Tops Market Madness

If you're going for the produce, aim for the section closest to the seafood counter on the left side. That's where the stuff that actually changes daily lives, like the fresh longan and the good mangoes. Once you've got your haul, cut straight across to the register near the wine aisle, it's usually the shortest line and you'll bypass the entire snack trap zone. The durian thing is funny but honestly, the real danger at Tops is getting lured by the imported cheese section.

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The produce section is near the entrance on the left side if you're coming from the BTS skywalk, so you can hit that first and then loop around. I'd say skip the middle aisles entirely unless you're after specific imported stuff, that's where the maze effect really kicks in. The durian thing is a rite of passage, everyone who shops at Tops has at least one accidental fruit story.

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pro tip: theres a smaller entrance on the sukhumvit side near the food court that drops u right next to the herbs section. way less overwhelming than the main bts entrance where everyone piles in with carts. also the staff in the green aprons are super chill if u ask for directions, they'll literally walk u to the aisle. the durian thing is real tho, i once ended up with a whole jackfruit because i got distracted by the mango display

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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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