35 Bow Hotel

There are some things in life worth queuing for. Welcome to one of them. Jay Fai has long been a street food icon, and for good reason — the begoggled chef’s signature crispy, golden-brown crab omelettes are wonderful and will remain long in the memory of everyone who’s tried them. If you’re looking for another reason to love the local legend, then also try her stir-fried prawns in yellow curry or one of the many noodle dishes. The queuing system is well organised but arrive knowing you’ll have to spend time standing in line – and bring cash.

This family-run stall is inevitably a hit with anyone who eats here, including patrons such as the Thai royal family. The simplicity of the exterior belies the gem of a Thai kitchen hidden inside. Some dishes are unique and feature the family's secret recipes. The stir-fried pork with bird's-eye chilli is tender and bursting with herbal aromas. The signature yellow curry with large prawns and crispy lotus root strikes the perfect blend of sour, spicy and sweet.

This popular old town stand sells legendary braised beef noodles soup; choose from multiple juicy, slow-cooked cuts like cheek, tongue, tendon, shoulder and shank – or go for the mixed beef option. The aromatic and salty broth is what makes this version stand out from the crowd, delivering a wonderful mellow flavour. The meatballs are well worth ordering too, offering a rich, meaty taste and accompanied by more broth.

The tempting scent of sizzling pork greets you at this vibrant restaurant by chef Andy Yang. Their signature dish features nicely char-grilled pork loin slices atop savoury Pad Thai. Another recommendation is the Pad Thai with fresh prawns, stir-fried in their shell for sweet, delicious meat. For top-notch Pad Thai and skilled wok-based cooking at a fair price, this is your spot.

This well-loved little shop has been passed down the generations for over a century. They specialise in offal, and their signature dish showcases stewed pig's brain, which is prepared fresh each morning by octogenarian owner Sudjit Suranan. Try the starter of Chinese liver sausage, too.

Renowned for Hainanese-style rice noodles, Kolun.h has been serving locals since 1997. The signature dish comes with rich or clear broth, braised pork, radish and crispy pork belly. Don't miss the peppery-flavoured goat meat in an aromatic herb soup. Expect long queues at peak times.

This iconic family-run eatery serves delectable mango sticky rice made to a recipe that has been handed down the generations for 80 years. Their preparation is masterful: the flavour of the steamed sweetened sticky rice is enhanced by the richness of coconut milk.