Say pad kaprao and one is filled with warm, nostalgic thoughts. Although pad kaprao is a simple dish, there is more to it than what is typically found at street food stalls. These days, there are many eateries shining a spotlight on this national treasure and transforming it with every imaginable ingredient you can think of. Here's where to find them.
Kaprao Tapae
At this roadside eatery, diners aren't eating pad kaprao for sustenance -- they're having an experience. Having opened earlier this year, the diner has already made a name for itself for busting out the spiciest kaprao. Believe it or not, one customer was sent to hospital after eating a three-chilli kaprao and suffering from severe stomach pains and nausea. With that being said, do note that the restaurant does not serve their krapao this spicy, but had made it on the request of the diner.
Photos: Kaprao Tapae
The restaurant's secret lies in the chillies they use. Forget bird's eye chillies or cayenne peppers. Here, you are introduced to the Carolina Reaper, regarded as one of the world's hottest chillies with capsaicinoids ranging from 1.5 million to 2 million SHU (Scoville Heat Units). Owner Worakrit Sakulleaow said his friend first brought the chilli from America and not really knowing what to do with it, he decided to throw some into his kaprao. Once he experienced the off-the-chart heat, he knew it had to be added to the menu. For safety concerns, Worakrit limits the amount of chillies to one or two per plate. For those who dislike spiciness but appreciate a good kaprao, Kaprao Tapae isn't just about the spice. Apart from the Carolina Reaper pork kaprao (B300), other must-tries include Chinese mala kaprao with sliced pork (B75), Crispy sea bass kaprao (B140) and Crabmeat kaprao that costs up to B410 a plate.
Note: Since the Carolina Reaper isn't easy to come by, it might not always be available, but you can call to check with the owner before heading over. You may bring a litre or two of milk to help cope with the heat.
Mon-Sat 11am-9pm / 32/50, Sukhumvit 21/ Call 091-756-3724.
Phed Mark
Known for his memorable slogan, "I travel for food", Mark Wiens, a Bangkok-based YouTuber who gained a fan following by eating all over the globe since 2009, has stepped into new-yet-familiar territory with his express eatery specialising in fiery pad kaprao. Phed Mark was conceptualised when Wiens and fellow foodie friends, Iron Chef Thailand Gigg Kamol, food critic Kittidech Vimolratana and actor Pongtap Arutan, were chatting about where to find the best kaprao. Surprisingly, none of them could come up with a spot that felt like a clear winner. They decided to take matters into their own hands and open a small eatery to serve "the best kaprao".
Photos: Pawat Laupaisarntaksin
After months of research and recipe development, Phed Mark was born. There's no menu, simply a piece of paper taped onto the counter listing the only two kapraos on offer: Minced beef (B155) and Minced pork (B105). The stir-fry is cooked using a blend of white and red rubin basil with fennel leaves. This gives the dish a unique and complex flavour. The beef depends on what is the best product available from suppliers, some days it's dry-aged Angus from Buri Ram and other days it is jasmine wagyu from Khon Kaen, or even Himawari beef from Nakhon Ratchasima.
By the stove, you'll notice a big bowl filled to the brim with smashed chillies, which the staff say is a mixture of four peppers: cayenne, jinda, bird's eye chillies and fresh peppercorns. While it looks dangerously hot, it is not something you need to sweat over. Simply pick between the three spice levels to suit your liking: mild, signature spicy (recommended) and very spicy. As Weins would say, "If it's not spicy, I'm not eating it." We suggest you do the same.
Because the space only seats a handful of customers at a time, be sure to head there before noon or after 1pm.
Mon-Sat 11am-5pm / 928 Sukhumvit Road / Call 083-893-8989.
Moom Gapao
This no-frills restaurant is committed to serving only the "proper" version of pad kaprao. Fed up with mediocre versions being served throughout the city, Teerapol Rojthinnakorn decided to open Moom Gapao, a quick-service eatery that ensures diners get the kaprao they're looking for. The eatery focuses on food that is healthy and clean, and no MSG or any artificial flavours are used. Plus, only lean cuts of meat that have been certified hygienic, with all the fat trimmed, are served.
The menu has a variety of kaprao, ranging from conventional options, like Sliced chicken kaprao (B78) and Minced pork kaprao (B78), to slightly more intriguing ones, like Braised duck kaprao (B98), Sun-dried pork kaprao (B98) and Chinese sausage kaprao (B88) -- all served with what they call a "lava duck egg", which has a runny yolk dripping to the sides like frosting on a cake.
The eatery is designed with a Japanese express food joint in mind (think long blond-wood counters and high-chairs) and has 13 branches across the city. Visit their FB page to find the nearest location to you.
Daily 11am-8pm / Photo Mania Building (next to the GMM Building), 44 Asok Montri Road / Call 081-549-9919.
Arno's Thai
Arno's has come a long way since an in-demand spot for dry-aged beef lovers. However, its branches in Thong Lor and Sathon have taken a different route by giving starring roles to classic Thai comfort food, specifically stir-fry basil and noodles.
The interiors of the Thong Lor branch is modish, but has a more casual vibe that fits well with the humble, comforting food that the kitchen serves. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows lead to an abundance of light to create a bright and airy feel to the place.
The long kaprao menu lets you pick what you want as your main feature. Whether it's the Lean ground beef kaprao (B80), Sliced beef tenderloin kaprao (B250 for 250g) or the melt-in-your-mouth Stewed beef kaprao (B70). For anyone who's partial to seafood, the Black mussel kaprao (B150) or the plump Banana prawn kaprao (B90) make excellent choices. However, I recommend the crispy Deep-fried duck breast kaprao (B160 for 200g) that is coated in a flavourful, quite watery (in a good way) kaprao sauce. And if you fancy a side of crispy egg, which of course you should, that it's an optional add-on for B12.
Open daily 11am-10pm / 251/2 Thong Lor Soi 13 / Call 02-023-7130.
Genius Bar
"What makes our kaprao unique is not actually what's in it, but what's not in it," said Darren Liu, a Chinese-Canadian certified health coach, who turned his passion in nutrition and fitness into a health-conscious hideaway in the basement of Eight Thonglor.
The initial concept of the cafe was to focus only on bone broths, but the idea to include pad kaprao was Liu's partner. The kaprao is a wholesome medley and enough good fat to keep you full for a substantial amount of time.
They made healthy deviations from the norm by replacing heavily processed vegetable oil with extra-virgin olive oil and using Australian grass-fed ground beef and antibiotic-free chicken breast. MSG or other additives are not used, plus all ingredients, including the basil and chillies are organic.
However, the key to the great kaprao here is the bone broth. It helps to add deep flavour while reducing the amount of oil needed, so as to achieve a much less greasy stir-fry.
The cafe offers a few options, but you should try the Ground beef kaprao (B180) with an addition of sliced beef liver (B50 for 30g), or the Chicken hearts and liver kaprao (B180). The Crispy duck egg (B30) addition is a must.
Open daily 10am-8pm / The Eight Thonglor, 36 Sukhumvit 55 / Call 097-234-6482.
Prow
This Chong Nonsi lunch spot is a favourite with the office crowd. The pad kaprao is offered in various combinations that work well together like the Pork tenderloin kaprao, with smoky bacon and oozing cheese (B165), or the Chicken inner fillet kaprao with ebiko (B165).
The eatery's price point may be above the average kaprao found at your neighbourhood restaurant but it seems reasonable once you bite into the fancy cuts of meats in the Beef sirloin kaprao (B190) or the Rib-eye steak kaprao (B220). For seafood lovers, opt for the chunky Salmon kaprao (B240), or the Supreme seafood mash-up kaprao (B240) with shrimp, squid and seared salmon.
If you feel like your bowl is not rich enough, crown it with toppings like Crab and shrimp paste in spicy oil (B15), Fatty shrimp roe (B25) or a big heap of cheese for B20.
The eatery recently branched out with a sister venue at CentralWorld's co-living and eating space called the Living House. To celebrate the launch, the branch is letting diners customise their kaprao with a variety of toppings on offer. Price starts at B95 a bowl. g
Open daily 11am-9pm / 154/4, Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Road / Call 086-345-7705.
