Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle

Pe Aor (P'Aor) is a small noodle shop in a lane between Phetchaburi Soi 5 and Soi 7 in Ratchathewi, with a big pot of tom yum broth simmering at the open-air kitchen out front. It is known for creamy tom yum kung noodles, a broth built on the fat from prawn heads and served over noodles with freshwater prawns, and for the showpiece lobster versions: a whole lobster with crab, squid, mussels and egg for about 1,500 baht, or a smaller 'Lobster in Love' at around 450 baht. The menu runs to more than 20 tom yum variations, clear old-style tom yum, shrimp wontons, porridge and fried noodles with tom yum seafood. The shop seats about 25 and is about 5 minutes on foot from BTS Ratchathewi. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 21:00, closed Monday; some listings show it open daily. Most bowls cost 50 to 150 baht; there is often a queue at lunch, so aim for late morning on a weekday.