One of the highlights of our time in Bangkok was the Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk tour with our guide, Tae. My friends Amy and Jack were visiting Chad and me from Minnesota, and this turned out to be one of the best ways to experience the city together.

The morning started with a tuk tuk pickup right from our hotel before heading to Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, also known as the Metal Castle, where we met Tae. From the beginning, he was personable, organized, and incredibly passionate about Bangkok. He shared stories about the city, explained the food culture, and made the entire experience feel personal rather than scripted.

Traveling around Bangkok by Tuk Tuk was unforgettable. We zipped through busy streets, old neighborhoods, and small alleyways you would never normally see as a visitor. Tae even gave our group options along the way, and instead of driving past the Old City, we chose to wander through quiet daytime side streets Khao San Road. For those who don’t know, Khao San Road is a very popular tourist backpacking spot that is known for crazy nightlife thankfully, we were there at lunchtime when things were quiet and you could enjoy the unique beauty.

The food stops were outstanding. We tried legendary mango sticky rice at Kor Panich, watched flames fly from the woks at Michelin-recognized Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu, enjoyed classic Thai dishes at Apsorn, and ended the night exploring the energy of Chinatown and Yaowarat with fried donuts and herbal tea.

The food alone would make this tour worth it, but Tae truly took it to another level. His knowledge, energy, and attention to detail made the night feel effortless and authentic. Between the incredible food, the Tuk Tuk rides, and seeing Bangkok through the eyes of someone who genuinely loves his city, it became one of our favorite experiences in Thailand.