Thanon Pan, Bangkok

Thanks to the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple and the mixed assembly of restaurants surrounding it, Bangkok's role as an Asian crossroads is made evident on this road. If you want to experience eating the way many locals do, the food vendors occupying it will often offer snacks for only a fraction of what they would cost in supermarket produce departments – and, yes, they taste just as good.

The beginning of Thanon Pan's toothsome confusion is marked by YEN TA FO WAT KHAEK, a Chinese place – already 50 years in business – that serves the popular pink noodle soup "yen ta fo": a bowl of fish balls, fried tofu, crunchy morning glory, rice noodles, and squid. Opposite the Hindu temple, at the KRUA AROY-AROY, you can try the different colorful Thai herbal drinks for a refreshing treat; for lunch, have some excellent curry dishes or the rare-to-find "khanom chin sao-nam", served in cool coconut milk sauce with fresh pineapple slices and a little hint of chili peppers and dried shrimp!

Making your way down the road, you will come across numerous other places such as CHENNAI KITCHEN – for excellent authentic South Indian food (with lots of vegan options); the PERSIAN HOUSE, where nothing is short of great quality Persian food with large portions; or the stylishly decorated LUKA – one of the best brunch places in Bangkok, therefore quite busy (try booking a table in advance). For high-end, the authentic Italian restaurant OPUS has great food and a great selection of Italian wines and coffee – worth a trip!