Best supermarket for buying Asian foods?

If you're in Talat Noi, you're actually close to Yaowarat Road which has a few Chinese grocery stores that stock things like dried seafood, premium teas, and preserved fruits that make great gifts. The one near the Wat Mangkon Kamalawat intersection has a solid selection of Japanese snacks too, mostly instant noodles and candy.

For a proper supermarket visit, you could walk over to the Robinson at Samyan Mitrtown, it's about a 15 minute walk from Talat Noi. The Gourmet Market there is less crowded than the Siam one and has a good Japanese section with fresh mochi and those big bags of shrimp crackers. They also carry regional Thai snacks like those crispy rice crackers from Chiang Mai that are hard to find in convenience stores.

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tbh if you're already in talat noi you're walking distance to the old siam plaza food court basement, they've got a grocery section that's way more interesting than big c. it's not flashy but they stock random regional stuff from isaan and the south plus japanese instant noodles and sauces at actual local prices, not tourist markup. the dried shrimp and curry pastes there are better quality than what you'd grab at gourmet market imo

if you want the full japanese snack haul though just take the khlong boat to pratunam from talat noi, there's a japanese wholesale district near platinum mall with a few shops selling import kitkats and pocky flavors you won't see anywhere else. way cheaper than donki

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honestly skip Big C unless you want the tourist experience. for actual variety head to Gourmet Market at Siam Paragon, it's one stop on the BTS from Talat Noi area. they have a legit Japanese section with matcha kitkats and curry roux packs that are hard to find elsewhere

if you want something closer, Talat Noi itself has a few small Chinese grocery shops that stock stuff you won't see in the big chains. walk along Charoen Krung near River City and you'll find them. cheaper too

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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