RAAN JAY FAI: A MICHELIN STAR STREET FOOD EXPERIENCE IN BANGKOK

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My beloved husband is really obsessed with good food and has done everything possible to be able to cross the threshold of the renowned restaurant Jay Fai. We tried in every way to make a reservation, through phone calls and emails, but all our efforts were in vain. Desperate, we went to the place with the hope of at least seeing this famous spot from the outside. However, luck decided to smile on us and we were able to taste the delicacies of Chef Jay Fai. But we know that not everyone can boast of our same luck.
That’s why I decided to share our experience with you, to give you an idea of what to expect and how to manage the wait, especially because during our time in line we observed how many others had difficulty understanding the wait times and what to do. Additionally, we read exaggerated and discouraging information online, such as having to wait up to 7 hours to get in.
For this reason, I decided to write this post to help those in our same situation make the most of the gastronomic experience that Jay Fai has to offer.

About Jay Fai

Raan Jay Fai, also known as Jay Fai’s restaurant, is a street food place based in Thailand, managed by Jay Fai, a cook of Chinese origin born in 1945, who started cooking when she was thirty.

She has always worn her large protective glasses and has continued to work without interruptions.

From 2018 to 2022, the restaurant has obtained a Michelin star every year without interruption.

Jay Fai opened her shop in the 1980s and, after using her mother’s recipes, she began to develop her own recipes, becoming a place of great popularity. Additionally, Jay Fai also appears in the Netflix documentary “Street Food Asia“.

Jay Fai Waiting System

Jay Fai is the sole chef at her restaurant, which means that there is often a long wait to get a table. Although the Michelin website suggests making a reservation, the restaurant does not accept reservations. However, they do have a well-organized system in place to manage the long queues.

The first thing to do is write your name and the number of people in your party on the list you’ll find on the table by the entrance. Be sure to write the number next to your name so you know when it’s your turn.
On the back of the table, you’ll see a number hanging up that corresponds to the last customer called. But be careful, the last person to sit down may not be the last one called!

3. There’s a sweet girl who calls out the numbers and names, but she does it quietly. If you don’t hear her, you’ll miss your turn and have to put your name back on the list without complaining. So, stay close to the list and try to find a seat on the plastic chairs left on the sidewalk.

4. The sweet girl often calls out 6-7 names at once, hands out the menu to those called, and invites them to keep waiting. After about 15-20 minutes, she comes to take orders from those still waiting.

5. When a table of the right size becomes available, you can finally sit down

6. The service is then as fast as an arrow. After finishing your meal, you pay the bill directly at the table. Enjoy your meal!

How long to wait at Jay Fai

If you’re short on time, you can estimate how long you’ll have to wait at Jay Fai based on these details:

Arrival time: 1:15 PM
Queue position: We were number 56 on the list, with the last number called being 38.
People ahead of us: 17
Crowd status: Relatively empty when we arrived, but became very crowded later.
2:15 PM: The staff quietly called our name and gave us the menu.
2:30 PM: We placed our order while waiting on plastic chairs.
2:50 PM: We were finally seated at our table (20 minutes after ordering).
3:00 PM: Drinks arrived.
3:20 PM: Dishes were served.
Total wait time: 1 hour and 45 minutes to get a table, and 2 hours in total before our meal arrived.
Estimated wait time for 17 people: Around 2 hours.

I couldn’t help but notice the clever entrepreneurs making money off the wait time at Jay Fai.

Initially, a woman with an apron who seemed like an employee called out people’s names and numbers constantly on the phone.

It would have been an ideal solution to avoid waiting, but the entrepreneurial woman and her friends only spoke Thai.

Nonetheless, you could find a way to pass the time during the wait, such as visiting the grand and opulent temples across the street.

What to eat in Jay Fai : Two Jai Fai dishes recommended by Michelin

1- Crab Omelets

Jay Fai’s legendary crab omelet is a golden, crispy masterpiece generously stuffed with sweet, chunky crab meat. Unlike typical omelets, hers is deep-fried to perfection, creating a delicate, flaky exterior while keeping the inside soft and moist.

2- Drunken Noodles

“Drunken Noodles” is a typical dish of Thai cuisine, also known as “Pad Kee Mao” or “Pad Ki Mao”. It consists of wide, flat rice noodles stir-fried in a pan with meat or fish, vegetables, and spices. The name “drunken” refers to the fact that the dish is traditionally consumed with an alcoholic beverage, such as beer or whiskey, but in reality, the dish does not contain alcohol as an ingredient.

How much does it cost to dine at Jai Fai?

A breakdown of prices and menu items.

Jai Fai is quite expensive compared to other street food stalls in Bangkok.
You should expect to pay around 800-1,000 baht (about $25-30 USD) per dish at Jai Fai.

Our review of Jai Fai, the Michelin-starred street food stall in Bangkok.

Before we visited Jai Fai, a Michelin-starred street food stall in Bangkok, we were eager to try it out. However, after we finished our meal and received the relatively hefty bill, our opinion changed. We already love Thai cuisine, but we couldn’t quite appreciate the difference that a Michelin star made. With the cost of our meal, we could have eaten at our favorite restaurant four times over, in a much nicer atmosphere. While we don’t regret the experience, we’ve decided that it’s not worth a repeat visit unless we’re living in Thailand.
Now, we’re turning our attention to another Michelin-starred restaurant, located on a street in Singapore. It’s one of only two street food vendors in the world to have earned a Michelin star, and we’re excited to give it a try.

Exploring more of Bangkok? If you loved the legendary flavors of Jay Fai, dive deeper into the city’s vibrant food scene and cultural gems with my other guides:

1 Day in Bangkok for a whirlwind itinerary,

the Bangkok Essential Guide for things to know to plan your trip.

or Bangkok in 3 Days to savor the best of the city at a relaxed pace.

Happy eating and adventuring!