Funnel Fries

At the Cameron Park Zoo Concession Stand, Waco, TX

American-style funnel fries topped with powdered sugar

A Great American Dinner

by the Horseshoe Grill, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

chicken fried chicken, onion rings, mac & cheese, and garlic bread at Horseshoe Grill, Eureka Springs, AR

Memphis grilled chicken, fried okra, and potatoes and gravy at the Horseshoe Grill, Eureka Springs, AR

Horseshoe Grill, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Visit their official website for the menu and for more information:

The Horseshoe Grill - Restaurant in Eureka Springs

inside Horseshoe Grill, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Other great Arkansas Dishes

American Breakfast at Main Street Cafe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Arkansas Fried Catfish at Mr. Whiskers, Hot Springs (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Location and Hours

The Horseshoe Grill is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00am to 8:00am. They are open Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 9:00pm.

The Horseshoe Grill is located just a short drive from downtown Eureka Springs at 3085 E Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, United States. 

See the map below for the exact location:

"Waco Born and Bread": Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe

A Waco, Texas Institution

classic ham and cheese sandwich at Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe, Waco, TX

"The Schmaltz" classic sandwich at Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe, Waco, Texas

Website

Visit their website for more information:

Schmaltz Sandwich Shop (schmaltzssandwichshop.com)

Menu

See Schmaltz's Menu below or visit the link to view the menu on their official website:

menu (schmaltzssandwichshop.com)

Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe Waco, Texas menu

Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe Waco, Texas hours and location

Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe is open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. They are closed on weekends.

Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe is located in the heart of downtown Waco, Texas, just a short drive from the exit of I-35 at 105 S 5th St #2102, Waco, TX 76701, United States. 

Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe downtown location, Waco, Texas

See the map below for the exact location and driving directions:

American Breakfast

by Main Street Cafe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

American breakfast - hash browns, fried egg, bacon, and toast - Eureka Springs, AR, USA

It was a chilly day outside, but we felt toasty and comfortable as soon as we stepped inside the Main Street Cafe. During the cold winter and springs months in northern Arkansas, a gas stove is kept on to keep the restaurant warm and cozy.

We sat down at a booth and ordered the breakfast plate (which came with bottomless coffee - an American diner staple!).

Wanting to sample everything, we each ordered different options for our breakfast plates.

We tried each of their options:

The hash browns were phenomenal. They were probably the best hash browns we have ever had! They were perfectly fried, lightly salted, I could have eaten an entire plateful of them by myself. While one should never consider eating hashbrowns without ketchup (it's requisite!), you really didn't need it at all with these. They were perfect on their own.

The bacon was crispy and almost burnt, exactly how I like it! Like I said, I'm something of a breakfast snob, and I like my bacon a very certain way. This was excellent.

The sausage patties, fried in the traditional American style, were seasoned wonderfully, and the biscuit (though I could have used a bit of gravy) was also sublime, especially with a pat of butter spread inside.

American breakfast - sausage, biscuit, fried egg, and southern-style grits, Eureka Springs, AR, USA

The star of the show, though (in addition to those amazing hash browns), were the grits.

For those of you who might have grown up outside of the southern United States, grits are a breakfast staple. They are made from corn that has been ground into a coarse meal and then boiled. The resulting dish is a type of porridge, similar in texture to cream of wheat or polenta.

While a bit bland on their own, grits are often served with butter, cheese, or gravy to add flavor. They can be served at any meal, from breakfast to dinner, and they're often eaten as a side dish. These grits were served with a generous amount of salted butter - perfect!

grits, a southern US breakfast staple

The cafe was busy with locals. That's how you know it's going to be good! We arrived around 10:00, just a bit before they stopped serving breakfast to prepare for the lunch rush. I'm sure that lunch (burgers, etc.) would be equally good!

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this was one of the best breakfasts I've ever had (and I'm a harsh judge of good breakfast food)!

inside Main Street Cafe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Breakfast is served until 11:00am, after which a fantastic and equally delicious lunch menu of classic American-style diner dishes is rolled out.

More delicious Arkansas dishes

Arkansas Fried Catfish by Mr. Whiskers, Hot Springs, AR

More amazing southern American breakfast

Hill Country Chorizo and Bacon Breakfast Tacos in San Marcos, Texas

Traveler's Tips

historic downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The Christ of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eat at Main Street Cafe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Pinky Noodle Soup

by Yentafo Convent, Bangkok, Thailand

yentafo red noodle soup in Bangkok, Thailand

traditional yentafo noodle soup, Yentafo Convent, Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

The noodles were topped with different types of tofu, fish balls, pickled cabbage, and crispy wontons. This gives the dish a variety of delicious tastes and textures.

inside Yentafo Convent, Bangkok, Thailand Michelin-star noodle soup restaurant

Menu and Price

Yentafo Convent Menu (in English and Thai)

Yentafo Convent is located down Soi Convent just a short walk or motorbike taxi ride from BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Silom stations. It's most popular during lunchtime.

36/3 Convent Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita and Brisket Nachos

by the Starlight Cantina, Terlingua, Texas, USA

nachos with queso, pico de gallo, and beef brisket

Let's talk about these nachos. This delicious appetizer start with a sturdy base of thick-cut tortilla chips served alongside a bowl of succulent, smoky beef brisket that practically melts in your mouth. Add a healthy spoonful of pico de gallo—bursting with the freshness of ripe tomatoes, crisp onion and chili, vibrant cilantro, and tangy lime juice—and drown it all under a river of creamy, chili-infused queso. Served hot and ready for devouring, these nachos are meant to be shared among friends and loved ones.

Starlight Cantina famous brisket queso, Terlingua, Texas, USA

Grab your plate and a frosty beer or a tangy margarita, and stake a claim on the front patio, with the awe-inspiring Chisos Mountains serving as your backdrop.

One most special drink to order at the Starlight Cantina is the world-famous prickly pear margarita.

prickly pear cactus margarita at the Starlight Cantina

This spectacular prickly pear cactus margarita is a refreshing and colorful twist on the classic tequila cocktail. It features a bright pink syrup made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, which grows in the desert regions of the Southwest. The syrup has a sweet and tangy flavor that resembles a mix of watermelon and bubble gum.

The best place in Texas to enjoy this delicious drink is the Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon in Terlingua, Texas. This restaurant is located near the visitor's center of Big Bend National Park and offers a variety of dishes, drinks, and live music. Their prickly pear cactus margarita is made with premium tequila, fresh lime juice, and a signature homemade prickly pear syrup. It is served in a large glass with a salted rim and a lime wedge. The drink has a vibrant pink color and a fruity and refreshing taste that complements the spicy and savory food on the menu. If you are looking for a unique and tasty way to quench your thirst in the desert, you should try this prickly pear cactus margarita in the cantina on the patio of the famous Starlight Theatre restaurant in Terlingua, Texas.

Location

The Starlight Cantina is located just outside of the Starlight Theater, and old cinema-cum-restaurant, considered to be the best spot for dining in all of Terlingua. Sit outside, order a drink or three, and enjoy the sunny desert weather.

Pacifico Beer at the Starlight Cantina, Terlingua, Texas, USA

Menu

Check out the menu for the Starlight Theater (and great travel information for visiting the Terlingua Ghost Town) on the Starlight Theater website:

The Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon has the best food and entertainment in the Terlingua Texas Ghost Town.

Terlingua Ghost Town, Texas, USA

If you have the time, be sure to stop in at the on-site gift shop located just adjacent to the Starlight Theater. Pick up a $1 self-guided tour map of the old ghost town to learn about the history and culture of old Terlingua.

Traveler's Tips

If you are visiting Terlingua, Texas, it's probably because you are planning to visit Big Bend National Park, which is just a few miles away from the tiny town.

Taking its name from a significant curve in the Rio Grande River (Rio Bravo), this first of Texas' two national parks (the other being Guadalupe Mountains National Park near the New Mexico border) straddles the boundary between the USA and Mexico. The park is a haven for biodiversity, boasting over 1,200+ plant species, 450+ bird species, 56+ types of reptiles, and 75+ mammal species. 

Wildlife enthusiasts may glimpse the elusive roadrunner, a wild javelina, a reclusive black bear, or even a dangerous but majestic mountain lion. 

At Big Bend, solitude is splendid, scenery is striking, and the wildlife is wondrous. It stands out as one of the most enthralling and distinctive national parks across the United States. It's also the top-rated dark sky destination in the continental United States for those interested in astronomy and stargazing!

the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA

Buc-ees Famous Brisket Sandwich

Buc-ees, Texas, USA 

the famous Bucc-ees Texas-style beef brisket sandwich

The Bucc-ees brisket sandwich isn't just a sandwich; it's a Texan rite of passage. Picture a generous mound of beautifully smoked beef brisket (Texas-style), tender and succulent, every bite imbued with hours of smoke and heat. Cooked to perfection, the brisket's lush marbling melts away during the slow-cooking process, imparting its flavors and rendering the meat mouthwateringly juicy.

The sandwich is served on a sweet and crispy bun and topped with a delicious serving of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy Bucc-ees barbecue sauce. 

I don't even eat beef, but this is the one exception I'll make in a year! 

a brisket sandwich from Bucc-ees

interior of a Bucc-ees in Texas

Website

Arkansas Fried Catfish

by Mr. Whiskers, Hot Springs, AR, USA

deep-fried catfish, the official state dish of Arkansas, USA at Mr. Whiskers in Hot Springs, AR

inside Mr. Whisker's, Arkansas, USA

fried catfish and sides (fries, hushpuppies, and slaw), Arkansas, USA

The food was incredible! The catfish had a great batter. It wasn't too heavily battered, but was fried crispy and perfect, and wasn't at all too oily. The fish was slightly salted, and was served with four different types of dipping sauce: ketchup, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, and the local house "Whiskers Sauce". Every dip gave you a slightly different taste, and we recommend trying each one to decide what you like the best.

The fries were standard thick-cut fries; heavily salted and crispy. The coleslaw was a very traditional American diner-style slaw and was great for those who love their slaw slightly sweet.

Mr. Whiskers has other items on their menu, like chicken, shrimp, and burgers, but we'll have to save that for next time we go on a road trip through Arkansas.

Overall, we enjoyed our meal, and would definitely come back when passing through Hot Springs!

Various dipping sauces (ketchup, tartar sauce, Whisker's sauce, and cocktail sauce). Try them all!

Hours

Menu

Website

Location

Mr. Whisker's, the best catfish in Hot Springs, Arkansas?

Thupab Bai Toey, or Pandan Crepes with Mung Bean

traditional snack in Bangkok, Thailand

Thupab Bai Toey, or Pandan Crepes with Mung Bean (ถั่วแปบใบเตย)

traditional "Thai mochi" street food snack

Price

Where to get it

Czech-Texas Barbecue

at Vitek's Market, Waco, TX

Vitek's Barbecue 1 meat plate with pulled pork

Vitek's Barbecue in Waco used to be a grocery store and meat market

Vitek's Barbecue 1 meat plate with smoked turkey

pulled pork barbecue with Texas side dishes, Vitek's Barbecue, Waco, TX

Menu

Vitek's Barbecue Menu

Hours

Vitek's Barbecue, 1600 Speight Ave, Waco, TX

Texas Kolaches

at Slovacek's West, Texas

Czech kolaches for sale at Slovacek's, West, Texas

What is a Kolache?

rows of freshly baked Kolaches at Slovacek's in West, Texas

fresh Kolaches, ready to be eaten!

What to eat at Slovacek's

There's a long-running debate amongst Texans about which kolache bakery in West is the best. We don't have an official opinion, and we love all kolache bakeries equally. That being said, Slovacek's is best known in particular for their meat kolaches.

At Slovacek's, they smoke their own meat and make their own sausage, which is used to stuff the delicious kolaches, and is available for sale at the on-site deli.

Jalapeño Popper, Cream Cheese, and Sausage Kolache

This is a perfect Texan combination. The jalapeño, stuffed with cream cheese and sausage, is baked to release all of its natural sweetness. It's not spicy at all, and the delicious pepper and smoky sausage go so well with the cream cheese. The whole thing is baked inside of a fluffy, buttery kolache bun.

a jalapeño popper, cream cheese, and sausage kolache at Slovacek's in West, Texas

Pulled Pork Kolache

Pulled pork is a southern specialty, and since Slovacek's is famous across Texas for their pork products, it's a natural go-to when stopping in for a kolache! The pulled pork is savory and moist and doesn't need any barbecue sauce whatsoever! The portion stuffing the kolache is generous, and you'll never have a single bite without any meat.

a Texas-style pulled pork kolache from Slovacek's in West, Texas

Peach and Cream Cheese Kolache

While the original kolaches may have been savory rather than sweet, sweet kolaches have become perhaps even more iconic in Texas as a breakfast pastry staple. these square-shaped pastries are filled with jams and fruit fillings and sometimes topped with a dollop of baked cream cheese for a bit of extra richness.

This particular sweet pastry that we ordered is made from Texas peaches (which grow bountifully in the summertime around Fredericksburg in the Hill Country). A peach kolache is about as Texas as you can get for a sweet pastry (and pairs well with a cup of hot pecan coffee).

a sweet peach and cream cheese kolache from Slovacek's in West, Texas

Hours

Slovacek's store, bakery, and meat market is open from:

6:00 am to 9:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday. 

6:00am to 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday

Besides kolaches, there's also a variety of cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, and bread for sale at the bakery.

Website

Visit slovacekwesttexas.com to see what's available and to take a virtual tour.

Location

Slovacek's West is located in the small town of West, Texas, about twenty minutes north of Waco on I-35. It's easiest to visit while driving south, and makes for a great stop on the road from the DFW area to Waco or Austin.

214 Melodie Dr, West, TX 76691

Visit Slovacek's not only to try their 37 varieties of delicious kolache, but also for their famous sausage and smoked meats! Stop in to visit the Texas-themed store where you can buy everything from seasonings and spices to Texas university spirit wear and everything in between. There's a Christmas decoration store and an on-site dog park (not to mention clean toilets). Slovacek's is the perfect stop on a long Texas road trip.

Other great Hill Country food in Texas!

The Texas Hill Country is famous for its central European influences, which are particularly expressed in the cuisine in and around Fredericksburg. Visit the Old German Bakery & Restaurant for incredible German-Texas food!

Old German Bakery & Restaurant - Texas-German Cuisine in Fredericksburg, Texas 

Traveler's Tips

West is a small town steeped in Czech settler history. Visit on Labor Day weekend for the super fun West Fest Czech cultural festival!

Learn more: https://westfest.com/

Thai Rice Crackers

at the Ayutthaya Night Market, Thailand

Khao taen crispy rice crackers are a delicious Thai street food snack made from fried crispy sticky rice and topped with a generous drizzle of a sweet syrup made from watermelon juice. This snack can be found throughout Thailand but is most common in the central region. I visited the Ayutthaya Night Market to buy some khao taen and see how it's made.

khao taen, or crispy Thai rice crackers

 

To make khao taen, sticky rice is pressed into a disc and fried in oil. The result is a crispy and crunch treat. 

These crackers are often served with coffee or tea or may be eaten on their own as a snack.

Each cracker is coated in a spiral drizzle of a sweet syrup which is actually made out of watermelon juice concentrated down into a sugar! I never would have known, because you can't taste watermelon. To me, it tastes something like a sweet brown sugar glaze.

khao taen rice crackers with watermelon syrup glaze

A small bag of khao taen crackers is just 40 baht!

a plate of khao taen rice crackers in Ayutthaya, Thailand

More dishes from the Ayutthaya Night Market

Durian and Sticky Rice

Thai Fried Chicken

Crispy "Thai Tempura", or Deep Fried Vegetables

an evening at the Ayutthaya Night Market in Thailand

Where to get it

You can find the rice cakes at at the Ayutthaya Night Market, which opens up every night at 4:30pm on Naresuan Road. Every evening, barriers are put up closing half of the road off from traffic. The street market is a fun place to try lots of amazing central Thai cuisine. Durian is a seasonal fruit, though, so you might not always be able to find it! Typically, you can find durian and durian products for about four months of the year, during the late summer and early rainy season throughout Thailand (May-August).

There's a ton of great food to find at the Ayutthaya Night Market. Don't pass up on the delicious fried chicken and crispy vegetables ("Thai tempura).

Kun Chiang Pla, or Sweet Chinese Fish Sausage

Bangkok, Thailand Street Food Snack

Thai-Chinese sausage made with fish instead of pork (กุนเชียงปลา;贯肠)

Thai-Chinese sweet sausage (กุนเชียง) made from fish (กุนเชียงปลา)

The sausage, which has been fried in oil in the traditional style, tastes almost exactly like the traditional Thai-Chinese kun chiang sweet sausage, but with a very light and mild fish flavor. I like the idea of taking a traditional food and making it a little healthier without sacrificing the delicious flavor.

a street food shop selling fish in Bangkok, Thailand

More Thai snacks that you'll find in and near Bangkok:

Is Khao Ji Different in Thailand and Laos? (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Crispy Fried Veggetables, Ayutthaya Night Market (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Kai Tao, or Thai "Turtle Egg" Fried Sweet Potato Balls (ไข่เต่า) (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Pork Wonton Soup in Bangkok, Thailand

by Jae May Barbecue and Crispy Pork (เจ๊เมย์ หมูแดง-หมูกรอบ)

pork wonton soup in Bangkok, Thailand (Jae Mae Restaurant)

I arrived around noon.

The menu was entirely in Thai, but even if you can't speak or read Thai, there are great photographs to show exactly what you'll be ordering.

I decided to order the Thai pork wonton soup, and I asked to make it spicy.

Jae Mae pork wonton soup with minced pork (เจ๊เมย์)

Even so, the soup wasn't spicy for me, but if you are super sensitive to chilies, you can ask for it "mai pet" (not spicy). 

The soup was made with a super savory broth full of garlic, onion, and sliced shallots. The bowl was filled with deliciously rich Thai-Chinese-style wontons and served with a heaping portion of minced pork to add to the thickness and richness of the dish. 

a bowl of Thai pork wonton soup

the wontons were stuffed with delicious minced pork balls

While the shop itself looked like any other in Thailand, the bowl of noodles that was served to me was, indeed, something to write home about.

Jae Mae Restaurant (เจ๊เมย์ หมูแดง-หมูกรอบ), Bangkok, Thailand

More Bangkok food you might like

The ORIGINAL Pad Thai at Thipsamai - Bangkok, Thailand (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Khao Moo Daeng, or Thai Red Pork in Bangkok (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Crab Noodles and Crab Cakes in Bangkok, Thailand (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Tom Yum Kung, or Thai spicy and sour soup by Pe Aor, Bangkok (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Menu and Price

Menu at Jae Mae Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand

Traveler's Tips

As you walk to the noodle shop, you will pass a shrine to the Hindu god Ganesha. Take a moment to stop in. I had no idea that this shrine was here, and I was delighted by this brief spiritual break before my filling lunch.

Location

Jae Mae Barbecue and Crispy Pork (เจ๊เมย์ หมูแดง-หมูกรอบ) is located just a few meters from MRT Huai Kwang Station (take the exit towards Huai Kwang Market and the Ganesha Shrine). Look for the bright red signs of this very small local pork and noodle shop.

the location of Jae Mae Restaurant (near Huai Kwang MRT), Bangkok, Thailand

QHH9+9Q5, Pracha Songkhro 34 Alley, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400

Cà phê trung, or Egg Coffee

at The Note Coffee, Hanoi, Vietnam

I visit The Note Coffee every time I am in Hanoi. It is by far my favorite cafe in the city!

Cà Phê Trung, or Egg Coffee in Hanoi, Vietnam (The Note Coffee)

In the 1940s, a wartime shortage of milk forced hotel bar owner Nguyen Giang to improvise. He mixed us a sort of custard using egg yolk as a replacement for the traditional sweetened condensed milk that is normally used in Vietnamese coffee. The drink was a hit!

The custard has a sweet, rich vanilla taste, and is sometimes topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. In fact, "egg not coffee" might be more accurate to what it tastes like!

The name "egg coffee" is sometimes a bit off-putting to those who have never tried it, but I've yet to meet someone who doesn't instantly love this very unique Vietnamese drink. Today, egg coffee is a major part of Hanoi's thriving cafe culture.

a cup of hot egg coffee in Hanoi, Vietnam

You can find egg coffee at lots of different cafes throughout Hanoi, but my personal favorite place is at The Note Coffee, a super cool cafe just off of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi's busy and bustling Old Quarter. Besides the delicious drinks and the super friendly English-speaking staff, what makes the cafe unique is that every inch of it is covered in post-it notes! 

inside The Note Coffee, Hanoi, Vietnam (post it note cafe)

When you get your coffee, it comes with a pin and a blank sticky note. People from all around the world have plastered the cafe with sweet and encouraging messages, words of encouragement and good luck, brief messages to friends and strangers, or just with a quick word or two of their own lives. It's quirky and super fun. You're always sure to find an inspiring message if you take a moment to look around. Maybe it's exactly what you needed to hear that day.

you can't argue with a recommendation like that!

Read more about Vietnamese coffee

The original egg coffee at Cafe Giang

The original Vietnamese egg coffee by Cafe Giang (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Salt coffee in Hue

Amazing Salt Coffee in The Imperial City, Hue, Vietnam (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Official site and social media

THE NOTE COFFEE® – post it love, a simple way to make someone's day

The Note Coffee - Posts | Facebook

The Note Coffee (Post-It Love) Location

The Note Coffee is located in a "tube house" (a very traditional tall and narrow Hanoi building) just off of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. When you're walking around the lake, you really can't miss it! The building is bright red, and there's usually a friendly English-speaking cafe employee waiting outside to say hello and welcome you to the cafe.

64 P. Lương Văn Can, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Prawns with Garlic and Black Pepper

by Jay Fai, Bangkok, Thailand

Jay Fai famous grilled river prawns with black pepper and crispy fried garlic

Before reading more about this amazing prawn dish, it's important to know a little about Jay Fai herself. Perhaps Thailand's most famous celebrity chef, Jay Fai rose to fame in 2018 when she was featured in the inaugural Michelin Thailand Guide, winning a coveted star for her crab omelette. Since then, she's been featured in nearly every food and travel show to come to Bangkok, and hungry visitors have to wait 2-3 hours for a spot at her tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery in Bangkok's Old Town.

Oh! And Jay Fai cooks every single dish herself by her own hand. She has stated that she refuses to write down a single recipe or to pass on the knowledge after she retires, so dining at her restaurant is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Jay Fai cooking in a flaming wok

Part of what made Jay Fai so famous was how she sourced her ingredients. Every morning, Jay Fai goes out to the local market to purchase the best, freshest, most expensive, and best-quality seafood she can find. The quality makes the difference, and while the prices are 20-30x higher than you'd expect for Bangkok street food, you can definitely say it's worth it.

The prawns are stir-fried in black pepper and are topped with a heaping handful of deep-fried crispy garlic slices. The crunchy garlic is amazingly strong and aromatic, and I almost wish I had a whole bag of it to snack on by myself! The whole dish is topped with a spring of fresh cilantro, and all of the sweet and pungent flavors and aromas blend together to make an amazing compliment to the massive grilled prawns.

prawns with garlic and black pepper at Jay Fai

Before you go, be sure to check out our guide to eating at Raan Jay Fai! Last time I was there, I saw so many disappointed and frustrated tourists who made a mistake and lost their chance to eat at this famous restaurant. Know before you go! Guide to Eating at Jay Fai Restaurant (theworldofstreetfood.com)

at Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok Thailand Michelin star street food seafood restaurant)

Michelin Restaurants in Bangkok

Michelin-Star Pa Tong Go, or Thai-Chinese Donuts by Patonggo Café, Bangkok, Thailand 

More amazing seafood in Bangkok and nearby

Tom Yum Kung, or Thai spicy and sour soup by Pe Aor, Bangkok (theworldofstreetfood.com)

The ORIGINAL Pad Thai at Thipsamai - Bangkok, Thailand (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Giant River Prawns in Ayutthaya (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Where is Jay Fai's restaurant located?

Jay Fai is located in Bangkok's Old Town (Rattanakosin) neighborhood, very near to Thipsamai Pad Thai and the Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket). You can reach this neighborhood easily by metered taxi, public bus #8, or by MRT at Sam Yot Station.

327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Jay Fai's Crab Curry (ปูผัดผงกะหรี่)

at Raan Jay Fai, Bangkok's most famous local restaurant

Thai crab yellow curry at Jai Fai's Michelin star Bangkok street food restaurant

yellow crab curry at Jay Fai Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand

Jay Fai cooks every dish herself

Price

More from Jay Fai

World Famous Crab Omelette: Raan Jay Fai: a Michelin Star dinner at Thailand's most famous street food restaurant (With Video) (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Jay Fai Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand

Before you go, be sure to check out our guide to eating at Raan Jay Fai! Last time I was there, I saw so many disappointed and frustrated tourists who made a mistake and lost their chance to eat at this famous restaurant. Know before you go! Guide to Eating at Jay Fai Restaurant (theworldofstreetfood.com)

Where is Jay Fai's restaurant located?

Jay Fai is located in Bangkok's Old Town (Rattanakosin) neighborhood, very near to Thipsamai Pad Thai and the Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket). You can reach this neighborhood easily by metered taxi, public bus #8, or by MRT at Sam Yot Station.

327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Jay Fai Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand (Michelin star seafood restaurant)

How to eat at Jay Fai's Restaurant (Raan Jay Fai)

Menu

the menu at Jay Fai's restaurant (Bangkok, Thailand Michelin star street food)

What to order

1. Crab Omelette - 1,200 baht ($35)

Jay Fai Michelin star crab omellette

2. Crab Curry - 2,000 baht ($60)

Jay Fai crab yellow curry

3. Prawns with Garlic and Black Pepper - 1,200 baht ($35)

Jay Fai black pepper and garlic stir-fried prawns

4. Drunken Prawns (kee mao kung) - 1,000 baht ($30)

Jay Fai kee mao kung (drunken prawns)

Jay Fai Opening Hours

When to visit

Where is Jay Fai's restaurant located?

Kai Tao (ไข่เต่า), or Fried Sweet Potato Balls

Bangkok, Thailand Street Food

Kai Tao, or Thai "Turtle Egg" Fried Sweet Potato Balls (ไข่เต่า)

a bag of khai tao

Good khai tao should be crispy and fried on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside.

The flavor will be the same, whether they are made with yellow or purple sweet potato, but when you buy a bag of khai tao, you'll likely get a scoop of each color.

It's a nice snack - not too heavy (although they can be a little oily), and nice in the morning.

the inside of a piece of khai tao sweet potato ball

Cost

Where to find it

a Thai street food fried banana stand

Bún Cá, or Fish Noodle Soup 

a bowl of Bún Cá, or Fish Noodle Soup in Hanoi, Vietnam

What to eat in Hanoi, Vietnam (Hanoi Food Guide)

What to eat in Hanoi: 10 Cheap and delicious dishes!

Bun ca is a classic and healthy Hanoi-style Vietnamese noodle soup. The broth is savory, flavorful, and slightly sour, and is stuffed full of vegetables and herbs. The most significant ingredient, of course, is the fish, which came in the form of both fried fish and fish cakes to add a filling heartiness to the soup.

The broth is served over a generous portion of vermicelli rice noodles, and is served in a bowl with soft, stewed tomatoes and a huge heaping portion of fish eggs on top (which I found to add a great richness when mixed into the soup).

The only thing I wasn't crazy about were the fish intestines that were served in the dish, but they could easily be avoided or picked out. If you can speak Vietnamese, I'm sure you could ask for your meal to come without it. Perhaps it adds a bunch of flavor, but I've just never been huge on organs or intestines in my food. It's just a personal thing, I guess.

healthy Vietnamese fish noodle soup

crispy fried fish in Hanoi, Vietnam served with noodle soup

More delicious food in Hanoi, Vietnam

Price

Where to get it