Anyone else hate waiting in lines?

I DO! (Well, unless it’s something like street style tum yum noodles.)

I also find that there’s things I’m just unwilling to wait long for — especially at dinner time when I’m more in hunter mode than any other time of the day.

Now that list of things gets longer and longer everyday, and recently came to include Japanese ramen.

Which is unfortunate because there’s some tasty places that I can’t be bothered with when I’m in strike-to-kill mode and need to inhale a place of something delicious. That includes Ramen Bankara, which I’ll only go to during non-peak times and even the Japanese chain Ramen Tei. Hell, there’s a whole list of places in the Thonglor area I’m happy to avoid just because of the crowds.

But the Japanese diaspora in Thailand is huge and so is the selection of restaurants, with a myriad of hole-in-the-wall ramen, sushi, and izakaya joints.

Here’s one rad little ramen joint called Tong Jing Kang (ทง จิง คัง 豚珍館) located on Sukhumvit 22.

There’s confusion about Tong Jing Kang (or Tong Jing Kung) because as it was becoming popular they switched locations and are no longer located on Sukhumvit 24. Now they’re even closer to my house on soi 22 with hardly any signage outside the restaurant, only Japanese flags.

But despite the new location and lack of signage they have a faithful following which hasn’t yet outgrown the venue.

Also worth noting that a while ago, CNN Travel mentioned Tong Jing Kang at it’s former location as a great place to grab ramen.

The restaurant’s specialty, which you’ve probably guessed by now, is their chashu pork, seen delightfully stacked above.

Chashu may sound familiar to you because it’s the Japanese version of char sui, the famous Chinese red pork which Thais call kao moo daeng.

With a pork pile like that, it’s easy not to have noticed the Thai guy pouring up the bowls. He’s a humble guy who’s formerly a sugarcane farmer from the north.

Somehow he’s made the leap from Thai farm countryside to serving ramen to Bangkok’s urbanites, mostly being frequented by Japanese and Thai customers.

You will notice him leaning on the bar to make sure all the customers have everything they need when he’s not making flames reach the ceiling for his stir fried dishes.

If you like the chashu you’ll like most of the things that include it, including their rich and porkly tantan mein. Which tastes like you could plant it in a field somewhere and actually grow bacon.

I haven’t found a side item with the famed pork that I loved, but it’s a small menu so you can explore around. The tantan broth was so good, once I finished the noodles, I poured it all over this tofu and century egg.

The Bottom Line

Confusing name and great ramen.

This restaurant can’t compete with the bigger chains as far as meat options. toppings, or types of ramen, but they make up for that by doing the few menu items they have well. The menu is printed back and forth on one page with pictures of most everything they offer, a rarity in Bangkok.

Pork and green onion flavors dominate, which is great with Asahi. If you’re not a fan of either though, this isn’t the place for you.

The restaurant appears on the google map as Tonchinkan Ramen and you’ll find the name on their sign different from google, foursquare, and everyone else. We suggest grabbing the Eating Thai Food map below to help you find it.

Finally, the price is reasonable. Expect to spend 200-300 baht per person for generous servings and sides to go along.

Pro tip: They have some giant sugary smoothies which are great on a hot day that don’t seem to be featured on the menu.

Tong Jing Kang ทง จิง คัง 豚珍館

Address: 551 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Khet Khlong Toei, Krungthep Mahanakorn 10110, Bangkok
Phone: 02 204 2366
Hours: Daily 11:30am – 2pm, 5pm-11pm, Closed Mondays
Prices: 200-300 baht for ramen and sides

How to get there:

Closest to MRT Queen Sirikit and BTS at Asoke, but not a comfortable walk from either. We suggest motorbiking or taxing down Sukhumvit 22 and get out of the taxi right after you cross We Love the King Road. On the opposite side of the street is a salon and 7-Eleven. (Note: the restaurant does not currently appear in the google street view).

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