Visiting the new Lumpini Park Hawker Center in Bangkok, Thailand (traditional open-air Thai food court)

The New Lumpini Park Hawker Center in Bangkok, Thailand

cheap local food at an open-air Thai food court

Touted as Bangkok's very first Singapore-style hawker center (sort of like an open-air food court), the Lumpini Park Hawker Center, a new construction just outside of the city's most famous park, was planned as a social initiative to improve the neighborhood and offer benefits to local people.

The center can accommodate more than 80 vendors and rent at one of the stalls is regulated by the city at just 60 baht (around $2) per day, ensuring that it's affordable for everyone.

I made a trip to Lumpini Park visit the new hawker center recently for lunch.

inside the new Lumpini Park Hawker Center in Bangkok

I decided on a "gap khao" shop, a type of traditional Thai food stall that offers several side dishes to serve with a big plate of white rice. I had an order of fried chicken with sweet chili sauce, a huge side of stir-fried veggies (with carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, and mushroom cooked with oyster sauce), and a perfectly fried egg. The lunch was simple but satisfying, and I was impressed with the price and quality.

The food court isn't fully open yet, but even during the soft opening period, it is pretty popular. When it's fully up and running, it's going to be a great place to grab a bite to eat when out around Lumpini Park and the Sathorn neighborhood.

chicken, vegetables, and a fried egg on rice at the Lumpini Park Hawker Center

Location

The Lumpini Park Hawker Center is located at 1001 Ratchadamri Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 just outside the gates to the park.

the hawker center, or open-air food court, is located just outside the gates to the park