Our Go-To Jim Jum Spot near BTS Saphan Khwai
Whenever we crave a hot, herbal bowl of Isaan-style hot pot, our go-to spot is the open-air Jim Jum Restaurant near BTS Saphan Khwai (ร้านจิ้มจุ่ม Bts.สะพานควาย). Located right next to BTS Saphan Khwai Exit 3 (just beside the 7-Eleven), it has become our favorite pitstop on our way home. We usually hop off the BTS at Saphan Khwai, enjoy a comforting meal, and then take a short walk over to MRT Kamphaeng Phet to connect directly to the MRT Blue Line.
While this street-side venue has always been packed with local regulars, our recent visits revealed a noticeable influx of foreign travelers. The restaurant handles the crowds efficiently with well-organized queue control, so wait times remain brief. Noticing more international diners, I asked for an English menu during this visit—and to my delight, they offer a picture menu translated into Thai, English, and Chinese! (Though my husband still prefers referencing the Thai menu and handwriting our order on the paper slip provided).
💡 Pro-Tip: They close roughly once a month (recent closing dates included Aug 12 and Sept 23). Since dates vary, check their official Facebook page before heading out to make sure they are open!
🍲 What is Jim Jum?
Jim jum (จิ้มจุ่ม) is a traditional Northeastern Thai (Isaan) hot pot dish cooked in a classic clay pot over glowing charcoal coals. The magic lies in its fragrant herbal broth infused with lemongrass, galangal, and fresh kaffir lime leaves.
You start by bringing the fresh herbs and leafy green vegetables to a boil, then lightly scald slices of marinated meat in the clay pot before dipping them into spicy nam jim jaew dipping sauce. We always like to spoon a little extra dipping sauce directly into the broth for an extra flavor kick! It’s an aromatic, comforting meal that my visiting family falls in love with every time they are in Thailand.
🥢 Our Regular Orders & Tasting Notes
Honestly, we have never had a bad meal here! Our feast for two came out to an unbeatable 290 THB total:
- Beef Jim Jum Set (120 THB): Includes a plate of marinated beef, egg, fresh glass noodles, and a full basket of herbs and greens. (A pork option is also available at 120 THB).
- Som Tum / Thai Papaya Salad (40 THB): Crunchy, refreshing, and perfectly spicy to balance the rich hot pot broth.
- Grilled Beef / Crying Tiger (70 THB): Served with a spicy dip. (Ordering tip: If you prefer juicy, marbled cuts, order the Crying Tiger; if you prefer lean meat, request the regular grilled beef, though note it can be a bit chewier compared to the tender Crying Tiger!)
- Sup Nor Mai / Thai Spicy Bamboo Shoot Salad: A pungent, traditional Isaan favorite. Note that their version is quite strong and funky compared to milder variations found elsewhere—my husband ended up finishing the whole dish himself!
🌧️ Rainy Day Dining & Atmosphere
On a rainy Friday evening around 7:00 PM during payday week, the usual bustling lines were surprisingly quiet. The cool, rainy weather paired with a hot, bubbling clay pot of herbal broth turned out to be pure bliss—minus the usual crowds!
The service is consistently fast, polite, and attentive. When our empty clay pot started to burn and emit smoke, we asked the staff to clear it away; they quickly removed it and thoughtfully explained that dry clay pots can crack under high heat. I also noticed quite a few single diners enjoying solo hot pot meals here, making it a very welcoming spot whether you are dining alone or with a group. I didn’t take many photos this time around, but the food is genuinely fantastic.
🍺 BYOB Policy: The restaurant does not sell alcoholic beverages, but customers are welcome to purchase beer or drinks from the adjacent 7-Eleven and consume them at their tables.
📍 Location & Visiting Details
- Name: Jim Jum BTS Saphan Khwai (ร้านจิ้มจุ่ม Bts.สะพานควาย)
- Address: Right next to BTS Saphan Khwai (Exit 3), beside 7-Eleven near the entrance of Wat Phai Tan, Phaya Thai, Bangkok
- 🚇 Nearest Transit: BTS Saphan Khwai (Exit 3) or MRT Kamphaeng Phet (Exit 3)
- ⏰ Hours: Open daily from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Monthly rest days announced on Facebook)
- 📞 Phone: 089-227-9463
- 🔗 Facebook: ร้านจิ้มจุ่ม Bts.สะพานควาย
