There are few surprises at this neighborhood eatery, but if you love meat balls, Iam Pochana won’t disappoint. Tucked in an unassuming soi, the restaurant is a bit tricky to find. To most diners, Iam Pochana is a “luuk chin neua (meatball) shop near Wong Wien 22.” So tell your cab driver to go to Wong Wien 22, then turn into the lane that leads to Wat Plabplachai. The restaurant is in the first soi on the right. Sixty years ago, it used to be just a noodle stall, but now Iam Pochana welcomes a bigger crowd in its two tattered shophouses. The atmosphere is typical of a street eatery: noisy, no-frills and full of life. Expect your food to be served in plastic dishes, and to sweat throughout the meal. There is an air-con room on the second floor, but most diners like to squeeze into the balmy-but-bustling room downstairs. Iam Pochana has a variety of regulars, including neighborhood families, students, office workers and taxi drivers who drop by at any hour of the day. The deal here is easy. Iam Pochana is famous for its kao lao nuea mor fai (beef hot pot). So simply order a hot pot, and the staff will bring you a plate of morning glory, along with your choice of meats. Choose from meatballs, tender braised beef and various entrails like liver, stomach and tongue. There are even “prairie oysters” available. Each table has its own small gas bottle, so the soup is always boiling hot. The soup broth is fragrant and delicious with scents of Chinese herbs. If you want more, order an extra plate of beef. Don’t eat beef? Try the muu krata served with a spicy suki-like dip. For those who come unaccompanied, they offer a small selection of one-dish menus and a la carte dishes—nothing fancy, though. But everything is homely and delicious, just like what your mom whips up at home. The khai jiew muu sab (omelet with minced pork) is fluffy, while the muu yaw tord is crispy and succulent. We also like the juicy grilled cockles with spicy seafood sauce. The service is sometimes sluggish as there are a few inexperienced underage servers. However, they are friendly and nice enough for you to forgive them. With good food at great prices, Iam Pochana has been going strong for over 60 years, and we find ourselves going back for more again and again.
