Anyone recommend an alternative "foodie" market in Bangkok to Chatuchak?

[food fascist]

Hi
I am travelling to Bangkok in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately my flight gets in at 14.45 on a Sunday and I figure by the time I get to hostel (near Siam Sq) I will not have time to go to Chatuchak weekend Market (I leave on the Thursday). :((( really wanted to go - never mind!

Can anyone recommend another good foodie market in Bangkok? It seems from reading that a lot of markets are more about clothes/household goods rather than food. As a "chowhounder" I am keen to visit an authentic Bangkok market selling interesting food stuff (fruit, veges. produce and ready to eat food to try there),

Any tips appreciated!
thanks
FF

[wired2theworld]

You might want to check out the Pak Klong Talat market. It's located alongside the Chao Phraya river, right next to the Memorial Bridge Pier (Tha Saphan Poot).
You can see my pictures of it here: http://www.wired2theworld.com/Cam2007...
It's a working market, not set up for tourists at all.
Also check out the little Bang Rak market shown on my link.

I've been to Aw Taw Kaw twice. It's pretty, and there's good food to be had, but it's a long trek out there because it's right next to the weekend market.

[food fascist]

Thanks everyone - def think i will make the trek to aw taw kaw - and also look at the river and also pak klong talat - many thanks for all the great suggestions!! the countdown is on!

[Sam Fujisaka]

What about catching a Chao Praya River express boat and visit one of the floating markets - Damnoen Saduk, Taling Chan, or Wat Sai?

[Curt the Soi Hound]

Is this a suggestion or question?

Getting to these markets, by express boat, could be a bit daunting for someone unfamiliar with the area.

[Sam Fujisaka]

Suggestion.

But, spot on, Soi.

I love the "floating" markets. Really cheap if you just go out there, disembark, maybe get a local low cost paddle around for a bit. Wat Sai is more of a walk around these days.

food fascist, what do you think?

[food fascist]

Thanks Sam, Curt. I always wanted to go to the floating markets but then I read in Lonely Planet and other guides that they are now "made up for tourists" so I thought maybe its not worth going as I am not really interested in going to a "tourist trap" which is no longer "authentic"
what do you guys think?

[Sam Fujisaka]

Bout the same as Chatuchak. Lots of tourists go to Bangkok, so everything that is good is going to get tourists. Seeing life in general along the river is well worth it.

[Curt the Soi Hound]

Aw Taw Kaw is surprisingly void of tourists.

The MRT takes 15~20 mins to reach Kamphaengphet, and it lets you out right inside the market.

[Global Mouthful]

THe floating markets are tourist traps..... just go to one of the food courts in any of the shopping malls....

[justintime]

if you mean a fresh/wet market, go to Khlong Toie Market.

many produce, meats, fish, some prepared snacks, etc. stalls. probably the most expansive food market in the city and not very touristy at all, though they sell everything like most markets.

[food fascist]

Thank Justintime! I also saw on a website about Aw Taw Kaw (Or Tor Kor) Market which sounded good - do you know that one? How does that compare to Khlong Toie Market?
thanks!
FF

[Curt the Soi Hound]

Aw Taw Kaw (the way it is pronounced) is a more "sanitized", "upscale" wet market. More care is taken with displaying the items and it is generally much cleaner.

Besides sampling all the offerings from the regular market vendors, there is also a food court. I always stop by stall 12/5 for some great bamee. All her ingredients are fresh made, including the noodles!

http://cheapeatsbangkok.com/photos/thai/ba_mi_lady1.jpg

The easiest way to reach Aw Taw Kaw is by the MRT subway. You can transfer from the BTS skytrain at "ASOKE". This is a transfer station to the "SUKHUMVIT" MRT station.

Take the MRT to "Kamphaengphet", one stop past Chatuchack park. Hop off and head out exit #3.

http://cheapeatsbangkok.com/html_eat/...

For a "small taste" of what Chatuchak is like, you might swing by Soi Lalaisap (Silom Soi 5). During weekday lunch, it there to relieve all Silom's office workers of their disposable income. If you were picture acres of this market, you will have an idea of Chatuchak.

Head to the "CHONG NONSI" BTS and walk north to Silom. Turn the corner and find soi 5.

[food fascist]

Thanks for the detailed tips Curt! Look forward to trying the bamee and willalso look at Soi Lalisap. Cant wait to get to Bangkok - I absolutely love thai food. I live in Auckland, NZ and we have a great restaurant here which does a fab Pad Sataw - thats really got me hooked on trying some more authentic thai food/dishes when I am there - cant wait!!
thanks again
FF

[Curt the Soi Hound]

If you've never been, Bangkok is going to knock you over! It's hot, humid, dirty and stinky and wonderful.

I mostly eat "local". I'll eat at "proper" restaurants for "international", but it's hard to beat the carts, stalls and small shops for Thai. The thing that makes them so good, in my opinion, is that they concentrate on doing one dish well, not trying to be all things to all people.

[food fascist]

thanks Curt - sounds like my kinda place!!