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Somtam Nua

Siam Square's famous som tam stop — punchy papaya salad and Thailand's best-loved fried chicken, worth the line that never quite disappears.

4.4(3,639)$$$$Siam BTS Station · 2 min walk
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Daily 11:00–21:30
Price
$$$$
Mid-range
Getting there
Siam BTS Station
2 min walk

Learn the Spice Scale

Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.

Details

Address
392, 12-14 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan
Phone
080 068 1022
Full opening hours
Monday11:00–21:30
Tuesday11:00–21:30
Wednesday11:00–21:30
Thursday11:00–21:30
Friday11:00–21:30
Saturday11:00–21:30
Sunday11:00–21:30

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Why go, and how to do it well

Somtam Nua brought Isan's fiercest salad to Bangkok's most fashionable square and has been lining them up ever since. The som tam here is the benchmark many visitors measure every later version against — green papaya pounded to order with lime, chilli, fish sauce and peanuts in proper balance — and the supporting cast seals it, with golden-crusted fried chicken that regulars insist is among the city's best, sticky rice to cool the burn, and larb and grilled pork to round out the Isan table.

The Siam Square location makes it the natural refuel between the malls and the BTS, which is also why the line at peak meal times is a fixture; it moves fast, and the pounding-station theater entertains the wait. Spice is honest here — 'pet nit noi' (a little spicy) is the traveler's friend.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

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Best rated within a 14-minute walk

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Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Somtam Nua, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Mid-range

Pair your visit. After Somtam Nua, round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.

392, 12-14 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan

Open in Google Maps

More restaurants & food nearby

All within a 3-minute walk of Somtam Nua.

Mango Tango

Mango Tango

190 m walk3.7(2,953)
258, 11-12 Siam Square Soi 3, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan
Siam Square's mango dessert institution — mango sticky rice, mango smoothies and mango everything, the sweet finish to a Siam shopping day.
Siam Paragon Food Hall
Hidden Gem

Siam Paragon Food Hall

210 m walk4.5(243)$$$$
991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Air-conditioned street food with Michelin Bib names attached, and cards work at every stall.
Gourmet Eats Siam Paragon Branch

Gourmet Eats Siam Paragon Branch

210 m walk4.4(2,601)
991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
A mall food court that saves you chasing street food vendors across the city, if you don't mind mall prices.
After You Dessert Cafe Siam Paragon

After You Dessert Cafe Siam Paragon

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991 Ground floor Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan
The Siam Paragon branch of After You, Bangkok's famous dessert café, home of Shibuya honey toast and Thai-flavored kakigori, open 10:00 to 22:00.

Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food

Follow the Crowds

The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.

Ice Is Safe

Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.

Use Grab for Delivery

The Grab app works for food delivery across Thailand, letting you order from street stalls and restaurants alike. It's invaluable on rainy days or when you want to eat in your hotel.

Somtam Nua: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Somtam Nua worth visiting?

Somtam Nua holds a 4.4★ rating from 3,639 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Bangkok.

What are the opening hours of Somtam Nua?

Somtam Nua is typically open 11:00–21:30 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

How expensive is Somtam Nua?

Somtam Nua is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Bangkok.

When is the best time to visit Somtam Nua?

The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).

Where is Somtam Nua located?

Somtam Nua is at 392, 12-14 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).

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