$5 Challenge: What to Eat at Ao Nang Night Market
AO NANG NIGHT MARKET
Location: Ao Nang Landmark Night Market, Krabi, Thailand
Goal: Find the tastiest food you can buy for just $5 (≈180 THB)
Perfect For: Food lovers, budget travelers, street food explorers
Why Visit: Huge variety, low prices, great atmosphere, live music
Best Time to Go: 6 PM–9 PM (food freshest, photos perfect)
What You Can Get for $5:
- Thai Grilled Skewers (10–20 THB each) — Chicken, pork, seafood, or spicy sausage
- Mango Sticky Rice (50–70 THB) — A sweet must-try dessert
- Pad Thai (40–70 THB) — Freshly cooked right in front of you
- Thai Iced Tea (20–30 THB) — Perfect refreshing drink
- Coconut Ice Cream (30–50 THB) — Served in a real coconut shell
You can easily mix and match 2–3 items and stay under $5!
Travel Tip: Cash works best. Many stalls don’t take cards.
During our nine-month stay in Thailand, we explored countless night markets across the islands, but Ao Nang Landmark Night Market in Krabi quickly became our absolute favorite. We spent many evenings tasting different foods, enjoying live music, joining the nightly events, and wandering through the charming local shops.
After so many visits, we wanted to try something fun: a simple question that every traveler loves. What delicious food can you get for $5 (about 180 THB) at this lively market?
And so, our little food adventure began—one plate, one snack, and one tasty discovery at a time.
Short on time?
Night Market Atmosphere
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market sits right across from Noppharat Thara Beach. It is open every day from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and the lively atmosphere begins with daily live music at 7:00 pm. The nearby stadium often hosts Muay Thai fights, and on most nights, you can watch fire shows that bring a touch of magic to the shopping and dining experience.
Address: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Getting to the Market
Situated in the heart of Ao Nang Beach, the market is easy to reach. Depending on your hotel, you can walk, rent a bike, or take a tuk-tuk. If you are coming from Railay Beach, it is very convenient because it sits right across from where the long-tail boat drops you off. Once you arrive, you will find many food options, including traditional Thai dishes, fresh seafood, and Western choices like pizza and spaghetti.
The $5 Challenge
Starting with 180 THB, we wanted to see how much good food we could get for $5 at the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. With so many food stalls, it was the perfect place for a fun challenge. The smell of grilled meats, spices, and sweets filled the air the moment we arrived.
We wanted to try everything, but we had a budget. At the end of this blog, we will also show you other dishes we enjoyed on different days when we were not doing the challenge. Our goal was simple. Explore the market, talk with the friendly vendors, and see how much tasty food we could buy without going over our limit. Here is what we found on our flavorful walk through the night market.
1. Thai Spring Rolls – 15 THB
Our first stop was a stall selling crispy, golden Thai spring rolls. The lady behind the stall was very friendly, offering us even chili sauce for the rolls. For just 15 baht, we enjoyed delightful appetizers filled with fresh vegetables and a touch of spice. The spring rolls were a perfect start, crunchy on the outside and bursting with flavor inside.
2. Fried Shrimp – 20 THB
Next, we couldn’t resist a classic fried shrimp. For 20 baht, we got a big, crispy shrimp with homemade sour chili sauce. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy inside, making it a delightful treat.
3. Shrimp Cheese Donuts – 20 THB
Similar to the cheese balls, the shrimp cheese donuts were crispy and had a unique combination of shrimp and cheese. For 20 baht, these donuts offered a savory and satisfying bite, combining two of our favorite flavors.
4. Cheese Chicken Balls – 10 THB
What made the experience even better was how the menu evolved over time, with new, mouthwatering dishes added regularly. Whether you’re a fan of classic Vietnamese flavors or eager to try something new, Comnha has something special for everyone.
5. Sushi – 10 to 25 THB
Walking and hunting for what else to get, we stopped by a stall where a few ladies called us to try their sushi. Once we noticed the price was within our budget, we couldn’t resist and got three different pieces. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, a delightful addition to our market meal.
6. Sticky Rice – 10 THB
No Thai food adventure is complete without sticky rice. It was very nicely prepared and added variety to our dinner. The sticky rice was a great accompaniment to the other dishes, providing a soft and chewy texture that complemented the flavors well.
7. Garlic Chicken Drumsticks – 15 THB
We also added to our plate two garlic chicken drumsticks, which we could smell the garlic sauce from afar. These drumsticks were juicy and packed with a garlicky punch, making us even hungrier.
8. Thai Chicken Skewers – 10 THB
We couldn’t pass the chicken skewers, which were BBQ’d right in front of us. We were asked what herbs and sauces we liked to be topped on them. The smell from the BBQ was so yummy and tasteful that we couldn’t wait to try them. The skewers were flavorful and tender, a true highlight of our night.
9. Mixed Fruits – 30 THB
At the end, we had 30 baht left and wanted some dessert, but all the dessert options were more than 30 baht. We kept walking until we saw a stall full of fruits. Fruits were sold between 40-69 baht, but we asked for a mix of fruits for 30 baht. This is how our $5 dinner was completed and ready to be indulged. The mixed fruits provided a refreshing end to our meal.
Our Delicious $5 Feast
Our challenge proved that you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods at the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market for just 180 baht. The food in the pictures is enough for two people, showing that it’s possible to have a fulfilling dinner on a budget in Thailand. We both ate the food and found it to be more than enough. Each item added a unique flavor to our meal, making this challenge not only fun but also a testament to the affordable street food culture in Thailand.
Fried Shrimp: 15 THB
Sticky Rice: 10 THB
Cheese Balls: 10 THB
Shrimp Cheese Donuts: 20 THB
Thai Spring Rolls: 15 THB
Garlic Chicken Drumsticks: 2 x 15 THB = 30 THB
Sushi: 3 x 10 THB = 30 THB
Mixed Fruits: 30 THBTotal: 180 THB = 5 USD
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Discover & Book Things to Do
After successfully completing our $5 food challenge at the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by enjoying a cold Leo beer and the lively live music. Cheers to happy eating and exploring!
Night Market Entertainment
The entertainment at Ao Nang Landmark Night Market adds extra enjoyment to your visit and makes each evening feel special. Thai dancers perform traditional routines, and local bands create a lively atmosphere with their music. The shows also change every night, so you will not get bored even if you go often. Whether it is a new band, a different dance group, or a unique performance, there is always something fresh to see, making every visit memorable.
Traditional Thai Dance
At Ao Nang Landmark Market, you can also watch traditional Thai dance performances known as Khon. This classical dance is full of color and emotion, with detailed costumes, long decorative nails, and slow, expressive movements. The dancers use these gestures to tell stories from Thai legends and folklore. It is a beautiful performance that gives you a deeper appreciation of Thailand’s cultural heritage.
Fire Shows and Muay Thai Fights
Ao Nang Landmark Market in Krabi offers great local food and lively nightly entertainment that makes each visit memorable. As the sun sets, the fire show begins and skilled performers use flaming poi, staffs, and hoops in a fast and exciting routine. The mix of fire and music creates a strong sense of energy and is one of the highlights of the evening.
The market also hosts Muay Thai fights that draw a large crowd. Known as the Art of Eight Limbs, Muay Thai uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees in a powerful display of Thai martial arts. The fighters’ speed and skill make the event thrilling to watch and offer a glimpse into Thailand’s cultural traditions.
Ao Nang Night Market: Full Video Tour
Check Out the Souvenirs at Ao Nang Landmark Market
Don’t miss the chance to shop for souvenirs at Ao Nang Landmark Market, where you’ll find a wide variety of unique and handmade items. From crafts to beautiful textiles, the market offers a treasure trove of gifts to remember your trip. While many vendors are open to negotiation, just remember, a small discount for you can mean a lot to them, so be fair and considerate. Happy shopping!
Feeling adventurous? Book your dream vacation and let the excitement begin!
Bonus: Exploring More Delicacies at Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
After finishing our $5 food challenge, we also want to show you some of the other dishes we tried on different visits to the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. The variety of food is impressive, and there are many choices for adventurous eaters. If you are curious about snails, scorpions, crickets, silk worms, giant Thai grasshoppers, or even crocodile, this is the place to try them. These unique foods add extra excitement to your visit and make the experience memorable. If you want to see us taste these exotic snacks, check out our YouTube channel.
This snails are cooked in a rich, aromatic curry sauce made with coconut milk, curry paste, and a variety of herbs and spices. It’s a flavorful and comforting dish often served with rice.
Fresh BBQ Fish
We loved eating fish at the market. You simply choose your fish, and the vendors BBQ it for you on the spot. There is a great variety to pick from, and each one is cooked with different flavors and techniques. The grilling adds a smoky taste that pairs perfectly with the fresh, tender fish.
We love trying new foods when we travel, and it’s no coincidence that we have a whole section dedicated to food on our blog. Here’s a table of the delicious dishes we enjoyed at the market.
The Best Mango Smoothie in Thailand
Our favorite smoothie in Thailand is the mango smoothie. We have tried them in many places, but the ones at Ao Nang Market are the best. Krabi really knows how to make a perfect smoothie, and the mango flavor here stands out. Do not miss it when you visit the market.
Sweet Treats at the Market
Ao Nang Market would not be complete without dessert. We tried everything from fresh crepes and ice creams to soft cakes. I can honestly say we tasted every dessert available, and each one was a perfect way to end our food adventure.
New Year at Ao Nang Market
If you visit Krabi for New Year, the experience is magical. The market is filled with bright lights and a festive atmosphere. You can enjoy desserts, listen to live music, and join the holiday events. It is a great way to enjoy the New Year spirit in Thailand. We also wrote a full guide called How to Celebrate New Year in Krabi, Thailand, where you can find more tips on making the most of your holiday season.
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