Streeet Food Vendors

[Muse74]

Is the food from the street vendors found in central Bangkok safe to eat?

Edited August 27, 2010 by Muse74

[moe666]

I have been eating it since 1998 and no problem as of yet. But always check it out first look for those little things like how busy are they is it farily clean. Some street food places offer tables to sit and menus a restrurant on the side walk.

[Krungbin]

I have been eating on the streets of Bangkok for over 15 years now and... touch wood... never had to "deeply" regret it!  A line up of people waiting is always a good sign...and if it is good for the Thais, well, it should be good for you too!

[Krungbin]

I have been eating on the streets of Bangkok for over 15 years now and... touch wood... never had to "deeply" regret it!  A line up of people waiting is always a good sign...and if it is good for the Thais, well, it should be good for you too!

[Familyonthemove]

There may be some issues of pollution from motor vehicles and dust so would not let kids eat street food prepared next to busy roads .... but I've enjoyed the food myself many times. Only eat what you can see has just been cooked, avoid fresh veg/salad and uncooked foods.

I've never tried the insects though:bah:

[edwardandtubs]

You'd have to be out of your mind to eat that garbage on a regular basis. The cheap ingredients further deteriorate due to the pollution, dogs, general city filth and poor hygiene standards. Even Thai government inspectors regularly declare most of the street food to be unfit for human consumption. What do you think a western food standards inspector would make of it? As for people who say they've been eating it for 20 years with no problems, if you eat like a poor person in a third world country, you'll die like a poor person in a third world country.

Edited August 28, 2010 by edwardandtubs

[TheLaughingMan]

Ya the only street food I eat is on sukhumvit 38 which is the best street food vendors in the city all in one spot (they won some award or something). Its clean and delicious and just a bit more epxensive than regular street food.

[exterminator]

It is an acquired immunity - meaning, you have to get used to it gradually. Best is to start with food that's boiled and served hot...which is usually the kway teow nam (nnodle soup), etc, then graduate to the fried stuff (eg phat thai, oyster omelettes, etc) before venturing into the cold stuff...papaya salads, etc. I don't know about others - I have a weak stomach and this has worked for me - it kind of slowly and surely made my belly stronger and able to finally handle the obviouly bacteria-infested som tam pooh pla la! Also, don't jump on the the prik (little red hot chillies) right away....a little at a time, let your stomach get used to it. Of course this formula is for the long term stayer...tourists: better just stick to the steaming soupy cooked stuff!

Edited August 28, 2010 by exterminator

[exterminator]

There may be some issues of pollution from motor vehicles and dust so would not let kids eat street food prepared next to busy roads .... but I've enjoyed the food myself many times. Only eat what you can see has just been cooked, avoid fresh veg/salad and uncooked foods.

I've never tried the insects though:bah:

The insects are the safest thing to eat! and rather crunchy, not bad.

[DP25]

Eat it all, you'll be fine, and it's delicious. All Thai people and almost all foreigners eat from these places, even the millionaires. Pay no mind to people like tubby edward who have no idea what they're talking about

[Ulysses G.]

Please ignore the loons. It is safe.

[CarlBkk]

Please ignore the loons. It is safe.

Sometimes it's safe, sometimes it's not.

I've been chronically ill from noodles in soup and had some bad MSG aftereffects from other food. It doesn't put me off the whole lot though, I check it first. Where I see fish left out at 10pm or after near a main road I don't eat it. I'd rather go inside a shop-house and try my luck there instead. Hardly any difference in price and a closed-in kitchen for what it's worth.

It is true though that some of the tastiest food is from street stalls or shophouses. After all, they've been doing it all their lives. Often no need for high end overpriced Thai restaurants at all unless it's on the expense account.

[Ulysses G.]

I get what you are saying, but you can get sick anywhere from time to time. I have gotten ill from Western restaurants more times than street stalls.

Edited August 29, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[neverdie]

I get what you are saying, but you can get sick anywhere from time to time. I have gotten ill from Western restaurants more times than street stalls.

Exactly.

[Gippy]

I get what you are saying, but you can get sick anywhere from time to time. I have gotten ill from Western restaurants more times than street stalls.

Ain't that the truth. I have never had any problem with street food but an English style pork pie from Villa Supermarkets put me in hospital for 3 days..

[Pib]

It's safe. I've been eating it for many years now. Now, on rare occasions you might get a case of the runs from the food; just like how you occasionally got a case of the runs from food in your home country. Heck, the wife bought some prepackaged salad from Foodland the other day and she's sure it gave her the runs...you really never know what food from what food outlet or package/can can make you sick.

Yea, the street vendor food is as safe as any other food you buy, but if a certain outlet just seems dirty to you then don't buy. Now, if you see the street food vender pouring some liquid in your noodle soup from a bottle marked with a skull & cross bones you might want to try a vender down the street a little.

[bangkokburning]

Of course its unsafe and has issues by western standards - doesnt mean its not delish and never makes me sick.

The people that will tell you not to eat it - dont eat Thai food anywhere, believe it. They cant handle the heat or the exotic tastes.

I get loose bowels from street food about once a year. BTW - I eat street food everywhere incl Myanmar, India, Cambodia and Indonesia,

Not eating street food is missing an entire dimension of the culture.

NOTE: While I often eat meat that has been sitting cold for hours, I often do not eat it. You have to eye up the vendor, use regulars and have a look at what your buying. Yesterday I nixed a buy on some gai thot. Sitting just toooo long.

Edited August 29, 2010 by bangkokburning