Nang Loeng Market hasn't yet been discovered by Bangkok's hoards of tourists despite it being reasonably close to the old town and Khao San Road. Those who do, find a charming little place that's been feeding the hungry since 1899.
There's a lot of good food sandwiched in the small market encircled by old shophouses, but they're hard to pinpoint unless you're familiar with it. One such place is Mae Lek, an institution around these parts. From little more than a tabletop, the owner creates and sells sai krok pla naem, an old-school recipe that's almost impossible to find elsewhere in the city.
Grilled rice pork sausages are topped with a crumble made from herbs, crushed peanuts and snake head fish. Sounds odd? Maybe, but there is almost no fishy flavour here and the pairing of textures works extraordinarily well. Best eaten wrapped in lettuce leaves.
The owner whom the stall is named after is a character and welcomes farang enthusiastically. She doesn't speak English, nor is there a menu though there's little reason for one. A portion of grilled sausage is 50 THB (around US $1.60).