Street Eats, Thailand: Mango Sticky Rice or Dried Crickets?

Introducing our new series called “Street Eats”, where we cover our favourite street food from around the world! Come along as we review some of our favourites (and some of our not-so-favourites) and leave your favourite street eats below, in the comments section!

Street Eats in Thailand

Today we take a look at Thailand, one of my favourite all-time holiday destinations, for me -and my taste buds! It’s no secret that Thai food tops the charts when it comes to flavour and variety of cuisine. From Mango Salad and Pad Thai to Tom Kha Gai and Satay, there are countless flavours to explore whether you’re in the North or South, exploring the jungle or basking under the sun on some of the world’s best beaches. When it comes to eating on the streets, you can get your hands on just about anything your heart desires but when it comes to the best of the best, my vote goes to…

#1 Street Snack in Thailand: Mango Sticky Rice

My absolute favourite street food in Thailand is Mango Sticky Rice – bar none. It is the most tantalizing dish I have ever eaten and may actually be the best street snack I’ve ever had. Ever.

What is it?
Mango Sticky Rice is pretty much what it sounds like; sliced strips of sweet Thai mango, accompanied by sticky rice, covered in a warm covering of coconut milk, and topped off with sesame seeds that, surprisingly, make all the difference in the world. This glorious dish is best eaten slowly, with your eyes closed, breathing in the moment of bliss and savouring every bite.

Where can you find it?
You can find mango sticky rice in almost any Thai restaurant, but in it’s truest form you’ll find it alongside the hustle and bustle of Khao San Road. The first time I had it was in Bangkok, and so was the last. The first from a street vendor, the last from the airport as I prepared to depart Thailand for the second time – what can I say? It helps soften the blow. In between landings, I sampled plates of deliciousness in Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Kho Lanta, all of which proved worthy of the declaration of Mango Sticky Rice as Thailand’s #1 Street Snack.

How to make your own Mango Sticky Rice
Check out this great recipe from Allrecipes.com. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
1 1/2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
3 mangoes, peeled and sliced

Still to try?

Dried crickets. They’re all over the road side stalls in Bangkok and beyond, yet still, I’ve visited twice and left empty-handed. For some reason, I just seem to stand the idea of gnawing on crunchy insects. Challenge accepted! The next time I visit this magical land, I vow to crunch on dried, baggy crickets. Awesome… can’t wait.