Bangkok is always a food haven for food lovers to explore, be it wallet-friendly local street food or premium Michelin-awarded restaurants... not to mention the shopping with easy access to international premium/local Thai brands as well as the rejuvenating Spa sessions. It is easy for Penangites to visit Bangkok too; Firefly has recently introduced their direct flights from Penang to Bangkok. We took advantage of this promotion (for the record- we managed to get our return flight tickets for less than RM300/pax) and the experience was great. The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport instead of Don Mueang, offering easy accessibility to different networks.
1) Pang Cha Thai Royal Cafe
Pork-Free
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 7%
Business Hours: 10:30 am to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 2106 3498
Pang Cha Royal Thai Tea Shaved Ice (THB 380)
Pang Cha is a big name when it comes to Thai shaved ice dessert, it is also featured as one of the Michelin-recommended desserts in Bangkok. It has many branches across the metropolitan, and the branch at Central World (one of the biggest and busiest shopping malls in central Bangkok) is especially easy to access to. Pang Cha is located on the 3rd floor of Central World and the menu is big- from the signature award-winning Royal Thai Tea Shaved Ice to various sweet treats. We had the the signature Royal Thai Tea shaved ice and we concurred that the Thai Milk Tea flavor was bold with a strong Tea after taste. It was sweet but not overly so. We also liked the fact that they serve their shaved ice with a lot of condiments with chewy and nutty texture... definitely added some addictive bite to the icy treat. We recommend ordering one portion of the Royal Thai Tea shaved ice to be shared amongst 2-3 pax, the portion is just humongous!
2) Khao (Ekkamai)
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 7%
Business Hours: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 98 829 8878
Thai Crab Meat Omelette (THB 950)
Khao Soi Chicken (THB 290)
Stir Fried Relish made with Young Tamarinds and Minced Pork (THB 350)
Water Chestnut and Coconut Milk Dessert (THB 220)
Khao Water (THB 30) and Bael Fruit Juice (THB 90)
Khao is probably the most affordable Michelin One Star restaurant in Bangkok, the restaurant has been awarded Michelin star for 5 consecutive years. Khao literally means Rice in Thai language, the restaurant menu offers an extensive selection of authentic northern Thai dishes. Expect to spend slightly more than THB1000 for a meal here (per pax) and you will walk away with a satisfied tummy. The location in Ekkamai is little far from the Thong Lor BTS and would be best to take a Grab here. For us, we took a short walk from Here Hai after placing our takeaway orders. The restaurant is brightly lit with plenty of natural lights flowing in; it feels homey and comfortable to say the least. The servers are well-trained and they are more than engaging with the customers. We recommend trying their Khao Soi with super rich, thick sauce that works super well with the crispy noodles. You can also try their Relish with various fresh local produce for a very different dining experience. Do not leave the restaurant without trying their desserts. The Tub Tim Krob here is a kick-ass!
3) Go-Ang Chicken Rice Pratunam
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 6 am to 2 pm, 3 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 2 252 6325
Hainanese Chicken (THB 140/ large)
Signature Braised Pork Rice (THB 50)
Probably the most famous Chicken Rice in Bangkok, the Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice has bagged many awards including the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Go-Ang has been around for years, serving local Thai-style Chicken Rice since then. We visited the original place near Platinum Mall on a fine morning, the crowd was small and we did not have to queue. We had the signature Hainanese Chicken and a serving of the Braised Pork Rice. The Pork had a fork-tender texture with a mild herbaceous aroma. The Hainanese Chicken was served with their local sweet-savory sauce which we were quite fond of. We also found the texture (of the Chicken) tough and chewy. Unfortunately, we can find better ones in Malaysia and don't think it is worth a visit here.
4) Thong Smith Boat Noodles
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 7%
Business Hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 2 044 9988
Beef Balls and Sliced Beef Boat Noodles (THB 149/ soup)
Pork Balls and Sliced Pork Boat Noodles (THB 139/ dry)
Sugar Cane Slush (THB 89)
Thong Smith is a popular chain restaurant that can be found in any major shopping malls in Bangkok. It specializes in serving Thai Boat Noodles in a more comfortable setting. The menu is pretty much Boat Noodles-centric but evolves to offer more premium choices like Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles etc. The basic version starts from THB149 and it is a popular choice even for the locals. Unlike the real Boat Noodles, Thong Smith serves their Boat Noodles in normal serving portion... ie: good enough for a proper meal. We had both the Soup version and Dry version, the broth was thick and richly flavored... almost like sauce. There are a few spicy levels to choose from and we had the medium ones. Yes, it came with a heavy spicy punch.
5) Here Hai
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 10 am to 3 pm, 4 pm to 5:30 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Contact Number: +66 63 219 9100
Crab Meat Fried Rice (THB 380/ small)
Stir Fried Mantis Prawns with Garlic and Pepper (THB 420/ without rice)
Endorsed by Michelin, Here Hai is featured on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list and it is definitely a good spot to enjoy some local seafood dishes. Accordingly, the seafood supply comes from Surat Thani directly. Prices are higher than street food but they commensurate with serving portion and freshness. The restaurant is quite far from the train station so taking a cab or Grab is a good idea. But do take note on the opening hours, the restaurant takes an hour break in between and the place is so overwhelmed that they will stop issuing tables at least 1 hour before their rest time. It is best to arrive earlier to avoid disappointment. We were one of the unlucky ones that did not get the table so we ordered for take-away and asked to return in an hour's time. 2 of the must try dishes include the signature Crab Meat Fried Rice and Stir Fried Mantis Prawns with crispy Garlic. The former one had expertly cooked Fried Rice served with a generous portion of deshelled Crab Meat. The Crab Meat was fresh but not as sweet as expected. The Fried Rice in fact, expected our expectation and we thought the Fried Rice itself should deserve the Michelin award. The Fried Mantis was okay, the crispy Garlic carried a sleek sweetness but hey, deshelled-fresh Mantis Prawns can't be bad right?
6) Copper Beyond Buffet Gaysorn Amarin
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 12 pm to 2 pm/ 5 pm to 7 pm/ 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 61 140 1819
Seafood Sashimi
Fresh Oysters
Truffle Cream Chowder with Croissant
Grilled River Prawns
Wagyu Beef Sushi
Grilled Beef Steak
Tuna Tataki
Unagi Sushi
Chirashi Don
Grilled Seabass
Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles
Salmon Sashimi
Tom Yum Goong
Seared Scallop with Cream Sauce
Grilled Beef Tongue
Cheese Cake
Glutinous Rice Ball served with Coconut Milk
Truffle Macaron and Raspberry Macaron
Panna Cotta
Brioche Banana with Almond Mousse
Vanilla Ice Cream and Raspberry Sorbet
Brioche Toast with Salted Egg Sauce
Known as the best buffet in Bangkok, Copper Beyond Buffet gained popularity due to its aesthetically pleasing presentation despite serving their food in buffet style. Unlike the usual Buffets, there are an army of servers here ready to serve you. All you need to do is to place your order and wait for them to serve to your table or pick up the freshly-cooked dishes from the counters. You will need not to scoop or serve yourself in this process. The booking process is a bit tedious though, you will need to use Line (communication app) to reserve your seats; payment is required to confirm your booking. There are 3 slots per day- 1 for lunch and 2 for dinner. The 5PM slot is less popular and less crowded.
Depending on the package purchased, some packages come with premium dishes while the basic one providers access to the usual buffet fare only. But it is more than good enough. None of the dishes we had disappoint; especially the Sashimi and Seafood... superbly fresh and generously sliced. We also recommend not to miss their Wagyu Sushi... big piece of Wagyu Beef served with a spoonful of Sushi Rice. You'll need to experience it yourself. Basic Package at Copper Beyond Buffet- Gaysorn Amarin starts from THB 1,499 nett per pax. Highly recommended.
7) Polo Fried Chicken
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 7 am to 9 pm. Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Contact Number: +66 81 300 4444
Polo Fried Chicken (THB 130/ half bird)
Salt-crust Grilled Tilapia (THB 280)
Papaya Salad with Dried Shrimp (THB 70)
Polo Fried Chicken has been around for more than half a decade... serving Thai-style Fried Chicken and delicious Thai homecooked dishes. It is also featured on Michelin Bib Gourmand's list in recent years, gaining huge fame and attention. The place is usually most crowded during lunch hours so be there earlier if you wish to avoid the crowd. The location is slightly off the beaten track and far from train stations. The best way to get there is to hail a Taxi/Grab. On the same alley- there are 2 outlets, 1 with air-conditioning and 1 without. Both serve the same menu. The Fried Chicken is expertly marinated with Herbs, almost similar to the Hatyai version. The min order is half bird. We thought it was decent, not to say amazing... more like ordinary Fried Chicken. We also had the Salt-baked Tilapia which turned out to be more delicious than the Fried Chicken. Quite an affordable place to enjoy a decent meal but don't bother to visit all the way from the hotel if it's too far from where you are staying.
8) Jae Wan Thai Desserts
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 2 pm to 11:30 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Contact Number: +66 81 421 3761
Signature Dessert with Glutinous Rice Balls, Water Chestnuts and Coconut Ice Cream (THB 150)
Probably the busiest dessert store near Chulalongkorn University- Jae Wan gained fame after being visited by Blackpink's Lisa. Many thronged to the place just to savor the dessert tasted by Lisa. But in actual fact, the place churns out super affordable desserts with prices as low as THB 55. It is one of the locals' favorite go-to place when it comes to local desserts. We had their signature Dessert featuring Glutinous Rice Balls, Water Chestnuts, Coconut Rice and some Jelly Noodles... served with fresh Milk and some shaved ice. The portion fits for 2-3 pax. The flavor is pretty straight-forward with great Thai elements like Red Ruby Water Chestnuts and Coconut Ice Cream. Worth-visiting if you are in the vicinity.
9) Pungdet
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 4 pm to 10:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 90 997 0386
Pandan Custard (THB 25) and Hokkaido Milk (THB 30)
Many are drawn by the colorful, custardy filling of Pungdet. It's easy to miss this place as the Chula-Samyan area is often overly crowded but spot this place by looking for toasted Buns over coal fire. The menu features an array of sweet and savory options. We had the Pandan Custard and Hokkaido Milk; the former one tasted like Thai Sangkaya with a smooth but bold Pandan flavor while the latter one carried a cream-like texture and flavor. Both felt light and easy on the palate, with the crisply toasted Buns, the light snack can be addictive.
10) Nueng Nom Nua (Little Boy Milk and Toast)
Pork-Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 4 pm to 1 am. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 92 093 9111
Original Milk (THB 45)
Right across the street from Pungdet (Chula-Samyan street) is Nueng Nom Nua which can be easily identified through the eye-catchy Little Boy logo in red background. You will be surprised with the crowd surrounding the place too. You only need to queue if you wish to dine-in (for their Thai Toasts) but if you are only curious about the milk, you can just walk in and grab one. We tried the Original one and thought it was an average fresh Milk. It has bold milky-flavor but not to say earth-shakingly good. It's okay to check it out if you are in the vicinity and only suitable for novelty experience.
11) LV The Place Bangkok- Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys
Entrance Fee: Free
Business Hours: 10 am to 8 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 1800 011 112
A free activity to partake- the Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys is an exhibition that showcases the stories and the journey of the luxury brand. We were amazed by the setup and General public may join the exhibition for free provided that early reservation/booking is made. All you need to do is to have a valid email address and make the necessary booking on their website. You will then receive an official confirmation via email with a QR code. Be there on time and show the staff the QR code to be admitted. Each visitor is given 30 minutes to tour the exhibition hall before joining their lucky draw at the end. From some research online, it seems like you can get Louis Vuitton Pencils, Postcards and Recycle Bags. All for free and each participant has only ONE chance.
12) JHOL Coastal Indian Cuisine
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 7%
Business Hours: 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: +66 91 704 5724
[Starter] Calicut Pepper Crab Toast
[Starter] Bombay Bhel
[Starter] Kolkata Dim'er Devil with Add On Caviar (+THB 300)
[Starter] Dill & Kokum Cured Hamachi (+THB 250)
[Starter] Berhampur Fried Chicken Wings
[Starter] Mini Appam
[Starter] Patrani Machi
Palate Cleanser: Calamansi Sorbet with Ginger Granita and Cardamom Pop
[Main] Chettinad Lamb Chop (+THB 350)
[Main] Coorgi Pandi Curry
[Main] Alleppey Fish Curry served with Kappa and Matta Rice
[Dessert] Parsi Mawa Cake
[Dessert] Tender Coconut Payasam 2.0
While Bangkok (capital city of Thailand) may not be the first destination that comes to mind for Indian cuisine, JHOL stands out as a Michelin-mentioned gem, bringing the vibrant flavors of coastal India to the heart of the city. Specializing in authentic coastal Indian delights, this exceptional restaurant offers a medley of fresh seafood, meat, aromatic spices and traditional recipes that instantly transport diners to the shores of India's diverse coastal regions. The 11-course Tasting Menu (THB1,999/or 14-course with optional supplement to the tasting menu) is perfect for those seeking a culinary adventure or looking forward to experiencing the highlights of the coastal Indian delights. JHOL is located on Sukhumvit Road and it is just 8-min walk away from BTS Asok. Read on the full story here.
Have Fun Exploring Bangkok!
No comments:
Post a Comment