Bussaracum

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The charm of an ancient topaz!

This long time royal cuisine pioneer restaurant - the Bussaracum, has been (finally) moved back to Sathorn/Silom district, after a short operation period at Thonglo under the shelter of its group property; it was her forth relocation since the restaurant debut at Dusit Thani Hotel around thirty years ago.

Recently I revisited Bussaracum at her latest location, Si Wang Road, with some foodie friends.

While many established restaurants will lose their edge on food standards after they earned some 'history', and the kitchen teams started to show that they are exhausted, at Bussaracum, this scenario is a non-existent. In general, the food at Bussaracum is not only kept to their good standards; but in my opinion, it is better!

The only dissatisfaction is their service. The junior waitpersons are nice and attentive, but the manager-look-alike is nothing more than a dumb vase that had been just treated with Botox.


'sangwa' savory dips, fresh vegetables, served with deep-fried ground catfish

leaf-wrapped appetizer 'mieng-kam'; deep-fried 'chom-suan' prawn appetizer

'pha-goong' spicy herbs tossed salad with prawns; savory eggplant salad

massama curry, world No. 1 dish 2011 voted by CNNgo readers survey

grilled river prawns in 'chu-chee' red curry sauce

home-made fish cakes; red curry with roasted duck meats

stir-fried eggplant in basil and hot sauce; deep-fried sea bass, raw mango dressing

phad Thai with prawns

Bussaracum Royal Thai Restaurant ****
1 Si Wiang Road
off Soi Pramuan
Silom, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.620.2216
Bussaracum

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2 pm, dinner 5:30 - 10 pm
Pay (food only for one): around THB 500




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khao-chae @ Bussaracum

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Soul food in summer

This year I have had my share of khao-chae in downtown only, and these places are more realistic for tourists to join the joy of eating this Thai festive delicacy - khao-chae (rice soaked in icy jasmine-scented water, served with tidbits).

Bussarasum is a pioneer restaurant serving royal Thai cuisine in Bangkok; and just like its name, a rare ancient Thai topaz, the food with a refined culinary touch is a jewel to Bangkok's gastronomy scene. Recently I sampled my third set of khao-chae of the year there; I found that its khao-chae set is truly at a soul food standard, and at THB 250++ a set, it is a steal for epicures.


welcome by a rabbit! amuse-bouche Thai style (mieng)

soul of khao-chae, its chilled jasmine-scented water, with jasmine blossom

a bowl of cooked rice with ice; carved vegetables
(green mango, cucumber, carrot, krachai, green onion, and red chili)

a complete set of khao-chae at Bussaracum, THB 250++

moo foi (shredded sweet pork); luk kapi (deep-fried fermented shrimp paste balls)

prik yuak sord sai, and hom daeng yud sai; chai pow phad wan
(banana chili pepper stuffed with minced pork wrapper in egg netting, &
deep-fried shallots in minced fish stuffing; stir-fried preserved sweet turnip)

pla waan (sweetened fish mouse); part of the set

khao-chae
at Bussaracum Royal Thai Restaurant ****
1 Si Wiang Road
off Soi Pramuan
Silom, Bangkok 10500
Tel.: 02.620.2216
Bussaracum

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2 pm, dinner 5:30 - 10 pm
Pay (khao-chae only for two): around THB 600 (THB 250++ per set)
* khao-chae is available from mid-March until end of April

Kowloon

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The chameleon that cooks

Tucked away in the quite aging Holiday Inn Silom, Kowloon Chinese Restaurant tends to offer affordable Cantonese cuisine for the locals, with the quality equal to that patrons would have eaten in Hong Kong's fine restaurants; but the outcome was just against their will.

I went to Kowloon several times (before I decided that it is enough); food quality varies and is inconsistent. The Chinese native head chef, himself, may be capable in front of the stove, but I have the impression that he is seriously lacking of any management power, and fails to lead his kitchen team to cook (the food right) in a consistent manner.

Wait-staff are enthusiastic and service is prompt, except the restaurant manager.









Kowloon Chinese Restaurant ***
981 Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangkok10500
Tel.: 02.238.0370

Open daily : 11 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,200