Anyone who wakes up early and visits Sukhothai must not miss the legendary street food hidden by the roadside. Every morning at 6 a.m., locals and regular customers line up along the route to support "Yai Paew’s rice porridge cart," run by an 85-year-old woman.
The strong and spirited owner prepares a variety of dishes and pushes her cart selling hot rice porridge, a Sukhothai staple for over 30 years. With its distinctive, bold flavors and very affordable prices, this cart has naturally become a favorite among early risers in Sukhothai.
Yai Paew’s route begins at 6 a.m., pushing her cart from near the Toyota Center, past the Sukhothai Municipality Office, and ending at her regular spot at the Sukhothai Municipal Fresh Market. The surprising highlight that has long won customers’ hearts is the incredibly low price.
Rice porridge and hot steamed rice sell for only 5 baht per bag, while side dishes start at just 10, 15, or 20 baht. The menu offers a dazzling variety of more than ten options, including salted egg salad, fried egg salad, fried pork sausage, fried Chinese sausage, and fried snakehead fish and small sun-dried fish. There is also chili paste with boiled vegetables for those wanting a clean and healthy breakfast.
The highlight stir-fry dishes, praised by regulars, include: stir-fried pickled radish with egg, stir-fried morning glory with hot chili, and stir-fried kale with salted fish. These dishes are richly flavored and pair perfectly with hot rice porridge, sure to keep you full all morning.
As for the signature dish, the "Three Friends Pickle", which is Yai Paew’s special recipe, it’s equally popular. It combines pickled ginger, pickled mustard greens, and pickled radish in one bag. When eaten with hot rice porridge, it offers a harmonious blend of three flavors. Adding pickled chili for a spicy kick makes it so delicious that customers often return for more.
If you get a chance to visit Sukhothai, try waking up a bit earlier and waiting to support Yai Paew’s rice porridge cart. You’ll experience the charm of local life while enjoying legendary flavors at very affordable prices.
