Best Pad See Ew in town?

forget yayoi, thong smith is good but overpriced tbh. if you want a proper cheap one go to jok khao sam on sukhumvit soi 22, it's this tiny shop with a big wok out front. they do it with a bit of dark soy and this slight sweetness that most places skip, and the noodles don't clump up like at yayoi. 55 baht and the old guy there has been making it since the 80s, you can taste the experience

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

yeah yayoi's fine but it's a chain so you're never gonna get that soul. if you want the real deal head to sukhumvit soi 38, there's a guy with a cart near the 7/11 around 6pm. no sign, no english menu, just him and his wok going crazy. his pad see ew has that perfect char and he adds these little dried shrimp that give it a nice salty kick. 50 baht and you'll never look at yayoi the same way again

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Realistically, Yayoi is going to be hit or miss because they prep noodles in bulk and don't let them sit long enough to get that caramelized edge. If you want consistent wok hei in the area, walk over to the food court at Samyan Mitrtown, the stall called "Pad Thai Mae Thong" does a pad see ew that's actually seared to order. It comes on a paper plate for about 80 baht and the noodles have that slightly burnt soy taste that Yayoi's batch cooking misses.

arrow_drop_up 3 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