On our last family trip to Bangkok, we stayed just a few hundred meters from the Phra Khanong BTS station. It is an authentic neighborhood with a mix of locals and ex-pats coming and going by train.
While tourists flock to Bangkok’s famous food streets and night markets, some of the city’s best foodie experiences we had were near our nearest BTS Station, Phra Khanong.
Phra Khanong, just eight stops from the shopping mecca of Siam, might look like just another stop on the Sukhumvit line. The food options around this BTS station encompass the best of Bangkok’s food scene – from street carts to rooftop bars, hole-in-the-wall Thai kitchens to trendy Japanese spots.
Street Food at Phra Khanong BTS
For those like us who stayed in the area, you will find several street carts selling fried chicken, pad thai and coconut-filled pancakes, just to name a few. The fried chicken was outstanding, cooked to perfection with just the right amount of crunch and tenderness.
I consider myself a sort of fried chicken connoisseur lol, and for 20Baht per piece, I tried lots of it! The street food scene comes alive in the evening, with vendors setting up in the shadow of the above-ground BTS station.
The area is known for the number of Japanese and Korean restaurants that you can eat at, such as Abiy’s Kitchen Japanese Restaurant and Ebisu Shoten. Ebisu Shoten was very popular and always packed as it’s located right at the bottom of the steps leading down from BTS station.
There is Kurra Chicken and Burgers, which is popular, and located right next to it is Street Food. yes, that’s what the sign says. In reality, it’s a small restaurant in an alleyway that makes some of the tastiest Thai food around, all for $3 to $5 Australian per plate.
Get amazing dishes such as Chicken and cashew nuts, pineapple fried rice and pad thai. All this food is best washed down with a cold bottle of Leo or Chang beer.
Beers and Pizza in Phra Khanong
100 meters further up the road at PJ Obrien’s Irish Barduring happy hour, we enjoyed some tasty cocktails for 160 baht each. The place has plenty of TV screens showing live sports and serves meals and snacks.
On the opposite side of the road, you will find more great options starting with Dough Bros who make Pizzas and Donuts. We had a Maui Wowie, which is a fancy name for a Hawaiian Pizza, and a BBQ Chicken Pizza.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and taste, with a fluffy crust and thin base. The baked donuts stuffed with custard, jam, Bischoff and other flavors were amazing if you have a sweet tooth.
The WDistrict has an amazing food night market
WDistrict, has several options, including Taco Bell, Azzuro Trattoria Italian restaurant and the Cielo Sky Bar and Restaurant on the 46th floor of the Sky Walk Residences. For those looking for a snack, you can’t go past a ham and cheese toastie from 7-Eleven.
The gem of the area, the WMarket, is located in the WDistrict. It is a popular market tucked away in a courtyard between some high-rise buildings.
Read our full review on the WMarket in Phra Khanong
You will find both traditional Thai dishes and international cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, and Greek. We found it hard to choose from so many amazing flavors that we each grabbed a plate and we shared our meals.
The atmosphere is lively and relaxing, with music playing and fairy lights setting the mood. W Market provides a pleasant escape from the crazy traffic of Bangkok with its relaxed setting. It is a great place for families in Bangkok to eat out at night.
Close to the BTS, you will find two supermarkets, Tops and Max Value. Tops is 24 hours a day while MaxValu is 6 am to 12 pm. These are not hypermarkets but smaller local neighborhood size. For coffee lovers, you will find Starbucks on either side of the road and several cold bubble tea places such as Momas Tea Bar.
Max Value had fresh daily meals made and ready to go, such as Spaghetti Bolognese for 35 Baht and crispy pork and rice for 55 Baht.
These servings are perfect to take back to your apartment and eat. I am sure we have only scratched the surface of the area.
Whether you’re staying in the area as we did or just looking to explore different areas of Bangkok, Phra Khanong offers a perfect blend of local Thai flavors and international cuisine, all without the tourist crowds you’ll find in better-known food districts. It’s proof that in Bangkok, sometimes the best food scenes are hiding in plain sight, just steps from a BTS station.
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Who Wrote This Article?
Mark is part of a husband and wife writing and content creation team.
Mark Wyld
Father, husband, traveler. Over the last 18 years, I have traveled with our kids to over 45 countries, from toddlers to teenagers.