For Thai speakers, the name Kung Phao Mae Thong Chup (literally Mother Thong Chup’s Grilled Shrimp) suggests the restaurant’s likely been around since our parents were in high school and thus sounds promising to a certain extent. The fact is, this riverside local restaurant is more than 40 years old.

Grandma Thong Chup herself is in her seventies and doesn’t cook anymore, but she still recalls her early days as an Isan-originating food vendor in her hometown, Sing Buri. According to her, the river was brimming with freshwater edibles. With her renowned culinary skill, Grandma Thong Chup was asked to dish up grilled shrimps and an obligatory zesty dip. Her very first grilled shrimps were so addictive that local folks kept encouraging her to go for the Kung Phao Mae Thong Chup restaurant.

And yes, not only is the shrimp scrumptious. The Stir-Fried Coconut Shoots with Shrimps are fresh, crunchy and juicy. What’s more, there are wonderful local Thai dessert and fruit vendors along the way to Kung Phao Mae Thong Chup for sweet tooths to swoon over.