Location revealedPopular street food stall on the sidewalkBehind Phitsanulok City Pillar Shrine, operated by 'Sergeant Bung,' a young soldier who transformed a side job into a tasty venture, emphasizing bold, locally sourced ingredients that satisfy the palate
The riverside atmosphere along the Nan River behind Phitsanulok City Pillar Shrine comes alive at night with food enthusiasts lining up to savor the spicy, flavorful som tum from Bamboo Mussel Som Tum. The shop is owned and personally operated by Sergeant Piyapong Thophan, known as Sergeant Bung, deputy commander of the service platoon at Military Circle 39, Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj Camp. This delicious national guard-level dish has gone viral locally, with all som tum dishes priced affordably at 50 baht and a flavor profile guaranteed to delight, earning steady recommendations from loyal customers.
Sergeant Bung shared that he is a military serviceman who started this som tum side business with friends during his free time. They began by serving at various military camp events, gaining a reputation for their flavorful dishes. As more people showed interest, they decided to open a sidewalk stall to allow the general public to taste their offerings.
The must-try signature dishes are varied, ranging from Thai som tum with salted egg, Luang Prabang som tum, to fusion dishes featuring premium local ingredients from Phitsanulok such as "Dried Banana Som Tum" and seasonal menus including "Grilled Fish with Strawberry Som Tum." Each dish emphasizes freshness and carefully selected seasonings. Besides affordable som tum options, there are side dishes like bamboo shoot soup and spicy minced pork salad priced at just 40 baht.
Bamboo Mussel Som Tum operates as a takeaway-only stall. Those wishing to experience som tum crafted by a skilled soldier can visit daily from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm or call 083-410-1966 to check availability, as some days see longer lines and quicker sellouts.