Tops Market Mayhem?

The ready-made curry section at Tops is a total crapshoot because they're made off-site and distributed, not cooked in-house. I've had better luck at the Villa Market on Soi 11, they actually make their curries in the back and the quality is way more consistent. If you're stuck on Tops, look for the ones stored in the front of the chiller case near the cold air vent, those stay colder and don't get that weird temperature fluctuation that messes with the coconut milk.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

tbh the green curry soap thing is prob a bad batch from the prep kitchen, not the store. the ones at Tops on Sukhumvit 33 are usually solid cause they sell out fast so turnover is high. if u see the container kinda puffed up or the curry oil separated weirdly, skip it. also check the expiry sticker on the bottom, some branches slap new ones on old stock. thats dishonest but happens. making your own is rewarding but honestly for the price, 89 baht for a decent curry is hard to beat if u pick right

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

try the ones with the clear plastic dome lids instead of the flat sealed ones, theyre usually from the morning batch that got prepped for lunch. i grab mine around 10am on a saturday and theyre always spot on. also the soi 49 tops is way more chill than the big ones, less people pawing through the containers. if the masaman curry is there that day just get it, its the best one they do consistently

arrow_drop_up 4 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