I’m the kind of traveller who likes to head straight to the nearest supermarket upon checking in at the hotel so as to stock up my room with essential supplies like drinking water. It is also kinda fun to explore the supermarket at the same time just to see if there’s any new and interesting products to buy particularly edible ones.
And I must say the supermarket in Bangkok is never to be missed because it carries so many choices of tidbits at really affordable prices. Trust me, you will be tempted to bring all of them home because of the appealing packaging and unique flavours that can only be found in Thailand. I’m sure your family and friends will be super happy to receive some food gifts too. ?
If you’re staying around the Pratunam or Siam area, consider dropping by the Big C Supercenter on Ratchadamri Road that is opposite Central World and beside Arnoma Grand Bangkok.
Big C Supercenter is just a 5-minute walk away from the Chit Lom BTS Station.
For info, The Market by Platinum (currently under construction) which is located next to Big C Supercenter will become Bangkok’s first fully air-conditioned market when it’s ready in the 2nd half of 2018. Gotta plan a trip back to Bangkok next year once this market is up and running! ?
On the first floor of Big C Supercenter, we spotted various stalls selling all kinds of goods including these fruit soaps. The sliced mangoes looked so real! Just imagine putting them next to some sticky rice. ?
The hypermarket was pretty much a ‘war zone’ with mostly tourists (many fellow Singaporeans too, lol) pushing carts filled with plenty of tidbits. As you can see on the shelves, many products are in larger/bulk packaging which is perfect for those of you who intend to buy food items in bulk. After checking out, you can pack your bulk purchases into the carton boxes provided at the packing area (just like Lotte Mart in South Korea) so you can then check in the boxes together with your luggages or even get a courier/postage service to deliver everything home. Very convenient indeed.
Wondering what are some interesting products to buy and try from the hypermarket? Here’s my recommended list of 13 food-related items.
Big C Supercenter Ratchadamri – What To Buy?
1. Nam Prik
These are Thai chilli pastes and dips that we can pair with vegetables, meats or even crackers and crispy pork rinds. Most of these nam prik contain some fish or shrimp paste and can taste a little fishy just like the Malaccan cincalok. But if you like piquant flavours that will rev up your tastebuds and spice up your meals, these condiments are definitely worth getting.
2. Crispy Fish Skins and Pork Rinds
You may have eaten plain fried fish skins or those with salted egg yolks but have you tried tom yum flavoured ones? These are good on their own or you can pair them with your choice of nam prik. The pork rinds are utterly delicious as snacks or you can also add them into soups, noodles and porridges. Worth the calories and cholesterol. ?
3. 林真香 Lin Zhen Xiang
One of the most established old brands for local snacks like pork floss crackers and shredded pork sticks which many folks know them as ‘gao sai’ or dog shit because of the shape, lol. They have a retail shop on Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) but if you’re not visiting Chinatown, you can still buy their products from the supermarket or most tidbit shops and convenience stores around the city centre.
4. Dried Longan with Durian
Freeze-dried longans aren’t common and this combination with durian is quite unusual too. Big fan of durian? You may also want to try the freeze-dried Monthong durian that is also available in most supermarkets and tidbit shops.
5. Kunna
One of my favourite Thai snack brands which I never have enough of. Even though these snacks are oven-baked and are supposedly healthier than their regular counterparts, they are all very tasty and moreish.
Definitely have to get the Oven-Baked Crispy Coconut, Premium Golden Soft-Dried Mango and Coconut Waffle with Milk Chocolate. Buy more because 1 pack of each is not enough!
6. Pre-Packed Spices and Ready Pastes
While it is not difficult to whip up some of those well-loved Thai dishes, it is extremely easy and hassle-free to make them if you have pre-packed spices and ready pastes on hand. I love the variety of instant curry pastes (Maepranom is my favourite brand). There’s no better way of bringing a taste of Thailand back home.
7. Mama Instant Noodles
We love our instant noodles. It may not be the healthiest thing to eat but occasionally, it can be a really hot and comforting meal when you’re feeling peckish. I totally love the Mama brand of instant noodles because the noodles itself is somewhat different from other regular instant noodles. It tastes a bit like the Hong Kong Yee Fu Mee. And even if you don’t cook the noodles, you can also enjoy it dry like a crispy noodle snack. With so many different flavours to choose from, we are definitely spoilt for choices.
8. Lay’s Potato Chips
The Lay’s brand of potato chips are commonly found in most supermarkets around the world. However, the only thing different about it here is that there are special flavours that are only unique to Thailand.
A good example is this Tawan Crab Claw Spicy Crab. There are also Spicy Lobster, Sweet Basil, Thai Chilli Paste and many more.
9. Little Farm Tom Yum Bread
You can get Little Farm’s garlic and butter flavoured bread snacks in Singapore but not this Tom Yum one.
These rusks are oven-baked and not fried. They are hard yet crispy. Delicious when paired with a cuppa.
10. Bento Squid Seafood Snack
This Bento Squid Seafood Snack (19 baht per 20g pack) is another must buy though recently I’ve seen it being sold in value shops here in Singapore but only available in one flavour.
It comes in 4 flavours – Sweet & Spicy, Thai Chilli Sauce, Hot & Spicy and Spicy Larb. I have to warn you – these squid sheets are very spicy but very addictive as well.
11. Koh-Kae Peanut Snacks
Most of us will probably be familiar with the Koh-Kae Peanut Snacks as it’s readily available in the snacks section of most supermarkets here. Unless you visit the Thai Supermarket at Golden Mile Complex for a larger variety of flavours, you will have to come to Bangkok to check out its complete range.
12. Pretz
Again, Pretz is a common brand of pretzel sticks that’s sold in supermarkets in Singapore but over here in Bangkok, you can find a huge assortment of flavours.
Such as this Larb flavour which is delicious.
13. Crispy Baked Squid
This is similar to the crispy squid snack that we will normally buy during Chinese New Year. Highly recommend this brand – addictive!
If you’re a fan of Cha Tra Mue Thai Iced Teas, you may wish to know that the complete range of Cha Tra Mue tea products can also be found at this hypermarket. However, the prices of the products are very similar to what we can find at the Thai Supermarket @ Golden Mile Complex so I wouldn’t recommend you to buy them here which will be a waste of luggage space.
+66 2 250 4777