Mama Mew, The Pad Thai Master of Bangkok
Updated: Jan 25
Take a seat, and let’s meet Mama Mew! Her real name is Orapun Thanun, but in Thailand people usually go by the nickname their parents assigned them as a child. As you can see from our street food pad thai cooking video, Mama Mew is not only an amazing cook, she’s also a 31-year-old proud member of the Nang Loeng community in Bangkok as well as the caring mother of an 8-year-old son.
As a child, Mew used to watch her mother cook and finally asked her to teach her all of her secrets. About 10 years ago, she eventually decided to follow in her grandmother and mother’s footsteps and run the 40-year-old family street restaurant. Besides Pad Thai, Mama Mew also cooks Northeastern Thai food, called Isan food. Cooking is truly a family history!
Did you know that Mama Mew also had some famous students? Indeed, Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones aka Nikolaj Coster-Waldau had the chance to learn how to cook Pad Thai with her. But Mama Mew was the true star of the day!
GET TO KNOW
ORAPUN THANUN (MEW)
Age : 31 Occupation : Cook, Mom of 8-year-old son Specialty: Pad Thai
How long have you been selling street food here in the Nang Loeng community?
Around 30 years, since our grandparents’ time
What are you selling?
We sell dishes cooked to order, Isaan Food (Northeastern Thai food), and Pad Thai. I like to cook and also to eat.
You sell many different dishes. Is there anyone helping you prepare those dishes?
Yes, mainly it is my mom and me. Sometimes, the villagers who walk pass by also help us too.
Where did you learn to cook?
I learned from my mom. I used to watch her cooking so I asked her to teach me.
We have heard that you have got a chance to teach Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, a superstar from Game of Thrones. How did you feel?
I felt super excited! At first, I didn’t know that he is a superstar but I realized when I saw how many people came to meet him. He also brought me many new customers. He’s so hot!
VISIT
Nang Loeng Community
Google map link
Mew's Shop
Her stall is a bit hidden, it is in front of the small street to Wat Sunthorn Thammathan on Phaniang road.