Where to find beef bones for broth in Bangkok?

Talad Klong Toey on Rama IV has a few stalls that break down whole cows, and they'll bag up bones cheap if you get there before the meat is picked over, usually by 6am. Look for the vendors with the big wooden chopping blocks near the back, not the ones selling finished cuts up front. A kilo of mixed bones runs maybe 40 to 60 baht, marrow bones a bit more.

For something more reliable, Villa Market and Gourmet Market sometimes carry frozen bone-in shank or soup bones in the freezer aisle, though you're paying supermarket prices. Another route is asking a Chinese beef noodle shop you already like, most of them simmer bones all day and will sell you a bag if you come back at closing time with cash. Cheaper and fresher than anything vacuum-sealed.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

If you're anywhere near Phra Khanong, try the wet market at Soi Sukhumvit 71 (Pridi Banomyong) early on weekends. There are a couple of vendors selling Chinese-style beef noodles and they'll sell you a bag of bones for around 100 baht if you ask nicely, sometimes with some tendon attached. Another option is the Vietnam/Isaan butcher stalls in On Nut market, they usually keep leg bones and marrow bones behind the counter rather than displaying them. For marrow specifically, ask for nam kradook wua (น้ำกระดูกวัว) or just point at the femur pieces, they'll know what you mean.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Or Tor Kor market on Kamphaeng Phet 2 has a couple of beef stalls that keep bones in the back cooler, you just have to ask. It's pricier than the wet markets but the bones are clean and already split, which saves you hacking at them at home. Go around 8 or 9am when the vendors aren't slammed.

Another thing nobody mentioned, Chinese medicine shops in Yaowarat sometimes sell dried beef bone for soup bases, but that's a different flavor profile, more herbal. For plain broth I'd stick with the fresh stuff.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply