Club Esso Isan Street Food: Fueling Vehicles to Human Lives
Club Esso Isan Restaurant
The founders of the this fine Isan street stall on the corner Ratchaparop and Rangnam in Bangkok, didn’t name their dining establishment Club Esso, however, the cart just happens to setup at the petrol station on the same corner.
In the evening the petrol station transforms from fueling vehicles to fueling human life.
Isan Street Food in Bangkok
A personal favorite reason for eating Isan street food in Thailand is the grilled fish; Everyone take note – put a fish on the grill and I will surely come running.
Bangkok Street Food
Their grilled fish (pla pao, ปลาเผา) always arrives on the table fresh off the coals and glistening with that beautiful natural fish oil!
Grilled fish (pla pao, ปลาเผา)
It’s not so much about the grilled catfish (pla duk yang ปลาดุกย่าง), but about the sauce that is provided with the catfish that makes or breaks it. Club Esso “makes it,” with a resounding applause. Their nam jim (chili sauce) is sufficiently spicy and hits that high note on the tip of your tongue.
Grilled catfish (pla duk yang ปลาดุกย่าง)
What would an Isan meal be without a sample of the green papaya salad (som tam, ส้มตำไทย)? Nothing crazy or new here, just a solid home-style pounded green papaya salad.
Green papaya salad (som tam, ส้มตำไทย)
Another asset to Club Esso is that they often have beef available (for those of us who enjoy a dosage of cow every now and then). Their grilled beef salad (nam tok neua yang, น้ำตกเนื้อย่าง) is another worthwhile reason to mark Rangnam as a Thai street food hot-spot.
Grilled beef salad (nam tok neua yang, น้ำตกเนื้อย่าง)
I don’t think I need to even mention sticky rice (khao neow, ข้าวเหนียว), but here’s a picture just in case.
Sticky rice (khao neow, ข้าวเหนียว)
Address of Club Esso
Club Esso
Isan Street Food
Located at the Esso petrol station on the corner of Rangnam and Ratchaprarop Road., near Victory Monument.
How to Get to Club Esso Isan Street Stall Restaurant
The street stall is quite centrally located in Bangkok terms. It’s a short taxi ride (or even walk) from Central World shopping mall, and just a 10 minute walk down Rangnam Road from the Victory Monument BTS station.
Here’s the map to make it easier to get there:
View Eating Thai Food Map in a larger map
Betsy
7 years ago
Hi Mark,
I stayed about a two minute walk from here last Winter for two months. It was wonderful. But the lady you do not mention is Kung, who has the coffee stand adjacent to here! She is absolutely lovely and before I knew her name I had nicknamed her “Mama Cafe” in my head because that is her essence. She also serves freshly ground espresso drinks that will make you see through time.
Marina
8 years ago
Came to Bangkok yesterday and went to the restaurant immediately as we are staying in Bizotel hotel on the same street. The food was spectacular! Dipping sauces were so rich in taste, fish super fresh cause it was still jumping on the grill, papaya salad and the dressing was amazing, grilled chicken was so moist inside and crispy outside, loved sticky rice! Just for reference, gas station changed to Caltex.
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hi Marina, thank you for the update, and glad you enjoyed this place. It’s been a while since I’ve been hear, good to hear the food is still as good, and thanks for sharing that the gas station has changed.
Jojo
10 years ago
I will be staying in Bangkok in the Rangnam Rd area for 4 weeks later this year – very excited to try this and other places! Thanks so much for your awesome videos and articles, they are so helpful, and definitely making me very excited about my trip!! xx
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Jojo, good to hear you’ll be coming to Bangkok. Also be sure to check out https://www.eatingthaifood.com/2012/10/isan-rod-ded-restaurant-rangnam-bangkok/ a great spot on Rangnam as well.