For anyone visiting Sukhothai Historical Park looking for a dinner spot with a great atmosphere, here’s a recommended place. "Talad Rod Sai Rim Sa Wat Trapang Thong" This landmark perfectly blends local daily life with the charm of the old city, ideal for a leisurely stroll to savor delicious food and soak up the slow-life evening vibe.
The market’s highlight is vendors using "rod sai" — wooden carts lined up along the pond at Wat Trapang Thong. Visitors can browse and buy a variety of foods while finding cozy spots to sit by the water. The evening is especially magical as the sun sets, offering a stunning view perfect for photos and selfies to capture memorable moments.
The market is filled with mouthwatering street food menus including spicy som tam, spicy shrimp salad, red pork rice, crispy pork, desserts, and refreshing herbal drinks. But the must-try dish upon arriving in Sukhothai is "Sukhothai Pad Thai" Especially from "Phee Roong's" stall, which serves authentic traditional flavors.
The secret to its deliciousness: the dish is stir-fried fresh, plate by plate, starting with eggs sautéed in fragrant oil, adding a distinctive ingredient — finely sliced yardlong beans — followed by thin rice noodles. The flavor is balanced with the sweetness of palm sugar and tamarind juice.
Generously garnished with roasted peanuts and chopped Chinese parsley, served alongside raw bean sprouts, chives, sliced lime, ground chili, and sugar, allowing customers to adjust the taste to their liking. All this deliciousness comes at a budget-friendly price of only 40 baht per box.
Another endearing feature of this market is that vendors do not reserve or monopolize stalls. Instead, they rotate daily, moving from one stall to another—for example, from stall 1 today to stall 2 tomorrow—to fairly share prime locations. If visitors can't find their favorite vendor, they can stroll around asking and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, as all vendors here are kind and every stall offers tasty food.
Located by the pond at Wat Trapang Thong, Mueang Kao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Sukhothai Province (near Sukhothai Historical Park). Open in the evening from 16:00 onwards, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).
Next time you visit Sukhothai, be sure to stop by to support local vendors and enjoy the evening ambiance at Talad Rod Sai Rim Sa. It promises a feast for both your stomach and your heart.
Cover photo: istock