Around the world might sound a little too cliché, but I have to say that it’s true. The variety of dishes and different flavors of our food are so vast that it’s hard to categorize. But let me guarantee, we have much more to offer than Pad Thai, green curry and fish cakes.

As a nation, I think we’re obsessed with food and eating. Wherever you are in Thailand, there’s bound to be something amazing to try.The best part is that, you can literally eat around the clock in this country. From morning congee to midnight batter fried oysters, something tasty is always available. There’s everything from high end cuisine fit for royalty to crispy bugs sold on the streets. Eating, I must say, is one of the most important and fascinating aspects of our culture.

One of the best parts about going out in Bangkok is the search for a great place to eat after dancing or seeing a show. It’s a special phenomenon because there are certain food spots that start their business day at midnight just to catch the after club crowd. These late night spots are the best places to reflect on the happenings of the night and discuss the bands or the deejays over some food. Everyone has their favorite destinations when they’re done with a night out but it all depends all on where you are in the city and what night it is.

“Midnight Kai Ton” around the Pratunum area is home to the famous chicken rice. It’s always packed, and it’s impossible to find a parking spot or even a seat sometimes. But it’s so worth it. The chicken is so moist and juicy, and the soup is clear but so flavorful. The rice is soaked in the chicken fat and soup before its cooked, so it gives off an unavoidable, heavenly aroma.

Sukhumvit Soi 38 is another popular area for late night eating. There are so many different stalls so it’s good to go with a big group. You can try so many different dishes here, from papaya salad with fermented fish to mango with sticky rice. But the favorites are the braised chicken drumstick noodle, pork congee, and the Thai traditional desserts.

If you fancy some excellent noodles and prawn dumplings with soft boiled eggs, then you must venture to the red van in the Soi Ekkamai area. You cannot miss the BBQ pork on a stick with sticky rice opposite of Silom Soi 4. The stall owner has been in operation as far as I can recall. He’s like an institution for Silom high flyers. He’s there everyday, rain or shine, and his seasoning skills shine through in the tasty, tender pork. There are no tables or chairs; people usually stand around the stall and eat after waiting in the really long line.

The list goes on and on. The best part is that there are always new places to discover and new flavors to try after working up an appetite at the show.