Fa Pla Tahn (ฟ้าปลาทาน) started as a delivery-only kitchen specialising in Khao Tom Pla (boiled rice soup with fish). More than just soup, they sold comfort in a bowl. The brand has since expanded to outlets in Bangkok malls, including EmSphere (near Phrom Phong BTS), Central Chidlom Tower, and Marché Thonglor, making it easy to reach anywhere in the city.
What to expect at Fa Pla Tahn?
Mid-range, mall-based, and deceptively good. It’s not cheap-and-cheerful street food, but it’s not a special-occasion splurge either. Think of it as the comfortable middle ground: proper table service, a wide-enough menu covering rice and noodle dishes, air conditioning, and food made from scratch.
The menu leans heavily into fish and broth. They also have plenty of pork dishes, and their homemade fishballs are everything. The focus is on slow-cooked soups and broths that lend a lot of flavour to the carbs and protein.
What to order?
The Khao Tom (Boiled Rice Soup)
Khao tom translates simply to boiled rice, but the broth here has complex flavours. The broth is the chef’s proprietary stock, and it tastes exactly the same across all their outlets. The consistency is really quite something, reminding us of Din Tai Fung across borders.
Slightly peppery, deeply savoury, and calibrated precisely so it doesn’t overpower the ingredients sitting in it. It works with everything in the bowl rather than fighting for attention.
You can order the khao tom with pork ribs, chicken chunks, or prawns. They have kept their home-grown ethos intact with this dish; it feels like you’re having it in someone’s home.
The Tom Yum Glass Noodles
We ordered this almost by accident on our most recent visit, and it completely blindsided us. We’d been so loyal to the khao tom that we hadn’t bothered exploring much else.
The glass noodle tom yum with minced pork is outstanding. You pick your noodle type (glass noodles are our recommendation), and you get a bowl that’s spicy, fragrant, and far more complex than it looks. The lemongrass and aromatics are in there in full force; you’ll find yourself fishing out the chopped pieces as you near the end of the bowl, which is the only minor thing to note about this dish. But the flavour they leave behind? Worth every piece you have to pick out.
Up until this visit, the khao tom had been our uncontested favourite. The tom yum glass noodles have given this theory a run for its money.
The Starters
Fa Pla Tahn’s starters are the perfect kind of food to have along with the mains, crunching and munching as you go.
The fried fish skin is crispy, light, and exactly what you want while you wait for your soup. The deep-fried wontons stuffed with minced pork are simple but flavourful. The crispy triangles are crunchy and can be added to the soups, too. The deep-fried shrimp balls are the standout: homemade, perfectly bouncy, and served with a spicy dipping sauce. The sauce could use a bit more heat, but the shrimp balls themselves need no improvement.
The Lotus Root Drink
You don’t see it on many menus at this tier in Bangkok, and it earns its place. Subtly sweet, earthy, and refreshing. In Bangkok’s heat, a drink that feels both interesting and cooling is worth ordering.
The Practical Stuff
Fa Pla Tahn operates inside malls, which means it’s clean, air-conditioned, and more comfortable than eating on the street. There’s a service charge, but the service is efficient and fuss-free.
It can get busy during peak lunch hours, so either arrive early or be prepared to wait a little. The food is worth it either way. If you’re at the EmSphere outlet, you can order takeaway and sit around the restaurant, as there are plenty of seats and tables.
Multiple outlets across the city are a real advantage. Wherever you end up in Bangkok, there’s likely a Fa Pla Tahn nearby.
The Verdict
Pros
- Must order the khao tom and tom yum
- Multiple locations across the city
- Perfect for lunch, dinner, or somewhere in between
Cons
- Gets crowded during peak hours
- You’ll be fishing lemongrass out of your bowl near the end if you order the Tom Yum bowl
Fa Pla Tahn — Details
Outlets: EmSphere (G Floor, 440 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei) · Central Chidlom Tower · Marché Thonglor
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Price Range: ~150–360 THB per dish
Nearest BTS: Phrom Phong (EmSphere outlet)