Jok sam yan — Restaurant in Wang Mai Subdistrict

Arriving at Joke Sam Yan in Bangkok’s vibrant Sam Yan area just as the city wakes up, I discovered a place where the congee is not just food but a culinary art form. This unassuming eatery, with its simple yet inviting menu, specializes in congee, offering it in a few select but well-prepared variations.

The menu at Joke Sam Yan is an expression of the beauty of simplicity. It primarily features congee with options that cater to a range of tastes. You can choose from the classic pork meatballs or go for something more adventurous with innards like liver, stomach, and intestine. The congee is also offered in three different egg styles – without an egg, with a soft-boiled egg, or with a century egg – each adding a unique dimension to the dish.

Among these tempting choices, I chose the pork meatball congee with a soft-boiled egg. The dish was exceptional, with the meatballs offering a burst of rich, well-seasoned flavor. It markedly contrasted with the burnt rice flavor I experienced at Jok Prince, making Joke Sam Yan’s congee exceptionally tasty and comforting.

The atmosphere at Joke Sam Yan is authentically Bangkok – buzzing with locals and foodies in the early hours. The service is efficient and cordial, perfectly complementing the no-fuss, hearty breakfast experience.

To top it all, the affordability is remarkable. For less than 2 euros, one can enjoy a fulfilling breakfast with a drink, making Joke Sam Yan a must-visit for an authentic, satisfying, and economical dining...

Let’s just get it out of the way - you will have better congee (maybe not in BKK per se) - a half decent one in HK will be smoother & silkier than what’s at JSY. That is the essence of congee after all.

But congee is comfort food after all and often much needed on alcohol induced hangover days. And when you need one, you won’t mind the overcooked liver or egg, especially when the congee is packed with the star of the show - the minced meat chunks. It is immensely flavorful and giving texture to congee AND they are sold by the kilos if you want to takeaway and cook them yourself!

Hot tip. Get the fried dough sticks from the pushcart across the shop to pair...

KH rating :

Accessibility : 4.5/5 (400m from MRT Sam Yan) Cleanliness : 4/5 Ambience : 3.5/5 ( open air with fans ) Food quality : 4.5/5 (porridge taste is adequate, texture is smooth but not those completely melted rice, meat balls are generous and big in size. Prepare for own tissue because the ginger and pepper tastes are strong. Price : 5/5 ( reasonable and affordable ) just THB45 per bowl. Attentiveness : 5/5 ( not many people when i arrived, could be due to 4:00pm To visit again : likely

Comments ; If you are porridge lover and happen in Bangkok, a must try. The cashier told me this shop has been in business since...