P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) – The Best Tom Yum Goong Noodles in Bangkok?

P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) – A restaurant you don’t want to miss!
Petchaburi Soi 5 is one of the best Bangkok street food streets.
Each day and even more so in the evening, you’ll find a bedazzling amount of restaurants and Thai street food carts serving delicious and ready to be devoured cuisine.
And among the mess of culinary delights, there’s one famous establishment known as P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ), that serves what I think could be the best tom yum goong noodles (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น) in all of Bangkok.

The dining room
P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) has become a little fashion trendy restaurant, they would be what I call just one step above a normal shophouse restaurant.
Their awards and trophies are decorated throughout the dining room, and rather than the customary stainless steel tables, they interior designed themselves with antique looking wooden tables and benches.

Starting off with a cha manao
Before our dishes arrived, we started off with a refreshing cha manao (ice lime tea).

Khao Goong Rad Sauce Man Boo (ข้าวกุ้งราดซอสมันปู)
And then the food arrived, one by one, the first being Khao Goong Rad Sauce Man Boo (ข้าวกุ้งราดซอสมันปู).
Now let me explain to you what this is…
It starts with a plate of rice. A shrimp, and I’m talking a jumbo prawn, is sliced in half and laid upon the bed of rice. From there, a heaping pile of “man boo,” known in English as the buttery oil and goop from the head of the crab is piled on top.
A few light seasonings and a sprig of cilantro, and the creative dish is complete.

A thing of beauty
It was reminiscent of boo pad pongali, but different. The shrimp was firm and flavorful and the crab fat was creamy like a cross between scrambled eggs and straight margarine.
It definitely was oily, but sure was tasty.
Price – 60 THB

Ba Mee Yok Neau Ob (บะหมี่หยกเนื้ออบ)
Then came a dish known as Ba Mee Yok Neau Ob (บะหมี่หยกเนื้ออบ).
You’ve probably seen the Thai yellow egg noodles, and green noodles are also widely available throughout Bangkok, especially served at places like MK Restaurant.
The egg noodles are supposedly flavored with green kale, but I think they use some food coloring too.

Green noodles and tender beef
The Ba Mee Yok Neau Ob (บะหมี่หยกเนื้ออบ) included bean sprouts, greens, a nice pile of noodles, and tender slices of slow braised beef similar to what would be included in Thai beef noodles.
The entire bowl was then drizzled in a salty oyster sauce that bursted with an unforgettable flavor of beef and crispy garlic and shallots.
Price – 40 THB

Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น)
No, our meal at P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) was not over yet, in fact, after consuming both other rich Thai dishes mentioned above, it was then time to move in to the main event: Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น).
Now in Bangkok, it’s rare to find the creamy version of tom yum goong soup served with noodles, so P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) is a specialty spot for it.

Jumbo Prawns!
And look at the size of the luscious jumbo shrimp that come loaded into the soup!
At most street food stalls, tom yum nam khon is made creamy by condensed milk, but at P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ), while they do use some condensed milk I’m sure, they also add a ton of the oily fat and custardy goop from the giant shrimp heads – that’s right!
At Pad Thai Thip Samai you can get pad Thai fried in shrimp head oil, but tom yum goong, in my opinion, is just so much better!
Packed with cholesterol, check, unparalleled flavor, check too!

Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น)
The Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น) was nearly unbelievable, almost too good to be true – had I not tasted with my very own tongue.
Along with being outrageously rich and creamy, it was also packed with sawtooth herb and the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves came through with gusto.
Price – 100 THB (this is for the special large size)

P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ)
The Bottom Line
There are no but’s about it, P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) is the place in Bangkok for a bowl of Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น) that may change your life (for the better), forever.
P’Aor Restaurant (ร้านพี่อ้อ)
Address: 68/51 Soi Petchaburi 5, Between Soi 5 – 7, Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Phone: 02-6129013
Open hours: Monday – Sunday 10 – 10 pm
Prices: We paid 220 THB for the entire meal
68/51 ซอยเพชรบุรี 5 อาคาร อยู่ระหว่างซอยเพชรบุรี 5 – ซอยเพชรบุรี 7 ถนนเพชรบุรี แขวงทุ่งพญาไท เขตราชเทวี กรุงเทพฯ
โทร. 02-6129013
เปิดจันทร์ – อาทิตย์ เวลา 10.00 – 22.00 น.
How to get there:
You can take the BTS to Ratchathewi station. Once you get off, walk over to Petchaburi Soi 5 and make a right turn onto the soi. Walk down the street about 300 meters and you’ll probably see a durian or mango vendor – that’s where you turn right onto a small quieter street. Walk down about 50 meters or so, and P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) is on your left hand side.
View Bangkok Eating Thai Food Map in a larger map
Markus
4 years ago
Hey Mark, just tried the Tom Yum Goong at P’Aor based on your recommendation. Absolutely loved it. It was the first time I’ve tried the creamy version and is was so decadent. Thanks.
Blair
5 years ago
I heard that P’Aor has moved, do you have any info on where the new location is ?
Lea
6 years ago
Hello,
May I know which nearest exit from Phaya Thai Station?
Ctzen
6 years ago
This place is closed on Monday. Went there this morning and to my disappointment, it was closed.
James
7 years ago
I tried a Tom Yum Goong at a stall in front of Ramada hotel.. The shrimps were kind of small and weren’t too fresh.. And he charged 150 baht /bowl… Is that normal price or is he over charging? My feeling is he is cutting my throat for a one time kill.. Am I right?
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey James, it all depends, and sometimes in that location things can be double price as other parts of Bangkok. Was street food, or indoor?
Silvestras
7 years ago
Hey Mark, thanks for this review, went there today. Although I tried Tom Yum Kung in Tom Yum Kung Banglamphoo and Mit Ko Yuan, this is by far the creamiest and for me, the most delicious Tom Yum Kung in Bangkok. And it costs just 50 thb! I was halfway to finish the dish when a waiter came and ask if I want more soup. I said yes of course and she just filled it up again free of charge! :) Awesome experience!
Arthur
7 years ago
Thanks, Mark for this review. It was the best meal we had in Bangkok on our three day stay. Keep up the good work!
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Awesome to hear that Arthur!
Franziska
8 years ago
We’ve been at this place but more accidentally and we loved it sooo much. We are traveling at the moment around Thailand and actually we just following your food recommendations instead of seeing the tempels and other places of interest. So definitely thanks for all the great suggestions. This week is our last one in Bangkok so we just wanted to eat again at P’Aor, unfortunately its closed on Monday, so sad. Maybe you can chance it in your text. But than, we had a delicious pork salad in opposite of the P’Aor at Boom Boom, was also quite good.
But at all, we thank you for the great Blog, we definitely enjoyed Thailand also because of the food and it wouldn’t be that good without you. thanks a lot.
Best wishes
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hi Franziska, great to hear from you, and so glad you have your priorities with Thai food and that you enjoyed the tom yum at P’Aor. Thank you for letting me know, ok will make note of that. Glad you had such a good trip to Thailand!
Nicholas
8 years ago
Hi mark, i js ate there and i have to say you weren’t bluffing at all. This is truly the best tomyum goong i have ever had! The only this is that road is pretty tricky to find.
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hey Nicholas, so cool to hear you enjoyed P’Aor!
Leila
8 years ago
Hi, the hours of paor are actually tue to fri. We went there today(monday) and realised it’s closed on monday
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Thanks for sharing Leila.
John Fjellstad
8 years ago
I just came back from there and had to write to thank you about this place. It was so good.
I did have some difficulties finding it. First, I went down the wrong side of the sidewalk so had to walk all the way down to the overpass before backtracking to soi 5, and then I walked pass P’Aor because I expected a larger sign in front.
I had the green noodles and Tom Yum Goon (they basically have a big picture of Tom Yup Goon on the front of the menu with migrationology.com, so it wasn’t that hard to order), and both were delicious. Seriously, the shrimp head literally melted in my mouth.
The iced tea was a little too sweet for my taste, but everything else was great (no cockroaches).
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hey John, great, thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed it. I haven’t been here in a while, so thanks for the update, and glad the food is still good.
azam
8 years ago
Sorry to disagree but I was just served a truly terrible bowl of soup at this place. The waitress clearly knew I had found the place online (searched best Thom yam, found this site!) because I walked in and she asked “Thom yam?” Yes please, and five minutes later I had a bowl of what tasted like sugary tomato water, with ultra soggy noodles and a tough , overcooked jumbo prawn. Literally no flavor beyond tomato and sugar–no prawn, no lemongrass, not even a hint of chilli. They must have known what was up because I immediately asked for my check and I don’t think they charged for the soup–I paid 60 baht, presumably for the bottle of (warmer than room temperature) water I opened.
Oh, and I counted at least half a dozen cockroaches in plain view. Maybe that’s par for the course here, but still.
Mark if you have any interest in this place you should visit again and rereview. I can’t imagine you want your website associated with the kind of experience I just had.
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Thanks for sharing Azam, it’s been a while since I’ve been here. I’ll try to check it out when I have a chance.
Billy
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
Having watched your video about this place I had to go, and last week on my holidays I made it to there, wow what good food and a great price. Keep up the good work with your videos, I have a list now to follow to places you have been.
Thank you,
Billy.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Billy, great to hear from you, glad you enjoyed this place and the food in Thailand. Thank you for your support.
Anna
9 years ago
We ate the Tom Yum Goong today, it was phenomenal! If you follow the map here it’s not too hard to find and is thoroughly worth making the detour for. The owner also speaks very good English and helped us with the menu so no need to feel intimidated about going into a non-touristy place. Thanks for sharing Mark!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Anna, great to hear from you, glad you enjoyed the tom yum goong here!
[email protected]
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
It was a sad day as our last in Bangkok before returning home but…….. I’d always had P’Aor in my sights for the ‘last supper’ !
Had Khao Goong Rad Sauce Man Boo to get things going. So, so good….. I can still taste those heavenly crab / prawn juices. A real winner.
The main event, however, was simply outstanding. I love Tom Yum Goong in whatever guise but with the creamy / oily / shrimpy broth, the perfectly cooked noodles and the huge prawns swimming amongst it all it was outstanding. To be honest, I was practically speechless – my partner and I just sat across from each other making alternate slurping and ‘mmmmmmmmm’ noises !
Thanks again for putting the ‘eating Thai food’ guide together. I would never have come across places like this without it. I was always taken with your story regarding some friends who arrived for a meal ‘too full to eat’ because they were ‘too scared’ to walk into any of the myriad of Thai food outlets in Bangkok and had resorted to a well known burger chain for sustenance. I really understand the embarrassment of being a stranger in a far away land, the fear of doing something wrong…. for me, your guide has made the fabulous cuisine, and with it the people and culture of such a wonderful country, so much more accessible.
Even if by some chance I had walked past P’Aor I would have never have walked in. No English signage, no English menu but, once in there…… lovely helpful people and an owner proud that you had come to find his establishment; such a fantastic atmosphere on a busy Saturday afternoon.
Thanks again Mark – we will be back. Already looking at flights for next time.
All the best to you and yours.
Andy
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hi Andy,
Wow, many thanks for your kind words and I’m so happy to hear you had an amazing time in Thailand and that you thoroughly enjoyed the food. That’s a fantastic story about P’Aor, your description is making my mouth water right now too!
Thank you again, hope you can return again for more delicious Thai food.
Mark
Arnaud
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
I had the chance to eat at P’Aor during my last visit to Thailand and as usual I followed Mark’s recommendation and had a Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon. WOW trully amazing taste and so creamy!!!
I went back there for my last night in BKK but unfortunately it was closed. So they might be closed on Monday.
I will definitely go back there during of of my next trips in Thailand
Thanks;
Arnaud
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Arnaud, thank you so much for sharing, glad you loved it too. Sorry it was closed, I’ll look into it. Hope you’re doing well.
Arnaud
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
Hope you’re doing.
P’Aor probably became my fav restaurant in BKK. Now it became ritual, when I am arriving and leaving BKK, I go there. Last time, I tried as well the green noodle with beef, OMG they are marvelous. I am back in one month from now
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Great to hear from you Arnaud, glad you love this spot!
Mikhail
9 years ago
Mark, we were here today and food was Fantastic! Thank you for sharing this. Our bangkok trip had been awesome due to the food you’ve recommended. You’re doing a great service to all the foodies out there. Keep up the awesome work!
P.s. this place was a bit hard to find, but worth the walk. Durian vendor was a good clue.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Mikhail, thank you for your kind words. Glad you were able to find this place and that you enjoyed it.
Wilson the fat boy
10 years ago
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the recommendation!!
The tom yam goong is really fantastic !!! My family and I are still craving for it since last December.
Was shocked to see the Migrantology logo at the bottom of the menu but sadly the menu is not in English(Wondering what business you had with them, maybe you could suggest to them to include a menu in English).
One thing that I encountered was that the waitress English was pretty bad and there was a miscommunication while ordering the tom yam goong. We were quoted 40 baht more for the giant mantis shrimp but end up being charged 400 baht for each bowl. But we were fine with the price as the Mantis prawn is really fresh and big on that occasion.
Overall: This restaurant is included into one of my must go spot whenever i drop by bkk. Thanks once again for the recommendation ^_^.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Wilson,
Great to hear from you and glad you were able to try this tom yum at P’Aor. They had my logo at the bottom of the menu? Hadn’t ever heard of this! Sorry about the miscommunication, but glad you still loved it. Yah, mantis prawns can be very expensive. Thanks again for sharing!
Luke
10 years ago
Just visited here during my last day in BKK.
I had the menu you show here and it was great!
I’ve eaten lots of Tom yum while here on holiday and this was one of the best.
It was very sweet however, and I struggled to finish it with the ultra jumbo shrimp they put in (350thb)
Also thanks for the Thai directions, our tuk tuk driver knew exactly where to go, if I’d walked it I would have struggled to find exactly where to go.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Luke, glad you found this place and enjoyed it. Yes it is a bit sweet, but I think some of the sweetness comes from those shrimp head oils!
Gene
10 years ago
I’m glad I saw this when I googled “best tom yum in bangkok”. I just got back from BKK and I made sure I tried it, and yes their tom yum goong is indeed the best I’ve had so far!
I couldn’t find it in their menu (it’s all in Thai!) so I opened this page and showed it to the waitress instead.
And you are right, they put the custardy stuff from the prawn heads into the soup. I saw it myself on my way out. The cook poured in plastic bags full of that stuff! It was rather unappetizing to see because of the color and consistency of the raw stuff, so my advice is to avoid checking out how they do it before you eat. LOL.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Haha Gene, glad you got to witness that shrimp head soup!
Julian
10 years ago
When I discovered your site a few weeks ago in planning my Bangkok trip, this was definitely the place I most looked forward to eating at – So I ate here today and it was even better than I imagined! I ordered the same three dishes that you did and it was honestly one of the best meals of my life – every bite sensational! I don’t usually emote when eating, especially not when eating alone, but I definitely felt myself making some ‘foodgasm’ faces not unlike yours when I ate this! My only complaint was that it was all over too fast! Within what seemed like a mere blink of an eye, I was back out on the street, stumbling down the soi in a shrimp-clouded haze, wondering why that couldn’t have lasted forever! Literally within about 5 minutes of leaving the restaurant, I had my camera out and was looking at the photos I had taken with jealousy, remembering those sweet eating moments that seemed like so long ago. Superlatives simply fail a meal like this, and, again, couldn’t have done it without you – keep up the great work!!
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hahha, awesome to hear you enjoyed the food so much too, and it’s totally acceptable to make foodgasm faces!
Eva
10 years ago
Hello!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I tried this and it was really awesome!
Eva
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Eva, glad you liked it!
Heiko
10 years ago
Hi Marc,
This looks really great. I think my Thai wife, me and our son will visit this restaurant during our next stay in Bangkok this summer.
Thank you for all your work, your websites and your Videos !!!
Beste regards
Heiko from Germany
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hello Heiko, good to hear from you, and thank you for reading my sites and watching my videos. Hope you enjoy this place!
Frances
10 years ago
Great food..and you can see they love what they do. The way the food is presented in their bowls look better and fresher than in most restaurants. Wanted to try every item on their menu….if only I could read Thai. I gad their Tom Yum Goong..it was good but a bit to sweet and tomatoy for my liking. It overshadowed the shrimphead-fat-flavour. Still…really great food and a pleasant atmosphere.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Glad you found it Frances!
xxx
10 years ago
P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) is one of the most popular Tom Yum Goong noodle in Bangkok too.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Yes!
peter Seeto
10 years ago
Hi,
Are your ebooks (Bangkok guides ) available on printed form
Melita
10 years ago
This food looks great
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Thanks Melita!