Getting to Know Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and it is the only cosmopolitan city in this country of small villages and towns. With incredible temples and floating markets, humble street stalls, and haute cuisine, Bangkok is a city full of contrast. Today we will introduce you to Bangkok’s culture in case you are planning on visiting, or in case you are just curious and wish to find out more about this extraordinary city.

Bangkok’s cuisine

Bangkok is the perfect city for food lovers. Food markets are open at all hours and you will be able to find renowned Thai cuisine dishes with blends of salty, sweet, bitter, and spicy as well as other options that include foods from around the world. The options are limitless: typical Thai-styled dining, haute cuisine restaurants, food markets by the riverside, cheap food courts, you name it; Bangkok has it all.

When thinking about the best street food in Thailand (and perhaps in the world), Bangkok is the place to go. The list of must-eat dishes while walking down food markets includes khao niew mamuang, or mango sticky rice, a sweet dish with coconut milk and mangoes; tom yum goong, a spicy shrimp soup that has a combination of shrimp, lemongrass, lime, ginger and chili flakes cooked in a savory broth; pad thai, which are stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, shrimp, leeks, ground peanuts, chili flakes and vinegar; roti gulay, or fried banana pancakes that can be topped with honey, sugar, coconut or even Nutella… These are just a few of the most famous dishes, but the options are endless.

We recommend you visit http://riceselect.com/recipe/bangkok-rice-shrimp-salad if you wish to recreate a typical recipe from Bangkok in the comfort of your kitchen!

Must-see places

Bangkok is a fascinating city with its incredible temples, palaces and mesmerizing floating markets.  The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are those places that you should not miss. The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bangkok; it served in the past as the home of Thai kings, queens and royalty and it is one of the most famous landmarks in this city. Inside this palace, you can visit the Wat Prakaew, or Temple of Emerald Buddha, home of the Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century.

It is interesting to note that a strict dress code applies. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of Thailand’s most sacred places, so visitors must be dressed accordingly.

Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, right behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This is one of the largest temples in the city, and it has a gigantic Buddha statue that is forty-six meters long, fifteen meters tall and bathed in gold. It is a great place to wander around.

The complex is perfect for visiting the four chapels with its 394 Buddha images, the long lines of golden statues sitting in the lotus positions, gazing at the detailed murals, and even getting a traditional Thai massage.

Hidden gems to visit

If it is the first time you are going to Bangkok, you will probably be visiting the city’s most famous places, and that is understandable! However, we believe that the lesser-known places are the ones that you should not miss. In this city full of contrasts and surprises, there are little gems hidden in every corner and today we bring you two special places to visit while in Bangkok.

The artist’s house is an art gallery in Thonburi that hosts traditional Thai puppet shows; it also has human-sized statues as one of its attractions; it is also surrounded by cafes, local restaurants and a temple that you can visit after watching the show.

Bang Nam Pheung market is one of the most authentic markets of the city. Since this market is known to locals, you will be able to enjoy a real non-tourist Thai experience and discover local extravagant foods, sweets and fruits.

Thailand’s enigmatic capital is full of surprises. This city is alive 24 hours a day, so you will find things to do and places to visit at all times. That is why we strongly recommend you plan your trip in advance; get to know those places that you cannot miss and the foods you want to try to have the best experience ever in one of the world’s most special cities.