Thipsamai (Pad Thai Pratu Phi)

Thipsamai, also known as Pad Thai Pratu Phi after the nearby Pratu Phi junction, is a family-run pad thai shop on Maha Chai Road that dates its history to 1939 and took its present name in 1966; the third generation of the Baisamut family now runs it. Its signature is the Superb Pad Thai: Chanthaburi rice noodles fried over charcoal with shrimp oil and fresh sea prawns, then wrapped in a thin egg net, served with the shop's fresh orange juice. The open kitchen fries on the pavement and queues form most evenings; a vegetarian pad thai is on the menu. It stands in the Old City near Wat Saket, about 700 to 800 m from MRT Sam Yot exit 1, or 5 to 7 minutes on foot from the Phan Fa Lilat canal-boat pier. Open daily 09:00 to midnight, closed Tuesday. Plates run from about 90 baht to around 300 baht; expect to queue at peak times, and takeaway is available.