Michelin Star Porridge
This shop was recognised with a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.
Also, Anthony Bourdain has paid a visit.
So they have serious street cred.
And how did they get their princely name ? Apparently the name came about because they used to be located in the alley leading to Prince Theatre.
Directions to get there
In Bangkok, I categorise eating places into those you can access via BTS with a little walking, and those that are not near any BTS stations and you have to brave the traffic jams by jumping into a cab even after alighting from the nearest BTS.
Happily Jok Prince falls into the first category.
Jok Prince is just behind the Shangri La Hotel so it’s not far.
So hop onto the Silom Line (from Siam station interchange and look out for the Saphan Taksin station (about 6 stops away).
As you come out from the trains look out for this sign that says go right towards Robinson Department store. That direction would be Exit 3.
Once you come out of Exit 3 and go down the escalator to street level you will see this big yellow arrow ahead of you. Head towards the arrow and at the arrow, turn left and you will be on the road heading towards Robinson Department Store.
Within a few minutes, you will be at Robinson Department store.
Standing in front of Robinson’s, look across the street and you will see Watsons. Now you have to cross the street towards Watsons.
That street is the busiest street in the whole wide world and you are unlikely to stay alive.
But if if you do make it or get knocked down but still remain in the mood for porridge, then from Watsons continue walking down the street (away from Robinsons).
Jok Prince is maybe about 10 shops away from Watsons. So it is facing the main road and not in any alley.
The shop with the blue awning above is Jok Prince.
The shop
The first thing that struck me is how nondescript and how small the shop is.
Decor was no frills and simple, as if to say it’s all about the food.
The Offerings
I had a little chuckle when I saw the menu.
It was pork porridge with or without the innards, and you can have it with the normal egg or preserved egg or both.
Simple enough – you just point or in any event the boss lady or head cook (lady in red stripes) will speak to you in mandarin if you want to communicate with them.
The Food
It was all I expected it to be and i think they richly deserve their Michelin recognition.
The congee was smooth, fragrant and flavourful.
The innards like liver and intestines were soft and supple and were just lovely. I am a gout warrior so I attacked the innards with unbridled delight and gusto.
Every twitch in my toes were worth it.
But the star of the show has got to be the meatball.
They were unapologetically chunky and quite a mouthful. The burst of flavours was delightful and it was soft and yielding.
Pure magic.
I liked the coarse ginger strips which was a nice contrast to the meaty ensemble although there was no real undue porky smell.
I found the century egg to be too sharp with the ammonia taste and smell though. Will definitely give the century egg a miss when I next visit.
Jok Prince is definitely on my list of must visit places in Bangkok moving forward.
And if one was adventurous and not all pigged out, walk five minutes and you can sink your teeth into a delicious gooey pig trotter at another famous stall nearby, another Bib Gourmand nominee.
Jok Prince
1391 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Tel: +66 89 795 2629
Opening Hours: 6am – 12pm, 4pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Jok Prince
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