Bizarre Thai Delicacies: Dare to Try These Exotic Edibles?
Have you ever thought about munching on crispy, deep-fried insects? In Bangkok, trying fried bugs is a rite of passage for adventurous travelers. It’s something you absolutely must experience once—at least to snap a photo and show it off later. But be warned, this is for the bold. The less daring might just settle for taking a picture of a tiny insect, and some vendors have even started charging 10 Thai Baht (or more) just to let people snap a photo!
In many ways, fried insects share similarities with a bag of chips: they’re crunchy, greasy, affordable, and the perfect companion for a cold beer. But, compared to chips, fried insects pack more nutritional punch and a dash of the exotic. Instead of just one type of snack, you’ll find a dazzling array of critters under the bright street lights of the vendors’ carts—ranging from tiny bamboo worms and crickets to creepy scorpions and even entire ant colonies.
Where to Find Fried Insects in Bangkok
The most famous location for encountering these crunchy critters is Khao San Road and its surrounding areas. Every evening, around 6 PM, street vendors start setting up their carts, offering freshly fried insects like grasshoppers, bamboo worms, silk larvae, crickets, rhinoceros beetles, queen ants, and scorpions. 
The “menu” changes depending on the season and what’s available in Bangkok’s markets. While silk larvae and crickets are available year-round, scorpions are a rarer treat. These exotic delicacies are harder to come by and often require sourcing from Isaan (northeastern Thailand) suppliers.
Insect Recommendations: What to Try First?
Not everyone is brave enough to dive right in. But which insect should you try if you’re feeling bold? It all depends on how far you’re willing to go. Many of these insects look pretty off-putting, enough to make most people hesitate, but only the daring, the fearless, and the truly hungry can stomach them.
For beginners, the “friendliest” insect might be the bamboo worm, often called “Koh Khor.” While they look crispy, they’re actually quite soft, mushy, and have a nutty flavor, similar to silk larvae. Crickets are a bit crunchier with a salty taste, and grasshoppers? Well, they combine sweet, salty, and crispy textures, enough to make you forget about their eerie appearance.
If you’re ready to go a step further and experience something even more exotic, try queen ants, which come wrapped in betel leaves to balance their tangy flavor. Scorpions are the true delicacy of this unusual cuisine, adding a bold touch to this rare dining experience.
Where to Find Fried Insects in Bangkok?
Though fried insects are a street food, they are considered a local delicacy and can be found for sale on Bangkok streets in the evening. Here are some places where you can satisfy your curiosity:
- Jodd Fair
- Khao San Road (Old City)
- Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit Road)
- Klong Toey Market (Rama IV Road)
- Banglamphu (near Phra Athit Pier)
- Pahurat (near Chinatown’s textile market)
- Patpong (Silom)
If you’re feeling adventurous, these are the hotspots where you can find fried insects served fresh with all the exotic flavors you can imagine.
