Somsak Pu-ob — Restaurant in Khlong San Subdistrict

There are two restaurants with nearly identical names—Somsakpuob (the one I’m reviewing today) and Somsak Pu-Ob located in the back lane. Many people get confused due to the mixed-up photos on Google, but they’re quite different in experience.

The back lane one, Somsak Pu-Ob, typically has a waiting time of over an hour and offers a less-than-pleasant environment. You can read my earlier review here: Somsak Pu-Ob Review. Based on that visit, I probably won’t return.

Today’s review is for Somsakpuob (near the main road), and here’s my honest take:

KH Guide & Rating: • Accessibility: 4/5 (Located right by the main road with easy roadside parking.) • Cleanliness: 4/5 (Clean and well-maintained.) • Ambience: 4/5 (Much better atmosphere than the other one, with air-conditioning for added comfort.) • Food Quality: 5/5 We ordered the “mud crab with vermicelli” and chose the largest crab available (THB 1,100) to give a fair review. The crab was fresh, meat firm, and the flavor was rich without being overly salty or oily—definitely better than the other shop. Excellent value and taste! We also tried the prawn vermicelli (THB 330) as a second dish which was served within 10 min, when ordering prawn, recommend to look for average size so that they are cooked evenly and stay delicious overall, and it didn’t disappoint. The prawns were fresh, and the special sauce infused a wonderful aroma that brought everything together perfectly. “Ah Han Ja Ni Nua Mak,” as they say in Isaan—this dish was truly satisfying. • Pricing: 3.5/5 (Mud crab is definitely not an everyday meal, but for an occasional treat, it’s worth it.) • Attentiveness: 5/5 (Excellent and friendly service. Food was served in under 15 minutes.) • Would Visit Again: Yes

Fun fact : Upon checking with the owner, the reason both restaurant carried the same name because they are same family ( this shop owner’s uncle was the one operating on the road side with long waiting time for...

This store is a spin off from the first stall at Thanon Charoen Rat Soi 1, Khlong San, Bangkok. When arrived the store at about 5:15 pm, there was already a lot of people sitting on stool outside the store waiting. No clear system of queuing, you got to approach the staff to get a queue number and order the food in advance while waiting. The menu is simple with 4 type of dishes. Crab with glass noodle and spring onion; prawn with glass noodle and spring onion; mussel and basil in soup and cockles. Ordered the first 3 and waited for almost 30 mins before the number is call to be seated. First dish served is the mussel and basil in soup. Total turn off, the mussels are small and not flavourful! Next served the prawn with glass noodle and spring onion. Was skeptical due to the first dish, the glass noodle and spring onion were place at the side of the pot. The glass noodle was inseparable and chunky, didn’t get to soak in the sauce. Similarly to the spring onion, the aroma was not elevated until it was mixed into the pot where the heat infuse the flavour out. The prawn is big and fresh. The dish tastes better when all ingredients are mixed well. Last came the crab, the same goes to the glass noodle and spring onions. However, the crab is really fresh and this is the best out of the 3 dishes. It has a certain degree of “wok hei” or burnt fragrance which made the dish...

Fantastic food at fair prices. Similar taste to the one by the streets with the same name a few streets away, apparently the owners are siblings. Went on a Thursday, 3.30pm. You order before they assign your seats and there is aircon at the upstairs area.

Crab w glass noodles (not pictured): best dish 10/10. The crab juices would seep into the glass noodles and infuse another level of flavour. Get at least a medium sized crab and with roe for maximum enjoyment.

Prawn w glass noodles: 8/10. Prawns were really fresh and again, go for the bigger sizes. The flavours of the prawn aren't really infused into the glass noodles and vice versa. Glass noodles and prawns are like seperate components of the dish but tastes good by themselves anyway.

Start mixing the noodles immediately when it comes to your table to prevent the sauce at the bottom to burn. Beware of the hot pan while you do that.

Steamed mussels: 5/10. Literally just mussels steamed with basil, with nothing else added. Unfortunately, they don't clean the mussels well. There's still dirt and they don't even bother pulling out the beard. Only half the portion tasted fresh and sweet while the others had the typical mud/murky taste.

Chilli dip provided has a good balance of tang and spice. Goes great with any of...