The best places to eat in Thailand, according to culinary legend Jay Fai

Bangkok’s street food scene is chaotic, vibrant and a sensory overload. And we mean that in the best possible way. In fact, Thailand as a nation is so packed with salty, creamy, and spicy flavors that it can be downright overwhelming to know where to go and what to bite into next. But if you need to focus on one eye during this food storm, look no further than Chef Jay Fai, who has all the answers about where to dine next and exactly what to order.

The longtime street food icon, known for his always cool Mad Max look complete with oversized black ski goggles, is the mastermind behind the Michelin-starred street food spot Raan Jay Fai. Diners come from all over the world to try her tempting dishes, including the crab omelet Michelin is calling “simply second to none.”

And while her food is without a doubt some of the most sought-after in the country (and, honestly, the world), Fai has a few other places she likes to recommend to travelers on their Thailand vacations (because, hey, even culinary legends need a break from their own kitchen every now and then). Luckily for you, Fai was kind enough to reveal the secrets of where she goes when she feels like letting someone else do all the work. Here are the flavors and places Fai says you should try next time in Thailand.

Michelin chef Jay Fai and food from her streetside restaurant in Bangkok.

From left: courtesy of Jay Fai; Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Travel + Leisure: What is your favorite food city in Thailand, and why?

Jay Fai: “I love the diverse range of Thai chilli pastes from each region in Thailand as each region is unique. My absolute favorite meal is fish and boiled vegetables with Thai chilli paste. I could eat this every day and never get bored – plus the healthy In addition to Thai food, I also enjoy Japanese and Korean cuisine, especially grilled meat. I like to discover and try food from different shops and restaurants.

Is there a great food destination that most travelers to Thailand don’t know about?

“Kung Ten Ung Jua Kee Restaurant in Pathum Thani province is a hidden gem that I have been visiting for over a decade. It is an old shop with some of my favorite dishes, which are increasingly difficult to find these days. I also enjoy going dining in rural restaurants, like those wooden house restaurants in Suphanburi, which serve food made from local natural ingredients like grilled fish and shrimp from rivers and canals. Although I can’t remember the names of these places, I still miss their flavors.

A close-up of a Nam-Prik.

Jerry Redfern/Getty Images

What is the top Thai street food visitors should try?

“Took a shot (Thai chili paste) is a must try. Thai food is generally delicious, but I recommend choosing a restaurant with a long-standing chef. Frequent chef changes can affect the consistency of the food. At well-known restaurants that I frequent, I can immediately tell if the chef has changed, because the taste will be different.”

What mistake do visitors make when dining out in Bangkok – and how can they avoid it?

“I advise visitors to be patient with locals due to possible language barriers. Learning something about Thai culture will go a long way. Thai people are friendly and hospitable, so please be patient with us. We welcome visitors. ”

A Thai dish of fish and boiled vegetables with Nam Prik.

Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

What’s your go-to meal at home?

“My go-to meal is mackerel chili paste with lots of vegetables. When I have time, I make a mixed vegetable stew and roasted salty shredded chicken to eat with hot rice porridge. Most of my go-to meals are dishes that I have learning to make and eat while living with my parents. I also like to make boiled soups, such as bitter melon, bamboo shoots, radishes and pumpkin with chicken and food.

When you’re not cooking or in your own restaurant, where do you go out to eat in Bangkok?

“In Bangkok I prefer simple Thai restaurants like Ice rinkwhere I often order Thai chili paste and Southern Thai food.”