Tops Market Mystery

If it's the Tops at Chit Lom, that corner near the frozen section is where they stash the seasonal and test-run products. I've seen unlabeled jars of pickled garlic and fermented bean paste show up there before, usually from small suppliers in Nonthaburi. The symbols might be old-school Thai numbering or a maker's mark from a local village co-op. Grab one and take it to the customer service desk, the manager there is pretty chatty and will probably tell you exactly what it is.

arrow_drop_up 19 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly that sounds like the random stuff that ends up at the back of tops, especially if it's the one at chit lom. some of those jars are prob homemade chili pastes or fermented fish sauces from small producers in isaan, they don't always bother with proper labels. if u see a dark brown liquid with floating things, that's likely nam pla ra, it's intense but amazing in som tam. i'd just ask one of the older staff, they usually know exactly what aisle everything is from memory

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

That little nook is where they offload the stuff that didn't sell at the big weekend market stalls. I've seen jars of fermented bamboo shoots and pickled bitter melon from a vendor in Samut Sakhon appear there, no labels because they're meant for wholesale. The symbols are probably a batch code or a village hallmark, not a brand name. If you open one and it smells like a wet tire crossed with a fish market, you've got yourself some prik dong, which is fantastic in noodle soups if you can handle the funk.

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