It’s amazing how much food there is within one kilometer radius of the Grand Palace. Streets such as Tha Phrachan, Phra Arthit, and Kaosarn are the most well-known amongst Thais and foreigners, however, there are still more food-filled streets in the area that many overlook. Sam Phraeng community located just behind the Ministry of Defense consists of three roads. In these roads, you’ll find some of the most well-known restaurants and shops.

If you’re visiting the Grand Palace and looking for some place nearby to eat that isn’t Kaosarn road, hail a cab or tuk-tuk and tell them to go to Tanao road. You can walk there; it’s close by. Once on Tanao road, you’ll have plenty of food to choose from including desserts. Within the community is a shrine San Chao Pho Suea. Many Malaysians, Singaporeans, and Chinese travel to Thailand to pray here. You’ll also come across a European-styled arch, and many classic-styled houses which was popular during King Rama 5th reign.

Although the community has a lot of restaurants, here is a small guide to the most popular shops in the area. Guay Tieow Nua Kim Thong sells noodles with beef. Although you can only choose between two different noodles, the beef and soup won’t let you down. Each bowl consists of slices of beef, entrails, and meatballs. Krueng Nai Lae Samong Moo may not be your style of food, but if you like entrails, and want to try something new, go to this shop. Pig’s brain, entrails, and sausages sold here. For dessert, have homemade ice cream from Ice Cream Nattaporn to cool off. They’ve got quite a few flavors to choose from. If your sweet tooth still wants more, walk to Kanom Bueang Boran. Here you’ll find crispy pancakes; you can have them sweet or salty. The sweet pancakes have ‘foy thong’ in them which makes it sweet whereas the salty pancakes have minced shrimp.

If you walk over to the canal side of the community, Atsadang road, you’ll find various shops selling apparel, camping equipment, and musical instruments. Continue towards Boonsiri Road and you’ll come across Ton Chabub store which sells really old Thai music still in their vinyl record format. Also in the area is Oo Som Rod Gaow. This shop is a garage that fixes only old cars; cars that are very old and hard-to-find. If at this point you’re hungry again, head over to Chote-jit Thai restaurant for excellent Thai food. Before heading home, make a quick stop to Kor Panit. This shop is reputed for having probably the best sticky rice to eat with mangoes in town.

As mentioned, Sam Phraeng consists of many restaurants and shops for you to try out local food and desserts. Phraeng Nara, Phraeng Phuthon, and Phraeng Supasart are the three roads that make up this food-filled community. Although close to several attractions and other bigger communities, Sam Phraeng doesn’t attract a lot of foreigners. However, the locals come here on a regular basis to indulge themselves with good food.

Address : Phraeng Phuthon Rd., Phraeng Nara Rd., and Phraeng Supasart Rd. make up the community.

GPS : 13.753283, 100.498450

Website : http://www.samphraeng.com

Facebook : http://goo.gl/lbbyN

Opening Hrs. : 10.00 – 16.00

Best Time : 11.00 – 14.00

Highlight : Well-known restaurants in the area.

Activities : Sight-seeing/ Eating

Coming from Phanfah direction, take Ratchadamnoen Klang road then turn left into Tanao road at Kok Wua. Drive past Mahanparam Voraviharn temple to your left for another 150 meters. Phraeng Supasart road is to your right.

Coming from Saphan Phut Bridge, drive into Pak Klong Talad then turn right into Ban Mo road and continue straight until the end of Fuang Nakhon road. You will drive past Ratchabophit temple to your left. Once past the temple, you will come across a circular intersection. Drive through the intersection. Phraeng Phuthon is the first road to your left.