10% service charge at ramen stores in malls?! Is this the norm these days?

yeah it's pretty standard in any sit-down place in a mall, not just ramen. if you want to skip it try the ramen shops in the basement of siam paragon or centralworld, some of them don't add it

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It depends on the place. The standing-only ramen counter at Donki Mall near Thong Lo has no service charge and the broth is decent for 200 baht. Most chains like Bankara or Ippudo in malls will slap it on because they treat it like a hotel restaurant system.

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it's pretty normal in any mall restaurant here tbh, not just ramen. the service charge goes to the restaurant not the staff directly, so don't feel like you gotta tip extra on top of it. if you want to avoid it entirely, hit up a street-side ramen spot like bankara near bts chit lom or the little shop under nana bts, no service charge and usually cheaper

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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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