Just as Chinese food in America has become largely homogenized, so has Thai food in Germany. Despite Berlin’s sizeable Asian population, few restaurants do their respective populations well. People looking for authentic cuisine often complain of dull dishes with overly sweet sauces.
But Berlin isn’t just home to d öner kebab and currywurst (as delicious as they are), it has a twist on international street food with Street Food Thursday and Bite Club. And this market, now known as Thai Park, has offerings that are the most authentic, least expensive, and best-tasting in the entire city.
History of the Thai park
Just a new thing, the local Thai population has been gathering in Preußenpark for about 20 years. Called die Thaiwiese (Thai-Meadow) by locals, the newcomers have really started to catch up in recent years. Originally an informal gathering to share food, language, and culture, other expats eventually joined in and a food-sharing market was established.
Every weekend in fine weather, Thais, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Chinese put rainbow-colored umbrellas over blankets, open their coolers, and heat their pans. With these simple appliances, they churn out amazing little dishes worthy of a spot on Berlin’s best restaurant list.
Sort in the Thai park
I wasn’t sure if my inexperience with Thai food would make my order difficult. I usually need a full description and there are no menus here. But ordering at Thai Park was easy.
Most stalls only prepare a plate or two so you can find out what they offer by looking at what others order. Some enterprising souls even put up a display plate for you to do your research. If your German is not acceptable, nobody looks at the point and says the method » Bitte «. One of the best parts is that meals cost around 5 euros and no dishes violate the 10 euro mark.
Food available at Thai Park
Depending on the day, the variety of dishes in the Thai park can be overwhelming. A sample:
- Som Tam – Papaya Salad
- Spring and summer rolls
- Fried plantain
- Chicken skewers
- Sticky buns
- Curry
- Shaved ice with tapioca, rose syrup, condensed milk
- Fried whole fish
- Creamy rice with mango and coconut sauce
To pair with these satisfying treats, there is a selection of drinks. Fresh fruit juice, Thai iced tea, and smoothies refresh a spicy tongue, while cocktails, local and Thai beers make for a feast.
After a few small bites, I settled on a no-name soup, filled with noodles, green onion, something fried, and meat that looked like barbecued Chinese pork. It was delicious. I would bathe in that broth. Weeks later, my husband and I still look at each other and make Homer Simpson gape at the mention of it. This is a meal that transcends language barriers.
Tips for visiting Thai Park
The authorities have not welcomed him as eagerly as the public. A sign at the park entrance indicates that cooking is not allowed. However, on my visit business was conducted openly and there was an effort to keep the park clean with trash cans and dish pickers.
Another note to remember is that there are no established seats, so you should be comfortable on the grass or bring a blanket or chair. Some stands have overturned boxes for customers. There’s also little protection from the elements, so on days with bad weather, sellers likely won’t show up.
If you visit on the weekend and want to spend a day, complete your visit with a trip to the nearby Flohmarkt (flea market) on Fehrbelliner Platz.
Dirección : parque Prussia, Brandenburgische Str. 10707 Berlin
Indicaciones : S-Bahn Charlottenburg / U7 Konstanzer str.
Opening Hours : Best on Saturdays and Sundays in summer, although the market can continue into fall and spring, weather permitting. There are no formal opening hours, but visitors can expect most booths to be open from noon to 6:00 PM.
