Where to eat

Where to eat in Asia – Iconic Asian food in Bangkok

Asian food, if done honestly and authentically, is truly a feast for the senses.

But there’s nothing more frustrating than setting out for a delicious meal and being dished out something just about as exciting as chewing a piece of cardboard.

So, if you’re travelling to Bangkok, here’s a handy list of five iconic Asian food dishes from five Asian countries, and some of the best places to get them in the Thai capital:

The Philippines: Adobo

Adobo is the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. Rich with fatty pork and melted shallots, this stew-like dish boasts both a sharp vinegar tartness and a black pepper bite.

There’s really only one place to go in Bangkok to try some adobo for yourself – New Mabuhay.

New Mabuhay. 1/31 Soi 19, Phetchaburi Road.

Singapore: Chicken rice

Hainanese-style chicken rice is Singapore’s signature dish, made simply with cooked fragrant rice and steamed chicken.

In Thailand, it’s known as Khao man kai, and Boon Tong Kiat Singapore Hainanese Chicken does a great take on the street staple.

440/5 Soi 55 (Thonglor), Sukhumvit Road

Hong Kong: Congee

Although this Asian food can be found across Asia, Hong Kong has laid claim to congee.

Congee is a rice porridge known in Thailand as jok, and Soul Food Mahanakhorn serves a tasty version of congee with a good stock as its base and combining smooth rice and generous squares of tender pork belly.

Soul Food Mahanakorn. 56/10 Soi 55 (Thong Lo), Sukhumvit Road.

China: Dumplings

Whether you like them steamed, fried or boiled; stuffed with vegetables or pork; dumplings represent Chinese comfort food at its best.

This no-frills eatery in Bangkok serves up delicious dumplings, but the Bangkok heat may not let you fully appreciate their warming qualities.

Kiaw Liaw Ning. 152/7 Thanon Silom. Tel: +66 (0)2 635 6536.

Malaysia: Nasi lemak

A breakfast staple in Malaysia, nasi lemak is a combination of coconut milk-steamed rice, fried anchovies, peanuts and a spicy sambal (a chilli-based sauce) and is the closest thing to the country’s national dish.

Virtually the only place to get nasi lemak in Bangkok is Cili Padi, a café-like restaurant.
160/9 Narathiwat Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 634 2839