Thuyen's Secret?

just go on a weekday afternoon, like 2-3pm, when it's quiet. the older lady who runs the front speaks decent english and she'll actually sit down and explain things if you ask nicely. tell her what you liked last time and she'll recommend stuff you haven't tried. the banh xeo there is unreal but you'd never know it exists unless someone tells you

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yeah that place is legit, the pho ga there ruined all other pho for me lol. i don't think they have an online menu anywhere, but if you go back around lunchtime the owner's daughter is usually there and her english is solid, she can walk you through the whole thing. also try the cha gio if you didn't last time, it's not listed but they'll make it fresh, costs like 60 baht extra

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fwiw the owners are vietnamese thai so they kinda assume people know the classics. i live nearby and just ask for whatever's good that day, they're friendly enough to explain in broken english if you point at something. the bun bo hue is their best dish imo, it's not on the main menu board but they'll make it if you ask

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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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