MK or MK gold??

honestly between the two i'd pick mk gold if your kids are picky eaters. the gold branches have a wider selection of cooked dishes like roasted duck and fried rice that aren't just suki, so everyone can find something. the regular mk is fine for a quick cheap meal but the atmosphere is a bit cafeteria style and the queues at siam paragon can be brutal around 7pm

the real difference is the dipping sauce though, gold gives u that spicy numbing one that regular mk doesn't have. but if ur family is up for something less mall-like, try the mk at central ladprao, it's usually less crowded and the staff are more chill about letting you take your time

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ngl i'd just skip both if you're with family. mk gold is slightly nicer atmosphere but you're still paying for suki that's mostly frozen veg and processed fish balls. if you want a proper hotpot experience with the family, head to shabu shabu mizu at centralwOrld or any of the lao tong shabu branches around town. about the same price as mk gold but way better meat and broth, plus the dipping sauces actually taste like something

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If you've got a big group with different ages, MK Gold is the smarter pick. The regular MK is more of a fast food suki experience where you're in and out in 45 minutes, while Gold has actual table service and wonton wrapped shrimp that's decent. The one at Siam Paragon's Gold branch has a roast duck that's surprisingly good for a hotpot chain, and the kids can get the sweet soy chicken without waiting for a pot to boil.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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