Where to Eat on a Budget in Bangkok

If you're in Bangkok and the budget's running a bit thin, you'll need to know where in the city you can eat on the cheap! Don't worry; we've got you covered. Check out our list below and find your new favorite affordable restaurants that don't scrimp on quality!

Including:

• Bamee Kon Sae Lee
• Polo Fried Chicken
• Hann Khao Soi Lovers
• Klang Soi
• ...and more!

Bamee Kon Sae Lee

If you're looking for where to eat on a budget in Bangkok, you can't go wrong with noodles. Simple, cheap, yet filling and delicious, they're one of the easiest dishes to find in Thailand. But why go somewhere unknown when you get affordable and delightful noodles from Bamee Kon Sae Lee?

This family-run business is arguably the most renowned noodle house in Bangkok, with recipes passed down through generations of noodle connoisseurs. Decades of refining have made their crispy pork and roasted duck nigh-on perfect, ensuring that every noodle combination on their menu offers a wealth of flavor at a fraction of the cost.

And, while their quality has only gone up, their menu has always remained on the lower end of the spectrum. It's easy to understand, then, why so many people choose to get their noodle on at Bamee Kon Sae Lee! Just expect it to be busy nearly all day, every day, as their noodles are hardly a secret.

Polo Fried Chicken

Another spot that's been around for a minute is Polo Fried Chicken. And, with a name like that, you might be surprised to find out their specialty is sushi. No, not really; it's fried chicken. It's obviously fried chicken. And they are true masters of their craft.

Where some restaurants look to fill their menu with a broad range of dishes, Polo Fried Chicken does fried chicken. And salad, but only to compliment the fried chicken. You can get either a half or whole chicken, which will set you back $3.80 to $7.40, respectively. So it's most definitely a great shout for fried chicken enjoyers looking for where to eat on a budget. And it just tastes so damn good. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and delicious all over, it really has to be tried to be believed.

Hann Khao Soi Lovers

Spice lovers, you'll love this next one. If you're a fan of Thai curries, then Hann Khao Soi Lovers should be top of this list.

What started in a humble street food stall has now blossomed into an actual restaurant, replete with a menu full of distinct curries from different parts of the country. Of course, given the name, their specialty is Khao Soi, a rice noodle dish made with chicken, beef, or pork in a meaty tomato sauce that happens to have a pretty severe kick. And, of course, all their dishes are incredibly affordable.

If you're not into hot dishes, maybe give Hann Khao Soi Lovers a miss.

For everyone else, you'll be in heated heaven. And don't worry if you get the sweats - the shop is well air-conditioned, so you won't need a change of clothes.

Klang Soi

Klang Soi is a local family joint, commonly hosting large familial gatherings on weekends. Offering a varied selection of Thai favorites, you're sure to find something on the menu. That is, if you can read it.

See, Klang Soi is local in every sense of the word. While it's not really designed with tourists in mind, it does at least attempt to offer an English-speakers menu. Unfortunately, though, it's not particularly well-translated. If you have a decent smartphone, your best bet is to use a photo translator app on the Thai menu, so you can understand the ingredients, and then simply point at the dishes that take your fancy. Dare to do this, however, and you'll be chowing down on seared catfish, prawn curry, and spareribs before you know it.

Either way, with such a wealth of options on offer at a fraction of the cost of other restaurants, Klang Soi more than earns its spot on our list.

Elefin Coffee

With a name like Elefin Coffee, you might be surprised that they do some great lunch and dinner dishes. But they do, and not only that - they're affordable to boot. And yes, there is amazing coffee if you fancy a cup or two.

Big, affordable dishes, including curries with roti, boat noodles, spring rolls, and their headline hit, the lemongrass chicken, will fill your belly up and prep you for a day of exploring. That is, if you can even move after.

And all that with a piping hot, delicious coffee to wash it down? Nice. If you're looking to fill your belly and are wondering where to eat on a budget, check out Elefin Coffee in Bangkok!

Khao Gaeng Jake Puey

For our next stop on the budget parade, we're heading to Chinatown, where you'll find more street food stalls than you can shake a slim stack of bills at. Sure, most of them will have delicious yet affordable food. But if you're wondering where to eat on a budget in Bangkok, may we suggest Khao Gaeng Jake Puey? It's a bit of a mouthful, but so are their dishes! We don't get paid nearly enough to make earth-shattering jokes like that; your gratitude will suffice.

Head their way at 3PM, and you'll find a massive queue of people waiting to sample the vendor's delights. If you're wondering which line, you'll easily spot the red plastic chairs Khao Gaeng Jake Puey uses to serve the masses. Then, take your spot, and when it's time to order, get one of their delicious curries of varying spiciness.

That's it. Choose, eat, and revel in its glory.

Areesaa Lote Dee

For our final entry, dip into an inconspicuous alley near Khao San Road to find Areesaa Lote Dee, which offers Thai dishes popular in the Muslim community.

Given the number of Muslims in Bangkok, we'd recommend hitting this up before the queues get enormous, but anyone lucky enough to beat the rush will be treated to affordable dishes like chicken curry, noodles, and spring rolls. Delightful.

So, if you were wondering where to eat on a budget in Bangkok, wonder no more! And, to make the most of your Bangkok trip outside of the culinary world, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all the city's best bits for one low price!