Best kha moo restaurants in Bangkok

Trok Sung, an area close to Charoen Wiang Road, is home to a roadside restaurant that has been serving khao kha moo (braised pork knuckle on rice, B60) since the 1960s. Their five-hour cooking process is what’s maintained their constant flow of customers, combining grilling, boiling and braising their pork knuckles until melt-in-the-mouth tender. Preparing and serving roughly 50 knuckles a day, this place is fast paced and delicious.

106, 5 Charoen Wiang Rd., 02-235-4930, Mon-Sat 10.30am-7pm. Closed Sun

Starting out as a food cart in 1978, the owners of this now well-established restaurant complete with brick and mortar are loved for their take on the braised pork knuckle. Preparing it in a Shantou style that originates from southern China, they blend 32 spices together into a rich soup in which the pork is stewed. On rice (B60) the dish is complex, traditional and best ordered piset (extra-large size).

1 Sathu Pradit Rd., Chong Nonsi, 083-431-9000, Mon-Sat 10am-10pm. Closed Sun

Another food peddler turned shop-owner, this khao kha moo shop in the Silom area stews their pork in the classic palo spices (Chinese five-spice blend) for 14 hours for a distinctive sweet-salty flavour. Here, the portions are big and, if you’re dining with friends, best to go for the large-sized stewed pork (B320) and a few plates of rice for B10 a pop. 

492/6 Charoen Krung Soi 49, Silom Rd. 02-234-8036. Daily 7am-1pm

After 45 years of serving stewed pork knuckle rice on Phiraphong Road, this restaurant is a staple food stop for locals in the area. Combining Chinese and Indonesian spices, the braised knuckle is cooked in a rich brown sauce for five hours that's then generously poured over rice (B60) and served with the fat, skin and meat that can be ordered in any combinations you prefer.

109 Phiraphong Road, Wang Burapha Phirom. 089-760-4347. Mon-Sat 9am-2pm. Closed Sun

Chef Tienchai Perapongsaton took the reins of this 40-year-old, second-generation kha moo joint and promptly became the winner of Top Chef Thailand 2023 with his refined slow-cook approach to this classic dish. His signature knuckle is braised for 12 hours with 12 spices, giving the stewed pork rice (B50) and aroma and flavour that’s worthy of this list. Located on Phetkasem Sai Kao Road, if you’re in the area, this is the one to try.

207/20 Phetkasem Sai Kao Rd., Pak Khlong Phasi Charoen. 065-168-9329. Daily 8.30am-3.30pm

Founded in Phuket in 1994, this stewed pork knuckle restaurant opened its first Bangkok branch in 2021, growing its 40-year khao kha moo empire. Their southern Thai take on the dish means the stewed pork with rice (B80) has the added flavour of peanuts, added to the broth and served atop the meat for an extra crunch, and a tangy green

Charoen Nakorn Soi 21, Bang Lamphu Lang. 083-839-2666. Daily 9.30am-9pm

Founded over 30 years ago (there’s a trend to be seen here), this is the place for kha moo if you’re near Lumpini Park. Their pork knuckles are exceptionally juicy, simmered with shitake mushrooms in a dark brown Chinese-spiced broth for over 24 hours. It’s also great for groups who want options, serving a wider menu of other dishes like khao pad kaprao (stir-fried Thai basil, B60) or rad na (Thai noodles with gravy, B60), that keep everyone happy. 

1899 Rama IV Rd. 086-664-0656. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Closed Sat

A little more sophisticated, Chan Charoen serves southern-style khao kha moo (B55) in a setting more reminiscent of 1970s China than twenty-first-century Bangkok. Aside from the unmistakable classics, they also serve kha moo with guang tong noodles (slim egged noodles) for just B69. This very Instagrammable jade green restaurant is found on Chan Road. 

264 22-23 Chan Rd., Wat Phraya Krai. 094-516-1456. Daily 9am-8pm

With over 50 years in the business, the chefs behind the braised pork of Meng Jai Pork Knuckle have gained the restaurant a reputation for using only the back part of the pork for added deliciousness. After four hours of stewing, they keep the pork hot in a broth that is added to over time, only increasing the richness and depth of flavour. Given it’s located just off an intersection, the free parking and bubbling soup make it a popular stopping point for hungry commuters looking for dinner.

800 804 Pracha Uthit Rd., Samsen Nok. 02-274-4170. Daily 7am-5pm

Here they do it a little differently. Utilising the sous vide – vacuum-sealing the meat in a temperature-controlled water bath for added juiciness – the kho moo here has an aroma and tenderness that is unique to the process. Adapted from a 40-year-old family recipe, the Chinese-spiced pork knuckles are cooked for over 14 hours before being served to maintain a truly sweet-salty flavour. The pork knuckle rice (B50) is very reasonably priced given the effort that goes into it.

32 15 Prachasongkhro Rd., Din Deng. 086-539-5146. Daily 8am-4pm