Thai Bus Food Tour: Honest Review

Is the Thai Bus food tour worth it? Here’s an honest review of the good and bad of taking this tour in Bangkok.

We had been walking around Bangkok eating street food for days. Our feet were tired and we needed a rest. Just as we started talking about it the Thai Bus Food Tour double decker bus drove by us and I quickly took a photo.

I’ve eaten all over the world but I’ve never seen anything like this. The bus actually had tables in it. As I did some research I realized it was also serving Michelin awarded food.

But I was a bit wary of this idea, could it be good?

Reviews on Klook are stellar and I use and trust Klook so I reached out to the agency that runs it and asked if they would host us for a review.

TLDR of Thai Bus Food Tour

Michelin awarded street food comes to your table as you go sightseeing around the city on a two hour tour.

We ate Michelin Thai food made at the restaurant and brought to the bus. Street food dishes aren’t changed for the bus but made exactly the same way awarded Michelin Gourmand.

Michelin Gourmand isn’t Michelin Star

I’ve heard some say they’ve eaten Michelin star food in Bangkok, when it’s not Jay Fai, one of two Michelin star holders in the world for street food.

That doesn’t mean it’s not great food. It’s simply not a star.

The Michelin Bib Gourmand is an accolade awarded to eateries that provide excellent cuisine at affordable prices. This honor is named after Bibendum, the mascot of the Michelin Group, commonly known as the Michelin Man.

The Bib Gourmand highlights restaurants that feature:

• Exceptional food: Dishes that are skillfully crafted and bursting with flavor.
• Affordable pricing: A fixed cost for a two-course meal accompanied by either a glass of wine or dessert.
• Welcoming service: Establishments that create a friendly atmosphere for diners.

The Thai Bus Food Tour Adventure

The Thai Bus Food Tour in Bangkok is a unique food experience that allows participants to explore the city’s famous street food scene from the comfort of a bus.

The double decker bus is renovated so seats face each other and have a table between them. It’s essentially a bus tour of the city, complete with a guide, while eating Michelin Gourmand food.

They offer regular, halal, vegetarian and kids’ menus.

This guided tour takes diners on a journey through various neighborhoods featuring the best Thai food the city has to offer including flavorful pad Thai, yen ta fo, Massaman curry and sweet mango sticky rice, all while learning about the cultural significance of each dish.

You’re not just dining. There’s a guide to share history of the city and the food you’re eating. You can ask questions or just dine and enjoy the view.

It’s a fun way to see the city when you are tired of walking. You get to relax, eat great food, and see the sights all at once.

First Impressions and Tasty Bites

When you board you’re handed a welcome drink and a hand towel. The bus has spots for your glasses and USB chargers for your phone.

It is air conditioned and the seats are comfortable. Someone came by to confirm our dietary restrictions (no pork for Alan), which reassured us they took it seriously.

   

Crunchy Treats with Nutty Dip

I loved the crispy rice crackers. They came with a yummy peanut and tamarind sauce. The sauce was sweet and tangy. It paired perfectly with the light, airy crackers.

Flower-Wrapped Bites

Next up was a surprise – food in lotus petals! I’d never eaten flowers before. The petals held a mix of dried shrimp, shallots, and coconut. It was salty and sweet at the same time. I ate the whole thing, petal and all!

Main Dishes and Tastes

Pink Noodle Soup with Fish Balls

I tried a delicious pink noodle soup called yen ta fo. It had fish balls and crispy wontons. The broth was amazing – spicy, sour, and salty all at once.

The soup had rice noodles and lots of different textures. I could really taste the fish sauce. It was tangy and flavorful.

   

Curry with Tender Meat

Next up was a tasty Massaman curry. It was sweet with tamarind and not too spicy. The meat was so tender it fell apart.

I’d call this curry mild to medium heat. It had great flavor without being too hot.

The Best Pad Thai I’ve Ever Had

A Tasty Michelin Surprise

I tried an amazing pad thai in Bangkok. The noodles were thin and light. They had an incredible smoky flavor from the hot wok. This is called “wok hei” in Chinese cooking.

The prawns were huge and cooked perfectly. Every bite was packed with taste. I usually skip pad thai in Thailand, but this one blew me away.

It wasn’t too spicy, but chili flakes were available. The flavors balanced sweet, salty, and tangy notes.

I’ve eaten all over the world, but this pad thai stands out. It was my favorite dish on the whole tour. The Michelin recognition is well-deserved.

   

Mango and Sticky Rice Delight

The last dish was mango sticky rice. It’s one of Thailand’s most famous desserts and my favourite Thai fruit. The plate had mango, sticky rice, and mung beans. A drizzle of coconut milk topped it off.

I mixed all the parts together for the perfect bite. The mango was super fresh and tasty. It’s mango season here, so the fruit is amazing. This simple dessert is popular for good reason.

Food and Fun on Wheels

I’ll say it again, we were tired from walking, but we wanted to see more. So this was perfect. The bus takes you to over 20 attractions.

Between dishes, we looked out the windows. The guide shared info about the city. And what I loved the most was that we saw new neighborhoods and spotted good street food spots.

I made notes of where I wanted to explore, once our feet had fully recovered.

Top Picks from Our Meal

My favorite dish was the pad thai. It had that special “wok hei” flavor I love. The prawns in the pad thai were huge and cooked just right.

I also really liked the lotus appetizer. It was my first time eating lotus – sweet and salty.

What I Loved About the Thai Bus Food Tour

You are able to see so much of the city from a double decker bus while eating amazing food that I wouldn’t have necessarily known about, like yen ta fo.

We had been walking for days and were tired so this was a relaxing experience.

I also think it is a fantastic price for a coursed menu AND a double decker ride.

What Could Have Been Better

If you watch the video you’ll know the speaker was right behind my head. I think the organizers gave us the back seats so we had more space.

We were seated at a 4-top with no one beside us. But it was a bit loud. So if you don’t need the space it might be better to sit in the middle.

But that was such a minor criticism because I loved it and I think others will too. This Thai bus food tour is unique to Thailand and is a great way to see Bangkok.