As many Bangkokians would agree, the fun parts of life start after you leave the office. And after staying up late to watch a lakorn, or stumbling out of a pub after closing hours, what we really need is, not a good night's sleep, but food to comfort our stomachs and hopefully chase the looming hangover away. Here are 10 after hours places we have tried and tested to help sober you up, or at least fill your belly for your ride home.

BA MEE KAI

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8pm-4am.

What: A B50 bowl of ba mee with minced pork and slices of roasted red pork, plus one kai yang ma toom (soft-boiled egg) on top.

Other highlights: Apart from the soft ba mee and the energy you will get from the soft-boiled egg, it's served from the back of a truck adapted into a cooking counter conveniently located within walking distance from various clubbing venues like Nunglen and Escobar. Whether you go there before or after partying is entirely up to you.

Where: Top of Ekamai Soi 19.

Go there if: You have just finished partying around Ekamai and need some food to sober you up before confronting your suspicious mum/wife/pet dog at home.

YENTAFO LAM FAH PA

Opening hours: Daily 11am-4am.

What: A B100 bowl of yentafo or spicy and sweet pinkish-red soup with fish and shrimp balls and fried tofu, topped with morning glory stems and fried dumplings.

Other highlights: Over 30 years in the business and with the air-con on all the time, the taste and the customers' comfort are guaranteed. A group of up to four people can enjoy the soup with rice. Add B50 for fish or order a full seafood set for B200. The hotness and spiciness of the soup will freshen you up, possibly readying you for more partying.

Where: At the front of Pattnakarn Soi 1, Pattanakarn Road (02-318-3518).

Go there if: You have just left a gentlemen's club around Srinakarin and need some energy to present to your lady at home.

HEA LOR KAO MUN KAI

Opening hours: Daily 4pm-3am.

What: A B60 plate of kao mun kai aka chicken rice.

Other highlights: With over 20 years in the business, Hea Lor Kao Mun Kai is in the late night foodie haven, Sukhumvit Soi 38 (or "sam-paed" as it's known). Conveniently walkable from Thong Lor, order a plate which includes a mix of both boiled and fried chicken in one. You can also order a B80 plate if the regular one is not enough to soak up the liquid in your system.

Where: About 200m into Sukhumvit Soi 38 and on your right (088-611-7239).

Go there if: You're planning a night around Thong Lor but determined never to waste your money on food in the club which doesn't even taste good.

SAENGCHAI POCHANA

Opening hours:  Daily 6pm-4am.

What: More than 20 years old, the restaurant has a wide selection of Thai and Chinese food which goes particularly well with steaming rice congee.

Other highlights: Apart from the place's signature pot-stewed duck, the soft snowfish steamed with dark soy sauce is soothing for an empty stomach and a dish of delicious blue crabs can counter drowsiness. Plus, sitting and having a meal on Sukhumvit at night can be quite an experience.

Where: On Sukhumvit between Sois 30 and 32 (02-204-3063).

Go there if: You're partying around Asok/Phrom Phong and decide to leave all the buzz in the pub and have a snack on the street.

ACROSS THE ROAD KUAY TEOW KAI

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9pm-3am.

What: A bowl of noodles starting from B50 with various parts of chicken.

Other highlights: It's not so much about the softness of the noodles and stewed chicken as the unique position and workings of this noodle shed. While the tables are on one side of the road, waiters make signs (and sometimes shout) across the road to the cook who prepares the noodles on the other side. Be patient as the waiters wait for the cars to pass and cross the street to serve you, risking their lives for your stomach - what service!

Where: Near Wall Street Tower and in front of Kasikorn Bank, Surawong Road (084-138-4079).

Go there if: You have so little money left after spending it all on pint after pint at one of the Irish pubs in the area.

MOO AOB AONG NAI GLAE

Opening hours: Dally 3pm-2am.

What: Pork roasted in an oven adapted from a water jar, served with sticky rice.

Other highlights: After up to 50 minutes of roasting the pork in the water jar, expect nothing less than juicy, sweet and chewy moo fillet and sirloin, rivalling even the infamous moo ping man in Silom.

Where: Near Hua Seng Heng Building, Yaowarat Road (083-054-7769).

Go there if: You decide to go further afield from Siam into the buzzing Yaowarat Road.

KAO-LAO TOM LEUD MOO

Opening hours: Daily 4pm-3am.

What: A B40 bowl of hot soup with boiled jelly pork blood, minced pork, slices of pork, plus lettuce and coriander on top.

Other highlights: This could seriously prevent a hangover the next day. Sipping down the hot soup flavoured with a bit of spice and vinegar, topped with fresh pork and boiled jelly pork blood, is all that is needed to chase your tipsiness and headache away.

Where: On Sukhumvit between Sois 20 and 22 (083-054-7769).

Go there if: You want to save your money to buy the girls some drinks at your next pitstop - Nana.

NAI YONG CURRY

Opening hours: Daily 7pm-4am.

What: A B40 plate of spicy beef or pork curry.

Other highlights: Among the bustling nightlife in Yaowarat and the mostly bland Chinese food in the area, not only will this hot and tasty curry work up your appetite, it will clear your head and wake you up too. There are also other dishes on offer in case you can't stand the spiciness.

Where: Opposite Yaowarat Old Market, Yaowarat Road (087-983-2874).

Go there if: You're in for some spicy food on Yaowarat Road.

WORLD CHAMPION MANNY PACQUIAO KUAY TEOW NUE

Opening hours: Daily 4pm-3am.

What: Noodles with stewed beef starting from B40.

Other highlights: If the softness of the well-stewed beef is not enough to boost your energy and freshen you up into sobriety, the seller's face that looks unbelievably like Manny Pacquiao will awaken you with amazement.

Where: In front of Bangkok Bank, Hua Lamphong, Rama VI Road (087-009-1593).

Go there if: You're coming from Falabella or Siam. Or if you really want to see this Manny lookalike.

DUCK LARB RAMA IV

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-4am.

What: An Isan-style restaurant with a wide selection of authentic dishes.

Other highlights: Apart from the super hot and tasty som tam, duck larb and many more Isan dishes that will definitely wake you up, the location of this restaurant is very convenient - within easy reach of either Sukhumvit or Rama IV Roads. This place keeps the party going on all night no matter how late it is, perking up customers' spirits with Isan-style music at any hour.

Where: Opposite PTT Petrol Station, at the start of Rama IV Road near Phra Khanong junction (086-009-5616).

Go there if: You want more fermented drinks after the pubs on Sukhumvit and Rama IV have closed.