Rating: 3.3/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Generally around 06:00 – 18:00 (varies by shop; some start very early and some close later in the evening)

 

Roti Sai Mai Street (U-Thong Road, in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. When people talk about Ayutthaya souvenirs, “roti sai mai” almost always appears near the top of the list for both Thai travelers and international visitors. Among all the places to buy it in the old city, there is one stretch of road that many people casually call “Roti Street” or “Roti Sai Mai Street” because roti sai mai shops line both sides with so many options that it hardly feels like there is a gap. The most talked-about area is U-Thong Road in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, a convenient stop on the island-city route and an easy add-on to a one-day itinerary that connects to key historical sites.

 

The charm of this Ayutthaya roti street is not only “buying dessert.” It is also watching the process that makes roti sai mai feel alive right in front of you: rows of flat griddles set at shopfronts, dough being portioned, stretched thin, spread onto the hot surface until it cooks to the right point, then stacked neatly into piles ready for sale. Many shops make fresh dough daily and continue producing from morning until evening to keep up with the steady stream of customers. These scenes give the road its own atmosphere, like a small open kitchen for Ayutthaya, where you can browse at your own pace whether you want to eat on the spot or pick up boxes as gifts.

 

Geographically, U-Thong Road is one of the important roads on Ayutthaya’s island area, running through a historic tourism zone and long-established trading communities. The frontage near the hospital therefore becomes a high-traffic point for locals, relatives of patients, hospital visitors, and tourists driving in to explore temples and heritage sites in the old city. As demand grows for souvenirs that are easy to carry, roti sai mai shops naturally concentrate here, expanding from a few well-known names into a long row of stores that has become part of Ayutthaya’s modern image.

 

Roti sai mai is built from two key elements: the “roti wrapper” (thin sheets of dough) and “sai mai,” fine spun sugar strands that resemble soft threads. Its appeal lies in balancing these two components. If the spun sugar is overly sweet but the roti lacks aroma, it can become cloying quickly. But when the roti is soft and fragrant and the sai mai has a gentle caramel-like aroma, it becomes easy to enjoy and ideal for gifting. At many shops on this street, the wrapper dough is made from simple basics such as wheat flour, salt, and water, mixed in a proportion that keeps the taste clean and pleasant. That simplicity is exactly why skill and timing matter: small differences in moisture or resting time can change the wrapper into something too chewy, too firm, or less aromatic.

 

Once the maker begins in earnest, you can see steps that look simple but require experience: kneading until smooth, resting so the dough relaxes, and stretching it evenly into a thin sheet. A good wrapper will not be so thick that it feels heavy, and not so thin that it tears easily. When it hits the hot griddle, it cooks quickly and releases a light, fresh aroma. After lifting it off and stacking, the sheet should remain flexible and should not dry out too fast. This is why many shops emphasize daily freshness and why some keep producing all day long: customers are constant, and many buyers want the freshest batch possible, especially those purchasing for elders or colleagues, who often look for sets where the wrappers feel “just off the griddle.”

 

Sai mai is its own world of delicacy. Although it starts from sugar cooked to the right stage and then pulled into thin threads, the real differences appear in aroma, the light crispness of the strands, and how it feels when paired with the wrapper. Some shops keep a natural pale-brown tone, while others offer colors and flavors such as pandan, cocoa, or fruit to make the gift look more playful. Choosing sai mai therefore depends on taste and who the gift is for. Some people like a bold sweetness and aroma, while others prefer something slightly less sweet but still fragrant. If you want the best balance in one bite, many locals use a modest amount of sai mai, avoid overstuffing, and roll it snugly so wrapper and sugar blend together smoothly.

 

The atmosphere on Roti Sai Mai Street changes by time of day. In the morning, you can watch shops set up and begin serious production, with some locals stopping by for a light bite or for take-home treats. Tourists who start early often drop in before temple-hopping, because the air is cooler and browsing is easier. From late morning into the afternoon, the road becomes busier, especially on weekends and during holidays, when visitors loop back after sightseeing or before moving to the next stop. Evening is often the “final stop before heading home,” when people buy gift sets for the return trip to Bangkok or other provinces.

 

If you want to buy smartly, the first step is deciding whether you will eat immediately or take it home. For eating right away, many people love wrappers that are still slightly warm, because they smell better and feel softer, while the sai mai keeps a pleasant light crispness that makes the sweetness feel less heavy. For take-home gifts, it helps to choose packaging that seals well and protects the wrappers from drying out or getting damp. Keep the set away from high heat and humidity, because moisture can make the sai mai clump and lose its signature texture. Another helpful tip is to ask each shop about its recommended “best by” window, because many focus on freshness and suggest eating within a short period to enjoy the ideal taste and texture.

 

One reason this street is fun is “comparing.” Some shops make extremely thin, very soft wrappers; others are slightly thicker but more aromatic and satisfyingly chewy. Some stand out for rich-smelling sai mai, while others impress with cleanliness and neat, consistent packing. A few well-known shops may have busy peak periods, while neighboring shops can serve you faster and offer a comforting, home-style taste favored by locals. If you are buying multiple sets, many travelers mix and match across shops and styles so the recipients can try a variety, and you can discover what you personally like best for the next visit.

 

Getting There From Bangkok, you can drive to Ayutthaya via the main highways, enter the island-city area, and head to U-Thong Road in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, a well-known zone with a dense cluster of roti sai mai shops that is easy to stop by.

 

If you are not driving, Ayutthaya is reachable by train, van, or bus from Bangkok, then you can connect to local transport within the city. Once you are on the island area, you can use local services or request a ride to the U-Thong Road zone by saying “in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital,” which locals recognize immediately. If you already plan to visit temples on the island, adding this roti street is usually the most convenient, because it is close to many major heritage sites and works perfectly as a “souvenir stop” before you return.

 

Because this area is near a hospital, it is important to be mindful of parking and pedestrian safety. Avoid blocking entrances, exits, or emergency routes, do not litter, and cross the road carefully since traffic can be continuous, especially during long holidays. Visiting in the morning or on weekdays often feels more relaxed and gives you a better chance to pick from freshly made batches.

 

When you stand in the middle of Roti Sai Mai Street, it becomes clear why many people say this is “Ayutthaya you can actually touch.” It is not just a finished product on a shelf; it is food made by hand right in front of you, and a livelihood that supports local sellers in a major tourist city. If you enjoy observing details, you will notice how different each shop is, from the look of the wrappers and the color of the sai mai to the aroma and packing style. That is what makes strolling and buying here feel like a small activity of its own, not less enjoyable than visiting historical sites, because it engages sight, smell, and taste all at once.

 

For international visitors, this street is also an easy way to understand Thai food culture through something simple yet skillful. Many people enjoy taking photos or short videos of the wrapper being spread on the hot griddle or the sugar being pulled into strands, because the process looks beautiful and clearly requires technique. If you travel with foreign friends, stopping here often becomes a friendly cultural moment, turning an Ayutthaya trip into more than just checking off temples and leaving.

 

If you want to round out a full day, this roti street helps you plan a smooth route because it sits near major heritage zones and several riverside dining areas. A simple plan could be: morning temples or key ruins on the island, late morning or lunch at a cafe or nearby restaurant, afternoon back to the roti street for souvenirs, then finish with a riverside view or a dinner spot you have been curious about. It is an easy structure that combines history and taste in one organized day.

 

In the end, what makes Roti Sai Mai Street worth returning to is how the experience never feels exactly the same. One day you might get exceptionally fragrant wrappers; another day you might find a new flavor of sai mai; or you might arrive just as a shop finishes a fresh batch, making it feel like you caught the best moment. Even if you already have a favorite shop, exploring others remains enjoyable because you can see the variety of sellers in the same community, each with its own style and standards. That is why many travelers say, “Whenever I come to Ayutthaya, I have to stop by the roti street,” even on a short trip.

 

 

A: It is along U-Thong Road near the area in front of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital on the island-city area, known for having many roti sai mai shops on both sides of the road.

 

A: Morning to late morning is usually more comfortable and often offers more freshly made wrappers at several shops. On long holidays the area can be crowded, so plan extra time and walk carefully.

 

A: It is best enjoyed as soon as possible, because both the wrappers and the spun sugar are sensitive to humidity and temperature. Keep it away from heat and moisture, and ask the shop you buy from for the most suitable consumption window.

 

A: Many travelers buy a mix from different shops or choose different wrapper and sai mai styles. Each shop has its own character, so mixing helps you find what you like and what suits the gift recipient.

 

A: Yes. Avoid blocking entrances, exits, or traffic flow, cross the road carefully, do not litter, and keep a polite, respectful manner toward vendors and other people using the surrounding area.