Somtum Der, Tha Tien ส้มตำเด้อ ท่าเตียน — Restaurant in Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Subdistrict

I recently visited the newly opened Somtum Der Tha Tien, and it was an absolute delight! As a fan of the well-established Somtum Der Sala Daeng, which has been serving delicious meals for over a decade, I was eager to try this new branch opposite to Wat Pho and across the river from Wat Arun, and it did not disappoint.

The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The bright yellow exterior is hard to miss and sets a cheerful tone for the dining experience. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure that every need was met promptly.

Now, onto the food—where do I even begin? The menu offers a fantastic array of Isaan classics that truly bring comfort and joy to the table. The somtum (papaya salad) was fresh, vibrant, and had the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors that Thai people adore. The chicken and pork were succulent and grilled to perfection, paired beautifully with sticky rice. The fried noodles were full of flavors. Another highlight was the deep fried sweet corn, which provided a delightful bite.

The meal was complemented by a selection of fresh vegetables and herbs, adding a refreshing element to the rich flavors of the dishes. For dessert, the pink shaved ice was not only visually stunning but also a refreshing end to a satisfying meal. The coconut dessert with tapioca pearls was equally delightful, providing a sweet and creamy finish.

And the price-point is accessible, too! Somtum Der Tha Tien offers an authentic and elevated dining experience that stays true to its roots while delivering comfort food that feels like a warm hug. Whether you're a long-time fan of the Sala Daeng location or new to the franchise, this new restaurant is a must-visit. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to indulge in the best of Isaan cuisine. Five stars...

This meal was an enjoyable mix of refreshing drinks, comforting rice, and flavorful sides, with a couple of small surprises along the way.

Starting with the Thai milk tea, it was a delightful treat. The balance of sweetness was just right—not overpowering like some versions can be—and the addition of grass jelly added a fun, chewy texture. Served with ice in a frappe-like consistency, it was incredibly refreshing. The mini pitcher glass presentation was a nice touch, making it feel more special.

The calamansi juice was another highlight. Tart and refreshing, it had just the right amount of zing to wake up the palate. The citrusy brightness made it a perfect contrast to the heavier elements of the meal, and like the milk tea, it was served in a cute mini pitcher, adding to the presentation.

For the main dish, we had rice with chicken, a fried egg, and a side of cucumbers and carrots. The chicken was tender, and the fried egg added a nice richness when mixed into the rice. We had asked for a little spice, but unfortunately, it wasn’t spicy at all, which was a bit disappointing. That said, the dish was still well-seasoned and enjoyable, just not as bold in flavor as we had hoped.

On the side, we had glass noodles, which had a slight sweetness to them but were still quite tasty. The texture was just right—not too soft or too firm—and they paired well with the other elements of the meal.

Overall, the drinks were the standout items, with the Thai milk tea and calamansi juice both delivering in flavor and presentation. The food was good but could have used a bit more spice to match our request. Despite that, it was a satisfying meal with a nice variety of flavors and textures. Would definitely come back...

I’m pescatarian and I the server said they could customize the noodles. I asked to substitute the pork in the Pad Mee See Eiw Moo noodles with prawns and I was told that they were out of prawns. But they could do the noodles with veggies. I also asked for my noodles to be spicy.

Our papaya salad and a friend’s dish came within 15 mins of ordering. After 40 mins I was still waiting for my food. The servers barely speak English so it’s impossible to communicate. We were seated on the rooftop so I went downstairs and reminded them using a translation app. After another 10 mins the noodles arrived. They looked nothing like in the picture — simply plain stir fried noodles with two different varieties of mushrooms and some cabbage. They had zero taste.

I went downstairs again, this time with my food to talk to the server. They asked me to take a seat and then 15 mins later still no food. I finally left the restaurant without eating on my first night in Bangkok. And our sever was incredibly unhelpful.

I’ve eaten at their branch in NYC which is far superior so I was excited to try the restaurant in Bangkok. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant to anyone, neither for the food nor the experience. You’d be better off eating from the food stalls in the...