Terminal 21 Mall, right next to BTS Asok Station, is one of our go-to places whenever we’re in Bangkok.
On our recent trips, we’ve even made a point of staying nearby. It’s not just the easy transit links and budget-friendly hotels—what we really like is the overall vibe around Asok Station. Compared to the busy Chit Lom and Siam shopping areas, Asok feels more relaxed, and it’s far more orderly than Khao San Road.
Friends often ask: if you stay near Terminal 21, is there actually anything worth doing nearby—besides eating at the mall?
Some people even joke that you’ve come all the way to Bangkok just for Terminal 21’s food court and the themed bathrooms.
Not even close.
What makes this area such a convenient base is the transit: the BTS Sukhumvit Line and the MRT Blue Line intersect here, so you can reach places like CentralWorld, Pratunam Market, Bangkok’s Chinatown, and JJ Market without too much hassle.
If you’d rather explore on foot, you can walk from Asok Station down to Phrom Phong or Thong Lo without much effort.
Head the other direction and you’ll reach Nana Station in just a few minutes—an area best known for nightlife.
Even if you only have half a day, it’s an easy neighborhood to fill with good food, massages, shopping, and night markets.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite places to eat, shop, and wander around near Asok Station and Terminal 21.
Terminal 21 Area Food Map
First up: food. Around Asok and Terminal 21, you’ll never run out of places to eat. Here are a few standouts we genuinely recommend.
Pier 21 Food Court at Terminal 21
On the 5th floor of Terminal 21 (the “San Francisco Pier” level), you’ll find the famous Pier 21 Food Court. Prices are famously low, and many stalls are almost as cheap as Bangkok street food. Expect classic Thai favorites, icy treats, drinks, and desserts—served in a clean, air-conditioned space. If you want one easy, reliable meal around Asok, this is it.
For more about Pier 21 (including videos), check it out here: Terminal 21 Mall & Must-Try Pier 21 Food Court
Nearly 50 Restaurants Inside Terminal 21
Terminal 21 isn’t just about Pier 21. The mall has nearly 50 restaurants across Thai, Chinese, Western, Japanese, and Korean options—basically whatever you’re craving. Many are well-known chains that both locals and visitors trust. We listed them all in a separate post here: Terminal 21 Food Court Floor Guide: 48 T21 Restaurants
Late-Night Noodle Stall by 7-Eleven
Exit Terminal 21 at ground level, turn right, walk past El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, and you’ll spot a small 7-Eleven.
Right in front of it is a tiny roadside noodle stall—so low-key you could easily miss it. But every night (especially after around 10:30 PM, when the malls close), locals line up here for a late-night bowl, including plenty of mall staff. Seating is minimal, so people squeeze in wherever they can or grab takeaway. If you want a quick hit of authentic street food near Asok, this is a great one.
Pala Pizza Romana
Just outside Terminal 21, near BTS Asok Station, there’s a small place we keep going back to: Pala Pizza Romana. It’s easy to walk past the first time, but the entrance display is loaded with pizzas and pastries—and once you notice it, it’s hard to ignore.
We nearly walked by more than once, not realizing there’s proper seating inside. After trying it (and seeing plenty of strong reviews online), we ended up returning again and again.
Inside, you’ll often hear Italian being spoken at the tables. With a slice of pizza in hand, it’s a funny little moment—like stepping out of Bangkok and into Italy for half an hour.
If you stop by, try a couple of different slices, and save room for the Italian pastries.
Korea Town near Asok
Walk past BTS Asok Station toward Nana Station, and you’ll soon see the Korean Cultural Center. Right across the street is Bangkok’s Korea Town, also known as Sukhumvit Plaza.
Despite the name, Korea Town is a compact shopping plaza packed with excellent Korean restaurants (think Arirang, Doorae, and Myeong Ga). Many are Korean-run, and the flavors feel authentic.
You’ll also find imported Korean groceries, snacks, and specialty items. If you’re nearby, it’s an easy stop—a fun little detour.
Little India Night Market near Nana Station
Keep walking toward Nana Station, and tucked into a small alley right by the BTS, you’ll find Bangkok’s own Little India.
The shift is immediate—turn the corner and it suddenly feels like you’ve stepped into India.
During the day, it’s just a quiet Bangkok side street. In the evening, though, Indian restaurants open up, crowds roll in, and the area fills with authentic snacks, eateries, and small stalls. If you’re looking for real Indian food in Bangkok, this is a solid place to start.
Arab Street Night Market near Nana Station
After exploring Little India, keep walking toward Nana Plaza, and the atmosphere shifts again.
This is the well-known Arab Street Night Market in the Nana area.
Much like Little India, step onto these streets and the sights, smells, and sounds instantly feel Middle Eastern.
The standout here is the Middle Eastern kebabs. Think shawarma-style meat wrapped in soft pita bread—simple and seriously good. If you’re wondering which stall to try, look for the rotating spit and the ones drawing a steady line. Most vendors do a solid job, and kebabs typically cost around THB 80–100.
You’ll also find several sit-down Middle Eastern restaurants here if you’re in the mood for a proper meal.
Cafés, Dessert Shops & the Famous All-White FamilyMart near Asok
After all that food, here are some of our favorite spots for coffee and dessert around Asok—plus one all-white FamilyMart that unexpectedly became a photo hotspot.
After You Dessert Café (Terminal 21 Branch)
For dessert lovers, the After You Dessert Café at Terminal 21 is hard to skip.
Their After You desserts are both genuinely good and very Instagram-friendly. Prices are on the higher side, but we still end up coming back two or three times on almost every Bangkok trip.
This branch is on the third floor (Tokyo level) of Terminal 21. If you’re already eating in the mall, it’s an easy add-on. For other locations, we’ve listed them all here: After You Dessert Cafe Bangkok Branches
Hollys Coffee (Korea Town Branch)
Right next to the Korean Cultural Center is Hollys Coffee, a well-known Korean café chain that’s open 24 hours.
If you watch K-dramas, you’ll probably recognize the name right away. With a large Korean community in Bangkok, it’s no surprise that Hollys has several branches around the city.
The drinks and desserts aren’t cheap, but prices are reasonable by Bangkok standards, and the café is often busy. There are only a few outdoor tables—maybe three or four—but they’re great late at night. Sitting outside around 11 PM or midnight and watching the street go by is oddly relaxing.
There’s free Wi-Fi, which usually works well, though we’ve had the occasional slowdown. Overall, it’s a comfortable spot for night owls or anyone looking to unwind without heading back to the hotel just yet.
The Coffee Galleria
Directly across from Hollys Coffee, on the outer corner of Korea Town, is The Coffee Galleria.
They serve coffee, pastries, drinks, and a small brunch menu. Grab a window seat facing the street and enjoy some daylight—it’s a calm, easy place to spend a slow afternoon.
Coffee prices are typically around THB 80–120.
Starbucks Coffee
Also across from Hollys Coffee, next to Korea Town in Times Square Mall, there’s a Starbucks. No surprises here—the menu and prices are exactly what you’d expect worldwide. If you’re craving something familiar, this is an easy option.
Times Square itself is a small mall with just a handful of shops—five minutes is usually enough to look around. Interestingly, the upper floors house several well-known language schools, and you’ll see plenty of international students coming and going.
There are actually four Starbucks branches nearby: one on the first floor of Times Square, one on the M floor (Paris level) inside Terminal 21, one near Nana Plaza, and another about a two-minute walk from T21 at Exchange Tower in the direction of Phrom Phong Station.
Le Macaron Cafe (Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Branch)
Continue past the Korean Cultural Center toward Nana Station, and you’ll reach the five-star Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. On the ground floor is Le Macaron Cafe, a French-style dessert spot.
Le Macaron is open to the public. Even if you’re just walking by, you can sit on the outdoor terrace with a drink and a carefully made French pastry. Prices are reasonable for a hotel café, and we sometimes grab a box to take back with us—it’s hard not to.
Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe (Asoke)
Now let’s head in the opposite direction.
Walking from BTS Asok Station toward Phrom Phong Station, you’ll come across Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe, located on the second floor of Exchange Tower, diagonally opposite Terminal 21.
This is a solid stop if you’re craving chocolate. Their cakes and hot chocolate are consistently good, and the coffee is well made. Drinks often come topped with a small piece of branded chocolate that slowly melts into the foam.
The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, making it a good place to take a break from walking. We usually stop by in the afternoon, when it’s rarely crowded. Grab a brownie, enjoy the air-conditioning, and plan your next stop.
Artis Coffee
Continue walking past Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe and you’ll reach Artis Coffee.
They serve coffee, alcoholic drinks, pastries, and light bites. Indoor seating is limited, but most tables are set up outdoors under a shaded canopy, which is surprisingly comfortable. Wi-Fi here is reliable and faster than what you’ll find at many nearby cafés.
Benjakitti Park: A Lakeside Escape Near Asok
If you want a quick reset from mall crowds and concrete sidewalks, Benjakitti Park is an easy and rewarding escape—and it’s surprisingly close to BTS Asok Station.
From the Exchange Tower intersection, it’s just a short walk (about 5–10 minutes on foot) to the park entrance. The highlight is Benjakitti Forest Park, where elevated walkways wind through wetlands and lakes. It’s especially popular with English-speaking expats and travelers looking for a scenic place to jog, cycle, or unwind, with the Sukhumvit skyline reflecting on the water.
Visit in the late afternoon when temperatures are more manageable, and Benjakitti Park becomes the perfect transition from a busy shopping day to a relaxed evening—before heading back toward Asok for dinner or nearby night markets.
All-White FamilyMart
After Benjakitti Park, keep walking and you’ll run into a FamilyMart branch that unexpectedly went viral.
Yes—it’s still the same convenience store chain, but this location stands out.
For reasons known only to the locals, the entire store was redesigned in an all-white, minimalist style. What’s usually a very ordinary convenience store somehow turned into a surprisingly photogenic space.
Looks aside, this branch is also practical. It carries a few exclusive items not found at other FamilyMart locations, and there’s a large seating area on the second floor.
Upstairs, you’ll find wide windows facing the street, plenty of tables, and very strong air-conditioning. If you need a cheap, comfortable place to cool down and take a short break, this is an easy option.
More generally, Bangkok convenience stores—whether 7-Eleven or FamilyMart—are worth a quick look. They’re packed with Thai-style bento boxes, instant noodles, drinks, and snacks you probably won’t see elsewhere.
Wrapping Up: Terminal 21 Area Eats, Night Markets & Cafés
So, is there really no shortage of food, cafés, and things to do around Terminal 21? Absolutely.
For a quick, affordable meal, Pier 21 Food Court inside the mall is hard to beat.
If you’re in the mood for a proper sit-down dinner, the area offers everything from Thai and Indian to Korean, Egyptian, Arabic, and Turkish cuisine.
Street food and night markets are easy to find, and there’s no shortage of cafés for coffee or dessert breaks in between.
That’s what makes staying around Asok so convenient—you can do a lot without going far.
One quick note before you go.
The stretch from Asok to Nana is lively at night and well known for nightlife and adult entertainment. It’s legal and generally well policed, and over the years the area has become noticeably calmer and more organized.
Still, it’s a nightlife district, which means a mix of bars, clubs, and adult venues drawing in all kinds of visitors. Keep an eye on your belongings and stay aware of your surroundings, especially around night market areas like Little India and Arab Street.
From our own experience, walking around late at night for food or photos has always felt manageable, especially when traveling as a pair. If you’re a solo female traveler, it’s simply wise to be a bit more cautious.