Jay Fai
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Founder | Supinya Junsuta |
| Headquarters | Bangkok , Thailand |
| Products | Seafood specialties, street food |
Number of employees | Few (including family members) |
Jay Fai (, also referred to as Raan Jay Fai) is a street food eatery located in Bangkok, bearing the name of its proprietor, Supinya Junsuta (). The establishment is famous for its wok-prepared seafood specialties and has gained a devoted following among culinary aficionados despite its relatively high prices. It was awarded one star in the first edition of the 2018 Michelin Guide Bangkok.
History
Born around 1945 to Chinese immigrant parents who sold kuaitiao khua kai (chicken noodles), Jay Fai initially found cooking challenging and received guidance from her younger sister. Prior to her culinary career, she worked as a seamstress until a fire incident in her thirties led her to shift focus toward cooking. She launched her restaurant during the 1980s, originally offering congee and noodle dishes inspired by her mother's recipes. Gradually, she broadened the menu, creating distinctive dishes and sourcing premium seafood through extensive travel, reflecting a commitment to high-quality ingredients and upscale pricing. Since then, the restaurant has become one of Bangkok’s most celebrated street food venues.[1][2]
Operations
Jay Fai’s establishment is situated in a shophouse on Maha Chai Road within Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon District, specifically in the Samran Rat (Pratu Phi) area. The open-air setting includes straightforward seating arrangements and walls adorned with green tiles. Cooking takes place beside the shop where walls open onto a narrow alley, utilizing two charcoal braziers. Jay Fai herself is the sole chef and is distinguished by her use of ski goggles while preparing meals.
She procures ingredients, particularly seafood, directly from various suppliers with an emphasis on superior quality. This strategy results in prices that are considerably above average street food costs; for instance, her renowned crab-meat omelette is priced at over 1,000 baht (approximately US$30). Other favored dishes include rat na and phat khi mao featuring seafood.
Reception
For many years, the restaurant has been regarded as a culinary icon. In 1999, Bangkok Post critic Ung-aang Talay described Jay Fai as "one of those increasingly rare Mozarts of the noodle pan" who transforms simple market fare into exceptional local cuisine. Notable visitors include Martha Stewart, who referred to her as "the best cook in Thailand."
In December 2017, Jay Fai became the sole street food vendor to receive a one-star rating in the inaugural 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide Bangkok, standing alongside fine dining establishments. This recognition greatly boosted customer demand, leading to the implementation of a reservation system and requiring additional assistance from family members to handle operations.
In 2021, she was honored with the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Icon Award. Despite her acclaim, Jay Fai has never recorded her recipes and has expressed no desire for her children to inherit the business, preferring they avoid its rigorous demands. As of 2024, she has denied any intentions to retire or close down the restaurant.
Jay Fai was also featured in the Netflix series Street Food, Bangkok episode, highlighting dishes such as tom yum soup, dry tom yum, and crab meat omelette.