any other expensive but high-quality "worth it" places?

honestly the $10-$20 range is where bangkok really shines. try Err on Sukhumvit 26 - it's a modern Isaan place where most dishes are 200-400 baht. their fermented sausage and the wild betel leaf wraps are legit, and the drinks menu is half the reason to go. it's owned by the same people as Bo.lan so the quality's there but without the tasting menu price tag

also if ur into khao man gai there's a spot called Guan Lee Heng on Charoen Krung Soi 44 that does a version with smoked duck instead of chicken. it's like 250 baht and comes with this insane dark soy sauce they make in house. not quite as famous as the one in that post but honestly i think it's better

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ngl there's a whole tier of places that hit that $10-$20 sweet spot where you're getting real quality without the michelin markup. check out 100 Mahaseth on Soi Sathon 8 - it's a nose-to-tail kinda place, their beef tartare and bone marrow are insane, and you'll spend like 500-700 baht per person for a full meal. also Sorn is obviously the big name but their sister restaurant Baan Ice is way more accessible, same family recipes, about 600-800 baht for a full set of their gaeng som and other southern dishes. both are places actual food people in Bangkok go to when they want something special but not a 3-hour tasting menu

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There's a spot called 80/20 on Soi Sathon 2 that fits this perfectly. It's run by a couple who used to work at the Michelin spots around town, so the technique is solid, but they keep it casual with plates around 300-500 baht. Their grilled river prawns with the fermented tofu dip are some of the best I've had in the city, and they do a really good crispy pork belly with a tamarind glaze that's hard to beat. The space is small and they don't take reservations for tables under four, so you might wait 20 minutes on a Friday night, but that's part of the charm.

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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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