Showing posts with label Phra Nakhon. Show all posts

[FOOD] 20150114 Pad Thai Thip Samai (Prathuphi Pad Thai) @ Phra Nakhon, Bangkok


It is said that the Thai national dish i.e. Pad Thai was originated from this stall known as Thip Samai back in 1966. I often see this stall being featured in travel programmes and told myself that this is the one restaurant I need to go.

Pad Thai Thip Samai, or also known as Prathu Phi Pad Thai by the locals ("Prathu Phi" means ghost gate) due to its location nearby Prathu Phi, is well known among the locals and often packed with patrons no matter what time. It's opened until mid night and many will come here for supper after work.

The restaurant is operated in stations to cater for the huge crowd where each station has it's own function i.e. the cooking station, the wrapping station and the garnishing station. Worth mentioning that they use charcoal instead of gas stove for their cookings.

Huge wok of Pad Thai is churned out from time to time, with more than 10 servings per wok. The Pad Thai will then be prepared according to the order and some will be sent to the wrapping station for the Pattaya style omelette wrappings.

It was fun to see how each task was broken down into unit operations in order to be more efficient to cut down lag time between each plate of Pad Thai, without compromising on the quality.

There are a few options available from the normal Pad Thai, Supreme Pad Thai, Prawn Pad Thai etc etc. Not forgetting their special ice blended coconut that taste like 7-11's slurpee but in coconut flavour.

Pad Thai Thip Samai
313 Maha Chai Road Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon Bangkok 10200
Nearest BTS Stations: Nil
Telephone: +66 (0) 2221 6280
Opening Hours: 05:30 pm until 01:30 am

TO GO


Thip Samai is located at Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, which is very near to Khao San Road or Chinatown. My recommendation will be to come here for supper after your visit to either place. Taking a cab will be the most convenient way but some cab driver might refuse to bring you over due to the short distance. Just tell the driver "Prathu-Phi Pad Thai" and most likely he will know where is it.



SPECIALITY



It was late at night and I managed to get one kind cab driver to bring me over the Prathu-phi Pad Thai. Being the origin of all Pad Thai recipe in Thailand, I was wondering how "legendary" will the Pad Thai be, while being sceptical over the "mass production" method. The restaurant is full of patrons, including the roadside corridor outside the restaurant. Mostly locals who got off work late or dropping by for supper or take away.


The restaurant uses hot flames from the charcoal instead of gas stove, just like how it was done during their inception. Charcoal fire also gives a better aroma and is much hotter than normal gas stove, making the cooking harder as you required to stir fry as quickly as possible to avoid over-burnt.


The cooking starts off from a big wok and then segregate into smaller plates of Pad Thai for the next station to do a fast stir-fry action with intense fire with additional toppings or ingredients according to the order.


Those who ordered the Supreme Pad Thai will be sent to the next station for the omelette wrapping where you can see the worker skilfully wrapped each plate of Pad Thai in a blink of an eye, like a machine.


The finished product will be transferred into a clean plate and garnished with coriander and chilli. The waiter will then fill his hands with plates of Pad Thai before doing the delivery. It was fun and interesting to see the whole process on how fast your Pad Thai can be served and how efficient the workers work.


My Supreme Pad Thai (85 Baht) is ready in a jiffy and looks very inviting.


Traditionally, Pad Thai will be served along with some raw vegetables such as chives and bean sprout. However, I noticed many locals did not touch these raw vegetables and only concentrate on their Pad Thai. 


Not forgetting the coconut "slurpee" which is said to be a secret recipe passed down by the Queen directly to the owner of this restaurant. It does taste like a coconut flavour slurpee, if you are wondering.


The Pad Thai tastes good with nice flavours but was not as good as I expected. Probably I have too high hopes prior to this. The ingredients also seemed "ungenerous" for the pricing of 85 Baht, in contrast to the Pad Thai Fire Look I had in Thong Lo which comes with generous amount of prawns and crab meat, at a cheaper price and better flavour.

SUMMARY


Overall it is still a good and satisfying meal to have especially for supper. However, was slightly disappointed with the taste probably due to the mass production and high bar set by Pad Thai Fire Look that I had previously in Thong Lo. Nevertheless, it is still good to experience the very first recipe and to witness the stations of preparing in Pad Thai Thip Samai.

Taste
☆☆☆☆
Good pad thai
Value
☆☆☆
Pricing towards the high side with minimal ingredients and toppings
Service
☆☆☆☆☆
Despite the huge crowd, service is excellent and prompt with very good manners.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆
Opening Hours
05:30pm until 01:30am (Daily)
Wifi
Nil
Parking
Minimal
Website
Nil

GPS: 13.752750, 100.504708
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[PLACE] 20150114 Khaosan Road @ Phra Nakhon, Bangkok


Khaosan Road or Khao San Road was once a main rice market, suggested from the name "Khaosan" which literally means "milled rice". It is now a famous night market and backpacker's street with cheap accommodation which attracts many backpackers from around the world.

It is also a travel hub where many travel agents providing cheap and affordable tours to various destination around Thailand and even outside Thailand with one stop Visa application services. My half day trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is also arranged by one of the travel agent from here.

At night, the street transforms into a very happening place with street vendors, food stalls, pubs and other entertainment. Khaosan Road is considered to be a more hippy place and is flooded with more foreign tourists than any other night market around Bangkok.

You may find many interesting in Khaosan Road that you may rarely encounter else where like makeshift mobile pubs, campervan pubs, edible bugs stalls etc.

Khaosan Rd Khet Phra Nakhon Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200 Thailand
Nearest BTS Stations: Nil
Telephone: Nil
Opening Hours: Nil

TO GO


Khaosan Road is not near to any BTS nor MRT stations and mostly you would need to grab a cab to reach here.



ATTRACTION


Khaosan Road is more lively at night with the variety of pubs and cafe. It caters more for the younger market with its strong music and adventurous offerings such as on-the-spot tattoos, fried scorpions on-the-go, street challenges etc.


More than half of the visitors here are foreigners and mostly staying nearby at the backpackers' lounge or hotels.


Temporary or permanent tattoos stalls are commonly seen here in Khaosan Road and they will do it on the spot like a free show.



Not forgetting the traditional Thai massage, from the cheap open air mass-production type, to the slightly premium air-conditioned parlours along the streets. A great way to pamper your foot after a long walk.


The Khaosan Road expands into the alley from the main street which will lead you to the other side of Khaosan Road where they are more restaurants and pubs awaiting for you.


In contrast to the more happening main street, the side walk is more cozy and relaxing with pubs and restaurants if you are looking for a bite.



The BBQ seafood is very tempting and inviting with the aroma. If it wasn't because I was still full from the earlier seafood dinner at T&K Seafood, I might end up having my dinner here instead. Probably next time.


Further down the streets, the crowd became lesser and the streets are quiet and dark. However, this is where all the cute little campervan bars are located. The locals creatively transformed these old campervan into vibrant and colourful road side bars. Each having its own distinctive characteristics.


Some with loud techno music while some others with soothing chillax melodies.


Some cuter version of the campervan bars.


No campervan? Nevermind, old pick up trucks will do just fine.


Towards the very end of the street, there's this red looking cafe with some tents outside for those who are looking for a quiet environment away from the busy streets.


SUMMARY


Khaosan Road caters more to youngsters who are more adventurous and active with a variety of unique experience. It is a relatively short street but a more hipster area compared to other night markets and it is very lively. It is known as the backpacker's street with many backpacker's lounge established within the vicinity. Here is also one of a few places that you are able to find exotic bug/insect snacks for those who dare to try.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆☆
very lively and happening street.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
Nil
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
Nil
Parking
Limited
Website
Nil

GPS: 13.759012, 100.497098
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