Yayoi's Secret?

honestly you're not the only one who's wondered about that room. i asked the waiter once and he said it's where they do the hand-pulled noodles for the specials, not the regular ramen. apparently they only make like 20 bowls a day from that batch so it's kind of a hidden menu situation. if you go back around 6pm on a tuesday you might catch them actually pulling the noodles in there, the door's usually cracked open then

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That back room at Yayoi is actually their prep area for the specials menu. They do a limited run of tsukemen on weekends and that's where they keep the extra thick noodles and the concentrated broth base. I've peeked in when picking up a takeaway order and saw the chef working on it. If you want to try something different next time, ask about the chashu donburi, it's not on the main menu but they'll make it if you request it.

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I've heard that room used to be a private dining space for the owner's family back when the building was a shophouse. They kept it when they turned it into the restaurant, but now it's mostly for storing seasonal ingredients like the dried mushrooms they import from Japan. If you're really curious, try going on a weekday afternoon when it's slow and ask the older server with the glasses, he's usually happy to chat about the place's history.

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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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