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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Din Tai Fung


BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Leavening extravaganza

Shanghai native xiao-long-bao, literally small basket bun, is a delicacy that is well received not only in China, but (probably) all over the world; it is a type of small sized steamed bun filled with pork stuffing and its soup. To my knowledge, Shanghaiese xiao-long-bao is originated from the Nanxiang district, widely called xiao-long-mantou by locals, arguably the best in China. Whether people call it xiao-long-bao or xiao-long-mantou, it is a bun, a very small bun, but not a dumpling (jiaozi/gyoza).

The bottom line is any xiao-long-bao we eat shall taste like a bun.

Din Tai Fung, (originated in Taiwan, but now an international chain) proclaimed a xiao-long-bao specialty and its Hong Kong franchisee received one star Michelin recognition, its bun skin is thinner than other xiao-long-bao commonly available in the Greater China Region (China mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) with the help an 'innovative' recipe of leavening agent and flour mix; however, a result is that the bao (or bun) itself is tasteless, though pork fillings is decently delicious. (Imagine that spaghetti lost its durum wheat flavor and baguette does not taste like bread!) Besides the tasteless bun skin, the texture of Din Tai Fung xiao-long-bao is closer to a dumpling more than a bun. I would have no objection if it is named steamed DTF soup-filled dumplings, but definitely it is not the xiao-long-bao that I expected.


1. century eggs (a.k.a. thousand-year eggs) with garlic mousse and sauce, THB 80++
seeing is believing, look at the century eggs la!
2. braised tofu in braised sauce, THB 80++
tasteless tofu, a dish of msg and soy sauce promotion! where is the braised sauce?


3. xiao-long-bao (steamed small bun with pork filling in its soup) , THB 165++/6-pcs
odd texture, tasteless bun skin, though pork filling and its soup is good


4. steam bun filled with vegetables, THB 28++ each,
pretty good flour mix, texture and taste, at least I felt like eating a real bun


5. Din Tai Fung signature braised beef noodle in soup, THB 240++
nice broth, beef tender, but noodle didn't convince me it was hand-pulled

6. stewed bean curd, THB 100++
renowned Shanghaiese side dish, four-happiness stewed bean curd
7. fried spiced pork chop, THB 160++
heavy taste of spices, seasonings, and meat tenderizer, no pork taste at all
(pork chop without taste of pork? kidding?)


The other food served is not better than its xiao-long-bao. Take the braised tofu in warm braised sauce for example; the tofu itself is totally tasteless while the braise sauce is ultra salty. Without any hints of the aromatic flavor of Chinese five spices and other seasonings in harmony but just a single taste - salty! The signature braised beef soup noodle doesn't save its reputation, though the braised beef is tender and the soup seasoned to the right taste; however, the noodle doesn't taste like hand-pulled noodle of which it should be, but the packed preserved noodle we can easily find in any supermarket, with a tag of THB 240++ a bowl.

I have a thought that Michelin better stick to its tires business.


Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 **1/2
7/F Beacon Zone, Central World Plaza
4 Rajdamri Road (/Rama I Road)
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.646.1282
* reservations not available

Open daily : 10 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,100



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Khao-moo-daeng Lao Yang


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It is moo!

A 'talk-of-the-town', a khao moo daeng (barbecue pork on rice with gravy) vendor on Silom Road, Lao Yang, happens to be average. Its bamee nam (egg noodle soup) with wanton and barbecue pork toppings is much better.

For barbecue pork, within this price range there are many better choices in the city.


khao moo daeng with gravy THB 35; khao moo daeng without gravy THB 35

bamee nam with crab meat, wanton, and barbecue pork THB 35

wanton soup with barbecue pork THB 35; bamee han with barbecue pork THB 40

Khao-moo-daeng Lao Yang 老楊勝英發 ***
207 Silom Road
(near Silom Complex)
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.235.1680

Open daily : 8:30 am - 7:30 pm (Sunday closed at 5pm)
Pay (food only for two): around THB 100



Monday, June 27, 2011

On The Table


BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Tokyo in Bangkok, Italian cuisine

In my eyes (and my taste-buds), mall food is pretty boring, especially non-Thai and fusion cuisine.

However, there are always exceptions. Recently I found there is an open-style restaurant in the middle of the atrium at Beacon Zone of the Central World Plaza; the food, Italian cuisine with a Japanese twist, is interesting and average. It is On The Table, the Tokyo Cafe. Since then I can get my next fix of Tokyo style western food without
the cost of airfare and extra radiation.

Again, at On The Table it is about Italian food with a Japanese twist, so don't expect the food taste like those in Grossi and Bacco.



On The Table, Tokyo Cafe ***1/4
6/F Beacon Zone, Central World Plaza
4 Rajdamri Road (/Rama I Road)
Prathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.613.1558

Open daily : 11 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 800



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sompong Seafood


BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Seafood to grill

A friend of mine always highly recommend Sompong Seafood to me, and once he even brought me there some time ago. Since then I have also brought my out-of-town guests there to sample fresh seafood, cooked in a tasty twist.




Sompong Seafood ****
135 Praditmanutham Road
Ladprao, Bangkok 10240
Tel.: 02.935.9547

Open daily : 2 - 10 pm (Sat & Sun 11 am - 10 pm)
Pay (seafood only for two): around THB 1,000



Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Take a Seat


BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Seat, on Silom

Judging from its interior and clientele, Take-a-Seat may easily be mistaken to be a tourist-orientated Thai restaurant, and thus inauthentic in true Thai taste and expensive in price. I was previously misled as well.

In fact, Take-a-Seat serves authentic Thai fare with a modern twist to both tourists and CBD white collars, and the price is surprisingly on the low side compared to other Thai restaurants in downtown Bangkok.


yum talay (spicy seafood salad Thai style) THB 120

stick moo (pork satay on skewers) THB 100;
tord mun pla
(deep-fried minced fish mousse) THB 120


hor-mok talay maphrao on (seafood curry souffle in whole coconut) THB 180

phad pak muam-mit (stir-fried vegetables) THB 120;
goong phad nam makham (stir-fried prawns with taramind sauce) THB 150


yum pla kapong tord (deep-fried sea bass fillet in spicy dressing) THB 180

Take a Seat Thai Restaurant ***1/2
38 Naradhiwas-najanagarindra Road
(at Naradhiwas-najanagarindra Soi 2)
Silom, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.634.8964
Take-a-Seat

Open daily : 11 am - 11 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 450



Saturday, June 18, 2011

Da Mamma


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Pappa cooks too

It is considered lucky that if we have friends whose are also foodies, we share stories with them, as well as where-to-eat. I have a few of them, in four continents. Lucky!

Few months ago, I was told that near MBK Mall there is a pretty good small Italian restaurant just hidden somewhere in the vicinity, worthwhile to check it out. The restaurant mentioned, that really is hidden in a shabby soi (/lane), I have passed by it several times before; unconvincingly she may deliver tasty food judging by the facade of the restaurant. I doubt, but I tried it.


pizza vegetarian, THB 200


pizza 2-face, roasted chicken and salami, THB 250

Da Mamma is a six-table osteria-style Italian eatery in downtown Bangkok, the farang owner and his partner are always there to make sure the food and service were right. I found, it is! Pizza came out from a wood-fire brick oven, with no-mistake crust and decent ingredients, very aromatic and appealing. On my most recent visit, I ordered two pizzas (for a party of three). Simply too good, couldn't resist! Pasta follows the customer's preference, as mine was al dente while my local friend's one was soft! Whether it was al denta or soft, the sauce was good though. Other food, was average.

Da Mamma, an Italian
osteria in town that serves Italian food and good pizza without breaking my bank. Oops - friendly service too!


duck confit salad THB 190; mixed cold vegetables THB 190

penne vodka sauce with salmon THB 260; spaghetti bolognese THB 220

tiramisu THB 140; panna cotta with raspberry sauce THB 120

Da Mamma Italian Restaurant ***1/2
36/8 Soi Kasemsan 1
Rama I Road
Prathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.216.8867

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm, dinner 5:30 pm - midnight
Pay (food only for two): around THB 800