Top 20 Streetfood Stalls in Bangkok

[Ratatouille]

Nhong Rim Klong

Located just a short walk from Wattana Panich, Nhong Rim klong isn’t a restaurant but a street food stall situated by a canal. It isn’t the most picturesque of settings but the stellar food more than makes up for its lack of ambiance. The cooks prepare the food in a kitchen situated on top of a bridge, while customers sit at three or four tables by the side of the canal. Thankfully, any smells emanating from the canal are masked by the delicious aromas wafting from the open kitchen. In spite of its spartan appearance, Nhong Rim Klong is popular so be prepared for a wait. Apart from its dine-in customers, we saw people getting bag after bag of takeout around noon. If you can, then it’s best to go during off-hours to avoid the lunch rush. Just don’t wait too long lest you run out of food. They close at 4:30 pm. This is the dish that got me super excited to eat here. What you’re looking at is pad kee mao crab, which is a stir-fry dish made with huge chunks of crab along with vegetables like eggplant, onion, garlic, chili, ginger, and sweet basil.





















































Do you see the white nuggets below mixed in with all the vegetables? Those are hunks of the most delicious, most succulent crab meat. I love crab so this is the kind of dish I could eat everyday. It’s so good, especially when eaten with steamed white rice. Nhong Rim Klong is known for another crab dish called galam bee pad nam pla neua boo. It’s made with stir-fried cabbage topped with egg, crab meat, and shrimp. Several customers were eating that as well. If we weren’t visiting a few more restaurants after this meal, then I would have loved to try that too! How beautiful does this look? This dish is called goong tod gratiem, or jumbo shrimp fried in garlic. The perfectly cooked shrimp is succulent, meaty, moist, and very garlicky. Like the pad kee mao crab, it’s absolutely delicious.

• Address: 30 Ekkamai 21 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Sat
• What to Order: Pad kee mao crab, Goong tod gratiem, Galam bee pad nam pla neua boo
• Expect to Pay: About THB 300 for the pad kee mao crab, THB 200 for the goong tod gratiem
• How to Get There: Take the BTS to Ekkamai Station. It’s a little too far to walk to Nhong Rim Klong from there, so it’s best you take a taxi or Uber to get to the restaurant.

Wattana Panich

If you visit Nhong Rim Klong, then you may want to enjoy a bowl of Thai beef noodles at Wattana Panich as well. It’s just a short walk from Nhong Rim Klong and easy to spot with its gigantic bubbling cauldron of beef stewing out front. Wattana Panich is famous for its beef slow-braised with coriander root and over a dozen herbs and spices. Aside from its taste, what makes it remarkable is the fact that it’s been simmering in this very cauldron for over forty years! Every night, the restaurant uses the previous day’s soup as the base for the next day’s offering. They’d keep the reduced soup simmering in a pot then use it as stock the following day. They’ve been doing this ever since the restaurant first opened over forty years ago. We went on a street food tour led by a chef who has a restaurant in Hua Hin, and he told me that Wattana Panich is his absolute favorite restaurant in Bangkok. And it’s all because of this magical cauldron of beef.



As described, Wattana Panich is famous for its beef which you can get in a bowl with noodles, or served on its own with a side of rice. We just had rice at Nhong Rim Klong so we went with the version served with kuay teow noodles and beef meatballs, called kuay teow neau buai. It was absolutely delicious. Stewed for eight hours daily, the broth was sweet and aromatic and the beef ridiculously tender. If you’re visiting Bangkok and enjoy beef noodle soup, then you have to try this. Aside from the beef, Wattana Panich is also famous for its goat. We didn’t have it but if you’re a fan of goat, then you may want to try their kuay teow pae as well. It’s described as being incredibly tender, perhaps even more so than the beef.

• Address: 338 Phanit Anan Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm daily
• What to Order: Kuay teow neau buai (Thai beef noodles), Kuay teow pae (Chinese-style braised goat)
• Expect to Pay: About THB 100 for the beef, THB 200 for the goat
• How to Get There: Take the BTS to Ekkamai Station. Upon exiting the station, make a right onto Ekkamai Road. Wattana Panich is a little closer from here than Nhong Rim Klong, so you can either walk or take a taxi or Uber to get to the restaurant.

Pe Aor Tom Yum Goong


Like Pad Thai, tom yum goong is one of Thailand’s national dishes so you can’t visit Bangkok without trying this dish. Pe Aor Tom Yum Goong (also spelled P’Aor or Pee Aor) was featured in the Bangkok episode of Luke Nguyen’s Street Food Asia. It’s considered by many to serve the best tom yum goong in Bangkok. This is where the magic begins, in that tom yum broth. According to Bangkok-based food blogger Mark Wiens, it’s rare to find the creamy version of tom yum goong soup served with noodles in Bangkok. Pe Aor specializes in it. In the Bangkok episode of Street Food Asia, the cook describes to Luke how they use non-fat milk in the broth instead of coconut milk, making it somewhat of a cross between a Singaporean laksa and Thai tom yum.



Another secret that makes Pe Aor’s tom yum so special is that they infuse the broth with fat from shrimp heads. Tom YUM indeed! I haven’t eaten enough tom yum in my life to say this the best, but it was absolutely delicious. It was creamy, rich, sour, and just immensely flavorful. If you enjoy tom yum goong, then you have to try a bowl at Pe Aor. We ordered this dish as well based on Mark’s recommendation and it was fantastic too. Called khao goong rad sauce man boo, it’s a rice dish topped with a jumbo prawn sliced in half and a ladleful of man boo or crab fat. Yes, crab fat! As you’d expect with dishes made from crab fat, it was rich and simply delicious.

• Address: Soi Phetchaburi 5, Khwaeng Thung Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm, Tues-Sun
• What to Order: Kuay teow tom yum goong nam khon, Khao goong rad sauce man boo
• Expect to Pay: About THB 100 for the kuay teow tom yum goong nam khon, THB 60 for the khao goong rad sauce man boo
• How to Get There: Take the BTS to Ratchathewi Station. After exiting the station, make a left on Petchaburi Road, then a right on Petchaburi Soi 7. Make a left on Petchaburi Soi 5 and the restaurant will be on your right.

[Ratatouille]

Khao Gaeng Jake Puey

Khao Gaeng Jake Puey is perhaps one of the most legendary street food stalls in Bangkok. It was also featured on the Bangkok episode of Street Food Asia and is recommended by virtually everyone who knows good Thai food. It’s practically a Bangkok institution. Based on what I’ve read, Khao Gaeng Jake Puey has a reputation for being the Soup Nazi of khao gaeng or Thai curry rice. They expect you to already know what you want by the time you reach the front of the line, otherwise they’ll send you back. Ha! Khao Gaeng Jake Puey is a true Bangkok street food stall. They open at 4PM and don’t have any tables. Diners sit holding their plates of curry rice whilst sitting on these red stools. Images of diners on these red stools against those worn green doors is one of the most iconic street food scenes you’ll find in Bangkok. It’s a beautiful sight. I don’t know what it’s called but we enjoyed this creamy bowl of Thai curry with chicken and noodles. I was expecting rice but these noodles were just as good. Curry is one of my favorite foods so I’ll definitely be eating here again on our next trip to Bangkok.

• Address: 427 Mangkon Rd, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Tues-Sun
• What to Order: Curry of the day
• Expect to Pay: About THB 60 per plate of curry rice
• How to Get There: Khao Gaeng Jake Puey is located in Bangkok’s Chinatown at the corner of Charoen Krung Road and Mangkon Road. Take the MRT to Hua Lamphong Station (Bangkok Train Station). Upon exiting the station and crossing the river, you can walk straight on Charoen Krung Road to get to Khao Gaeng Jake Puey.

Som Tam Jay So

This is another restaurant highly recommended by Mark. They specialize in Isan food which is a Lao-influenced cuisine from the Northeastern part of Thailand. According to Mark, it’s one of the most authentic Isan restaurants in Bangkok so it’s hugely popular. We were there around noon and the place was packed with lunch-going office workers. As their name suggests, one of their specialties is som tam or Thai green papaya salad which they prepare at a station near the front of the restaurant. Here’s the owner and cook mixing all the ingredients together in large clay vats. This version of som tam is called tam pa, which translates to “jungle pounded salad”. It’s basically a mix of shredded green papaya, tomatoes, kulantro, crab, and chopped up freshwater apple snails dressed in a fermented fish sauce.



When I ordered it, the owner gave me a ladleful of the fish sauce to smell. It has a pungent odor so I think she was just making sure I could handle it before serving us a plate. I enjoyed it – it’s intensely flavorful and spicy – but Ren didn’t. She found it too fishy so you may want to steer clear of this if you don’t appreciate overly pungent food. These barbecued chicken wings are a little easier on the palate. They’re sweet, smokey, and juicy and go great with the som tam. We ordered just one each at first but they were so good we wound up ordering more.

• Address: Soi Phiphat 2, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Mon-Sat
• What to Order: Tam pa, Pik gai yang
• Expect to Pay: About THB 50 for tam pa, THB 17 for pik gai yang (per wing)
• How to Get There: Som Tam Jay So is just a short walk from Chong Nonsi BTS Station. Upon exiting the station, turn into Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 3. Walk straight for a few minutes and the restaurant will be on your left.

[Ratatouille]

Raan Jay Fai

You may have heard of Jay Fai. She gained worldwide fame when she was awarded a Michelin star in the guide’s inaugural Bangkok’ edition, the only street food vendor at that time to be given that distinction. In an instant, her once humble stall quietly serving some of the best street food in Bangkok was now being mobbed by tourists, pushing wait times to up to four or five hours. Turning 75 in 2020, this woman whom Martha Stewart once called “the best cook in Thailand” shows no signs of slowing down. This is Jay Fai’s signature dish, the crab omelette. It’s pricey but definitely worth it. It’s about the size of a burrito and filled with huge chunks of crab meat. Cut this beast open and voila! It’s practically bursting with crab. Sweet, succulent, and juicy, it isn’t oily in spite of being deep-fried.


















































It was served with a side of sweet chili sauce but I was perfectly happy eating it on its own. If you were to get just one dish at Raan Jay Fai, then this should be it. For our second dish, we got this equally delicious plate of drunken noodles. It consists of stir-fried rice noodles in a hot and spicy sauce with basil leaves, fresh chili, and the most succulent pieces of seafood. Sweet, spicy, smokey, and savory, it was deeply flavorful and redolent with wok hei. So is the 4-5 hour wait worth it? Absolutely. Jay Fai is an amazing cook who really does make some of the best food in Bangkok. But you don’t have to wait that long. You can make reservations either through phone (092-724-9633) or email [email protected] I made reservations by email and they were always quick to respond. I suggest making reservations as early as you can, about two months in advance to guarantee yourself a table.

• Address: 327 Mahachai Road, Samranras Subdistrict, Phra Nakon District, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
• Operating Hours: 2:30 pm - Midnight, TUE - SAT
• What to Order: Crab meat omelette, Drunken noodle, Stir-fried prawn or crab in yellow curry
• Expect to Pay: About THB 1,000 for the crab meat omelette, THB 400-500 for the drunken noodles
• How to Get There: Raan Jay Fai is near the Giant Swing and Wat Saket, just few doors away from Thipsamai. It isn’t really near any train stations so unless you can walk to the restaurant, then it’s probably best for you to go via taxi or Uber.

[Ratatouille]

10 dos and don’ts when at Jay Fai, as recommended by locals

Renowned eatery Jay Fai, named after chef-slash-owner Supinya “Jay Fai” Junsuta (aka the 73-year-old queen of Thai street food), has been around since the 1980s, and has received many prestigious accolades from the likes of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Michelin Guide. If you’re planning a visit to hopefully get your hands on its famed crab omelette, then you might appreciate these tips that can help assure the best dining experience at this Michelin-starred eatery, from how to book a reservation to what to order. (You can thank us later.)













































Try to book beforehand.
Jay Fai is known for two things: its delectable dishes and the incredibly long queue of hungry foodies waiting to be seated. The easiest way to avoid lingering for hours in front of the shophouse is to book beforehand. The restaurant is open for advance reservations via email. Send the necessary info to [email protected], including the number of people in your group and your preferred time and date. You will get a reply within a week, where they’ll either confirm your reservation or tell you to pick a new slot if your desired date is taken. You can also check availability on Jay Fai’s Instagram to minimize complications. Other things you should know: Everyone has to come on time—they will only let you in when every single one of your party arrives. Walk-ins are welcome if you don’t mind waiting.

Don’t attempt a selfie with Jay Fai.
She’s busy so let the queen do her job! We know you’re excited and a cute selfie with her would be a great keepsake, but stepping too close to her work station for an Insta shot will only distract her and is dangerous (with all the flames and smoke from her hot wok). So it’s better to leave Jay Fai to her cooking, witness her craft from afar, and use the zoom function on your camera to take a shot from a safe distance. But should you want a photo with her so badly, you can wait until closing time or when she’s away from her station. Consider yourself warned. The restaurant has even put up a sign to ask for the cooperation of guests.

Do not walk around (the place is always busy).
The first thing to remember when you’re called in is stay at your table at all times! It will take you long enough to get a table (in case you didn’t book beforehand), so you probably don’t want to lose it to someone else, right? So remain seated, read the menu, give your order, and—for a bit longer—wait until the food is served. Don’t leave the table, go somewhere else or walk around the restaurant and distract the staff from doing their job.

Don’t bring in food or drinks from somewhere else.
We get it—waiting in line may tempt you to find something to nibble on. Do as you wish, but don’t get carried away and bring in food or drinks from somewhere else to the table at Jay Fai. You’ll be asked to take them out right away. Imagine how awkward that would be.

Be patient.
Keep in mind that the 73-year-old iron lady is the only chef at this restaurant. She alone takes charge of preparing and cooking every dish, from stir-frying to seasoning, which is why it will take time to get your food—at least an hour after they sit you at the table. So have a snack before coming to the restaurant so you don’t end up all hangry.

That crab omelette is meant for sharing.
This is a painful sight to witness: a group of first-timers each digging into their crab omelette like it’s some kind of steak. Please, no. Ok, do what you want, but do bear in mind that this B1,000 dish is best enjoyed when shared with other people. The reason is simple: so you can spare some space in your tummy for other dishes. And this leads to our next tip.

Order a variety of dishes
A meal at Jay Fai is best enjoyed when there are all types of dishes to balance out the flavors (like how Thais traditionally eat their food). Get a crab omelette, for sure, and pair it with the tom yum soup and the stir-fried crab yellow curry. The drunken noodles (aka the spicy stir-fried noodles) and the dry rice congee are also worth trying.

It’s better to order everything at once.
Jay Fai cooks on a first-come-first-serve basis, which means she will make every dish in your order and serve them all at once before moving on to the next table. So if you suddenly want another crab omelette, for instance, she won’t make it for you until she finishes cooking for other tables.

Don’t expect to wrap up your meal with dessert.
Because they don’t serve any. After paying the bill, say goodbye to her if you want—with a smile on your face and a stomach full of happiness—and then take a walk around the area. You’ll find that other establishments can satisfy your sweet cravings - Thipsamai has refreshing coconut smoothies while SAISAI has Thai-inspired shaved ice. If you have some space left for a pint, Tai Soon Bar opposite Jay Fai’s shophouse is a cool spot for craft beer.

And lastly, don’t be offended or intimidated by Jay Fai’s crew.
You come for the food, not necessarily for the friendly service. Rest assured that the staff is devoted to providing you the best service possible, despite the lack of smiles on their faces or their non-existent conversation. Don’t be offended if they don’t look too delighted to welcome you; their priority is to get you your food as soon as possible. In case you wonder if they've ever smiled, have a look at the adorable picture of them below. And we hope you have a great time at Jay Fai!

[Tripadvisor]

Alibaba’s Jack Ma enjoys a visit to Bangkok

Billionaire Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba and Yunfeng Capital, has been enjoying his time in Thailand, visiting popular tourist attractions in the capital city of Bangkok. He was recently seen at the famous Michelin star Jay Fai street food and the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. The Chinese businessman ate at Thailand’s most famous street food stall and stopped to take selfies with owner Jay Fai. She later posted the photos on her Instagram account with a heartfelt welcome message.“Incredibly humble, we are honoured to welcome you and your family to Jay Fai’s.”






















































The famous street food stall is known for its simple set-up of tables and stools and green wall tiles while serving Michelin-rated food. The stall is located in the Samran Rat neighbourhood of Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, on Mahachai Road. It specialises in seafood cooked via wok and other Thai delicacies and has been serving meals since the 1980s. Others took photos of the mogul enjoying Muay Thai boxing matches at an exhibition at Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. Witnesses said Jack sat in VIP seating in the Bangkok stadium and took photos with the staff there.

The 58 year old billionaire is said to have relocated to Japan last year, staying there with his family for the last six months. His move followed rumoured ongoing disputes with Chinese authorities and a crackdown on big technology companies in China. Ma had previously been China’s richest man, but his fortune was roughly halved by the regulatory action. Jack criticised the Chinese government’s regulation of tech firms in 2020, when an investigation was launched into Alibaba, accusing the behemoth of being a monopoly. He largely disappeared from the public eye, causing some concern for his safety. However, he has made sporadic appearances since.