Is Yayoi's secret menu real?

The secret menu thing is real but it's not what people think. Walk down the Soi 5 side entrance and you'll see a small handwritten chalkboard near the kitchen door, that's where they list the daily off-menu specials in Thai only. I've gotten grilled mackerel belly and a truffle chawanmushi that way, but you have to ask the older server with the glasses, the younger ones won't know about it.

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I actually heard about this from a friend who's been going to Yayoi for years. He mentioned that if you sit at the counter and chat with the head chef in Japanese, they might offer you a special off-menu tasting course, but it's not really a printed "secret menu" more like a spontaneous thing depending on what seasonal ingredients they have. It's not something you can just ask for, and it probably changes every time. I'd suggest going during a quieter weekday evening and being friendly with the staff, but don't expect anything guaranteed.

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Nah, mate. There's no secret menu at Yayoi near Siam Square. People just like to embellish things. It's a great restaurant, don't get me wrong, that ramen is fire, but the whole "secret menu" thing is probably just word of mouth getting out of hand. Probably someone saw a chef preparing something different once and the legend was born. I've been to that Yayoi a bunch of times, and I've never heard of it. Focus on enjoying their regular menu; you'll be perfectly happy. Seriously, their tonkotsu is the bomb.

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r reni · 5mo

Yeah, that makes total sense. I figured it was probably BS, too much hype for something that's probably just regular menu items anyway. Thanks for confirming! I'll stick to the tonkotsu then, you're right, it is amazing.

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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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