40 minutes from Pratunam Market 

12 Places to eat crazy huge and supersized food in Bangkok 

16 Must-eat Thai Tze Char dishes in Bangkok only locals know about and the places to eat

1. Crispy oyster omelette for less than $3.50??? – Nai Mong Hoi Thod (นายหมงหอยทอด)

Fried oysters? Uh, yip, consider me sold in a second! Now we’re gonna add a delicious little crispy omelette to the mix and voila, heaven in just one bite!

If you’re not a fan of oysters, there’s also a choice of mussels, and they fry them into the omelette itself. (They’re similar to Orh Jian if any Singaporean street food lovers are reading this.)

The oysters, mussels, or both are first grilled and then fried into the egg batter and bean sprouts at just the right time so they’re still soft and juicy!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand

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2. Extra crispy, crunchy pork crackling? SOLD – GuayJub Mr. Joe (ร้านก๋วยจั๊บ มิสเตอร์โจ)

Now I don’t know about you, but I’m an absolute sucker for crispy pork crackling, and when it’s extra crunchy on top with that delicious melt-in-your-mouth fat layer underneath and then soft pork. I’m making myself hungry here!

Well that’s exactly what you’ll find at Mr Joe’s, just straight up pork cutlets that hero incredible crispy pork!!

They do also serve Kuay Jub (A peppery, clearish broth served with rice noodles) and here they chop up the crispy pork and add it to the soup – sounds like my kind meal!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

3. All the seafood fried rice you could imagine! – Here Hai Restaurant

Picture one of the biggest plates of seafood fried rice you’ve probably seen, and the size of the plate is not the only thing you’ll be awe-ing over – the seafood is nice and sizely here!

You’ll also be delighted to know that their seafood is as fresh as fresh can be, and gets delivered to this famous spot (it’s actually appeared on Thai TV quite a bit!), straight from the harbour every morning.

Being pretty darned popular among the locals, it’s pretty much always full, so do bear this in mind when paying them a visit!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

4. Enjoy a whole pig’s trotter without any shame– Charoen Saeng (ข้าวขาหมูเจริญแสงสีลม เลิดสิน)

SO, Mr. Bancha, the owner and master behind this legendary food stall has been using the same recipe for over 50 years, and continues to do so till this day.

Not only does it’s unique taste (think melt-in-your-mouth sticky pork knuckle in a rich gravy, using Chinese herbs and spices) keep bringing the people back for more, but it’s also the actual size of their trotters (2kg)!   .

Everyday religiously, Bancha himself cooks the leg the evening before for 4 hours, and again the following morning, so tenderness is guaranteed.

How to order like a local: Instead of ordering rice topped with trotters, they also serve up different cuts of pork on separate plates: meat with skin, trotters, pig innards, or even the whole leg. (The trotter sells out quickly and within the first few hours of opening!)

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

5. Enjoy the best, fresh fish soup in Bangkok – Khao Tom Pla Kimpo (ข้าวต้มปลา กิมโป้)

Look out for a big fish hanging in front of a food stall in Charoen Krung area at night, and you’ll know that you’re at the right place!

Serving up tantilising bowls of (fresh) fish soup with a broth so divine you won’t know what’s hit ya! (It’s made mainly from pork and fish bones, that’s sweet, a touch hot and fragrant).

The fish they use is the catch of the day, so your protein in the soup changes daily depending on what’s fresh that morning. They serve it up with rice and crispy garlic chips – for that bit of crunch. 😉

Michelin award: The Plate

6. Enjoy traditional Thai fish balls like they were made in the good ol’ days – Longleng Noodles (Banthat Thong)

Have you noticed that the Thais absolutely love balls of processed, MSG-filled foods that you’ll spot in their bright colours on sticks or in soups. They always look SO delicious, however I can never quite bring myself to eat ‘fake food’.

Now all our problems have been solved; this street-side stall sells fish balls, however theirs are homemade and completely MSG-free (made and served fresh on the daily).

Added to a bowl of scrumptious Yentafo or “Pink Noodle soup” (because the actual soup is a clear pink colour), they also add to the dish a little bit of crispy fish skin for texture and crunch.

Michelin award: The Plate

7. Nothing beats a homely meal – ข้าวหน้าไก่ร้านแซ่พุ้น (Poon Cuisine)

Feeling a little homesick and craving a good ol’ home-cooked meal to warm your heart in the big city?

Recently renovated from its original set-up of more than 80 years, their grandfather’s Chicken Stew recipe remains the same here, and the people love it.

Serving their stew on a bed of rice or noodles (your choice), the delicately rich, smooth and flavour-punching gravy they use in the dish will give your taste buds all sorts of happy feels. Not to mention, it’s insanely delicious!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

8. The perfect local morning dish you just have to try! – Jok Prince

Savoury porridge? Duh, we’re talking about congee here (the Thai version of it anyway) and fun fact; it’s pretty much one of the staple local breakfasts over here in Bangkok city.

So this restaurant, according to the Michelin is the best in the business and of course, there’s something that makes them special…Their rice porridge actually has a real ‘smokey’ flavour to it (known as ‘wok hei’) given to the dish by the heat of the wok pan when cooked.

(Wanna know a secret? They also add a tiny bit of burnt rice to give it a unique flavour).

Served with a cracked egg, spring onions, ginger and soy sauce, as well as minced pork balls and offal. (You can also just order the minced pork option if you’re not a fan of eating organ meats.)

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019

9. For a taste of Northern Thailand – Ongtong Khaosoi

If you’ve never travelled further up North, then you may not have heard of Khao Soi before (you’re missing out FYI). This incredibly delicious dish is a local street food staple in these parts.

Lucky for us, you can now grab a bowl of the noodle soup right here in Bangkok!

What’s in it? The soup/curry is a yummy balance of coconut and chili, topped with fried, crispy and crunchy yellow noodles, as well as boiled noodles inside the broth.

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019

10. This family-run restaurant will leave you with a belly full of noodles – Kua Kai Suan Mali (Central Hospital Intersection Branch)

Having seen a ton of their loyal customers grow from teenagers to adults, it’s more of a home than anything. And after leaving with a belly full of hearty roasted chicken & noodles, I’m sure you’ll see exactly why!

More fun food facts: The word ‘kua’ actually means roasted and not only do they roast their noodles (so they’re the perfect amount of crispiness)… They also use a technique of letting the food set and sit on the wok so the dish picks up a real charcoaled flavour – yum!

They also use a special sauce ( a lil’ spicy) and many recommend adding an extra egg to the dish, which they crack raw on top of the food just before serving.

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand

11. Sometimes keeping it simple is just simply the best – Poon Lert (Phlapphla Chai intersection)

With a gravy so silky smooth and rich-looking, your tastebuds will be smiling from ear to ear (if they had any).

What makes their chicken gravy and rice so special? Firstly, they poach their chicken thighs in chicken stock everyday (to give extra flavour and goodness). Secondly, the portion size is amazing, giving you enough sauce, as well as chicken, to cover your entire plate!

The old-school street stall is actually in its third generation, and it’s said that this street stall is over 100 years old!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

12. Ever tried a dried hot-pot??? – Elvis Suki

Suki say whatttt? Thai suki is a variation of a hot pot where just before eating, you dip whatever you’ve grabbed out the pot and dip it in sukiyaki sauce before indulging.

At Elvis, you actually order a dry Sukiyaki beef (so basically without the soup), and it’s served with their secret eggy sauce, and perfectly tender beef which has a slight smoky aroma from being cooked on coals (plus everything that accompanies a hotpot).

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019

13. In the mood for crustaceans? – Somsak Pu Ob

This is actually an amazing choice as they offer seafood at such affordable prices!

This street stall is however known for one seafood dish in particular and that’s their Steamed Crab (or prawns) on a bed of glass noodles. 

Traditionally an ob woonsen consists of vermicelli noodles baked and served in a small pan, however they actually first fry the seafood, then add the noodles, soy sauce and greens.

PS: The crab (Pu in Thai) here looks tantalising and they serve an epicly sized crustacean which is nice and meaty.

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

14. Bangkok’s legendary Chicken Rice – Go Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (ไก่ตอนประตูนำ้ / โกอ่าง)

Serving diners since 1960 (that’s 80 years people!!) with their original recipe from China, it’s actually one of the first Chicken Rice stalls that opened in the Pratunam district. This marked Pratunam as one of the go-to places for Thai Hainanese Chicken Rice!

Go Ang gives you thick slices of chicken to sink your teeth into. The chicken has got a nice firmness to it yet still so juicy and moist, and it also comes with very aromatic light and clear chicken broth, and sweet dipping soy sauce.

If you’re having trouble finding the place, just look out for a place where the staff are wearing pink shirts and aprons, and you’re at the right place.

Tip: Interestingly, you can order a plate of chicken with or without skins if you are watching your diet/not a fan.

Note: Some people are die hard fans of this chicken rice store, while others feel it doesn’t live up to its Michelin reputation. Let us know what you think if you’ve tried this chicken rice!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

15. The perfect on-the-go morning snack – Pa Tong Go Savoey

Sucker with a sweet tooth? Let me introduce to you the Thai equivalent of a Chinese You Tiao (deep-fried dough basically). However the dough isn’t actually sweet, but more salty (and that’s where the toppings come in).

Choose from Pandan Custard, Strawberry Jam, Marmalade, or a coconut sauce – just to name a few.

They’re usually eaten in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee, but you can also find them at many local food markets, just FYI.

16. Let’s be real, what’s a trip to Thailand truly, without the beloved dessert – Kor Panich Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียว ก​.พานิช)

What makes their mango sticky rice so special? Apart from their 80 year old recipe, they actually use khao khao sticky rice from Chiang Rai.

The mango is sweet and fragrant, the rice is soft with still the right amount of ‘bounce’ and there’s the perfect amount of coconut milk so you won’t be left scraping the plate (like I usually end up doing).

PS: They also do a durian version, a must-try!

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

17. Ah, our dearly beloved Mama Noodles! – Jeh O Chula ร้านเจ๊โอว

If you’ve never had the pleasure of paying this family-run restaurant that has been running for 40 years, we suggest you get here asap!

Serving up authentic Thai dishes packed with punch and flavour, it’s a no-brainer as to why it’s on the list.

The latest addition to the menu is their Hot and Sour Mama noodles with seafood. This dish only starts to be served at 11pm – be warned, the queue for this can get really long!

Honestly, what could be better than a huge bowl of perfectly balanced, sweet, sour and spicy seafood soup?

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

18. The only Street Food spot in Bangkok with a One Star Michelin – Raan Jay Fai

Picture this, A 70 year old lady (rockstar) wearing tinted biker goggles working a gigantic wok, and you eating possibly the best Thai crab omelette of.your.life!

That’s exactly what goes down at this Street Food joint, and just happens to be the only one starred street-side restaurant in town!

As you can guess, thousands flock to get a taste and it’s a known fact you’ll be waiting for your food for at least 2+ hours (Sounds ridiculous we know, but hey if you love food like I do, the end result is a very heavenly one).

PS: Their crab omelette is pricey but a) it’s crab, and b) it’s a one-star Michelin restaurant people!!

Michelin award: One Star Michelin 

19. Special Mention: Totally worth the drive in our opinion – Choy

Okay, so it’s a bit of a drive to get here as it’s located on the outskirts of the city. HOWEVER, if you’re travelling in that direction, or simply go mad for duck… You’ll be ever so delighted after eating a plate of their Roasted Duck Egg Noodles. 

You can also order this signature and add it to Tom Yum soup filled with shrimp wontons, making it more traditionally Chinese I’d say.

Michelin award: Michelin Bib Gourmand 

Choy 

Order in from: LineMan

Price: From 40 Baht / approx. USD $1.32
Address: 9/19 ถนน พุทธมณฑล สาย 2 Bang Khae Nuea, Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Contact: +66 95 264 2226
Opening hours: Daily from 7.30am to 5pm

Website

I mean, I’m literally hungry after all that, from crispy pork crackling to incredible Ob Woon Sen. There’s no denying the deliciousness of Bangkok’s street food, and we have the Michelin Guide to prove it! 😉

We’re dying to know if you’ve tried any of these dishes, and if you think it lives up it’s awarded standards.

Leave us your comments below! <3

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