Legendary Yam Naem Khao Tod in Bangkok (Crispy Rice Salad)

Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด), Thai fried curried rice salad, is hit or miss in Bangkok. Sometimes it’s good, other times not so much.
Located in Dusit, on the edge of Sriyan Market (happens to be one of my favorite eating areas in Bangkok) is a street food stall that’s legendary for serving this unique snack.
In this blog post I’ll share all the details with you.

Sriyan Market area of Bangkok
Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด)
Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) is a Thai snack dish that includes lightly curried croquettes of fried rice, made into balls, broken apart, and mixed lightly fermented pig skin and pork, seasoned, and mixed into a salad.
Oftentimes on the streets of Bangkok you’ll notice vendors that sell this dish because they have a tray full of golden colored crispy rice balls that are about the size of billiard balls.
To be honest with you, yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) has never been one of my personal favorite Thai snacks, mainly because I just don’t like the thought all that much of eating pig skin.
But when I tried the version at P’Aor Yam Name Khao Tod (ร้านพี่อ้อ ยำแหนม-ข้าวทอด), I became a convert.
This being said, the average version of this dish that you’ll find on the streets of Bangkok is still not all that appealing to me.

Mae Boon Ma Haw Mok Pla Chon (แม่บุญมา ห่อหมกปลาช่อน)
Mae Boon Ma Haw Mok Pla Chon (แม่บุญมา ห่อหมกปลาช่อน)
Before we get started, I have to quickly mention that located right next to the yam naem stall is a stall that’s famous for serving Thai fish custard with snakehead fish (haw mok pla chon bai yaw ห่อหมกปลาช่อนใบยอ).
And it’s a traditional version that is magically delicious. It’s something you don’t want to miss when you’re in the area.

Thai fish custard in the making
The mixture of fish, noni leaves, and thick coconut custard and curry paste is all mixed right there on spot, and Mae Boon Ma Haw (แม่บุญมา), the owner of the stall, does it with expertise.
The little cupcakes of fish custard are steamed and are served hot and fresh.
There’s a continual stream of local customers, mostly from the Sriyan Market area, who buy for takeaway.

Haw mok pla chon bai yaw (ห่อหมกปลาช่อนใบยอ)
I ordered a haw mok pla chon bai yaw (ห่อหมกปลาช่อนใบยอ), which is a fish custard with snakehead fish and noni leaves on the bottom (they also had cabbage, but I’d recommend this one).
Along with the one at Nang Loeng Market, this was one of the better versions of haw mok (ห่อหมก) I’ve had in Bangkok that wasn’t home-made.
It was flat-out outrageously delicious.

It was magically good
The fish on the bottom was juicy and un-fishy tasting, the noni leaves had a wonderful nutty taste, and the fluffy egg, coconut cream, and curry paste topping was epically creamy and rich.
I had brought my own spoon, so that’s how I ate it on spot, otherwise most people take it away.

It’s a bit confusing!
Opening hour complications
Ok, back to the yam naem khao tod.
It’s kind of a complicated street food stall.
They are open from 11 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm, and 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Monday).
BUT, it gets more confusing…
The original Mom started selling yam naem many years ago. Now, in the morning the granddaughter sells, middle of the day the daughter sells, and in the evening the son sells.
And for some reason, they don’t make it together, they all make it separately on their own, however, using their original mothers recipe.
So some Thais say the version from 2 pm – 5 pm is the best, others like the version in the evening. I went at 2 pm, and I’m not really sure if I would be able to tell much of a difference between all three.
Complicated street food, right?

All of a sudden a crowd of people appeared
P’Aor Yam Naem Khao Tod (ร้านพี่อ้อ ยำแหนม-ข้าวทอด)
So I arrived at about 1:30 pm and there was no stall to be seen.
But right at 2 pm in the afternoon, the cart rolled onto the sidewalk and out of nowhere a crowd of people immediately appeared.
NOTE: This is exclusively a takeaway street food stall. So I brought my own plate and spoon from home to eat it right then and there. You can take it away, bring your own plate, or just eat it out of the bag if you like.

Adding in the crumbled fried rice balls
The fried curried rice balls are one of the main important ingredients in yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด), and while you’ll sometimes see them in Bangkok whole, in order to save the time crumbling them apart, here they are already broken. However, you can be assured of their freshness.
She started off by adding a couple scoops of the fried curried rice into a mixing bowl.

Preparing yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด)
Then in went a couple scoops of the pork and pig skin mixture.
Then she seasoned the Thai rice salad with fish sauce, lime juice, green onions, chili flakes, and some extra crispy bits, and proceeded to expertly mix and toss the salad using a plastic bag mitten.
Within just a couple seconds she had packed it into a bag and handed it to me.

Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด)
Again, I brought my own plate, so to the smiles of everyone waiting in line ordering, I immediately emptied it out onto my plate.
The mix included the crispy rice, the pig skin mixture, fried crispies, green onions, fried chilies, fried peanuts, and some pennywort leaves and Vietnamese coriander to garnish.
I took my first bite, and I was amazed at how wonderful her version was.

It’s a unique mixture of ingredients and textures
As ironic as it may sound, the pig skin was very light and fluffy, and didn’t really feel heavy or too oily (perhaps due to the way they cooked it and rendered out the fat?).
The Thai yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) was almost like eating a bowl of dry cereal in texture, it was crispy like that. But then each bite was broken by the creamy and melt in your mouth strips of pig skin.

A truly amazing version of yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด)
It was spicy from the chili flakes and extra fried chilies, and it was sour from lime juice, with the right balance of fish sauce saltiness.
Every now and then when I needed a mouth cleanser, I would munch on some Vietnamese coriander, which also complemented the bites of the salad.

Legendary Thai street food!
Again, I can say that yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) has never been one of the Thai street foods I really go out of my way to eat (except for this time), but I’m happy I did this time, because it was truly superb.
Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) is one of those Thai dishes that you start eating, and before you even realize it, it’s gone.

In the Dusit area of Bangkok
Watch the video:
Press play to watch the full video of this amazing street food stall and snack:
(Or you can watch the video on YouTube here)
Conclusion
Yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) is a Thai street food snack that consists of deep fried curried rice balls, broken apart, and mixed with pig skin and pork, and dressed with herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce.
One of the legendary stalls in Bangkok that serves it, many Thais in the area say it is the best in Bangkok, is known as P’Aor Yam Naem Khao Tod (ร้านพี่อ้อ ยำแหนม-ข้าวทอด).
If you can coordinate the open times, and if you’re a fan of Thai yam naem khao tod (ยำแหนมข้าวทอด), it’s well worth seeking out.
Also, don’t miss haw mok (ห่อหมก) while you’re there.
P’Aor Yam Naem Khao Tod (ร้านพี่อ้อ ยำแหนม-ข้าวทอด)
Address: Thanon Nakhon Chaisi, Soi Sriyan 1, Bangkok
Open hours: 11 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm, and 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Monday)
Phone number: 087-024-4004, 086-883-2159, 091-880-3271
Prices: 30 – 40 Thai Baht per bag
ที่อยู่ ริมถนนนครไชยศรี ซอย ศรีย่าน 1
เปิดบริการ 11.00-13.00น., 14.00-17.00น., 17.30-19.30 น.
โทร. 087-024-4004, 086-883-2159, 091-880-3271
ยำแหนมข้าวทอด มีชุด 30-40 บาท
Mae Boon Ma Haw Mok Pla Chon (แม่บุญมา ห่อหมกปลาช่อน)
Address: Sriyan Soi 1
Open hours: 8 am – 3 pm from Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Monday)
Phone: 081-8527341
Price: 20 THB
แม่บุญมา ห่อหมกปลาช่อน
โทร. 081-8527341
เปิดบริการ อังคาร – อาทิตย์ 8.00-15.00 น. หยุดทุกวันจันทร์
How to get there: To get to this area of Bangkok, it’s easiest to either take a direct taxi there, or take the BTS to Victory Monument, and then jump in a taxi from there. Check out the map here.
Bel Kimson
5 years ago
Hi Mark, I’ve been following you for a while and I love your passion for food and exploring/hunting down the best food! It’s interesting to hear you don’t love this dish, it’s one of my childhood favourites. But you’re right, it needs to be done in the right way and there are so many variables that can make it go wrong. I see that a key ingredient that seems to be missing from this one is ginger! I think the ginger just makes the dish usually. I will go and try this one anyway as I often search for t on the streets of BKK and can’t find it! Thanks so much!
Cynthia Balakit
6 years ago
Ommmg I always enjoy watching you Mr. Mark, specially when you are eating:)
Johannes Wahjudi
7 years ago
Hi Mark, I know there are lot of hidden gems inside the traditional market and sometimes sadly the gems will be gone with the owner of the recipe. They won’t share with the other people because of the economi reason which is 100% understood. Even when they share it with their family member, the family member sometimes modify it and the original recipe will be gone. Can you initiate an institution which preserve those gems and using crowdfunding “buy” this recipe and make an arrangement with the owner not to release it until they are gone. If they have family member who will continue the tradition, the recipe won’t be release either. It’s like to preserve the world treasure. I originally am from Indonesia and I miss a lot of good traditional dishes because the owner pass away and nobody preserve it in their family and when they are alive they won’t share the recipe because of the obvious economic reason. I know it’s a bit complicated but hopefully you grab the idea
Carol
7 years ago
Mark, thanks so much for sharing your adventures! It brings back great memories from my childhood and traveling the world with my parents. If you all ever find yourselves in South Carolina, we’ll show you some great places to eat.
Cheers!
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Carol, you’re welcome, I’m so glad this brings back good memories. Hope you’re doing well, thank you for your support!
Richard Hintz
7 years ago
Hi Mark, is this the Naem Khao Tod place? https://goo.gl/maps/sMhYMwho8n22 The Thai translation looks possible.
It’s been a while since you wrote this. Do you recall if they used the fermented, sour pork?
Thanks!
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Richard, yes that’s the correct place, just off Soi 1 on Nakhon Chaisi.
bryan martin
7 years ago
Hi Mark
always read all your articles.
Going to Thailand in Oct. want to travel from BKK and into country side and then into Burma or Laos.
Want good food from the locals , not fancy resturants.
Any websites to help
Regards
Bryan
Win
7 years ago
Hello, Khao yam the Southern breakfast dish??? A recipe please. Haw mok plaa chon yes please, a recipe also please. Thanks.
bernie
7 years ago
Looking at the map, it seems pretty near the river, guess you could walk from the river after getting a boat??
Mike
7 years ago
Will have to check out these carts, especially the haw mok cart, when I’m back in November. Love that this is reachable by boat, as well, and nowhere near Sukhumvit.
Best haw mok I’d ever had was also the first haw mok I’d ever had on the first Thai island I’d ever visted in 1992. On the island of Koh Mak there was, and perhaps still is, a small restaurant next to the primary school run by a lady named Sa. She made this for a group of us who were staying at Lazy Days Resort. The fish had just hauled out of the water by her husband, and she’d just finished squeezing out the coconut cream (the coconuts on that group of islands are outrageously good). Blew my mind! I went back many times over the years and she always made it on request. Hopefully she still does.
Have also had some really awful versions, with the worst being from a country market that used to set up midweek in an empty field on the road between Hua Hin and Ban Khao Takiab. Just awful – full of bones and cartilage. Come to think of it, it may have been made from skate.
Keep up the good work.
SueB
7 years ago
Haw Mok!!!!!
That was the first meal i had when I landed in Thailand twenty years ago, bought from a corner stall on a market when my expat friend took me back to his home, me riding pillion on his moped, along tiny concrete paths no more than a foot wide. Culture shock. Delicious culture shock.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Sue, awesome to hear about your encounter with haw mok, it’s so good!
Lodi
7 years ago
Looks delicious, and I love the all-purpose spoon!
We are planning on a trip to visit friends in Indonesia, and thinking that our “other” Asian destination may be Thailand! (Man, all those street signs in Thai remind me of Greece. Maps in English. Street signs in Greek! It frightens me!)
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Lodi, thank you very much, and great to hear you’re thinking about visiting Thailand as well!
Dolores
7 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing! I had this in Phuket from a lonely stall my husband and I just so happen to run into and they had the crispy fried curry rice & it was the first & last time we had it but it was delicious! We took it back to our room along with other goodies they made and ate it straight from the bag. Mmmmm… I miss it dearly.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Dolores, thank you for sharing your experience in Phuket, that great!
Robby
7 years ago
Excellent article.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Thank you Robby.
Nui Acain
7 years ago
HI Mark, two of that dishes are my favorite too. Thank you you are the best.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Awesome to hear that Nui, thanks for reading.
Rakhal
7 years ago
I Love Sriyan market!! I First went to that area to try some roast duck that you recommended. I think it rivals Nang Loeng for great food, which is saying a lot! I’ve never tried the Naem Khao or the Hor Mok there, but since I like both dishes you’d better believe I’ll be heading there to try them! Thanks Mark!
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Rakhal, I agree, one of the greatest areas of Bangkok, and quite similar to Nang Loeng. Oh yes, that duck is so good, I need to go back there soon!
Suphot Laohathiensin
7 years ago
I like your new format because you have also include the address and location as well.
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Thank you very much Suphot.
Alix
7 years ago
Hello Mark,
Yet a new and amazing post, witch made me dream and remember some great street meals I had in Thailand.
Thank you for sharing, it sounds lovely and will definitely inspire my next Thai meal’s receipe :)
Best,
Alix
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Thank you very much Alix!
Caryl
7 years ago
I have been frying my rice for a long time…I love the crispness of it and the taste! But tomorrow (I just made rice now so I have to let it dry a bit before I fry it) I will make it using most of the ingredients in your blog (no pig skin). Maybe red curry paste in it also?
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Caryl, very cool that you’re making this, sounds delicious. Enjoy!