3 Days 2 Nights Trip with Mom in Chanthaburi: Je Lak Som Tam, a Must-Try in Laem Sing

Je Lak Son Tam: A Culinary Gem in Laem Sing

Je Lak Son Tam, a renowned eatery nestled beside the Taksin Bridge in Laem Sing, offers a delectable array of Isaan cuisine, particularly its signature papaya salad.

After checking into our hotel, it was time for lunch, or rather, a late lunch, as it was well past noon. The restaurant we were going to was just an ordinary som tam restaurant, but it had been open for almost twenty years. Everyone who comes to Laem Sing has to stop by. The locals recommended it, but it's better to go in the afternoon, as there might not be any seats available at lunchtime.

Parking is available.

Ambiance of the restaurant

The restaurant in question is Je Lek Som Tam Laem Sing, next to Taksin Maharat Bridge, a well-known and long-established establishment in the area. As mentioned, we arrived a little after 1 pm, almost 2 pm, when the crowd had started to thin out. However, there was still a steady stream of customers coming in, even though it wasn't a holiday (August 10th).

To avoid wasting time, let's order food. The menu is diverse, with a wide variety of dishes at reasonable prices. We placed a large order and, while waiting for the food, we explored the restaurant, from the front to the back, even venturing into the kitchen.

Strolling in front of the kitchen while waiting for food

The first dish that arrived was the mother's sweet liver.

The liver was soft, juicy, and not tough. The taste was excellent, even though my mother had requested it to be mild in terms of spiciness and sourness. The chef, Ms. Lak, achieved a perfect balance of flavors. The dish was fragrant with vegetables and roasted rice, with a sourness followed by saltiness and a sweetness from the liver. The overall taste was very well-balanced.

This translates to: "This restaurant's famous fried chicken."

The next dish was fried chicken. The fried chicken here only has wings and drumsticks. It is fried very dry, the skin is crispy, the meat is tender and juicy, and the taste is slightly salty. It is fun to eat with sticky rice or just eat it plain.

Spicy Pork Bone Soup with Egg

This is a direct translation of the Thai phrase "ต้มแซบกระดูกหมูใส่ไข่".

Here's a breakdown of the individual words:

• ต้ม (tom) - to boil, to cook in liquid
• แซบ (zaeb) - spicy, flavorful
• กระดูก (kardoo) - bone
• หมู (moo) - pork
• ใส่ (sai) - to put, to add
• ไข่ (kai) - egg

Therefore, the phrase literally translates to "boiled spicy pork bone with egg".

We were initially confused when the dish was served, wondering if we had actually ordered it. Upon closer inspection, we realized it was the pork bone tom yum soup, but with an added egg. The first sip was a revelation – the taste was incredibly refreshing. The soup went down smoothly, and we couldn't resist slurping it down with gusto.

The food is starting to arrive.

I forgot to mention, the sticky rice is sticky rice steamed with butterfly pea flowers.

Duck Larb

This is a translation of the Thai phrase "ลาบเป็ด" which refers to a spicy minced duck salad.

Additional Information:

• Larb is a popular dish in Laos and Thailand, typically made with minced meat (such as pork, chicken, or duck) and seasoned with lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, and herbs.
• Duck larb is a variation of the dish that uses duck meat instead of other meats.
• The dish is often served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables.

The duck is incredibly fresh, chopped to the perfect size, not too coarse, not too fine. It blends seamlessly with the flavorful seasoning, making for a truly delicious experience. Enjoy it with fresh vegetables or sticky rice for an even more satisfying meal.

Som Tum Platter, the Star of the Restaurant

And then the star of the show was served: the "Seafood Som Tam Platter." Wow, it was a sight to behold! It had everything: fresh shrimp, crab, squid, and shellfish. Most importantly, the som tam was made with chopped papaya, not shredded, and it even included pickled crab. It was served with a side of fresh, crunchy blanched water spinach. This dish was not only delicious, but also affordable, costing only two hundred baht.

Fresh crab claws

Freshly boiled prawns, perfectly cooked and bursting with sweet flavor.

Well-cooked cockles, neither undercooked nor overcooked,
Most importantly, no blood to make it smell or be an eyesore, spoiling the taste of other dishes.

Not only is it good-looking, but it also tastes good. I'm telling you.

Pickled whole crab in papaya salad, the meat is sweet and cold.

Fresh vegetables for dipping

The beautiful heroine "Spicy Shrimp Salad with Pickled Crab"

If the papaya salad platter is the hero, this dish must be the heroine. It's the fresh shrimp and pickled crab salad. The fresh shrimp and crab meat are sweet and refreshing, with a spicy and sour dressing. The sweetness of the shrimp and crab meat makes this dish a contender for the heroine's role.

This dish may appear ordinary, but its flavor is anything but. Upon its arrival, I questioned the use of lean pork, wondering if it would be flavorful or tough. However, my doubts vanished with the first bite. Despite the lack of marbling (for those who prefer fattier cuts, the grilled pork neck is recommended), the meat was tender and perfectly absorbed the dressing and spices. The aroma of freshly roasted rice, the sweetness of shallots, and the succulent pork elevated this simple dish to extraordinary heights.

An ordinary waterfall that is extraordinary

This is the food we ordered, except for the crab salad and pork waterfall. Four of us ate until we almost burst, but no one would put down their spoons because it was so delicious. It was truly outstanding. For those who haven't been, I highly recommend visiting this restaurant.

Replenished and energized, we were ready to continue our journey. However, we made a quick stop to drop our mother off at the hotel. She informed us that she was full, sleepy, and unable to walk any further. She preferred to conserve her energy for the Sea Food Eat Local Meet Local event at Laem Sing Beach in the evening.

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