Phed Mark: The Pad Krapow (Holy Basil Stir-Fry) Spot in Bangkok (Thailand) Started by Mark Wiens and Friends

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This article is part of the Bangkok Food Trip series. Check out the installments: Bangkok Food and Travel Guide | Chinatown Food Trip | Jodd Fairs Rama 9 Food Trip (Night Market) | Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (Thai Curry Rice) | MICHELIN Street Food Guide | Phed Mark (Pad Krapow or Holy Basil Stir-Fry) | On Lok Yun (Thai-Style Western Breakfast) | Polo Fried Chicken (Soi Polo) | Raan Jay Fai (MICHELIN-Starred Street Food) | SookSiam Food Trip | theCOMMONS Thonglor (Food Hall) | Wattana Panich (Beef Noodle Soup)

Aside from Anthony Bourdain, another person that has inspired me to travel for food is Mark Wiens. Mark Wiens is an American food vlogger who is currently based in Bangkok with his family. One of the highly-followed food vloggers in the world, Mark is also an author, blogger, and T.V. host (he has an HBO Go series called “Food Affair with Mark Wiens”).

I was able to watch a few episodes of Food Affair with Mark Wiens on our Singapore Airlines flight

So there is just no way I’m missing out the restaurant that Mark Wiens and his friends opened in Bangkok. That spot is Phed Mark.

Phed Mark is all about Pad Krapow (or Kaprao), a classic Thai dish composed of a protein (most popular is ground pork) stir-fried with krapow or holy basil and other aromatics, fried egg, and rice. It was conceptualized by Mark and three other friends—Chef Gigg (an Iron Chef Champion), Khun Pongthep (a designer and an actor), and Khun Tan (a Thai food blogger and manager), when they were discussing (over food, of course!) where the best Pad Krapow in Bangkok can be found.

So why the name “Phed Mark”? Its website says:

What does Phed Mark (เผ็ดมาร์ค) mean?
Phed in Thai means spicy, and Mark is my name. But it’s bit of a play on words because the Thai word for “very much” is Maak. Phed Mark is our name, our slogan, and we are addicted to spicy food!

Now, let me talk about our experience. We were able to order our food immediately when we arrived. There are nine kinds of protein available—beef, buffalo, chicken, pork, sour pork, squid, tofu and mushroom (the vegetarian option), wagyu, and wagyu shank—and five spice levels—non-spicy, very less spicy, less spicy, medium signature, and very spicy.

As expected, we were told to wait for 45 minutes. So we waited outside the restaurant on plastic stools. It was kind of pleasant because the climate wasn’t so hot and there were electric fans.

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But before 45-minute mark, we were already called to go inside. Thank God for airconditioning!

Anyway, we tried two kinds of their Pad Krapow. One is the non-spicy pork (ground). The holy basil is flavorful and has a nice chew (every chew brings out the flavor). It’s also garlicky due to the garlic bits and small cloves. And it’s a bit saucy and salty (but I like that it’s not sweet).

They used duck eggs that are fried so that the bottom is crisp. Its yolk is sooo creamy!

The other is squid with a “very less spicy” spice level (I love spicy food but I don’t want to ruin my stomach; Thai spiciness is just on another level LOL). It has the same flavor profile as with the pork one, and the squid slices are huge and tender.

I’ve tried Pad Krapow from three food spots in Thailand, and I can say that Phed Mark’s is the best and my favorite. I’m excited to return and try other proteins!

So if you’re a big fan of Mark Wiens (like I am) or simply looking for a good Pad Krapow spot, then include Phed Mark in your Bangkok eat-inerary. I highly recommend it to you!

PS You can also purchase Phed Mark and Mark Wiens merch in the restaurant. Fortunately, there’s one remaining stock of “Not Spicy, Not Eating” t-shirt left and it fits me well. So I bought it right away.

I got a free Phed Mark logo sticker since I bought a Mark Wiens t-shirt

Have you been to Phed Mark? IWhat Pad Krapow spot should I try next? Comment below!

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