A grandmother-grandson duo have turned Thailand's favorite dish into a colorful mix of Thai-Chinese fusion comfort food, with puff pastry, heart-shaped Thai tea ice cubes, and a dash of hipster flair.
Susu Phat Kaphrao (ซู ซู ผัดกะเพรา SUSU 打抛饭) is rustic and full of character, a hidden inexpensive spot right on Ekkamai. Emerald green subway tiles line the walls, offset by raw cement, warm wooden furniture, handwritten signs, and collage journal-style menu pages that give it a homemade, artsy touch. Cartoonish boxing elephant statues are a nod to ซูซู (Susu), the owner’s name and a homophone for สู้ๆ (sûu sûu)—“keep fighting”.
The kitchen’s heart belongs to grandma, whose recipes power the menu, while her kids and grandkids run the front. Together, they’ve crafted a place that feels both family-run and Instagram-ready.
The traditional pork kaprao (B119) sets the tone, priced higher than a lot of other shops, but it’s pretty quality. Served with roasted chili corn, cucumbers, pickled radish, a crispy over-easy egg, it’s fragrant, fiery, and rich in flavor. Medium spicy packs enough heat, but you can go all the way to extra hot. Chicken (B119) and beef (B159) versions are also available, along with spice levels from no-spicy to hot.
The braised pork kaprao (B159) is their signature and blends Chinese and Thai sensibilities: five-spice pork belly with soy-forward sauce and soft rice soaked in flavor, topped with a tea-stained gooey boiled egg for that extra Chinese touch.
Other standouts included the pad kaprao dumpings (B129) which we ordered pan fried, and the beef and cheese taco kaprao (B169)—which is actually a sort of roti quesadilla rather than a taco, with minced beef mixture and cheese. Yes, cheese on pad kraprao. Deal with it.
For something adventurous, there’s wild crocodile kaprao (B169)—a bold choice, though the cartilage and small bones in the meat may divide opinions. We did not enjoy the eating experience. And, though some of the flavors seemed on point, there is not a seasoned taster on staff expert in meat from reptilian creatures that survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
Side dishes bring a creative twist and call for a return visit: Basil Beef Puff Pastry (B159), Durian Puff Pastry (B189), and a Chicken Coconut Soup Puff Pastry (B199) that riffs on French pot pie. After your meal, go sweet with Thai Milk Caramel Toast (B159) or sip an Oreo Matcha Latte (B149). The Thai Iced Tea (B59) comes with heart-shaped ice cubes made of more tea, no dilution, just pure love for detail.
Family-run, warm, and a little eccentric, Susu Phat Kaphrao captures what makes Ekkamai’s dining scene so fun: creativity rooted in comfort. They don’t have a lot of social media up at the momentTiktok @susu.phatkaphrao
Susu Phat Kaphrao, 72/6 Soi Sukhumvit 63, Open daily 10am–10pm.
