A Malaysian’s Discovery: Finding Halal Food in Bangkok’s Urban Jungle
As a Malaysian, I’ve always paid special attention to finding halal food when traveling, and in Thailand, it’s not an easy task. While my home country’s population is over 60% Muslim, Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, with Muslims making up a smaller percentage of the population. These communities are concentrated mainly in the southern provinces, with scattered pockets in other major cities like Bangkok. So, one day while walking around looking for lunch in the Thaniya area, a sign for a halal food stall piqued my interest. I knew I had to give Khaogaeng Islam Soi Thaniya (ร้านอาหารมุสลิมธนิยะ on Google Maps) a try.
Khao gaeng (ข้าวแกง), which literally translates to “rice and curry,” is like the mixed rice stalls we have in Malaysia. The vendor lays out a variety of dishes, and you choose what you want with your rice. This particular stall was doing a brisk business, offering a tempting selection of curries and other dishes, including even khao soi.
I opted for the khao soi, a northern Thai-style noodle dish. For a very affordable 50 baht, I was served a generous portion of noodles. While the broth was light and palatable, it wasn’t the most flavorful khao soi I’ve ever tasted, and the noodles were a bit on the soft side, which wasn’t quite to my liking as I prefer noodles with a bit more bite. Despite this, the food was perfectly “doable,” and the sheer demand for it was impressive.
I observed that the stall was a hive of activity during the weekday lunch rush, with many office workers patronizing it. It was heartwarming to see this halal food stall thriving in such a busy urban setting. The crowd was a mix of mostly locals and one foreigner, who from his apparel and the group he was with, appeared to be working in Thailand rather than a tourist.
My quest for accessible halal food in Bangkok led me to a true hidden gem right in the Silom area. It’s a testament to the city’s rich and diverse culinary landscape, where you can find delicious and authentic dishes if you just know where to look.
Khaogaeng Islam Soi Thaniya (ร้านอาหารมุสลิมธนิยะ)
- Location: In front of Thaniyaruk Building (อาคารธนิยะรัก), Soi Surawong 1, Silom, Bangkok
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9b1oQYdY7yXF71UcA
- Nearest train station: MRT Silom / BTS Sala Daeng
- Operating Hours: Unconfirmed, but open for lunch on weekdays (observed at 12:30 PM).
- Contact: 083-7545524, 096-2973262
