I was strolling down Nimmanahaeminda Road as recommended by my host at DewyHouse, Chim, and his wife, Dewy. It is a lovely place to take a stroll with small alleys on both sides of the road to wander in and explore. 

Just then, I spotted a small restaurant with many Thais queuing. One thing I have learnt from my travel is if many locals are queuing, the food must be good. 

The decal on the glass says “The original “milky way” in Thailand”. It seems that I have just stumbled upon the Chiang Mai branch of one of Thailand’s most popular dessert shop, Mont Nom Sod. 

The Origins of Mont Nom Sod

Mont is the name of the founder of Mont Nom Sod, a baker with more than 45 years of experience. In 1964, Mont started selling toast with milk (nom sod) from a street-side cart. 

Nom sod is a common Thai dessert that can be found throughout the country but Mont’s outstanding quality  made it a success. 

Mont’s nom sod became so successful that his street-side cart wasn’t enough anymore so he opened his first restaurant called Mont Nom Sod on Dinsor Road, which became an instant success. 

There are now three Mont Nom Sod branches in Bangkok and one in Chiang Mai and they are all packed with locals. 

The Mont Nom Sod Experience

Since it is so famous and a popular Thai dessert, I decided to try it out for myself. I joined the queue and tried to figure out what those in front of me were ordering, but they all spoke Thai and I couldn’t understand a word. 

When it was my turn, I stood there craning my neck at the menu above, trying to make out the tiny words. The staff must have sensed my dilemma and showed me these big menus. 

You have a choice of steamed bread or toasted bread with a variety of toppings. 

Everything on the Toast Menu sounds so tasty, I was having difficulty deciding on what to order. I asked the staff what is the most popular toast and he pointed 4 items on the menu out to me – Peanut Butter on Toasts, Pandan Custard and Butter on Toasts, Egg Custard and Butter and Taro and Butter on Toast. 

I should have ordered Milk or that odd-sounding Pink Milk (I’m guessing it is strawberry or bandung milk?) because that’s what Mont Nom Sod is famous for. I ended up ordering Ovaltine [THB$40] which is simply … Ovaltine, nothing special. 

This Egg Custard and Butter [THB$25] is so good! The butter is sandwiched between two pieces of crispy toasted bread which is topped generously with velvety-smooth egg custard. The egg custard is rich and creamy and although it is a little sweeter than I would have liked, it is definitely very addictive.

I finally understand why Mont Nom Sod became so famous. The quality of the custards and toasts are top-notch yet the prices are very economical. The toasts are priced THB$7-27 per serving while the steamed breads are a little more expensive at THB$50-60 per serving which is still affordable. The drinks costs THB$10-60. This is the kind of price everyone in Thailand can afford, so families and friends like to gather here after dinner for a simple dessert. 

The next time I am in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, I am definitely going to try the other toasts and milk.

Website: http://www.mont-nomsod.com/

Mont Nom Sod (Chiang Mai) 

Address: 45/1-2 Nimmanhaemin Road, Suthep Sub-District, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Telephone: +66 53 214 410

Opening Hours: Daily 5pm – 12pm

Mont Nom Sod (MBK Centre)

Address: 444 Payathai Road, Pathum Wan, MBK Centre 2nd Floor, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am – 9pm

Mont Nom Sod (Dinso Road)

Address: 160, 1-3 Dinso Rd, Khwaeng Sao Chingcha, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand

Telephone: +66 2 224 1147

Opening Hours: Daily 2pm – 11pm

Mont Nom Sod (Isaraphab)

Address: 2/9 Isaraphab Road, Ban Chang Lo, Bangkok

Telephone: +66 2 866 2821

Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday 12pm – 9pm (closed on Tuesdays)”