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Cheap Eat
Roadside dining
Surawong area Hawker food
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Suk. Soi 38 hawker food
54
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Cheap Eat
Roadside dining
Sukhumvit Soi 38 Hawker Food
In general I have no high expectations on roadside dining (hawker food) in Bangkok (or anywhere in the world) since there are more misses than hits even I forget the word ‘hygiene’. However, the one on Sukhumvit Soi 38 (a.k.a. Thonglo roadside dining) is a place I always visit due to its location as it is near my home sweet home. Starting from 6pm until 3am it gives me enough time to roam on each stall, thus Thonglo roadside dining is one famous venue among Bangkok white collars after work hours and clubbers after fun in the entertainment web of Sukhumvit. I meet celebrities from pop stars to high profile politicians dining there. So it is advisable to bring along a sign pen, besides the wallet, if you are a fan of some Thai movie stars.
Few nights ago I revisited the venue. I started with the succulent mun mun (fatty) grilled marinated pork on skewers, Moo Satay (Baht 40/10 skewers). They can serve only lean meat if one prefer them not mun mun.
Followed was the Joke (Baht 30) a.k.a. rice porridge or congee with ground pork and thousand-year-old egg which was a satisfying one through the aroma of the good quality jasmine fragrant rice. Joke may also be served with raw egg, preserved egg (thousand years egg), pork intestine, liver, stomach or kidney.
After the appetizer I went on with a big bowl of assorted Fish Ball noodle (Baht 50), and a bowl of Barbecued Pork noodle (Baht 30) of which I found that the pork was so tender and the egg noodle was up to Hong Kong standard. What I ended the dinner was a scrumptious bowl of Giew-nam (Baht 30) (wonton soup). Wide selections, great taste, cheap prices made me holy full and no more room for the Ripe Mango with Sweet Sticky Rice dessert. I paid Thai Baht 200 ($6) for the meal including a glass of fresh-squeeze carrot juice and a bottle of distilled water.
I don’t eat roasted duck and roasted goose but still worth a mention is the Khao-na-ped-yang (steam rice top with roasted duck); it is one of the top sellers of the venue. However, I am a foie-gras lover, not fancy in roasted duck.
Also worth a try are khao-khaa-moo (steam rice top with braise pork knuckle meat), khao-moo-dan (steam rice top with barbecued pork with egg), khao-mun-kai (rice cook with chicken broth top with steamed chicken), made-to-order a la carte (choices range from pad-kaprao to tom-yum-goong), and ripe mango with sweet sticky rice. Bread with green pandan leaves kaya (sweet and creamy dipping), coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed fruit juice also available.
Another favorite roadside dining venue is the Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown). It has biggest selections, better taste, but a little more in price.
Suk 38 Hawkers' Food ***
corner Shukumvit Soi 38
Sukhumvit Road
Wattana, Bangkok
Open daily : 6 pm - 3 am
Pay (food only): THB 100 for two
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Cheap Eat
Roadside dining
Sukhumvit Soi 38 Hawker Food
In general I have no high expectations on roadside dining (hawker food) in Bangkok (or anywhere in the world) since there are more misses than hits even I forget the word ‘hygiene’. However, the one on Sukhumvit Soi 38 (a.k.a. Thonglo roadside dining) is a place I always visit due to its location as it is near my home sweet home. Starting from 6pm until 3am it gives me enough time to roam on each stall, thus Thonglo roadside dining is one famous venue among Bangkok white collars after work hours and clubbers after fun in the entertainment web of Sukhumvit. I meet celebrities from pop stars to high profile politicians dining there. So it is advisable to bring along a sign pen, besides the wallet, if you are a fan of some Thai movie stars.
Few nights ago I revisited the venue. I started with the succulent mun mun (fatty) grilled marinated pork on skewers, Moo Satay (Baht 40/10 skewers). They can serve only lean meat if one prefer them not mun mun.
Followed was the Joke (Baht 30) a.k.a. rice porridge or congee with ground pork and thousand-year-old egg which was a satisfying one through the aroma of the good quality jasmine fragrant rice. Joke may also be served with raw egg, preserved egg (thousand years egg), pork intestine, liver, stomach or kidney.
After the appetizer I went on with a big bowl of assorted Fish Ball noodle (Baht 50), and a bowl of Barbecued Pork noodle (Baht 30) of which I found that the pork was so tender and the egg noodle was up to Hong Kong standard. What I ended the dinner was a scrumptious bowl of Giew-nam (Baht 30) (wonton soup). Wide selections, great taste, cheap prices made me holy full and no more room for the Ripe Mango with Sweet Sticky Rice dessert. I paid Thai Baht 200 ($6) for the meal including a glass of fresh-squeeze carrot juice and a bottle of distilled water.
I don’t eat roasted duck and roasted goose but still worth a mention is the Khao-na-ped-yang (steam rice top with roasted duck); it is one of the top sellers of the venue. However, I am a foie-gras lover, not fancy in roasted duck.
Also worth a try are khao-khaa-moo (steam rice top with braise pork knuckle meat), khao-moo-dan (steam rice top with barbecued pork with egg), khao-mun-kai (rice cook with chicken broth top with steamed chicken), made-to-order a la carte (choices range from pad-kaprao to tom-yum-goong), and ripe mango with sweet sticky rice. Bread with green pandan leaves kaya (sweet and creamy dipping), coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed fruit juice also available.
Another favorite roadside dining venue is the Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown). It has biggest selections, better taste, but a little more in price.
Suk 38 Hawkers' Food ***
corner Shukumvit Soi 38
Sukhumvit Road
Wattana, Bangkok
Open daily : 6 pm - 3 am
Pay (food only): THB 100 for two
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Yamagoya Ramen
BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Yamagoya
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Yamagoya
Yamagoya (Ramen) comes from Fukuoka, Hyushu, where Yamagoya earns its no.1 title of tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka. Now in Bangkok, we can treat our taste buds the best Tonkotsu Ramen in town, also. Try it yourself!
Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): Yamagoya has [4.1]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =4.5, Service=4, Ambiance=3.5, Money Worth=4.5
Price range for two without drinks (incl. local water) in Thai Baht = BB
(B=below 200, BB=201-500, BBB=501-1,000, BBBB=1,001-2,000, BBBBB=over 2,000)
Details: Open daily: 10:30am – midnight
Yamagoya, Surawang Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500; Tel.: 02-6370588 (also branches in Thonglo Soi 11 and Thonglo Soi 13 J-Avenue)
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(B=below 200, BB=201-500, BBB=501-1,000, BBBB=1,001-2,000, BBBBB=over 2,000)
Details: Open daily: 10:30am – midnight
Yamagoya, Surawang Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500; Tel.: 02-6370588 (also branches in Thonglo Soi 11 and Thonglo Soi 13 J-Avenue)
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Monday, January 28, 2008
Ramentei
BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Ramentei
Ramen is Japanese noodle made of flour, salt, water and kansui (water of Kan, or water with sodium carbonate and phosphoric acid) served in broth. Kansui, names after the mineral water source in Lake Kan of Inner Mongolia, made the noodle’s texture uniquely firm and bouncy also turn the noodles look yellowish. Nowadays kansui needs not to be brought from Lake Kan but be produced in factories. Ramen is originally brought from China many centuries ago then became a better-known Japanese cuisine since the Muji period before topped a popular cuisine in Japan until today after the WWII. As exporting is the survival of the Japanese industries, they export Ramen too. Ramen was imported back to China in the 19th Century and it is now a convenience food in all corners of China and Asia.
The broth or soup base plays a rather important part in whole of a bowl of ramen. Almost every prefecture in Japan has its own kind of ramen specialty based on its recipes of broth, but four variations became major of them. 1. SHIO (salt) ramen is clear soup of chicken broth. It is almost the oldest of the four and became less popular serving on the table in ramen shops across the nation. 2. TONKOTSU (pork bone) ramen is thick broth of pork bone boiled for half a day thus the soup has a milky white texture. It is a specialty of Kyushu. A decent bowl of Tonkotsu ramen can be found in Hakata, a small town in Fukuoka. 3. SHOYO (soy sauce) ramen is clear soup boiled with chicken then added with soy sauce became the HONSHU (the Mainland) specialty. Tokyo is popular for Shoyo ramen even with its different extensions. 4. The last one is the youngest in the family. MISO (fermented soybean paste) ramen considers semi-thick broth of chicken stock boiled to its perfection added with miso. It is a specialty of Hokkaido. Sapppro is well known for Miso ramen in Hokkaido.
Ramentei has all of them, and their tonkotsu ramen and other ramen are almost the best in Bangkok!
Ramentei ***1/2
Soi Thaniya, off Surawong Road,
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
(also branches on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, and Silom Soi 6)
Open daily : 11 am - 1 am
Pay (food only for two): around THB 400
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Hachiban Ramen
51
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The power of eight
Hachiban Ramen was brought to Bangkok for two decades, from Toyama (in the central of Japan Sea region), Japan. Hachiban began with eight shops from Toyama to Osaka along the highway therefore with the symbol 8 as shop name at that time. Later rename to Hachiban, as hachi means eight in Japanese, and ban means good. I ask my J-friend if they can still find any Hachiban branches in Toyama but in no avail, instead in Bangkok it had been developed into the well known ramen dine-in fast food chain invades all major shopping centers across the country.
Gyoza or deep-fried dumpling claimed to be ramen best friend, so we started our lunch with gyoza. Gyoza in Hachiban was meaty with a balance of vegetables fillings. It was simply good and we kept going back for more gyoza throughout our dining there. We also ordered the Stir-fried Vegetables with Japanese vinegar sauce. Taste was on the heavy side but still keeping a balance within the scope of fine taste.
For the ramen, what shouldn’t be missed was the Chashu ramen (sliced pork ramen in soy sauce broth). The Shoyo soup base was fair enough though not outstanding but it had surpassed all fast food standards, and cost was only B69 (US$2), slightly higher than the local roadside noodle. The Tomyum ramen (sliced pork ramen in Thai spicy and sour broth) was fancy enough in a Japanese ramen shop therefore we couldn’t miss one. The Thai tomyum soup married to Japanese ramen would be more appreciated if Hachiban work harder on the tomyum soup base. Further we picked a bowl of the Pork Cutlet Ramen, same broth of chashu ramen as it was in the shoyo family. The generous cut of battered pork cutlet filled our stomach with satisfaction; then came the Tonkotsu ramen (sliced pork ramen in pork bone Tonkotsu broth), served with Beni Shoga (pickled ginger in red color) and vegetables in milky white Tonkotsu soup and a few pieces of sliced pork didn’t make itself a star.
Hachiban also included Chinese-influenced noodles in the menu, such as the Tsuke-men (dipping chilled noodles), and the Hiyashi-chuka (chilled Chinese noodles) served with a bowl of vinegary soy dressing and Japanese mustard. We ordered bottled mineral water and Lemon Soda during the meal.
After all, we didn’t feel like eating in a fast food establishment as food in Hachiban was fair while seating was comfortable plus a bonus of attentive service. Oh, the fast food part may be referred to the price then!
Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better)= Hachiban has [3.6]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =3, Ambiance=3, Money Worth=4.5, Service=4)
Hachiban (8) Ramen can be found in major shopping malls in Thailand. Most shops open daily from 11am to 10pm.
Pay (food only for two): around THB 150
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The power of eight
Hachiban Ramen was brought to Bangkok for two decades, from Toyama (in the central of Japan Sea region), Japan. Hachiban began with eight shops from Toyama to Osaka along the highway therefore with the symbol 8 as shop name at that time. Later rename to Hachiban, as hachi means eight in Japanese, and ban means good. I ask my J-friend if they can still find any Hachiban branches in Toyama but in no avail, instead in Bangkok it had been developed into the well known ramen dine-in fast food chain invades all major shopping centers across the country.
Gyoza or deep-fried dumpling claimed to be ramen best friend, so we started our lunch with gyoza. Gyoza in Hachiban was meaty with a balance of vegetables fillings. It was simply good and we kept going back for more gyoza throughout our dining there. We also ordered the Stir-fried Vegetables with Japanese vinegar sauce. Taste was on the heavy side but still keeping a balance within the scope of fine taste.
Hachiban also included Chinese-influenced noodles in the menu, such as the Tsuke-men (dipping chilled noodles), and the Hiyashi-chuka (chilled Chinese noodles) served with a bowl of vinegary soy dressing and Japanese mustard. We ordered bottled mineral water and Lemon Soda during the meal.
After all, we didn’t feel like eating in a fast food establishment as food in Hachiban was fair while seating was comfortable plus a bonus of attentive service. Oh, the fast food part may be referred to the price then!
Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better)= Hachiban has [3.6]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =3, Ambiance=3, Money Worth=4.5, Service=4)
Hachiban (8) Ramen can be found in major shopping malls in Thailand. Most shops open daily from 11am to 10pm.
Pay (food only for two): around THB 150
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
Le Normandie
50
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Le Normandie @ the Oriental Hotel Bangkok
The top of the Oriental Hotel’s garden wing houses the Le Normandie serving Southeast Asia's best haute cuisine in French accent. Overlooking the Maenam Chao Phraya with the stunning panorama river view, with its exceptional quality of food, attentive service, and reasonable price keep paging gourmet connoisseurs back for the restaurant’s 2-star Michelin chefs recent creation. Indeed its set lunch is a steal from the scene of the gastronomical community.
Today, a good friend form Hong Kong would like to see how Le Normandie compares to Pierre (Mandarin Oriental Hotel HK) and Gaddi’s (the Peninsula HK) the two celebrity eateries in the once British colony. I brought him to the lunch, simply he didn’t put his suit in the luggage (jacket and tie is the dress code for dinner, as any prominent French restaurants do).
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Le Normandie @ the Oriental Hotel Bangkok
The top of the Oriental Hotel’s garden wing houses the Le Normandie serving Southeast Asia's best haute cuisine in French accent. Overlooking the Maenam Chao Phraya with the stunning panorama river view, with its exceptional quality of food, attentive service, and reasonable price keep paging gourmet connoisseurs back for the restaurant’s 2-star Michelin chefs recent creation. Indeed its set lunch is a steal from the scene of the gastronomical community.
Today, a good friend form Hong Kong would like to see how Le Normandie compares to Pierre (Mandarin Oriental Hotel HK) and Gaddi’s (the Peninsula HK) the two celebrity eateries in the once British colony. I brought him to the lunch, simply he didn’t put his suit in the luggage (jacket and tie is the dress code for dinner, as any prominent French restaurants do).
To pamper my throat, I ordered the Mango Tango, a well balanced non-alcohol cocktail with fresh mango, orange and even lime juice. It was refreshing after I was so rushed to the appointment. My friend took the Clablis ler Cru “Vaillons” Maison Verget, Burgundy 2004 (B650++ per glass).
The lunch kicked off with Amuse-bouche, delicious tidbits complimentary from the restaurant.
The lunch kicked off with Amuse-bouche, delicious tidbits complimentary from the restaurant.
For appetizer, I took the Noix de coquilles Saint-Jacues marinees, while my friend had the Fricassee d’Escargots. They were hand dive marinated scallops served with soft boiled egg with Parmesan cheese; and sautéed snails served with salad and vegetables crumb.
Before our main course being served, my friend ordered the Chateau Camensac, Grand Cru Classe, Haut Medoc 2004 (B1,000++ per glass) to accompany his beef dish.
The main course, I had Cassolette d’lerevlsses, while my friend took Hampe de Boeuf Braisee. They were sautéed prawn (substituted from the run-out crayfish), potato fondant and tarragon tomato petals; and braised beef flank served with cabbage and Jerusalem artichoke, sage sauce.
Before our main course being served, my friend ordered the Chateau Camensac, Grand Cru Classe, Haut Medoc 2004 (B1,000++ per glass) to accompany his beef dish.
The main course, I had Cassolette d’lerevlsses, while my friend took Hampe de Boeuf Braisee. They were sautéed prawn (substituted from the run-out crayfish), potato fondant and tarragon tomato petals; and braised beef flank served with cabbage and Jerusalem artichoke, sage sauce.
Don’t forget to leave room for desserts, they are an art form here, so does the wine list. Le Normandie offers superb vintages from every corner of the world, stocks in the mini cellar enclosure to the restaurant. While waiting for our desserts Baba a la liqueur de fraise (baba with strawberry liqueur, sautéed berries and orange blossom caviar), the waiter rolled the desserts trolley toward us, having us to choose a piece of cake (I got two instead) or some fruits to compensate our patience for waiting.
Our scrumptious lunch concluded with a cup of Cappuccino and Petits Fours de Normandie. We paid B1,050++ per person for the 3-course set lunch (including tea or coffee) in this famed French restaurant. So I said it was a steal!
If you wonder that I forgot to tell you how they taste, I didn’t. Simply ask your own participation at Le Normandie, and you will tell.
Our scrumptious lunch concluded with a cup of Cappuccino and Petits Fours de Normandie. We paid B1,050++ per person for the 3-course set lunch (including tea or coffee) in this famed French restaurant. So I said it was a steal!
If you wonder that I forgot to tell you how they taste, I didn’t. Simply ask your own participation at Le Normandie, and you will tell.
Le Normandie French Restaurant *****
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
48 Oriental Avenue
Charoenkrung Soi 40
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.659.9000
Le Normandie
Open daily: Lunch 12:00 - 2:30pm, Dinner 7 - 10:30 pm
Pay (food only for two): lunch around THB 2,500, dinner expect THB 7,000
Friday, January 25, 2008
Ruen Urai
49
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Ruen Urai
For decades Benjarong has been a culinary landmark in Bangkok, a recent revisit confirmed its status as one of the most established eateries serving authentic royal Thai cuisine a thon krueng (ancient chef in a royal kitchen) would have prepared the same. Benjarong not only earns countless credits from local and worldwide food critics, but also received the pride to provide the members of the royal family dinner the superb royal Thai touch.
The restaurant in elegant surrounding with outdoor dining overlooking the sparkling waterfall from the patio, offers a comprehensive selection of excellent dishes. My all time favorite is the Hor Mok Goong Mankrong, this steamed curry custard in banana leaf cup is usually mixed with minced fish while the Benjarong version is mixed with diced lobster. Freshness of lobster meat and the aroma of Thai herbs mingled with prik chee fa chilies made the custard cup so remarkable.
Our appetizer was Khanam Jeep Thai (minced pork wrapped in rice flour dumpling). Main dishes were Chuchee Kampoo (crab claw in red curry sauce), Pla Samlee Yum Mamuang (deep-fried king fish with green mango salad), Pad Pak Ruam Mit (stir-fried mixed vegetables), accompanied with Khao Ob Sapparot (baked seafood fried rice in whole pineapple).
Benjarong is the perfect place for entertaining friends and business associates, as well as dining alone. It is one of my favorite hotel’s Thai restaurants in town. Thais, equally as important as the taste in each recipe is the presentation. Dishes are served in intricately designed and elegant Benjarong crockery made from fine bone china after which the restaurant is named, Benjarong.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Saffron
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Saffron @ Banyan Tree Hotel
Banyan Tree's signature restaurant, Saffron, offers Thai-inspired flavors. Located on the 51st and 52nd floor, the views are fantastic, the furnishings eclectic, and sophisticated live entertainment plays into the night.
Our appetizer served on expensive celadon earthenware, was the Kanom Bueng Chao Wang (traditional Thai egg crepe served with shrimp roe, roasted coconut, peanut, bean sprout eaten with tamarind palm sugar dressing). Followed was Yum Makhua Yaoo Goong Maenam Pao (spicy eggplant salad with grilled river prawn), the presentation of this dish was not good but the taste of the grilled eggplant and river prawn was yummy.
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =3.5, Service=4.5, Ambiance=5, Money Worth=3.5
Price range for two without drinks (incl. local water) in Thai Baht = BBBB
(B=below 200, BB=201-500, BBB=501-1,000, BBBB=1,001-2,000, BBBBB=over 2,000)
Saffron, Banyan Tree
http://www.banyantree.com/bangkok/facilities/dining/saffron.html
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