yumcha @ Emporia

86
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yum cha
Emporia 猷茜樓 @ the Emporium Suites

I had an appointment with one of my associates, a Sukhumvit guru, at the Emporium Shopping Mall for dim sum lunch. He kept asking did I mean the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel or the nearby Novotel as within the shopping mall there shall be no decent Chinese eatery. Well my Sukhumvit guru was half wrong and half correct only have to blame local media low attention to the Emporia, a Chinese restaurant in the Emporium Building occupying on the hotel wing. I walked him to the entrance for the Emporium Suites, a serviced apartment cum hotel, through Starbucks Coffee on 2nd floor of the shopping mall to the Emporium's office lobby. There we took the hotel lift to the EL floor, only to sample Emporia's all-you-can-eat dim sum lunch in this luxury version of the city's hole-in-the-wall.

The Emporia is run by the Bangkok Club, a Bangkok Bank's private club for fellow tycoons of which membership by invitation only (of course), has one of Bangkok's top Chinese eateries head by Chef Fong from Hong Kong. When the Emporium Suites decided to put an exquisite Chinese restaurant in the hotel property to replace the unwelcome coffee shop, they had Bangkok Club's Ivory Palace (a Cantonese restaurant) to help building a solid foundation for the Club sponsored Emporia Chinese Restaurant in the Emporium Suites. Five years have passed, although the Emporia doesn't fly high, but it does well in her low profile presentation.

Emporia, with modern interior featuring contemporary Asian in green, brown and gold color scheme, it is surrounding elegant and quiet, with a sense of tranquility and style rarely found in a downtown Chinese restaurant.

During lunch, both a la carte and all-you-can-eat (Baht 499++) dim sum were offered. We picked the all-you-can-eat dim sum offer. Started with a bowl of soup (with choices), followed by hau-gar (dumplings of shrimp and bamboo shoot wrapped in a thin rice starch sheet) and siu-mai (dumplings of pork and shrimp fillings wrapped in a thin kansui flour wrapper), a must. Also delighted were the lo-bak-go (pan-fried daikon radish cakes), though less impressive than fu-pae-gheun (deep-fried bean curd sheet wrapper in shrimp paste fillings). I also took the cheong-fun (steamed rice roll filled with BBQ pork), steamed fish fillet, and the e-fu noodles. They were steamed-to-order and kept my mouth busy most of the time.



No one would describe the food as outstanding, but it is good having Cantonese yum cha near the cloud with the hustle and bustle Sukhumvit Road beneath. In terms of service, you can expect no less attention from Emporia's service staff compared to what you could get at a five-star hotel, but without any trace of pretentious. This is an excellent place to entertain visiting guests, or even dine-with-a-view alone to cheer up the mood.

All in all, Emporia's all-you-can-eat Dim Sum Lunch at Baht 499++ is a venue for value-for-money fare and is recommended if you are in and around the Emporium Shopping Mall. Stunning panorama view is complimentary from the restaurant.

Emporia Chinese Restaurant 猷茜樓 ***1/2

EL Floor (25/F), the Emporium Suites
622 Sukhumvit Road
Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Tel.: 02.664.9999 ext.1608

Open daily : lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm, dinner 6 - 10pm
Pay (food only for two): lunch around THB 1,300, dinner around THB 2,500
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Coffee Bean by Dao

85
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Coffee Bean by Dao
@ Grande Centre Point Hotel and Residence

This family restaurant and cake shop first appeared in the Ekamai Thonglo neighborhood 11 years ago. At the beginning I was not quite aware of this wonderful eatery even I am one in the neighborhood, because Coffee Bean by Dao is hiding itself in a sub-soi (small lane). Even the location is not convenience to all, but its business is busy. People go there for the white chocolate cake and scrumptious western and Thai dishes.

I met the owner, Dao (Susri Pangputhipong), first time I visited her first branch on Ekamai Soi 12 wondering if she can run a restaurant and do the cakes, since Dao is an elegant lady dressed a bit fashionable, one of those who never-go-to-the-kitchen-before type high-so(ciety) figures. I can find ‘noble’ on her. So I had enough ground on the doubt if she can survive from the restaurant game or she just wants a toy to kill time. And as time goes by, she proofs to us that she does it well. Now she owns 5 branches and some cakes corners.

Last week I visited to Coffee Bean by Dao’s new branch at Grande Centre Point Hotel off Rajdamri Road with friends from the hotel. We began with the restaurant’s all time favorites Nachos and Vol-au-vents in Tuna Mousse. The soup I ordered was the Asparagus and Carrot Soup in tai-chi look, aroi (delicious). My friends preferred the Seafood Salad, Pork Satay, and Baked Baby Clam. For main courses we took the Fish and Chips, Spare Ribs, Wok-fried Flat Noodles, and my favorite Inked Spaghetti in Crème Sauce with Tiger Prawn. Our lunch rounded up with some cakes, including the restaurant renowned White Chocolate Cake. To me those cakes were too sweet but it is not her problem as Thais like sweet to very sweet, and my palate is tended to be on the mild side. When I visit Coffee Bean by Dao I adjust my sweet gauge upward, therefore I enjoy the desserts so much alongside with my Thai friends.

Coffee Bean by Dao is now a symbol of quality cakes, esp. white chocolate cakes and cheese cakes, and east meets west cuisine among Bangkokians.




Coffee Bean by Dao ***1/2
@ Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
153/2 Soi Mahatlek Luang 1
Ratchadamri Road
Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02.670.5000
Coffee Bean by Dao

Open daily : 6:30 am - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,000

* Coffee Bean by Dao also has branches at Central World Plaza, Siam Paragon, and the Ruamrudee Village; while its main branch is on Ekamai Soi 12

* (update on 2011-05-10: its Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri branch had been closed)
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Laem Charoen Seafood

BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Laem Chareon Seafood
@ Prachautit

On a sunning-shine-up afternoon we went to Laem Chareon Seafood with friends from Hong Kong to sample their famous seafood dishes prepared from only the freshest ingredients mainly from Rayong, that admired by the locals.

Laem Chareon Seafood is originated from Rayong (a seaside province southeast of Bangkok), with its first Bangkok branch opened few years ago in Meng Jai intersection of Bangkok’s Huay Khwang district, where we visited yesterday.

This three decades famous seafood restaurant drew my attention since the first time I went to Koh Samed passing by Rayong, my local friends brought me there for lunch before we boarded the ferry to the island; since then, I never complained again that along the Rayong coastline was lacking of a decent seafood restaurant to allow food connoisseurs like us to enjoy the seafood caught fresh by fishermen in the area.

One of our friends at the table is a super fan of cockles, so we started with the Hoy Kraeng Lua (quick-boiled cockles) and the Yum Pla Khao-san (spicy silver rice fish salad with Thai herbs). These ultra small fishes known as pla khao san (or silver rice fish) are a harvest off Rayong beaches, fishermen usually sun-dried them to sell near the fishermen pier. At Laem Charoen the tiny fishes were being deep-fried and dressed with yum sauce made of fish sauce, chilies, lime juice and cashew nuts together with mint, onion and tomatoes. They promote a taste of little spicy and hint of sour in good balance, and the mild salty and natural sweet of the fishes themselves weren’t overpowered by the sauce, an ideal dish to start the meal with a glass of beer. The cockles were delicious. They were fresh and naturally sweet in taste working out in harmony with the house’s sauce; we ordered another round of the quick-boiled cockles and also the Yum Hoy Kraeng (spicy cockle salad with Thai herbs). In a Thai restaurant, almost every dish (except the soup) has its own sauce/dip to enhance the taste. Sauces in Laem Charoen made from her own recipes, with special care of fresh ingredients included lime juice, chili and herbs having Laem Charoen’s taste different. In another word, the sauces/dips were marvelous.

To have my friends evolved their palate from tumyumgoong to chao-baan’s (villagers) tastes, we took the Gaeng Kua Poo Khai Nor Mai Dong (spicy & sour soup in preserved bamboo shoots and coconut curry with blue swimming crab and crab roe). My friends were lucky to sample this popular Eastern seaboard specialty while even many Thais have not. But not all of them like it. The soup was pungent hot with a strong smell of fermented shrimp paste and bamboo shoots, if you like it, it tastes aromatic or if you don’t then your taste buds sting. So for beginners to Thai food I do suggest you may keep a distance from the gaeng kua poo khai nor mai dong and stick with the commonly welcomed tumyumgoong (spicy and sour prawn soup).

One of the house specialties is the Pla Kapong Tord Nam-pla (deep-fried Thai white sea bass marinated with fish sauce). Our fish was fresh, crispy on the outside and tendered inside getting along perfectly with the sugarcane thickened fish sauce, without the unwelcome smell of aged fried oil like many other seafood restaurants do by saving cost.

More dishes to go with rice were, the Goong Pad Phong Karee (wok-fried prawns in yellow curry sauce), Hoy Chen Pad Kaphrao (wok-fried sea scallops with holly basil in hot and sweet sauce), Pad Yord Mara (stir-fried bitter gourd leaves), and Pad Pak Todmea (stir-fried snow pea sprouts). The prawns were CP grade but the curry was really good, not too thick and creamy, also yield a rich taste of the yellow curry instead of taste of a mixed-of-everything like some other seafood restaurants do. The sea scallops with holly basil was pungent hot and well done although the scallops were below my expectations, and not recommend to people with a tourist palate.

To conclude our lunch, we ordered the Seasonal Fruit Platter (water melon, pineapple and tangerine). Usually I don’t take desserts in Thai restaurants as they are always too generous for adding sugar and a lot of sugar. But at Laem Charoean, I had to order the Sala Loy Kaeo (sala fruits in syrup) not because at Laem Charoean the mentioned desserts were not sweet, but because sala fruits are famous crop from Rayong so I would like my friends sampling them.

Laem Chareon doesn’t require our sponsorship to its decoration; instead, we were convinced almost every penny was paid for the food and service. The shop layout is simple but clean, nothing fancy but bright as we opt for the goodness of Laem Charoen’s fresh seafood. Surprisingly services were attentive and prompt in a local-level managed restaurant. Our meal ended up was a pleasant one!

Laem Chareon Seafood Restaurant ****

577 Prachautit Road

Huay Khwang, Bangkok 10310

Tel.: 02.274.3619

Open daily: 11am - 10pm

Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,000 with seafood

* Update on 04-October-2008 > Now Laem Chareon Seafood has a city branch, right at the Central World Plaza. I haven't tried the food in this new branch yet. Honestly, I don't quite trust those branches in a shopping mall. So I will still support Laem Chareon's Huay Khwang or Ramintra branch if not the Rayong main branch.
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Thien Duong Vietnamese Restaurant

83
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Thien Duong @ the Dusit Thani

While TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) promotes Thailand as the World’s Kitchen in its recent years campaign, Bangkok gradually became a worldwide gourmet capital, gourmet from around the globe must be able to be well prepared in local eateries. One of four major Asian cuisines is Vietnamese, besides Chinese, Japanese and Indian. Vietnamese cuisine has planted a long root in Thai food culinary arts; while some Thai dishes may be influenced by the Vietnamese, some may be familiar to each other.

Without a meal of Vietnamese food couldn’t make my gourmet tour in the gourmet capital, Bangkok, with satisfaction. Luckily we were therefore arranged to sample one of the best hotel’s Vietnamese food in Bangkok, at Thien Duong in the renowned 5-star Dusit Thani Hotel. Classic and classy a mix of French and Vietnamese was the first impression when I entered the restaurant, so I expected the price was not easy. Browsing at the menu the food variety was essential and surprisingly the price was much below a 5-star hotel restaurant should have charged. One of the friends on our dining table had extensive knowledge in Vietnamese food as he had 2 Vietnamese (ex)girlfriends in San Francisco for a total of 10 years. So we let him decide our dinner that night.

Before any eating action, a chilled Fresh Lemongrass Juice couldn’t be missed, but my friends preferred some Red Wine. Well it did make good sense to have red wine to accompany a journey of Vietnamese dining as taste was quite strong since heavy use of herbs, deep-fried onion flakes, and spices were popular in Vietnamese cooking.

The first order was the Thien Duong Khai Vi B260++ (a 4-kind hors d’oeuvre of Goi Cuon or fresh spring rolls, Bo La Lot or beef wrapped in Good King Henry leaves, Chao Tom or fried minced shrimp on a sugarcane skewer, Nem Nuong or charcoal grilled pork balls). It was wonderful to have these combination to start the dinner.

Further we had Cha Gio B210++ (deep-fried spring rolls stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp, and pork), eating them wrapped in lettuce with more vegetables and Dipping, therefore there was a big bowl of Fresh Vegetables (Thai basil leaves, holy basil, mint, fitweed, lettuce, and cucumber) being served; the taste was aromatic enough but the freshness of meat was not overpowered by the seasoning, the chef simply made a good balance in the ingredients and her skill.

Came after cha gio were, Goi Ngo Sen B170++ (budding lotus stem salad with shrimp), taste was difference from the yum (Thai salad) with inviting taste of sour and sweet; Banh Cuon Thit Lon B250++ (steamed Viernamese rice flour sheets filled with minced pork and shrimp), a popular dish on Vietnamese dining table; and (5) Bun Hoi (grilled pork marinated with lemongrass and herbs served on a bed of steamed vermicelli), pork was so tender and tasted good with full aroma from the herbs, however, Thien Duong version did not serve with Cha Gio of which usually included on the dish. Followed were the waitperson's recommendation, Thit Thien Duong B360++ (lemongrass skewered beef tenderloin with green peppercorns) and Chim Bo Cal Chim Goin B550++ (deep-fried pigeon dipped with black pepper salt and lime juice); however, not impressive. The supposed to be tendered beef tenderloin turned out a bit hard-to-chew, and the pigeon had lost the taste of the naturally sweet of the bird instead full of a deep frozen accent and seasoning.

Pho, the Vietnamese flat noodle in soup, is always my favorite dish when dine in a Vietnamese restaurant. So I didn’t miss the Pork Pho B170++ (Vietnamese rice noodle soup with pork meat) and the Chicken Pho B170++ while beef pho may be more popular among Vietnamese diners. Canh Chua B195++ (Vietnamese fisherman's soup with prawns, mussels, fish and mushrooms) was a delightful substitute for something other than pho.

For desserts we ordered Banh Dua (green tea custard with sesame wafer), and Cheo Thong (mung (green) bean with tapioca). Both were not outstanding but good point was they were not too sweet compared to Thai desserts.

Thien Duong and the Dusit Thani have an extensive selection of wines for diners.

Thien Duong Vietnamese Restaurant ***1/2
Upper lobby, Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok
946 Rama 4 Road
Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel.: 02.236.9999
Thien Duong

Open daily : lunch 11:30 am - 2 pm, dinner 6 - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,500

Xuan Mai

82
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Viet Blossom in Sukhumvit



Hole-in-the-wall type Bangkok best Vietnamese restaurant. Ooooops make sure that you are a clean citizen and not one in the FBI wanted list. Owner also the sous chef is an ex-FBI agent.

For authentic home-cooking Vietnamese cuisine in Bangkok, Xuan Mai should be in your Must Try list!

Xuan Mai Vietnamese Restaurant ***1/2
32 Sukhumvit Soi 13
Wattana, Bangkok
Tel.: 02.251.8389

Open Tuesday to Sunday, Lunch 11am-2pm, Dinner 5pm-10pm (Fri-Sun until midnight) *Reservations highly recommended!
Pay (food only for two): around THB 1,200

* Updates (on 06/August/2009): From September 1, 2009 onwards, Xuan Mai will be moved to a bigger venue on Soi Thonglo, Sukhumvit 55 (near Thonglo Soi 15), guys don't miss the trend!

Khao-chae & Sticky rice with Mango

81
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Khao Chae and Sweet Sticky Rice with Ripe Mango

If Khao-chae (rice soaked in ice-cold jasmine-scented water, served with tidbits) is the angelini of the month, then Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango must be the angelina. Both are super stars of April and the summer seasons in Thailand.

Where to eat Khao-chae and Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango?

1) Thanying Restaurant Royal Thai Cuisine, 10 Soi Pramuan, off Silom Road (between Silom 17 and 19), Bangkok 10500, Tel.: 02-2364361

Thanying khao chae B250/set available during April and May (using a recipe of MC Sulapwalleng Visuddhi, formerly head chef of Queen Rambhai Bharni’s Sukhothai Palace)

2) Benjarong @ Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok; Tel.: 02-2369999

Benjarong khao chae available during lunch throughout April

3) Suan Thip Thai Restaurant, Pak Kret, Bangkok; Tel.: 02-5833748

Suan Thip khao chae available during lunch throughout April

4) Erawan Tea Room by Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Bangkok; Tel.: 02-2541234

Tea Room khao chae available during lunch and afternoon tea throughout April.

Where to eat Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango?

1) Mae Waree Fruits & Mango, Thonglo, Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bangkok

2) Benjarong @ Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama 4 Road, Bangkok

3) Kor Panich, Tanao Road, opposite Prang Puthorn, Bangkok

4) Pa Jua Hua Hin, Nares Damri Road, opposite Hilton Hotel, Hua-hin


MDS
The writer can be reached at thaisclub@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2008 MDS. All rights reserved.

Kanabnam

80
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Kanabnam



Dinner by the Chaophraya River.

Kanabnam Restaurant ***1/2
765/20 Sirin Thon Road
(at Krung-thon Bridge)
Bang Phlad, Thonburi
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel.: 02-4336611

Open Daily : Lunch 11 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner 5:30 - 10 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 900 with seafood

Kung-ten

79
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Kung-ten



Signature dish - Kung-ten salad.

Kungten Seafood Restaurant ***1/2
Kaset-navamin branch
26/10 Moo.4 Kaset-navamin Road
Ladprao, Bangkok 10230
Tel.: 02.578.0208
Kung-ten

Waterside Resort

BANGKOK HIDDEN GOURMET
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Waterside Resort



Waterside Resort Restaurant ***1/2
13/16 Moo.9 Pradit-manutham Highway
(near Kasert-navamin intersection)
Bueng Kum, Bangkok 10230
Tel.: 02-943 9496
http://waterside-bkk.com/

Open daily 5pm - 1am
Pay (food only for two): around THB 900

Koh Lanta

BANGKOK HIDDEN GOURMET
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Koh Lanta



Southern Thai cuisine at its best.

Talingpling

76
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Talingpling



Talingpling is a wonderful family restaurant if we can stand for their relatively rude service.

Sorn Daeng

BANGKOK HIDDEN GOURMET
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Sorn Daeng

Sorndaeng locates in the city's historical area; and it is very close to Khao San Road, a backpackers heaven. One night, passed by Sorndeang, happened to see some farang (Western tourists) eating there. I have the flashing idea that it is another Lonely Planet kind of restaurant. I was wrong! Sorndaeng offers noble Thai cuisine since King Rama VI regime. Main clienteles are those big wigs aunties and greased hair uncles those own some medals on their suits if not uniforms.



Food is definitely good. Surprisingly price is inexpensive at all. Service? For the Nobles perhaps!

Methavalai Sorndaeng ****
78/2 Rajadamnoen Klang Road
Phranakong, Bangkok 10200
Tel.: 02.224.0388

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

Lai Rot

BANGKOK HIDDEN GOURMET

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Lai Rot
Rama 5 Road
Samsen, Bangkok

for review, stay tuned!

Khao Chae

BANGKOK HIDDEN GOURMET
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Khao chae

Every year during the hottest month in Thailand I anticipate the coming of Songkran (Thai New Year) Festival, or Splash-water Festival in the eyes of foreign visitors, and eating of Khao chae or literally chilled rice.

As the fuel cost increases are skyrocketing, the best way to fight electricity bills is to eat khao chae to lower our body temperature. Khao chae consists of rice soaked in ice-cold jasmine-scented water served with elaborately prepared side dishes.

Khao chae chao-Mon was originated from the Mon ethnic people resident in Thailand two centuries ago, cooked to sacrifice to the God, the dish is rather simple compare to the Royal Thai version. Khao chae chao wang (the Royal Thai khao chae) which originated in the royal court of King Rama II as a dish to comfort the King (Rama II) and royal people during the hot season. The rice and water of Royal Thai khao chae is pretty complicated and requires a long process. Half cooked rice repeatedly rinsed to get rid of the starch before further being cooked, next put in cold water to avoid a premature process, drain the water; later steaming the half-dry rice in a cloth wrapper over a volcano-hot boiler until it is fully cooked in order for the scented water to look clear with the rice, earning a firm texture. The jasmine-scented water is not prepared with less effort. Jasmine blossoms are soaked in water in a clay pot with a jasmine-scented candle carefully floating on it for the water to absorb the fragrance with the pot covered for a while; repeat the process until satisfaction is met, then pour the scented water into an earthenware pot and store them overnight. When served, add the rice in the scented water followed by mini ice cubes, accompanied by tidbits.

The tidbits or side dishes, are, Luk Kapi (deep-fried fermented shrimp paste balls), Hom Daeng Yud Sai (deep-fried shallots stuffed with minced fish), Prik Yuak Sord Sai (banana chili pepper stuffed with minced pork wrapped in egg netting), Moo Foi (shredded sweet pork), Chai Pow Pad Wan (stir-fried sweet dry turnip with egg) and Carved Vegetables (green mango, cucumber, krachai, red chili and green onion).

To ensure our palate enjoys the most pleasure from the jasmine-scented khao chae and tidbits, we eat the rice and the tidbits separately, one at a time. Never put the tidbits in the rice and water as it will cloud the scented water.

Khao chae is another original deli from Thailand, it is unique and it is chic. I had my share of khao chae in the following fine establishments.

1) Lai Rot Khao Chae Chao Wang Thai Restaurant, (branch 1) 202 Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Tel.: 02-2792895; (branch 2) 120/4 Sukhumvit Soi 49, Bangkok 10110, Tel.: 02-3913193

Royal Thai style khao chae B170/set available throughout the year (recipe from the Princess Chalermkhetmongkol’s Palace)


2) Lord Jims @ Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand; Tel.: 02-6599000

Royal Thai style khao chae includes in the lunch buffet throughout April


3) Smooth Curry @ Plaza Athenee Hotel, Wireless Road, Bangkok; Tel.: 02-6508800

Its khao chae, B320/set available in April, was the best I have ever sampled in the Kingdom. Unfortunately the restaurant’s renovation program falls in this year khao chae seasons. Go next year perhaps!


4) Koh Kret khao chae chao-Mon, near the Pier, outside Paramaiyikawas Temple, Koh Kret Island, Nonthaburi, Bangkok

Mon style khao chae B20/tidbits or B35/set available throughout the year (recipe from the original Mon ethnic people from the Cambodia settled in Thailand two centuries ago)


MDS
The writer can be reached at thaisclub@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2008 MDS. All rights reserved.

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Ruen Mallika

72
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Ruen Mallika

A sanctuary type Thai restaurant, Ruen Mallika, set in the 100-year old historical house surrounding with its leafy garden, hiding in the hustle and bustle of Sukhumvit Soi 22. Gastronomic heritage of Thai food is always a magical combination of pungency, freshness, aroma and color; and that is what we shall be expected for a superb Thai meal.

Ruen Mallika menu is extensive from Royal Thai cuisine to rare recipes, this is where you can eat dok mai tempura or deep-fried battered flower; and this was the reason we ate here. Helpful photo menu was available to help foreigners in the ordering; however, unfortunately the recipes were also obviously toned-down to please the foreigner’s palates, some dishes were even bland in taste.

Our first dish was of course the Dok Mai Tempura (deep-fried battered orchid), innovative but not impressive in taste.

Followed were the Krathong Thong (crispy rice cup with Thai tidbits), and Yum Makhuea Yaao (spicy salad with charcoal barbequed/smoked eggplant). The eggplant was not evenly smoked and the dish was too salty while lacking of the balance of sweet sour bitter and spicy.

Moving on were four main dishes to accompany rice. We had Choochee Goong (fried prawn in red curry and coconut cream), and Plaa Samlee Tord (deep-fried king fish with green mango sauce), the dipping sauce was a bit salty. Also Tum Kha Gai (chicken spicy coconut soup), the coconut chicken soup with coconut milk, galangal, and lemongrass were not balanced well and too creamy, and Pad Hed (stir-fried assorted mushroom).

Dessert was pretty ok compare to others. We tried the Coconut Ice Cream, and Chilled Durian Bowl.

At the end of a night, the most important thing should be the taste, not the variety. So Ruen Mallika is pretty weak in having us a return to the restaurant in the near future, although we received warm and sincere service during our dinner.

Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): Ruen Mallika has [3.4]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =3, Service=4, Ambiance=4, Money Worth=2.5

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)

Details: open daily 11am-11pm
Ruen Mallika Thai Restaurant, 189 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Bangkok 10110; Tel.: 02-6633211; http://www.yentafo.com
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Bussaracum

71
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Bussaracum

Whenever royal Thai cuisine is mentioned, we usually think of some luxury meal in elegant and exclusive setting. I have shown my friends many luxury hotels’ royal Thai cuisines, now is time for a humble treat. Bussaracum, every auntie grown up in Bangkok recognizes this well known decades old restaurant serving scrumptious royal Thai specialty, is humble and tourist friendly, inexpensive yet delicious. During lunch time the restaurant serves buffet with serious dishes the royal Thai cooking way, worth Baht 400 or more but everyone pays around Baht 250 for the offer definitely a steal in the city.

However, we went for dinner a la carte mode. Simple and good dishes started from Khao Tang Na Tang (crispy rice cakes with minced pork and shrimp dipping), it is one of my favorite starters; followed by Cho Muang (steamed flower-shaped minced chicken dumplings). They were simple and good. More elaborated dishes was Rhoom (egg-net wrapped with minced pork and shrimp), this is a dish rarely seen elsewhere because of its difficulty to cook. We appreciated Bussaracum includes rhoom in the menu, and it was well prepared.

I like spicy salad, our salad was Saengwa (old fashioned grilled prawn salad with fresh herbs served with a variety of fresh vegetables and deep-fried catfish in carved gourd). This is another must order dish as restaurants opt for fine dining royal Thai cuisine don’t offer this earthy dish, what a waste! My old gun visitor told me it was his first time sampling this mouthwatering salad in Bangkok, what a gain!

Main dishes to accompany rice, we ordered Gaeng Phed Ped Yang (red curry with roasted duck meat), Choochee Goong Nang (river prawn in thick curry with coconut cream), Tom Kha Gai (coconut milk chicken soup with gal and lemongrass), Tord Man Plaa Grai (deep-fried fish cakes), Pad Pak Ruammit (stir-fried mixed vegetables), and rounded up with the Mee Krob (crispy sweet noodles with shrimp and pickled garlic in tamarind sauce). Oh pretty full and fulfilling now.

If you feel puzzled what for desserts, I suggest the Bussaracum’s Special Desserts (variety of Thai fresh fruits and classical desserts).

What we found were not exactly innovative dishes, they were honest royal Thai cuisine with authentic taste. Go get your fork and spoon ready in Bussaracum.

Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): Bussaracum has [3.9]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =4, Service=4, Ambiance=3.5, Money Worth=4

Details: open daily Lunch 11am-2pm; Dinner 5-10pm
Bussaracum Royal Thai Cuisine, Sethiwan Building, Pan Road, Bangkok; Tel.: 02-2666312


*updated on 2012-04-12 (Bussaracum had been relocated to 1 Si Wiang Road, Soi Pramuan, off Silom Road)
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Kalpapruek

BANGKOK AMAZING GOURMET
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Kalpapruek

Today I went to Health Land to have my muscle stretch in the morning, had lunch appointment with my friend who promised to show me the neighborhood where he grew up. It was upper Silom area. We went to Kalpapruek, where traditional Thai cum notable Western cuisine being served there. Not particularly outstanding but fair enough to satisfy my taste buds.

Original name of kalpapruek is a rare tree in the Siam regime, the restaurant was named after Kalpapreuk simply the tree was plant in the restaurant compound once the residence of a princess.

I rather describe Kalpapreuk a modern and easy going canteen-style eatery with a twist. Service was loose, waitpersons leaked of Siam-smile but our dishes arrived promptly after the order announced. I started the lunch with a glass of Preserved Plum Juice, a special drink not in the menu, simply refreshing.

Kalpapruek is famous for its Green Curry with Roti for decades, but we didn't feel like having roti in a non-Indian nor middle-eastern establishment. My friend suggested (and ordered) the Gai Yang Khao Ngo and Somtam Set (grilled marinated chicken served with spicy green papaya salad), and Nam Prik Issan (spicy Thai dip served with raw vegetables and Northeastern sausage). Somtam and nam prik were fine for me but not totally my liking, instead I appreciated the grilled chicken more.

My turn to order was Nam-tok Khaw Moo Yang (grilled pork neck in spicy stir-fried dressing) and Yum Wunsen (spicy glass noodles salad with chicken and minced pork). They turned out quiet disappointed with quality differ to its other branch in the Emporium. The pork neck was somehow finger licking good.

Followed were Mixed Vegetables and Sesame Prawn Bread, rounded up our lunch with a dish of Pad Thai. The sesame prawn bread did draw some make up point for the yum wunsen, and the pad Thai was indeed delicious.

The restaurant has reputation for its cakes and baked goodies, but we had no room for that. Kalpapruek also serves interesting western fare so we decide to give it a try as soon as possible.

After lunch we went to the TCDC (Thailand Creative and Design Centre) at the Emporium, spent a few hours there reading books until dusk. We went to the first floor where we found Kalpapruek On First. Remember I told you that I would like to sample the restaurant's western fare, sure, we did.

We ordered French Onion Soup, Pot-au-Feu, Avocado & Fruits Salad, Chicken Salad, Rainbow Trout, Ox Tongue Rice and Clam Spaghetti Spicy Sauce.

Kalpapruek Thai Restaurant ***1/4
27 Pramuan Road
off Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangok 10500
Tel.: 02.236.4335
(also branches in the Emporium, All Seasons Place, and the Siam Paragon)

Open daily : Mon-Sat 8 am - 6 pm, Sunday 8 am - 3 pm
Pay (food only for two): around THB 500

Chon Ngern Chon Thong

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Chon Ngern Chon Thong

Chon Ngren Chon Thong literally means Silver Spoon and Golden Spoon. I have heard of this Thai restaurant neither it earns any chef’s award nor in the best restaurants list of the year, not from food critics, but from the news; political news in particular. Sited on Rama 6 Road near a few government agencies and headquarter of the Democrat Party, Chon Ngern Chon Thong became popular high-so(ciety) canteen among high-profile politicians, civil servants, and the hip and discerning Soi Ari residents for years. I am lack of luck to bump into Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat’s leader, after several attempts to the restaurant.

Food is good but not outstanding, authentic but not (very) spicy thanks to the chef’s adoption to Bangkokians palate; therefore Chon Ngern Chon Thong is the ideal eating institute for tourists evolve to authentic Thai food (from tourist-friendly taste) sampling without their tongues being burnt.

Worth to explore Chon Ngren Chon Thong for more but I will put this option in the bottom of my itinerary, unless I go to Samsen Railway Station, or Soi Ari, or Vichaiyut Hospital renowned for its brain faculty, or Government Public Relations Department’s Foreign Office, or the Ministry of Finance where the restaurant is just a stone-throw distance from them.

Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): CNCT has [3.5]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =3.5, Service=3.5, Ambiance=3.0, Money Worth=4.0

Price range for two without drinks (incl. local water) in Thai Baht = BBB
(B=below 200, BB=201-500, BBB=501-1,000, BBBB=1,001-2,000, BBBBB=over 2,000)

Best dishes: mee krob (fried crispy sweet and spicy noodles), green curry, deep-fried sea bass
Wine list: poor wine list
Best table: tables on the side
Details: open daily 11:00am-10:00pm
Chon Ngern Chon Thong Thai Restaurant, 198/18 Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400; Tel.: 02-2710117
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Je Daeng Crab & Seafood

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Je Daeng Je It Crab and Seafood

This out-of-town seafood specialty has the best crab in the country, and inexpensive. The restaurant will soon be filled with hungry customers from Bangkok soon after its door open at 11:30 am. Need I say more?

75 minutes* ride from Bangkok's Central Rama 3 Shopping Mall, not that far right?

* 75 minutes on Sunday and public holidays, weekdays travel time x2



Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): Je Daeng 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, Money Worth=5

Price range for two without drinks (incl. local water) in Thai Baht = BBB (B=below 200, BB=201-500, BBB=501-1,000, BBBB=1,001-2,000, BBBBB=over 2,000)

Details: open daily – 11:30am – 8pm
Je Daeng Crab and Seafood Restaurant, Muang District, Samut Songkhram, Thailand 75000; Tel.: 034-712077



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Baan Klang Nam

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House by the river

Baan Klang Nam is probably not only well known to local seafood connoisseur but also to frequent visitors to Thailand for its famous charcoal grilled giant river prawn. This unpretentious Thai-Chinese seafood joint is so packed during dinner peak hours therefore a visit to Baan Klang Nam without prior reservation means long wait for a table esp. during weekends.

To avoid the crowd, few days ago I visited their easier to reach riverside branch in Bangkok Square on Rama 3 Road during lunch. Breeze from the river cool down the heat of mid-day sunshine although we sat al fresco right next to the Chao Phraya River. (Baan Klang Nam also has air-conditioning dining room.)

Enthusiasm of good service in Baan Klang Nam begins with the helpful pictorial menu, so ordering is never a mystery for tourists anymore. For me menu is not necessary in Baan Klang Nam, without wasting time I ordered the house specialty Giant River Prawn (river lobster in the menu, B450/piece big or B500/piece bigger) had them grilled to perfection, and Mee Krob (fried crispy noodles with shrimps) shouldn’t be missed too. Further I sampled the Grilled Whole White Seabass with sea salt coating, and Tomkhagai (coconut chicken soup). My rice-bowl friend ordered Braised Tofu and Stir-fried Bitter Gourd Leaves to accompany some rice.

Taste was authentic and delicious. Simply delicious.

Price at Baan Klang Nam is not easy neither expensive, personally I think it is a steal from their good quality of seafood. Although it is a bit remote from the city center, but the aroma of Baan Klang Nam’s grilled giant river prawn definitely draws my return to the restaurant.

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Our Ratings (1 to 5 the higher the better): Baan Klang Nam has [3.8]
(Ratings are based on Food, Service and Ambience, with Price taken into account in relation to Quality) Food =4, Service=3.5, Ambiance=3.5, Money Worth=4

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)

Details: open daily 11 am-10pm
Baan Klang Nam, (Branch 1) 288 Rama 3 Soi 14, Bangkhlo, Bangkok 10120; Tel.: 0-2292-0175, 0-2292-2037 (Branch 2) 762/7 Rama 3 Road, Bangkok Square Jatujak Market, Bang Pongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120; Tel.: 02-682-7180, 02-682-7186
http://www.baanklangnam.net/
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