Charoen Saeng Silom: ฿50 braised pork leg
You often see many food shops become victims of their own success when they start expanding. Charoen Saeng Silom is a 60-year-old rags-to-riches story that has avoided that common pitfall to remain a local favourite for braised pork leg.
Here’s why their braised pork leg is sought after and the story of their humble beginnings.
Legendary melt-in-your-mouth pork leg
Image credit: @bankbox
Charoen Saeng Silom has been serving only braised pork leg for over 60 years. During that span, the family-run business has been slowly improving their recipe and cooking until they’ve arrived at a crowd favourite.
The cooking process begins the day before. Just as the shop closes for the day, the preparation for the next day begins. The pork is braised overnight, with the family’s secret blend of Chinese spices.
Image credit: @iamweiping
The family also braises the meat, skin, and trotters separately so that each cut comes out perfectly tender and delicious.
One thing that makes this shop unique is that they make sure to only use the front legs, in order to make the eating experience even more pleasant. These are more lean than the hind legs and are also less pungent.
Image credit: @0.21.6
The other unique thing is that, while most shops will serve the pork “over rice”, this shop insists on serving the rice and braised pork leg separately. The owners say that this makes the pork leg even more delicious.
A shop with humble beginnings
Image credit: @iamweiping
While Charoen Saeng is now one of Bangkok’s go-tos for braised pork leg, the family originally sold clothing and toys. When that didn’t work out, they started cooking beef noodles. And then char siu.
None of those ideas worked out until they began cooking braised pork legs, using the cooking equipment the original owners got as a wedding present.
Image credit: @thlee97
They originally sold their food next to a Silom hospital. But once they started making enough money, they moved into a rowhouse in the Silom area. Many of their fans quickly took note and are still regulars to this day.
Image credit: @jdensta
And that’s where they have been now for over 50 years.
60-year-old braised pork leg for ฿50 (~US$1.50)
Charoen Saeng’s braised pork legs are not only a local favourite that has won local awards, but they have also been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for 5 years straight.
Can’t go wrong with a hearty ฿50 meal that will fill you to the brim.
Charoen Saeng Silom
Address: 492/6 Soi Charoen Krung 49, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Opening hours: 7am-1pm, Daily
Contact: +66 2234 8036 | Google Maps
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Cover image adapted from: @iamweiping and @bankbox