With Thailand’s traditional New Year coming up, many of you probably think of Chiang Mai. The Northern city is definitely a popular Songkran destination. But, did you know that there’s a closer destination where you can have as much fun? Ayutthaya, once Thailand’s capital, has its own unique Songkran celebration waiting for you to be a part of. More importantly, the ancient capital is brimming with affordable local restaurants that will keep your stomach full while having the time of your life.
The MICHELIN Guide wants to enhance your Ayutthaya experience to the next level. These 7 affordable local spots are handpicked by our MICHELIN Inspectors. Some have been in the red guidebook for years while some are new discoveries.
O Pochana’s tastiness from the river. (© Anuwat Senivansa Na Ayudhya/ MICHELIN Guide Thailand)
O Pochana (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
You don’t want to miss this cosy wooden house with a view of River Noi. O Pochana has been making gastronomical history for over 75 years and 3 generations. Most menus are local dishes made from fish and prawns caught from the river running behind this Bib Gourmand restaurant. Freshness is undoubtedly guaranteed. The stir-fried salt and pepper river prawns make you ask for more. The charcoal stove adds a smokey aroma to the juicy grilled river prawns. The deep-fried sheatfish is a testament to the technique that matches ingredient quality. The fish is sweet and succulent while giving you the perfect level of crispiness. The fried fish in red curry packs a punch with the intensity of coconut milk and curry paste. Tom Yam with Boeseman croaker and lotus stem is another MICHELIN Guide’s recommendation.Address: 252/21Soi Wilai Sena, Sena District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Tel. +66 8 1946 7737.
Freshly made dough from one of Ayutthaya’s best Roti Sai Mai. (© Roti Sai Mai Abeedeen-Pranom Sangaroon)
Roti Sai Mai Abeedeen-Pranom Sangaroon (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
Despite hundreds of Roti Sai Mai (Roti with candy floss) around Ayutthaya, only a few are featured in MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2023. Roti Sai Mai Abeedeen-Pranom Sangaroon is one of the select few. This Bib Gourmand place has been making roti and candy floss that taste the same as when it started over 70 years ago. Take a break from Songkran fun with original or pandan roti. The flour is thin and soft. Its candy floss is fluffy with a caramel aroma. Just a few bites will fully recharge you for the next round of water splashing.Address: Uthong Road, Pratu Chai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Tel. +66 8 9005 9948.
Ayutthaya’s latest MICHELIN Guide addition you don’t want to miss. (© Kin Lookdeaw)
Kin Lookdeaw (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
The decoration is simple with an open kitchen in the middle. The waitperson straight up tells you to be patient for the long wait. But we can understand. It’s a small crew who make almost everything from scratch. You can hear pounding from the kitchen where they make chilli paste. The deep-fried boneless red tilapia is everyone’s favourite. Deboned fish is marinated with salt before deep-frying until perfectly crispy. The tastes of stir-fried green curry with clown featherback fish balls are well-balanced. The firm and bouncy fish balls are floating in the aromatic curry made from coconut milk and fresh herbs. Rice noodles are accompanied by medium-boiled duck eggs with a runny yolk. Som Tam with Fresh Shrimp is also delicious. Every dish here is priced reasonably. It's unsurprising Kin Lookdeaw is awarded Bib Gourmand. People drive 40 kilometres from the city centre here just for a meal.Address: 35 Mu 9 Tambon Tha Chao Sanuk, Tha Ruea, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Tel. +66 3576 0480.
Delicious beef noodles with a river view. (© Pratunam Baan Ko Noodles)
Pratunam Baan Ko Noodles (MICHELIN-listed, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
People come here for their special beef noodles. Offal, beef balls, spare ribs, and tender beef slices in each serving are enough to sate your hunger. But the star is the soup. Its taste is well-balanced and enhanced with a meaty aroma. The chef has been preparing 25-30 kilograms of a variety of meats every day. So, diners are guaranteed the ultimate beef experience. Menus are as abundant as the ingredients – beef noodles, beef soup, offal soup, Kao Lao (Clear soup with ingredients, but no noodles), and pork noodles. One of the best menus is Kuay Tiew Haeng Tom Yam (Noodles with spicy and sour seasonings, but no or minimal broth).Address: Ban Ko, Bang Sai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Tel. +66 8 1063 7814.
Beautifully cooked meal at Baan Pu Karn. (© Baan Pu Karn)
Baan Pu Karn (Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
Set in the chef-owner's house, Baan Pu Karn serves excellent Thai dishes made from local ingredients and seafood that’s hard to find in the province. Every dish is prepared meticulously. Their tastes are well-balanced. Herbal aroma enhances the natural sweetness of ingredients, especially the shrimp and crab. You have a variety of options from soup, stir-fried, and deep-fried dishes, to curries. Popular dishes include stir-fried crab with yellow chili, tilapia or catfish fried in red curry, and stir-fried vermicelli with shrimp and climbing wattle. We recommend booking in advance, especially during weekends. The kitchen may close early if the food sells out.Address: 347 Ban Mai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Tel. +66 6 2264 4236.
The relaxing vibe at Rimsaun. (© Rimsaun)
Rimsaun (MICHELIN-listed, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
Another worthy addition to our red guidebook. Rimsuan has been serving delicious southern Thai food to the people of Ayutthaya for more than 25 years. The owner was born and raised in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. So, the taste is guaranteed to be authentic. The fluffy omelette is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The must-try dish is the southern sour curry made from the owner’s original recipe and homemade curry paste. Another menu you don’t want to miss is fried prawns topped with tamarind sauce. The prawn is juicy and firm. Other menus worth mentioning include stir-fried stink bean with prawn and shrimp paste and a variety of perfectly crispy fried fish. Stir-fried seafood with curry powder is as delectable. You can also ask for daily specials.Address: U Thong 30 Road, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Tel. +66 8 9904 6778.
U-Khao’s modern decor and atmosphere. (© U-Khao)
U-Khao (MICHELIN-listed, MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024)
This newcomer has become well-known for its traditional tastes which are hard to find these days. The recipes are passed down from the owner’s mother. Flavours here remind people of their childhood. Despite the traditional techniques, each dish is represented with modern twists. The menu that wins people’s hearts is the traditional egg stew with pork belly. Spices make the dish intense and aromatic, with a juicy pork belly adding more texture. The grilled shrimp relish with accompanying vegetables is another dish you will ask for more. There are other recommended menus such as watermelon with sweet dried fish, river snail, and betel leave curry, prawns in red curry, stir-fried noodles with Sesbania flowers, and Nam Prik Kee Ga Kung Yang (Roughly pounded chilli dip with grilled prawns). There are also rare Thai dishes you can ask for.Address: 99 Mu 2, Khanon Luang, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Tel. +66 6 2793 9993.
Splashing water around the city of Ayutthaya. (© Shutterstock)
A memorable Songkran in Ayutthaya
Now that you're aware of these affordable and delightful destinations, it's time to plan your trip. Ayutthaya offers a plethora of auspicious and enjoyable activities during Songkran. Begin with water splashing in the city, witness an exclusive parade unique to Ayutthaya, where elephants join in the spectacle, partake in traditional ceremonies, and make merits at sacred temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet.Enhance your experience by participating in building sand pagodas, bathing Buddha images, and capturing photos in traditional Thai dresses against historical backdrops. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the Thai New Year from 13-15 April 2024, in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. And while you're there, indulge yourself at restaurants selected by the MICHELIN Guide Thailand.
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RELATED: 11 Must-Try Northern Dishes in Chiang Mai for Your Songkran Stay
Illustration image: © MICHELIN Guide Thailand
Illustration image: © MICHELIN Guide Thailand
This post is brought to you in partnership with Tourism Authority of Thailand
