Mark Weins is well known among food enthusiasts. As a food lover, I also happen to be his fan and regularly watch him on YouTube. So when I was in Bangkok recently, I could not give up the chance to have lunch at his famous restaurant. I heard that the food was extremely spicy and I just had to try it even if it meant risking severe aftereffects. So on a fine sunny day, I sauntered to the famous restaurant Phed Mark right around opening time. This is a brief overview of my experience there.

The restaurant is located on a corner adjoining a small parking lot. It is not very big and there was already a line of food delivery people waiting to pick up orders for their customers. Perhaps, there are more carry out orders than dine ins and the small size of the restaurant might also encourage that.

The interior of the restaurant had limited seating available. There was a long table surrounded by several chairs but they were already occupied when I arrived. You could sit communally if there were any openings and that is exactly what I did. Additionally, there were chairs lined along the glass window facing the street. The counter space was small but functional and the kitchen was located right behind the counter. On one side of the counter, there were gift items for sale.

I decided to order my food with the hope that a seat would open up by the time my food arrived. The menu was limited to pad kaprao which is stir fry with holy basil, protein, chili and garlic. There was an option for spicy level which went from non-spicy to a whopping very spicy level indicated by five chilis. I chose the beef option with median signature spiciness which is the level right before the maximum spicy option.

My beef pad kaprao arrived with three menacing red chilis on top. It also had a fried duck egg as part of the meal. The plated meal looked delicious but I knew it would pack a mighty punch. There was also a bowl of chili sauce full of sliced and minced chili. This is for those needing additional spiciness in their food along with a little more flavor.

So how was the beef kaprao? Well, it was delightfully delicious and unforgivingly hot at the same time. I struggled to eat it since the spiciness required immense willpower to take additional bite of the food after the first few scoops. But I managed to eat not only the beef with the rice in all its spiciness but also the three red chili peppers that garnished my dish. Needless to say, I was trembling a little with all the heat that my tongue and body had to endure and my face was even noticeably flushed. That is saying a lot for a person who does not have fair complexion!

Although the food was good and the experience was unique, will I go back again? The answer is probably not if I am by myself. The food is great but it is too hot to enjoy in a comfortable manner and also, there is the mad dash for any available seat. However, if I had company who never experienced the food or been to Phed Mark restaurant, I would jump on the opportunity to introduce them to this unusual gastronomic experience.