Kaek Kao Kua — Restaurant in Khlong Toei Nuea Subdistrict

Mere words can not decipher how delicious this food is.

Truthfully, I wasn't supposed to be in Thailand. 48 hours prior to finding this place, I was stranded in the airport due to having errors on my evisa for Vietnam. Instead of giving up and going home, I didn't want my year-long planning and anticipation to go to waste, so I picked other places to go in South East Asia. I always wanted to go to Thailand, so I booked a very last-minute flight to Bangkok.

The morning after I arrived, I munched on some snacks, got ready, and headed out of the door. After I exchanged some money, I felt that it was time for a real meal for lunch. I looked up some places that served Vegan Thai Food nearby, and this place popped up. It was a bit of a walk from where I was, but a cold bottle of water did the trick to keep me hydrated and fueled up.

When I first arrived here, I didn't know what the place looked like, but I saw the sign and walked into the premises. It must be a residence, but that by any means does not take away from the experience. I sat outside to enjoy the warm, humid weather I missed so much.

The kind server came out and gave me the menu. I wanted to try the Moodaeng Ping, which is cucumbers and sliced vegan soy meat, but they were out of stock. She recommended that I try the Bamee Moodaeang, which also contains the same vegan soy meat but with noodles and greens.

While I talked with my friends who were able to travel to Vietnam via whatsapp video call, I took my first bite into the food. I was at a loss for words on how delicious it was. While I ate my food, I kept thinking, “If this is Thai food, then what the hell was I eating all my life?” The food is so, so, so good. It’s savory with a hint of tanginess and very flavorful. My friends on the call saw the food and said that it looked delicious.

I was only in Thailand for another 2-3 days after this, so I came back two more times for lunch, and it got better each time I came back. I almost became a regular customer, haha. The food always came out quickly and always tasted fresh. The hospitality was amazing. I was feeling under the weather the third day, but I was very determined to come back one last time before I leave. I forgot medicine the day before, but the owner remembered me and returned it to me.

One thing that I learned over the years is that you don’t need to have a fancy restaurant with expensive equipment to make delicious food. This place is a perfect example of that. It has such a homey feel that you feel like you’re at your favorite relatives’ house for a tasty meal. Kaek Kao Kua is truly a hidden gem nestled on a quiet alley near the middle of the bustling streets of Bangkok.

I know this is lengthy, but if you read this far, just know that you won’t regret eating here. I shared my story because I feel like I was meant to be in Thailand all along to try this food. My friends had a good time in Vietnam, but I was happy to be in Bangkok instead to try this amazing food. The universe had a unique way of telling me that I was meant to be Bangkok to try this food, but I’m glad that I listened and responded.

If you’re still reading, I beg of you to PLEASE visit this place. This may sound selfish of me, but I want this place to keep their doors open so I can visit again with my loved ones. I am on the other side of the world, so I won’t be able to visit for a while. This place was the highlight of my trip. This was the only restaurant I visited more than once. Kaek Kao Kua will always hold a special place in my...

Best vegan food I had on my trip - definitely definitely try this place if you can! They do a 'tasting tray' where you can choose ANY four dishes and they give you mini portions of each!! Honestly such a great concept, absolutely perfect for a solo traveller - I thought it might be too much but it was great for me. The only one I wasn't mad on was the 'OG' - I also had the Khao soi, bamee moodaeng and mama moosup tom yum. All were really really delicious, not too spicy either - they've got chilli sauce on the table if you want extra heat. You can also choose which noodles you want to customise which I love too. I chatted to the owner who was really lovely as well. My only sadness was that it wasn't open later so I could go again for dinner 🥲. They don't serve alcohol but the soda was really nice - it's also cash only I think but suuuper cheap compared to a few other vegan...

The place has a small seating capacity. Hopefully, you can avoid the crowd. Located in a residential area - a hidden gem!

The Khao Soi & Bamee Moodaeng noodles here are absolutely outstanding – cooked to perfection with just the right texture, not too soft and not too firm. The flavor is spot on, rich and balanced, easily surpassing many noodle spots even in Singapore!

The restaurant itself has a cozy, homey ambience that makes you feel like you're enjoying a meal in someone's welcoming kitchen. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly, which adds so much to the overall experience.

A small heads-up: they only accept cash, so make sure to come prepared. Food is able to be prepared without onions and garlic, gluten free options...