The secret meatballs are the key to the creamy porridge
Jok Samyan
This porridge (jok) specialty shop has been in business since the 1950s. The third-generation owner, Arun, is at the front of the shop, preserving the traditional flavor. The secret to the deliciousness of the 55฿ jok (pictured), which sells 1,000 bowls a day, is the jasmine rice, cooked in pork bone soup for a perfect balance of thickness and graininess, and the large, soft meatballs. The meatballs, seasoned with pepper and garlic, are a "secret recipe," says Arun.
Enjoy Thai home cooking in a retro space
Sanguan Sri
This long-established restaurant offers simple, warm, home-cooked meals. The popular green curry (front of the photo) 70฿ offers a well-balanced flavor, with a mellow coconut milk flavor and just the right amount of spiciness. Its light texture complements perfectly with the fermented rice noodles kanom jeen (back right of the photo) 20฿. Kai Palaw (back left of the photo) is a stew of egg and pork with a soy sauce-based flavor reminiscent of Japanese cuisine, and is recommended for those who don't like spicy food.
A duck restaurant loved by locals for over 50 years
Tang Sui Heng
This duck restaurant has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight consecutive years since 2018. Founded in the 1970s by a family who immigrated from Chaozhou, China, it is known for its Pet Pad Chew (pictured) (200฿), a claypot jelly made from duck meat, innards, and blood simmered with Chinese spices such as five-spice powder. It's soft and juicy. The claypot Kuay Tiew Pet (200฿), served with chewy thick noodles, is also popular and filling.
Guy Toto attracts even top chefs
Polo Fried Chicken
A Michelin Bib Gourmand winner since 2018, Gai Tod (pictured) is a renowned restaurant serving Thai-style fried chicken starting at 130 baht. Fresh chicken slaughtered that morning is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and spices, then slowly deep-fried without a batter. This results in a crispy skin and a moist, juicy interior. It's topped with plenty of fried garlic! It's so delicious that famous chefs come to learn the recipe.
An authentic Isan restaurant that's bustling until 4am
Jae Koy
This large restaurant started as a food stall around 2000. It offers over 100 seafood and Isan dishes, including the Pla Kapong Nung Manao (front of the photo) for 400 ฿, a whole steamed sea bass served with a garlic and manao (Thai lime)-based soup. The Pad Yot Phak Maew (back left of the photo) for 120 ฿, which is chayote stalks stir-fried in oyster sauce, is also delicious. If you're unsure what to eat late at night, this is the place to go.
A rare restaurant that has won a Bib Gourmand for its instant noodles
Jeh O
At the end of the long line is the Tom Yum Mama (pictured) for 300฿, a Thai national dish of instant noodles called "Mama" topped with luxurious ingredients such as seafood and eggs and served in a tub. It was originally a late-night menu item for large groups. It became a huge hit thanks to its social media-friendly appearance. In fact, this famous Thai Chinese restaurant has been around since the 1980s, and its crispy fried pork, moo grove, and stir-fried water spinach are also delicious.
