Explore Bangkok
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Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Jae Fai
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Price Range: $$$$
10Best Says
Pad kee mao, or drunkard's noodles can be found at many street stalls for 40 baht a plate, but for an experience that has been written up by food critics around the world and now even given a Michelin... Read More
Pad kee mao, or drunkard's noodles can be found at many street stalls for 40 baht a plate, but for an experience that has been written up by food critics around the world and now even given a Michelin star as Bangkok's only starred-street food eatery, head over to the old city neighborhood of Saochingcha to Jae Fai (also spelled as 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 400 baht drunken noodles that come with ultra fresh monster prawns made by an auntie who has been serving the faithful for 60 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.
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EXPERT TIPS BY:
Dave Stamboulis
Bangkok Local Expert
- 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."
- 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."
- 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."
- 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 Late Night Because: for the top pad kee mao "drunkards noodles" in town, Jay Fai is at the top of the list.
- 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
