The ultimate guide to “snack-shopping” in Bangkok you must know, or you might as well go Fairprice

Ah, Bangkok – the favourite destination of all Singaporeans. Turn the corner at any shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok, and the oh-so-familiar (yet endearing) slang of Singlish will be heard almost all the time. It goes without saying that Bangkok is potentially the second home of Singaporeans; after all, who could say no to ridiculously affordable shopping at our favourite hangout, the Platinum Fashion Mall?

However,  the one aspect of Bangkok that makes us return time and time again is not its cheap shopping. Undoubtedly, it would have to be its glorious food, which captures the hearts of both males and females alike. The city is peppered with thousands of food stalls, ranging from luxurious restaurants to street vendors hollering a string of Thai phrases at clueless tourists.

It is really a miracle as to how we still have room to snack in between our satisfying meals… Oh well. This just equates to more chances to  tantalise our palate with all the irresistible Thai snacks, so no one’s complaining (except our waistlines)!

Image credit: giphy.com

Suffering from major withdrawals due to the absence of authentic Thai food after your tragic departure from Bangkok? You’re not alone – we’ve all been there before. To prevent these unfortunate withdrawals from striking again, I’ve collated a list of snacks and the most convenient locations in Bangkok to get them! So, do stock up on these snacks the next time you visit Bangkok; they’ll definitely help to tide you over till your next getaway to the Land of Smiles, where you’ll be reunited with your soulmate (aka food).

1. Asiatique

Asiatique is definitely one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok, given its accessibility and picturesque scenery of the Chao Praya River. Many go there to bask in the laid-back atmosphere or watch the renowned Calypso Carabet or Muay Thai show.

Tom Yum Instant Noodles

Price: 12 Baht (~0.47 SGD) per packet

If you’re not a fan of the legendary Tom Yam Goong, we can’t be friends. You can’t sit with us.

Alright, I’m just kidding – but how can one resist the temptation of a dish that is the perfect embodiment of Thailand? Tangy and sour upon your first spoon, it then spices things up a notch (or ten) to a fiery aftertaste that will leave you breathing fire out of your nostrils. For all the Tom Yum lovers out there, these MAMA instant noodles are here to save the day!

They come in two variations: shrimp tom yum (top) and creamy shrimp tom yum (bottom). Feel free to add your own shrimps and mushroom for the authentic Tom Yam Goong experience!

What ShopBack thinks:

These instant noodles just tasted average and did not live up to the hype surrounding them. The soup was not as flavourful as we expected it to be and the texture of the noodles was not to our liking.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Note: If you’re not heading to Bangkok anytime soon but still want to give these instant noodles a try, these can also be purchased at local supermarkets like Fairprice! 

Larb flavoured Pretz

Price: 12 baht (~0.47 SGD)

Sure, you’ve heard of tomato flavoured Pretz, pizza flavoured Pretz, but have you ever heard of Larb flavoured ones? For those who have no clue as to what Larb is, it’s a type of spicy minced meat salad commonly eaten in Thailand and Laos.

Image credit: en.wikipedia.org

Undoubtedly, this Larb flavoured Pretz is a refreshing change from the usual tomato and pizza flavoured ones. Let’s just hope it lives up to the hype…

What ShopBack thinks:

The first reaction I got was: “Huh???!?! Lard??”

Those that knew what larb was retorted, “Not lard lah! L-A-R-B, LARB!!”

Here’s the verdict: Most of the ShopBackers hummed in agreement and said that it tastes mildly like larb, with a hint of tanginess from the lime. However, some complained that this just tastes like the regular pizza flavoured Pretz. Well, not necessarily a bad thing since pizza flavoured Pretz is still amazing.

Overall rating: 7/10

Tom Yum Goong Tao Kae Noi Seaweed

Price: 20 baht (~0.78 SGD)

This is definitely a godsend for all the Tom Yum lovers out there. While the typical original and wasabi flavours can be found everywhere in Singapore, the Tom Yum flavoured ones can only be found online. So, you can only imagine how brightly my eyes lit up when I spotted these babies on the shelf and the seaweed rampage I went on

Image credit: giphy.com

What ShopBack thinks: 

The reactions to the sight of Tom Yum seaweed were largely positive, with gasps of excitement as  ‘ooh’s and ‘oh my god’s resonated throughout the office. These were packed in separate sheets (plus points for easy storage and hygiene!), and as everyone bit into their own sheet, a resounding crunch could be heard.

To the disappointment of some ShopBackers, they remarked that this just tasted like spicy seaweed and was lacking in the sour department, which is one of the trademarks of Tom Yum. Bummer.

However, the ridiculously cheap price made up for the lack of taste of Tom Yum. There were 10 sheets inside one packet, which means each sheet costs only 8 cents!

Image credit: giphy.com

Overall rating: 7/10

Crispy Roll With Shredded Pork Floss

Price: 60 Baht (~2.34 SGD)

When I saw the words ‘spicy’ and the swirl of pork floss, I went for it without a second thought. Don’t these remind you of the ‘hae bee hiam’ (dried sambal shrimp) rolls that are a favourite Chinese New Year delicacy?

What ShopBack thinks:

To our utter disappointment and rage, these were not spicy in any way. At all. So, that’s one point gone for lying to us.

Image credit: giphy.com

However, the rolls were filled with tiny shreds of shrimp, which were their saving grace.

Although they didn’t taste bad, we weren’t wow-ed by it because the savoury shredded prawn wasn’t enough to balance out the sweetness of the roll. So, the entire thing just tasted like love letters that got an upgrade.

Overall rating: 5/10

Durian and Coconut Milk Candy

Price: 10 Baht (~0.39 SGD) per packet

I don’t know about you, but my favourite childhood sweets were White Rabbit candies. There was just something strangely satisfying about consuming those edible plastic wrappers…

Well, now that we’ve all outgrown those White Rabbit candies, it’s time to try something a little more interesting without straying too far from our humble beginnings – and nothing fits the bill better than these Thai milk candies. When I saw the durian milk candies, I knew I just had to get them. The notoriously strong and putrid taste of durian, combined with milk, would definitely make for an interesting (and unorthodox) candy!

What ShopBack thinks:

These candies were really flavourful and nailed every single tastebud in our mouth. To our surprise, we discovered that durian juice is actually added into the candy to give the authentic durian flavour! Both the coconut and durian milk candies were equally good, it was just a matter of personal preference. Many ShopBackers shuddered and shied away from the durian milk candies but reached for the coconut ones instead. The more daring souls were rewarded with a powerful durian treat!

However, one downside of this candy is that it is extremely hard. If you stick with sucking it, it’ll probably last you till the next day; but if you bite it, you will be left with a sticky mess between your pearly whites. You have been warned.

Also, it’s best to not eat the durian candies before going on a date – you won’t want to be exhaling putrid fumes that reek of durian as you lean in for the grand finale, ~the kiss~!

Overall rating: 6/10

Royal Chitralada Milk Candy

Price: 20 baht (~0.78 SGD)

Apparently, these candies are a product of the Royal Chitlarada project, which aims to boost the income of Thai farmers and alleviate the poverty situation they are currently in.

These milk candies come in two different flavours: original and chocolate.

What ShopBack thinks:

The overpowering smell of cheese that wafted out was rather off-putting, and these milk candies tasted just like what they smelled. Well, at least these are for a good cause…

Overall Rating: 5/10

ChaTraMue Brand Thai Tea

Price: 60 Baht (~2.34 SGD)

The unmistakably distinctive orange colour of Thai milk tea is another trademark of Bangkok’s delicious food. The lingering bitter aftertaste is to die for…

The ChaTraMue brand was highly recommended by the sales assistant for a truly authentic taste of Thailand. Let’s see how this one goes!

What ShopBack thinks:

The tea leaves were extremely fragrant, which made the taste of tea come through really well. Unfortunately, the ShopBack pantry was out of milk, so we had to make do with the original Thai tea. We all agreed that this would taste much better with milk!

Overall Rating: 6.5/10 (this would definitely be bumped up if milk was added)

2. 7-Eleven

Trust me when I say 7-Elevens in Bangkok are more common than toilets– every 7-Eleven is within walking distance of the other. Thus, this makes it extremely convenient for you to get these snacks, regardless if you’re out shopping or walking back to your hotel!

Cuttlefish Rice Balls

Price: 20 baht (~0.78 SGD)

These are one of my absolute favourite snacks to munch on in the hotel room at Bangkok while watching the television. (Yes, I’m the perfect embodiment of a couch potato.)

What ShopBack thinks:

Indeed, everyone agreed that this snack was addictive and that the cuttlefish taste was not too overpowering – it was just right. These rice balls are perfectly flavoured and the golden-brown crisp on the outside only adds more crunch to the snack. However, some felt that these were too sweet.

Overall Rating: 8/10

MAMA Chicken Green Curry Cup Noodles

Price: 13 baht (~0.51 SGD)

Sure, I’ve seen Tom Yum instant noodles before, but Green Curry instant noodles? Never before. Since it was sold at such an affordable price, there was no reason for me to not give this unique instant noodles a try!

What ShopBack thinks:

As Tania slurped happily on the instant noodles, she repeatedly gushed, “This is soooo good guys. It’s so good.” After the fan-girling was done, she said that the noodles were springy and firm, and there were actual bits of chicken inside which she chewed on with gusto. The green curry taste was extremely strong, so plus points for that!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Cheese Tao Kae Noi Seaweed

Price: 20 baht (~0.78 SGD)

“Ew… Cheese seaweed?” was the first thought that surfaced when I spotted these yellow packets lying on the shelves at 7-Eleven. However, I knew that I had to get my hands on these or risk eternal regret… Just kidding.

What ShopBack thinks:

Many remarked that this sounded a lot nastier than it actually tasted – which is a good thing, right? Right.

Regardless, I guess many of us still could not deal with the oddity of it all. Imagine artificial tasting-cheese sprinkled on seaweed. At least for us, it doesn’t sound appetising at all.

Well, if you’re an avid cheese lover, you might just make an exception for this!

Overall Rating: 3/10

Bangkok Banana

Price: 12 baht (~0.47 SGD) each

These steamed cakes are filled with banana cream and are manufactured in the shape of a banana, making it the exact replica of the renowned Tokyo bananas – thus  so cleverly dubbed the ‘Bangkok bananas’. These adorable treats can only be found in 7-Eleven and are sold out really quickly, so I advise you to wipe the shelves clean when you spot them (or at least that’s what I did).

What ShopBack thinks:

To my amazement, many ShopBackers fell in love with this Tokyo Banana replica, and even said that it triumphs Tokyo Banana in both the taste and price department, by being softer and fluffier than its more expensive counterpart.

Fellow writer Cara even commented that she would be able to eat 40 of these for breakfast. Well, I guess that is enough of a testament to how delicious these adorable bananas are!

Overall Rating: 8/10

3. Tao Kae Noi Store, The Platinum Fashion Mall Level 6

I personally feel that the Platinum Fashion Mall is one of the best places to shop at in Bangkok, with the plethora of stores offering trendy clothing at amazing prices. The Tao Kae Noi store is conveniently located on the 6th floor of the mall. You are unlikely to miss it, given the eye-catching display of rows and rows of seaweed.

Image credit: upload.wikimedia.org

Tao Kae Noi Tom Yum Seafood iPlus Seaweed

Price: 160 Baht (~6.23 SGD)

This Tom Yum seaweed is a definite cut above the rest. Roasted to perfection, two thin pieces of seaweed are layered together and stuffed with seafood and ground cashew nuts seasoned with Tom Yum herbs. This iPlus seaweed comes with 10 smaller sachets inside.

What ShopBack thinks:

A resonating hum of approval could be heard as the entire team bit into the seaweed, and everyone’s eyes were wide with amazement. Needless to say, this ticked all the boxes in the list of requirements for Tom Yum seaweed stored away in our heads. Everyone came to a consensus that this tastes much more like Tom Yum Goong than the previous Tom Yum seaweed mentioned, and many remarked that they would be willing to sacrifice their hair for this. Ah, the drastic lengths we would go to for food.

Image credit: giphy.com

Overall Rating: 9/10

Coconut Tao Kae Noi Seaweed

Price: 90 baht (~3.50 SGD)

I swear I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these green packets sitting on the shelf. “Coconut flavoured seaweed??” I ludicrously remarked to my mum beside me. Of course, the ever helpful service staff did not realise that this was a rhetorical question, and readily answered, “Yes, coconut flavour! New product!”

Will this be another coconut oreo fiasco? Only the taste test will tell…

What ShopBack thinks:

The immediate grimace on everyone’s faces was telling enough of how weird the seaweed tasted. Some even remarked that it felt like they were consuming body gel, with the sickly sweet coconut overpowering the savoury factor of the seaweed. Although this was a highly creative flavour that makes this snack worth trying, many of us could barely chow down the leftovers.

This is definitely a must-try if you’re a lover of quirky flavours, but I personally wouldn’t buy it again.

Overall Rating: 2/10

4. Big C Supercenter (Rajdamri Outlet)

Big C is one of the largest supermarkets in Thailand, and is the perfect place for grocery shopping. The Big C Supercenter in Rajadamri is the most convenient one for tourists as it is located directly opposite Central World, one of the largest shopping centres in Bangkok.

Image credit: upload.wikimedia.org

Tom Yum Fish Skin

Price: 100 baht (~3.89 SGD)

When you make a trip to Bangkok, rest assured that 80% of the snacks you purchase will be Tom Yum flavoured. This probably explains the prevalence of Tom Yum flavoured snacks in my article, but no one’s complaining right?

What ShopBack thinks:

Everyone kept reaching out for more, and it was all gone within a few hours– that was how delicious the fish skin was! However, the weak-hearted should beware: these may look deceptively harmless, but actually left a fire burning at the back of our throat that lasted for a good minute.

Despite the overwhelming spiciness, we all felt that this was lacking in salt, which they probably made up for with all that chilli.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Roasted Crispy Thai Crepe

Price: 100 baht (~3.89 SGD)

Khanom Buang, or rather Thai crepes, are filled with coconut cream and shredded coconut. However, these are the smaller versions, filled with meringue and duck egg yolks cooked in syrup (yellow shreds) or shredded coconut. Am I the only one who thinks they resemble tacos?

What ShopBack thinks:

The crispy exterior reminded many of love letters, and the slightly salty shredded coconut balanced out the sweetness of the meringue. Of course, nothing could beat the piping hot ones freshly made by street vendors in Bangkok, but I guess these will have to do!

Overall Rating: 7/10

Dried Mango

Price: 100 baht (~3.89 SGD)

Mangoes grown in Thailand have always been known to be sweeter and juicier than those grown anywhere else; which is probably why Bangkok is famed for its mango sticky rice (Khao Niao Mamuang). These dried mangoes are naturally sweet without any added sugar, so they are perfect to snack on!

What ShopBack thinks:

Indeed, these dried mangoes are a lot sweeter than those purchased in Singapore. (or is this merely a placebo effect?) These were so irresistibly good, they were gone in a flash. However, it was a little pricey, which made us cherish each bite even more.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Tom Yum Marinated Shrimps

Price: 100 baht (~3.89 SGD)

Of all the times I’ve been to Bangkok, I’ve never seen the likes of a snack like this before – and I’ve been to Bangkok for more than 10 times in my life. Thus, I was rather intrigued by this unique shrimp snack. The salesperson recommended this to me and claimed that this was extremely good for snacking, so I took her word for it and immediately grabbed a packet. After all, locals should be more well-versed than us tourists in their local delicacies right?

What ShopBack thinks:

Everyone’s interest was piqued when they caught sight of this interesting snack. Fortunately, these marinated shrimps lived up to our expectations, and in fact surpassed them. These tasted like an exact replica of our favourite Tom Yum Goong, and was the perfect combination of tangy and spicy in our mouth. Despite the frantic fanning of faces, everyone still reached out for more – and the hype surrounding this snack eventually persuaded a fellow ShopBacker with an allergy to prawns to give it a go.

“If you all don’t see me tomorrow, you all should know why!” she casually remarked as she popped the teeniest shrimp into her mouth.

Oh no. I guess the only thing we could say that it would still be worth it?

Overall Rating: 10/10

Fried Spicy Squid

Price: 100 baht (~3.89 SGD)

Let me be completely honest: when I first landed eyes on this snack, I seriously thought it was part of an alien’s severed limb. Only upon closer inspection did I realise it was fried squid marinated in spicy sauce.

Or is it just me? I think I probably need a new pair of glasses.

What ShopBack thinks:

While this didn’t sit too well with people who couldn’t take the overpowering ‘fishiness’ of the snack, the rest loved it and gave a huge thumbs up. One downside of eating this snack is stinky breath, once again.

Image credit: giphy.com

Overall Rating: 7/10

5. Siam Paragon Gourmet Market

Siam Paragon is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious shopping malls in Bangkok, carrying a wide array of high fashion brands such as Chanel and Dior. For all the souls out there who are always hungry, you’ll be glad to know that the basement of Siam Paragon is filled entirely with eateries, restaurants, and the Gourmet Market– which carries an endless range of local and imported groceries for you to to take your pick from.

Image credit: upload.wikimedia.org

Crispy Rice Cracker With Pork Floss 

Price: 79 baht (~3.08 SGD)

Thai people seem to really like these two things: chilli and pork floss. These crispy rice crackers are the combination of these two, consisting of a sturdy rice cracker based topped with chilli oil and a generous portion of pork floss.

What ShopBack thinks:
This was definitely a hit and earned the seal of approval from everyone. The pork floss was thick and the chilli oil made everything really chewy and sticky, which wasawesome. Some even remarked that these rice crackers tasted like Wang Wang. Hmm…

Beware though: these are dangerously crumbly and you will definitely end up with little pork floss strips on your computer, desk, skirt, shirt – practically everywhere, actually.

Image credit: giphy.com

However, we all felt that this would have been nicer if the chilli taste was stronger.

Overall Rating: 9/10

After an entire day of taste-testing, our tastebuds were overwhelmed by the multitude of different flavours and spices. Though there were some hits and misses, these Thai snacks are still my all-time favourite snacks to munch on. In fact, as I am typing this sentence, I’m munching on some Larb flavoured Pretz. Mmmmmm.

Image credit: giphy.com

While there are definitely other places to purchase these Thai snacks from (e.g. Chatuchak Weekend Market), I personally feel that these places are the most easily located and convenient for tourists like myself.

Ultimately, regardless of where you purchased your snacks from, we hope you had as much fun drooling over these snacks as we did trying them!I hope this guide was helpful to all the fellow foodies out there – don’t forget to stop by these places to get your snack fix the next time you visit Bangkok!

All prices are accurate as of 22 March 2016.

All pictures belong to ShopBack unless otherwise stated. 

Top Image: Settawat Udom / Shutterstock.com

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