Notable among the list of 17 restaurants in Bangkok awarded one or two Michelin stars in the first Michelin guide to the capital, Jay Fai's Shophouse in the Old Town also earned a star.

Jay Fai, or Tante Fai, is a 70-year-old Thai street food vendor, known for her crab omelette and generous portions of crab or shrimp noodles and crab curries, which she prepares in giant woks at her humble street restaurant.

In her restaurant no linen tablecloths, crystal glasses and waiters like lackeys, but simple tables with metal stools. The space inside has an open kitchen, tiled walls and fluorescent lighting, and the street in front of the shop is also used for dining. For those guests there are no rules to wear appropriate clothing.

"I was thrilled from the very first step I took here," said Jay Fai as she accepted the award on Wednesday at the five-star Grand Hyatt Hotel, dressed in a white chef's outfit for the occasion. In her own domain, the eccentric cook wears normal clothes and stirs the woks with large ski goggles on her nose to protect herself from the sometimes splashing oil

Chawadee Nualkhair, a Bangkok-based street food blogger, said, “Jay Fai is the absolute Queen of Street Food. She is famous and could have worked in good restaurants anywhere else or started her own in a better location. But she didn't, she stayed in her open-air shop with her two woks. I'm glad she's finally getting recognition."

Source: Text taken from an article in The Daily Mirror

7 comments on ““Queen of street food” deserves a Michelin star”

  1. Bert says up

    She has been awarded it, but there are so many that cook better than in a star restaurant.
    Of course it is also awarded to all other winners.

  2. lthjohn says up

    Yes, the old town of Almelo, then it's easy to find
    Listing an address where in BKK Old Town would be helpful

    • Gringo says up

      It is useful if you use your own initiative and do some searching on the Internet.

      Go to http://bk.asia-city.com/restaurants/bangkok-restaurant-reviews/jay-fai
      and you will find everything about Jay Fai.

      Incidentally, in the center of Almelo there is also a good Chinese, Hong Hua,
      but it doesn't have a Michelin star yet

    • Stan says up

      Hello Itkjohn, Doing some magic for you and maybe another rare reader who doesn't know or know how to use google: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
      Phone: + 66 2 223 9384
      Oh yes, there is also google maps…
      Just kidding

  3. harry says up

    Nice post, just drove past it, will have something to eat next week, thanks for the tip

  4. rob says up

    It is a pity that this address may now have a (too) large influx. I've been coming here for years when I'm in BKK and always enjoy what they serve me. It is impossible that you leave there with an empty feeling because the portions are sometimes gigantic. A doggy bag can be provided…..

  5. Lute says up

    Nice gesture


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