Celebrity Chef Marion Grasby Shares her Bangkok Secrets

Author and television personality Marion Grasby knows a thing or two about the food scene in Bangkok. Born in Darwin, the owner and creator of Marion’s Kitchen food range now calls the Thai capital home. “I love all the many flavours of Bangkok,” says Grasby. “One moment you can be sitting streetside, eating spicy papaya salad, and the next you can be sipping on a martini at an exclusive rooftop bar overlooking the city.” Here she shares her expected and not-so-expected must-eats.

Best breakfast spot

Taper

This small but lively brunch spot in Bangkok’s trendy Thong Lor area has some unique Asian-inspired breakfast options. My pick is the World Famous Congee – a comforting bowl of brown-rice porridge with slow-cooked egg, bacon and a super-savoury soy reduction sauce. It’s congee like you’ve never seen it… worth seeking out.

44/11 (1st Floor and mezzanine) Soi Akkaphat (Thong Lor 13); +66 (0)9 9929 5464

Best place for lunch

Khua Kling Pak Sod

A casual eatery that serves some of the best southern Thai food I’ve had. It’s not for the faint of heart… beware of the small green chillies! But fiery food is what the south is famous for and Khua Kling Pak Sod’s crab curry with betel leaves is one of those “last supper” dishes for me.

Soi Sukhumvit 23 (inside the Narz complex); +66 (0)9 5363 6364

Dinner with a view

Steve Café & Cuisine

Come here for a sunset view of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River and the Rama VIII Bridge. The restaurant is a converted riverside house and the outdoor seating is built right over the water. It’s the perfect place to sample great home-style Thai food with a view.

68 Sri Ayudhaya Road, Soi Sri Ayuthaya 21 (Devet), Vachiraphayabaan, Dusit; +66 (0)2 281 0915

For an intimate drink

The Iron Fairies

Give the big, brash touristy bars a miss for a night and discover just how quirky Bangkok can get. The Iron Fairies in Thong Lor is a moody labyrinth of stairwells and private booths. It has great live jazz and arguably the best burgers in the city.

394 Thonglor Road, Sukhumvit 55; +66 (0)2 714 8875

Best market

Khlong Lat Mayom floating market

One of my favourite weekend markets is about 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Bangkok and is an absolute foodies’ heaven. Khlong Lat Mayom floating market is the first place I take visitors for a very local taste of Thai food.

Bang Ramat Road, Mahatthai 2 Village; 9am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and holidays

Must-do in Bangkok

Eat grilled chicken and papaya salad from a street cart. Look out for the smoking charcoal burners and go for the street vendor with the most people milling around. My favourite sets up near the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 18 and Sukhumvit Road.

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