Explore Bangkok
Jae Fai
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Price Range: $$$$
10Best Says
Pad kee mao, or drunkards noodles can be found at many street stalls for 30 baht a plate, but for an experience that has been written up by food critics around the world, and now even has a Michelin... Read More
Pad kee mao, or drunkards noodles can be found at many street stalls for 30 baht a plate, but for an experience that has been written up by food critics around the world, and now even has a Michelin star (Bangkok's only street food restaurant with such an honor) head over to the Saochingchao District of Bangkok to Jay Fai. Stuck in one of Bangkok's last timeless neighborhoods, where skyscrapers and designer malls don't exist, Jay Fai is a small no frills shophouse eatery, but what sets it apart are the drunken noodles that come with ultra fresh monster prawns made by an auntie who has been serving the faithful for 60 plus years. Jay Fai is also renowned for its rad na, which is a close cousin of pad kee mao, made with a gravy that is thicker and nowhere near as spicy as the drunkard's noodles. It also is served with giant prawns, as well as squid and scallops. The crab omelettes here are also not to be missed. Some complain about the long waits here, or even not being able to get a table without a reservation, and yes, the price certainly is steep for street food, but hey, you're getting to watch the master auntie at work, and the seafood sure is fresh.
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EXPERT TIPS BY:
Dave Stamboulis
Bangkok Local Expert
- Best Restaurants, Street Food: "Saochingchao is not well served by public transport. Best to take the Skytrain to Ratchathewi and then take a taxi along Petchaburi heading west. Or if visiting Khao San Rd, you can walk down Tanao south of Democracy Monument to reach the neighborhood. You better come early as the wait here can be really long with huge queues outside."
- Late Night: "Saochingchao is not well served by public transport. Best to take the Skytrain to Ratchathewi and then take a taxi along Petchaburi heading west. Or if visiting Khao San Rd, you can walk down Tanao south of Democracy Monument to reach the neighborhood. Do note that since being awarded a Michelin star, you may have to wait up to 4 hours to get a table here."
- Restaurants with Michelin Stars: "Saochingcha is not well served by public transport. Best to take the Skytrain to Ratchathewi and then take a taxi along Petchaburi heading west. Or if visiting Khao San Rd, you can walk down Tanao south of Democracy Monument to reach the neighborhood."
- Homestyle, Dusit's Best Restaurants: "Saochingchao is not well served by public transport. Best to take the Skytrain to Ratchathewi and then take a taxi along Petchaburi heading west. Or if visiting Khao San Rd, you can walk down Tanao south of Democracy Monument to reach the neighborhood."
- Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: For Michelin-starred street food, the one and only Jae Fai should be on everyone's Bangkok gourmet dining list.
- Best for Late Night Because: for the top pad kee mao "drunkards noodles" in town, Jay Fai is at the top of the list.
- Best for Restaurants with Michelin Stars Because: For street eats with incredibly fresh seafood, there is only one Jay Fai!
- Best for Street Food Because: For classic Bangkok fare, where the hi-society dine on the street, Jay Fai is one of a kind.
- Best for Homestyle Because: For no frills home style five star cooking, you cannot top Jae Fai
- Best for Dusit's Best Restaurants Because: For upscale street food, join the queue at legendary Jae Fai
