arunwan eatery

Arunwan Eatery : อรุณวรรณ (I am absolutely addicted to this old school eatery! )

Speaking about "Nose to Tail" eating which is becoming a big trend in Bangkok right now. "Aruwan"  has been serving something almost as similar as "nose to tail" concept in Bangkok for more than 50 years!  For some reason, this small & humble eatery, which is hidden in mid of Ekamai Road - Sukhumvit 63, has been underrated - I mean that I am surprised that its only well known among the locals in Ekamai and Thonglor.  

I do love "Arunwan" for the quality and consistency that this place has to offer. Everything here is really delicious. My most favourite dishes are "Dtom Luerd Moo - เกาเหลา/ต้มเลือดหมู" and "Tue Huan - ตือหวน". The place is very busy at lunch time. To avoid the crowd, I prefer visiting this place on weekend. (Preferably on Sunday, so I can take time to enjoy my late lunch peacefully.) 

Recently, the 2nd generation renovated the place. I think they try to modernise it and at the same time try to keep the charm of the old place. I think they have done quite well. The service is now faster and more organised which is very nice. Though the new decoration really reminds me of those cha chaan teng eateries in Hong Kong.

Anyway, if you have never been to "Arunwan". I highly recommend that you go now. Order anything out of the menu. You won't be disappointed. Its a place that you can really enjoy unpretentious food thats not only very delicious but you can also feel/see that the owners really care for their customers. Everything (ground red chillies, fish sauce, condiments, ect.,) that put on the table are well-selected, good quality and very clean. Oh well, I don't know what else to say only I just love this place! 

Arunwan (อรุณวรรณ ตือหวน)
Ekamai 15, Sukhumvit 63,
Bangkok 10110
T. 02 3925301

gastro 1/6

Gastro 1/6 

I know I dont do restaurant review for ages. The reason is not that I didn't get to eat or dine out (I did more than 50 restaurants in the past year and visited each of them more than twice!) but I don't have time and energy to think of what to write about them. There are loads to talk about but I am not very good when it comes to words. At times, I find writing about restaurants is very very difficult. I mean its nothing like writing about my own recipes or my own food and more importantly, I am not born being a food critic by nature.. I like eating out and I know what I like or what I don't like and thats all. Oh well, you know what I mean.

Anyway, this one is worth the wait and its totally worth writing about. If you read my blog for a long while you know by now that I personally, love love love cooking and having Breakie and Brunch. Living in Bangkok, there aren't many choices when it comes to good breakie/ bunch joints (Of course, there are loads of buffets available at those fancy 5-stars hotels but I am talking about a place with a big pinch of personality.) 

Gastro was found by Khun Bo and Khun Dylan - owners/chefs of the impeccable Bo.Lan. I personally admire them to bits. The passion and the effort that they have put into their restaurants are amazing. Their food is very honest and full of favours. Its exactly as its promised to be. The menu is very limited. I think they focus on flavour, freshness and well-selected good quality ingredients. Everything is delicious. (Yep, I have already tried them all.) Service is very slow though, its not recommended if you are on a rush as the place is perfect for a slow morning, having a good breakie or brunch with mates, doing nothing but chatting and laughing. You could hang out there for hours enjoying your flavourful  meal and taking it very slow. (I always feel like I am on holiday eating at this place.)

Love love this yummie little place.

Gastro 1/6
238 Soi Sai Namthip 2,
Sukhumvit 22,
Bangkok 10110
T : 080 603 6421
Facebook.com/Gastro16

places to eat in hk

Places to eat in Hongkong

I love HK. I visited Hongkong very often, probably once or twice a year. I know where to eat around this island pretty well. I wish I had more money that I could afford to eat at many places that I don't get to try yet : )

Anyway, I ate at these delicious eateries when I was there last week and these places are absolutely awesome. I think I should share them with you.

Dim Sum
Luk Yu Tea House
24 Stanley Street, Central
T. +852 2523 5464
The Sweet Dynasty
100 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 
T. +852 2199 7799

Egg Tarts
Honolulu
Stanley Road, Central
T. +852 2526 8063
Tai Cheong
35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central 
T. +852 8300 8301

Breakfast
Tsui Wah
15 Wellington St, Central
T. +852 2525 6338
Law Fu Kee
G/F 50 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
T. +852 2850 6756
Wai Kee
Shop 5, 1/F, 2/F Bowrington Road Market, 21 Bowrington Road, Wan Chai
T. +852 2574 1131

Noodles
Mak's Noodles
77 Wellington Street, Central
T. +852 2854 3810
Tsim Chai Kee
98 Wellington Street, Central
T. +852 2850 6471
Wing Wah
89 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
T. +852 2527 7476

Lunch/ Dinner / Night-Out

Joel Robuchon
L'ATELIER de Joël Robuchon. Shop 315 & 401, The Landmark, Central
15 Queen's Road West
T. +852 2166 9000
Mandarin Grill
Mandarin Oriental - Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central
T. +852 2825 4004
Sevva
Prince's Building, 25th Floor,
10 Chater Rd, Hong Kong
T. +852 2537 1388
Zuma
Level 5 & 6, The Landmark, Central, 
15 Queen's Rd W
T. +852 3657 6388
Mo Bar
15 Queen's Road Central, The Landmark, Central 
T. +852 2132 0188
Yung Kee
32 Wellington Street, Central
T. +852 2522 1624
Keung Kee
G/F, 382 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
T. +852 2572 5207

ramen bankara

 

Ramen Bankara : An authentic taste of real Japanese ramen in Bangkok

I meant to write about "Ramen Bankara" a few years ago but I didn't get a chance to and later I forgot about posting this restaurant here completely. Anyway, in the past 2 years, there are many franchise of famous Japanese ramen chains from Tokyo (Yamagoya Ramen & Bankara Ramen) open their branches in Bangkok. We (Bangkokian) love Japanese food. So, these (yummy) famous ramen chains are more than welcome to be here in our city.

Bankara is very famous in Tokyo. It promises to bring a taste of real ramen to Bangkokian. (It actually does keep its promise.) It really gives an authentic feel and taste of Japanese food and atmosphere (even Chef Ian Kittichai seconds that.). There are 4 types of different ramen soup (ingredients) to choose from. There are 1) Bankara original ramen (very flavorful but very fatty & oily), 2) Tonkatsu ramen (pork bone is simmered for 1-2 days in order to achieve the unique out-come of cloudy white coloured broth.), 3) Tsugimen and 4) Miso ramen (my most favourite). Each type of ramen can be dressed with additional toppings like Kakuni (Japanese braised brown pork belly). Cha-shu (sliced Japanese pork), Nori (dried seaweed), vegetables and different sized of noodles.

I personally do love Ramen, especially in winter time. A good big bowl of hot & hearty ramen soup really warms your tum and that feeling is warmly awesome. (You gotta try it yourself to know what I mean.) Although, I don't go there as often as I want to (This is mainly because their ramen soup is too rich & too fatty for a woman in her 30s like me. Oh well, you know what I mean...), Ramen Bankara is definitely one of my favourite ramen places in Bangkok.

Ramen Bankara

32/1, The Manor

Sukhumvit Soi 39,

Bangkok 10110

T : 02 662 5162-3

Opening Time : 10.00am - 23.00pm

(Last order is at 22.30pm.)

white café

White Café

I have had long & profound love with “White Cafe” by Khun Nuu - “Benya Nandhakwang” since I was in my late teens (late 10s and early 20s). I loved going to the “Blue Bar” (if I am not wrong it was called “Blue Bar”) in Sarasin road with mates. It was very happening and one of the coolest places then. Later there was a sister restaurant called “Red Bar” on the roof-top of the Duchess Plaza in Thonglor 15 and then another sister restaurant called “White Cafe” in Sukhumvit 49 (Opposite Smithivej Hospital). There also was (again) a “Red Cafe/Bar” in RCA. I remember that I was a regular customer at “White Cafe”. I ate there 2-3 times a week. Then, I just loved eating/being there.

“White Cafe” in Sukhumvit 49 closed down and Khun Nuu - Benya Nandhakwang only focuses on her "white cafe food-catering" (She has managed it so well & successfully.) for a long while. Now, my favourite restaurant is re-born and is located at the ground floor of “Noble Solo” Condominium around Thonglor soi 20. This time the restaurant is dressed (decorated) differently. It doesn't come in “white” like the old days, its painted in between “ocean-blue-green” colour. Its nicely & stylishly done but I personally prefer the old version which was very hip & funky and I think white colour symbolized “White Cafe” much better.

Food there is very delicious (as always – Khun Benya still keeps/puts lots of old dishes in her new restaurant. I guess they are probably her signature dishes.). You can order everything in the menu (especially, Thai dishes) and you can't be disappointed. Khun Benya's food makes you feel like you are eating in her own kitchen. To me, her food doesn't feel/taste like restaurant food. It tastes/feels very much home-cooked food but its served & presented beautifully & creatively. Food might be a little too pricey comparing to Thai restaurants in the same area but if you really get to try her food. You will understand why - “finest quality ingredients” aren't cheap.

If you happen to be in Thonglor, you like being surrounded by good-looking & stylish people, and you love good quality food that's creatively presented. Then “White Cafe” is a perfect place for you. Mind you – the restaurant is newly opened & its very happening at the moment. You might need to call to reserve a table if you want to go there for dinner.

White Café

988/5 Noble Solo Condominium,

Sukhumvit 55, Wattana,

Bangkok, 10110

T : 02 714 7623

M : 086 023 8881

tong jing kung ramen

Tong Jing Kung Ramen : The best Ramen in Bangkok (By far)

I love noodles. Therefore, I do love "Ramen". I have tried many Ramen places in Bangkok. "Tong Jing Kung Ramen" is one of a few places that keeps me going back again and again.

Someone once said if you want to know where is the best restaurant in town then you have to follow the locals. This is so true with this Ramen place. I mean this restaurant is fully packed with local Japaneses who live in Bangkok. When I first went to this restaurant, I told myself "Geez, this place must be good. There are only Japanese customers. It makes you feel like you are eating in Japan".

Anyway, the restaurant serves only Ramen and Ramen-related dishes. (The menu is very short.) If you expect to have something other than Ramen then this place is not  the place for you. I tried every dishes in their menu. I can say that everything is equally good. (Miso Ramen, Shio Ramen, Chashu Ramen, Tempura Ramen, Tantan Ramen ; mind you the portion is huge!)

This restaurant has been serving Ramen for 10 years.  First, it was owned by a native Japanese for 4 years and then later he sold his restaurant to the current owner who is Thai but he has been trained for more than 10 years.  The current  owner said that he tries his best to keep the original flavour and he only uses quality ingredients. He has not changed anything since the previous owner left.  He said the soup is simmered for 9 hours. (I personally love the "Chashu" to bits. It is so soft and tender. It melt in your mouth.) I think thats  the reason why he still manages to keep his Japanese customers.

Tong Jing Kung Ramen

35 Sukhumvit Soi 24

Klongtoey, Bangkok

T. 02 661 1999 ext 102-112

Opening Time : 

11.30am-14.00pm

17.00pm-23.00pm

A breath of fresh air

A Breath of fresh air...

What an exciting month this September is to me...
Bangkok is full of happening events and new interesting resetaurants...

Dean & DeLuca finally find it's way to be here in Bangkok. Wow! I do love thier small tins of herbs & spices to bits. Now they are here for me to pick them home, lovely. These small lovely tins are not only good, flavourful, aromatic but hey are also very difficult to find here in Bangkok... something like "Moroccan spices, Cajun spices, herbes de Provence, Fleur del Sel, ect,.
I always love having a cup of "Cafe au lait" at Dean & DeLuca. Now, one doesn't need to be in New York to have one! Wicked!

Nahm by Chef David Thomson is opening on September 2nd, 2010 at the Metropolitan Hotel. he has been testing his menu every night for weeks. Laurence (my colleague) who is a good friend of DT is invited to dine there tonight. (Off course, I am not jealous at all.) He promises to email the pictures and everything esle to me. Very nice of him, indeed.

The Bangkok 11th Annual of World Gourmet which organizes by the Four Seasons will start from September 6th to 11th, 201. The Michelin-starred & award winning chefs will parade in the Four Seasons here in Bangkok. I can't really wait...

Oh well, there is a bright blue sky after the big storm... My darling Bangkok... I do love you.

somtam nua

Somtam Nua : ส้มตำนัว
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If you visited Thailand and didn’t get a chance to try our Somtam (Thai Raw Papaya Salad) then you are not really visiting here.

In my very own opinion, I seriously think that every 2nd Thai woman in Thailand like to eat Somtam – oh well, I think all of Thai women loves Somtam. If a Thai girl told you that she hated Somtam – my guess, she lied. (Strang enough, some girls pretend to dislike it.)

The main reason of my firm believe is because if you look at our corners and streets in Bangkok. You will find at least, 2-10 of Somtam vendors in one street, there are everywhere; good ones, hygienic ones, dirty ones, popular ones. Surprisingly, all of them seems to sell (make money) no matter there are more than 100 venders being close together in one street. Somtam is probably the most popular and most eaten salad dish in Thailand.

Somtam is originally from E-saan (You can find it in Laos too.) When the Labours from E-saan relocated to all over of Thailand to find job, they bring their food. Therefore, Somtam and some more popular E-saan dishes find their place in almost of every corner of Thailand

I personally love Somtam to bits. I don’t know since when it becomes one of my favourite. (When I was young I didn't even know it.) One of the best places to visit is "Somtam Noir" ( I like to call it "SomtamNoir" rather than "SomtamNua".) The place cooked mean dishes of Somtam (with Salted Crab, Thai Style, Junkle Style, and Mixed Style.) and not only Somtam is good but the rest of menu is also wroth trying. I am a fan of their fried Chicken Wings.
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This particulary Branch that I visited very often is located in Siam Square Soi 5. (Strange, this area is popular by teenagers – this means Thai teenagers love Somtam?? That’s a good news. It’s always better when they like Somtam too, not just only the Junk Food : Burger & Pizza. Somtam is healthier for them.)
The place is always fully packed and every time I went there, I had to wait at least 10-15 mins in order to get a seat. It’s packed since opening time till closing time. If you ever notice, after 13.00pm, their Staff always look tired & exhausted as there are always too busy, the staff are probably too worn out. (There are actually lots of staff there.)
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100% popular, which is one of the reasons why I like going; I need to know/learn how the popular restaurants cope with the crowd and how they manage to be busy. Being Popular needs many factors; good food, clean, well-organized, trendy, classic, etc,) If one understands the key thing then one can be very successful in food business. I want to be a successful person who runs a busy & packed restaurant.

Nua (นัว) in Essan means well-blended/mixed/balance. I think its a right name as the kitchen can keep the level of Consistency no matter the chaos. There 2 branches, another one is in “Ramindra” Road.
..
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Somtam Nua
392/14 Siam Square Soi 5
Bangkok. 10110
T. 02 251-4880
Service Time: 11.15am-21.00pm.

brunch @ minibar royale

Where to have a wicked “brunch” in Bangkok?

I am a Breakie & Brunch person and recently, I brunched a few times at Minibar Royale in Sukhumvit Soi 23, I like the place so much so that I decide to write about this place.

To me this is my first time that I find a decent "Egg Benedict" , which is my most favourite brunch, in Bangkok. The place offers many interesting & lovely brunch menu which I adore to bits and I personally think that you probably couldn’t find a better brunch menu from anywhere else in Bangkok. Like “Corned Beef served with Home Fries & Poached Eggs”, “Egg Florentine”, “Mini Pancakes with Fresh Fruits”, & “Waffles or French Toast with seasonal fresh fruit”.

The booze list is quite interesting & impossible to resist. A list of bubbly cocktails makes for a good brunch; try the Bumble, a mixture of sparkling wine, gin and honey lime.

The owners are the founders of fashion house “Sretsis” and jewelry brand "Matina Amanita" , along with their classmates and friends from their days at NYU, conjure up the feel of that typical “French café” you’d find on the streets of New York.

Minibar Royale is the perfect place for having lovely chat, brunch & drinks with a group of mates.

...

Minibar Royale

Citadines Bangkok,

37/7 Sukhumvit Soi 23

Tel : 02-261-5533
Website: http://www.minibarroyale.com/

thai rice noodle in phuket

“Kanoom Jeen” in Phuket: Thai Rice Noodle

For Thai people, visiting Phuket is not likely to complete if they don’t get a chance to eat Rice Noodles ( Thai Kanoom-Jeen).

1) Bpha Ting’s Rice Noodle: ขนมจีนป้าติ่ง

At Bpha Ting, this Rice Noodle place offers many kind of “Curries” or “Sauces” (approximately 5-10 type of Curries & Sauces), some are sweet, some are hot but they all are absolutely delicious.

Despite the fact that I don’t eat something too hot or something too spicy, I ate 2 portions of their “Kanoom Jeen” for lunch.

This place has been serving “Rice Noodle” for ages. The person who currently runs this place is a 2nd generation. Its probably the best seller & No. 1 Kanoom-Jeen in Phuket.

...

Opening Time: Daily from 6.00am

(Becareful, the Rice Noodle here is very popular. It is finished by 11.00am)

Location: 28 Satool Road, Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel: 076-258284, 081-894 1259

Next time, when you visit “Phuket” and you would like to try “authentic Thai Rice Noodle” then give this place a go. It will be such an experience for you.

Find below a few more of wicked places

...

2) Bpha Mai’s Rice Noodle: ขนมจีนป้ามัย

Kanoom-Jeen is one of the mot popular Breakfast of Southern Thai People. At this place, they offer variety of sauces; such as Coconut Milk Sauce, Junkle Sauce, Chili Sauce, Southern Spicy Fish Curry, Green Curry, etc., and Kanoom Jeen is served with Fresh Vegetables, Picked Vegetables, and Boiled Vegetable with Coconut Milk.
This place has been serving “Kanoom Jeen” for more than 50 years.

Open Daily from 6.00am to 6.00pm
Location: Kabi Road, Muang, Phuket
Tel. 076-258 037

ขนมจีนป้ามัย ขนมจีนปักษ์ใต้รสเด็ด อาหารเช้ายอดนิยมของคนใต้ มีทั้งน้ำยากะทิ, น้ำยาป่า, น้ำพริก, แกงไตปลา, แกงเขียวหวานไก่ กินกับผักสด ผักดอง ผักต้มกะทิ ที่พิเศษไปกว่านั้นคือ ลูกค้าสามารถตักน้ำแกงได้เองตามใจชอบ เขาทำขายมาเกือบ 50 ปีแล้ว โดยเป็นสูตรของคุณป้าละมัย พูลสวัสดิ์ ซึ่งปัจจุบันดูแลโดยลูกชายและลูกสะใภ้-โกวิทย์และป้าแดง ซึ่งเปิดขายทุกวัน ตั้งแต่หกโมงเช้าไปจนถึงประมาณสิบโมงเช้า ขายจานละ 20 บาทเท่านั้น นอกจากขนมจีนแล้วยังมีห่อหมกปลามง รสอร่อยอีกด้วย

ขนมจีนป้ามัย ตั้งอยู่บนถนนกระบี่ อ.เมือง จ.ภูเก็ต โทร. 076-258-037


3) Thong-Pan-Chang’s Fresh Rice Noodle: ร้านขนมจีนเส้นสด "ทองพันชั่ง"

This place serves variety of fresh Rice Noodles. They come in many pastel colours like Soft-Green, Violet, Pink, Yellow & Baby-Blue. They look absolutely beautiful & scrumptious.

ขนมจีนภูเก็ต ขึ้นชื่อที่เป็นอาหารเช้าของคนภูเก็ตไม่แพ้ติ่มซำ แต่สำหรับใครที่ตื่นสายมาสักนิด ก็ยังแวะทานขนมจีนเส้นสดภูเก็ต "ทองพันชั่ง" ได้จนถึงดึก ด้วยเส้นสดทำเองที่นุ่ม ลื่น และน้ำแกงที่ปรับรสชาติให้ทานกันได้ทุกคน มีผักดองหลายชนิด รวมถึงผักสดที่ "ทองพันชั่ง" พยายามหามาให้ได้ทดลองทานแตกต่างกันไป
ร้าน ขนมจีนเส้นสดภูเก็ต "ทองพันชั่ง"รสอร่อย สะอาดให้ทานกับน้ำแกง หลากชนิด ทั้งน้ำยา น้ำยาป่า น้ำพริก เขียวหวาน น้ำเงี้ยว ไตปลา (พุงปลา) น้ำชุบหยำ ซาวน้ำ ในแบบของ "ทองพันชั่ง" ที่ให้คุณมาทานได้ทุกวัน ตั้งแต่ 11 โมง ถึง 2 ทุ่ม อยู่ในตัวเมือง ด้านหลังแฟมิลีมาร์ท หมู่บ้านภูเก็ตวิลล่า 1

Open daily: 11.00am-8.00pm
Located: Behind Family Mart, Phuket Villa 1, Muang, Phuket.

Email : ricenoodle@gmail.com

http://www.thai-rice-noodle.com/

posh & romantic restaurants in phuket

Posh & Romantic Restaurants in Phuket.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, that I was in Phuket for Holidays with my mates. We made sure that we spend a good sum of money and we surely did.

I said that I would post about Food & Restaurants there. I posted one Restaurant already (Raya Restaurant) and they are so many that I don’t post yet.

I think that I should talk about Posh & Romantic Restaurants in one post & then Simple but Extremely Good ones later in another post.

Find below restaurants that are worth spending loads of money for...

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Baba Restaurant at Sri Panwa.
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“The new Baba Dining Lounge boasts front row seats to the panoramic sunsets that set behind the plush green islands. Bronze, teak and unique laser cut lighting make Baba a place not only to enjoy food, views and cocktails but also to appreciate the intricate details in its design”

This is the most happening restaurant for posh Thai people. The restaurant hosts many fun parties. They did "Baba goes Scar" last month just a few days after I left Phuket. So, I missed it. Check the venue at their website or simply call to check.
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>>> Baba Restaurant
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Silk Restaurant at Surin Plaza.

Silk Restaurant & Bar was created by Lan Kwai Fong Entertainments group. The company is renowned for its contribution to the well known Lan Kwai Fong area in Hong Kong.

The restaurant has an extremely nice romantic ambience, friendly servers and great food but all these don’t come with a cheap price. Silk restaurant is one of the best Thai restaurants in Phuket. (It’s actually a place more for rich tourists & local expats.)
On the balcony, several floor-based candelabras provide intimate balcony lighting and the overall ambience it has to be said - both inside and outside - is one of unpretentious luxury. I say "unpretentious" because the restaurant's friendly and efficient service and atmosphere would disarm the snobbiest and most affected diner.

They know how to make a mean glass of “Grey Gooses & Orange Juice” too.

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>>> Silk Restaurant & Bar

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360 Bar at Phuket Pavillian

360 is the ideal destination for a perfect cocktail as well as romantic dinner.

360 Bar at Phuket Pavilions is about great views and good food. Overlooking a gorgeous panorama of tropical perfection, 360 is Phuket's only hilltop bar where the sun, sea, and sky are accompaniments enhancing your dining experience.

360 is a cool hangout that attracts mostly the island’s property businessmen and their sales girls. It’s not a bad place to hangout, but it’s definitely aimed more at rich locals.

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>>> 360* Bar
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Note ~ Most of the pictures, were taken from restaurant's website. I went there at night, So, I couldn't get good enough pix.

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We went to "the Sala" for a few drinks & watching sunset after landing and then stopped by "the Marriott" . Its fantasssssticccc. I didn't get a chance to take picture as it was a little dark. Next time then.

raya thai cuisine in phuket

Raya Thai Restaurant in Phuket

Raya by Khun Kurab is the number 1 Thai Restaurant in Phuket.

Everybody who knows where to eat goes eating there. Khun Gurab often asked to be a consultant to those high-end restaurants in Phuket. She often asked to train the chefs who work in those posh restaurants.

Khun Gurab is very welcoming person. She likes to talk & to greet her customers. If you happen to dine at her, please, have a chat with her. You will have fun & will learn many things from her. It’s quite an experience to me getting to talk with her.
She is a kind of person who is very happy to share her long & successful experience. She is often asked to be a chef for private parties/dinners for those rich people in Phuket. Too bad, that she is old now. So, she can’t always be available for everyone.

Raya restaurant is located at 48 New Deebuk Road in the City of Phuket, in an old Coronial House. So, you don’t see many foreigners. Most of her customers are Thai tourists and Thai locals.

Of course, going to dine at Raya is not going to be the same as dining at Baan Rimpha (the fact, only tourists dining at Baan Rimpha). At Raya, where is not fancy, you will get to eat authentic taste with a touch of Home-Cooking Thai food. Very impressive.

Khun Mim took me there and I am in love with this restaurant. I will go back to take a cooking class with Khun Gurab.

Here signature dishes are Crabmeat Curry served with Rice Vermicelli (Keang Puu), Caramelized-Pork Belly braised (Moo Hong), Fried Pork with Salt, Stir-fried Sator, Keang Pba & many more. (Find a Local’s specialties Section in the menu, then order everything, you can’t be disappointed.) Actually, everything in her menu is very delicious.

Most of her tourist-customers are well-off Thai people. Most of them always ask her to pack the food and take them back to Bangkok. So, she always has all the packaging and things that are needed for packing ready for us. She does send her food by plane to Bangkok by order. (We got one big box with loads of her food back home too.)

If you wish to experience the best, then Raya is highly recommended. Raya cooks the most delicious Thai food in Phuket, it is indeed the real gem of Phuket.

...

Raya Thai Cuisine
48 New Deebuk Road,
Muang, Phuket

T. 076 218155, 076 232236

rung-rearng noodlehouse

Rung Rearng Noodle House

Years ago, when Khun Mim was still in Bangkok – we went to “Rung Rearng Nodles House” almost every Saturdays. I missed those happy-times very much. Anyways, I still keep going there for lunch as it’s not too far from where I currently work.

It’s a place we have found the noodles are the best in Sukhumvit Road. If you happened to go there at 12.00am to 13.30pm – you would find yourself standing there seat-less. It’s always crowded at this mentioned time.

This Chinese owned noodles house manages to attract loads of people (from Taxi drivers to CEO-s who was drop- off by their fancy Mercedes Bezns. I find this amazing thats because of this noodle house, the rich & the rest can happily mingle enjoying their bowls of noodles in one place.)

Most of their (80%) customers are middle class to well-off people in Sukhumvit as their noodles are considered expensive for Thai people in general – price starts from 40 baht for a regular noodle bowl, 60 baht for an extra bowl. The blows (between regular & extra) are not actually served in different sizes – they simply use different colour to identify the prices when they bill.
90% of their customers order, at least, 2 bowls. Yes.. They are really that good. I guarantee!! I used to take my former boss who is a Singaporean there - he loved & still loves it. Everytime, he happens to visit bkk, he always asks me to take him there.

If you take your car and have zero idea where to park – then look at the opposite empty plot where services car-park – 20 baht is charged per one car. (They don’t ask but by common sense we must know that we should pay.)

Rung Rearng Noodles House
Sukhumvti Soi 26
(A few blocks before The Imperial Tara Hotel)
T. 02 258 6744

kub-kao kub-pla : food & sweets cafe

Kub Kao Kub Pla : Food & Sweets Cafe´ by Iberry

I always like the concept of "good food with reasonable price" – everybody can afford. This restaurant seems to find this quality.

I personally admire Khun Pla the owner of the Iberry to bits. So, when I heard that she opens a new restaurant in Thonglor, I went there to try her food in no time.

I find her food creative, warm & familiar, good quality (all of her salad always comes very fresh, delightfully enjoyable & well-presented.) and the most importantly, the menu prices are very reasonable – lunch-set starts from 165 Bht to 185 Bht.

It is very obvious that she loves what she does. She pays all of her attentions into tiny details in this restaurant as much as she possibly could. She claims that eating at her is like eating at our own home; scrumptious, choosing only good quality ingredients & cooking with heart for our home-cooking food – and this is pretty true.

Khun Pla runs business in a very generous, honest & sincere way – no wonder why she is very successful at very young age.

What I like the most is that you feel special without paying loads in this restaurant. This restaurant gives you for what you pay for. This is what I always want in my restaurant.

The only one thing that needs to be improved is service. All of the waiters & waitress are all smiling but they are too slow – they can’t be able to handle customers when they are fully packed. I guess this what happens to new restaurants where seems to be very popular as their staff are new and they seem to need time to learn to cope with all the buzz & chaos.

Anyway, my recommendation dishes are Somtam (Papaya Salad), Balloon Omelette, “Kaeng Leung Pla Ka Pong” (Southern Style Spicy Yellow Curry with Seabass), Kanoom-Jeen Nam-Ya Pak-Tai, & Kamoo Caramel (Caramelized-Pork Knuckle Braised with 5 spices).

There also are loads of western dishes to offer but I, personally, don't find them that special.

...

Kub Kao Kub Pla
150/3 Market Place
Thonglor Soi 4
Sukhumvit 55
T. 02 381 0274

ootoya: the best fast-food in town!!

Ootoya: the best fast-food in town!!

I had/have lunch at “Ootoya” 3-4 times a week lately as one of thier branches located close to my work place. I kind of think that it’s the best fast-food in Bangkok!! (hmm "MOS burger" is also nice, speaking about fast-food which I will definitely talk about later.)

Everywhere I go, there are Ootoya restaurants - Emporium, Central World, Ekkamai, Thonglor, Paragon, ect,.

Ootoya is a chain restaurant from Japan. The concept is to provide "quick meal service" - an idea for lunch. (Actually, they are not that fast/ quick... really.) Their menu offers a wide variety of dishes probably up to 50-65 dishes. My most favourite branch is located at J'Avenue in Thonglor 15 where I go very often & it seems to be the most consistent branch. I could go there alone, sit at the bar and ordered a set of lunch and felt at ease.

...

This restaurant offers simple, good enough quality (good enough for price given in their menu) & healthy (loads of grilled fish & tofu dishes) menu comes in decent portions which are rather cheap (nothing is this restaurant costs more than 300 bht.).

Their desserts are highly recommended. (Thier Tofu Ice Cream served with Red Bean Paste is something I am addicted to lately - I never eat Tofu Ice-cream before. So, I find this Ice-cream fairly interesting.)

Ootoya Japanese Restaurant.
2nd Floor J' Avenue
Thonglor 15,

Sukhumvit soi 55
Bangkok 10110

T. 02 712-6827

lord jim's

Lord Jim's

I mean to write about "Lord's Jim" for ages. Its one of my most favorite restaurants in Bangkok. For some reason, I never got a chance to take some pictures.

I often come here for Sunday Brunch with mates (We love their buffer brunch with unlimited Foie Gras to offer & and hmmm a very cute Chef !!... Oh well, we have a thing for a man who can cook.)

The superlative menu at this seafood restaurant attracts diners from far and wide.
Named after the seafaring hero created by the novelist Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim's reputation for magnificent seafood is almost as well-travelled as its namesake. It is renowned world wide, particularly for its sushi and sashimi dishes that are often to be seen in their buffet lunches and a la carte dinner menu.
After a complete and total transformation, the newly renovated restaurant's concept focuses not only on the freshness and vastness of the sea which is reflected in the variety of exciting seafood dishes, but also on aquatic themes which are prevalent in the sophisticated and stylish décor.

~ Menu Highlights ~

Lord Jim’s Iced Seafood Tower

Rock lobster, tiger prawns, selection of sushi and sashimi, fish tartare, fresh oysters selected mollusks, crab claws, scallop ceviche, wild smoked salmon, hiyashi Wakame salad and herring caviar with LJ condiments

Marinated Foie Gras Bar

Sprayed with Valhrona chocolate, served with soya bean milk and foie gras custard, kumquat jam and toasted Tonka bean brioche

Seafood and Shellfish Tagine

Brittany Lobster and monkfish morsels, black mussels, cod fillet, red snapper and crab with crunchy almonds, pickled lemons and Ras el hanout seasoning

Tiger Prawns with Tom Yum Pesto

Sautéed vegetables and crab with oyster sauce, baby eggplant with pumpkin smoothie

Valhrona Chocolate “Cromesqui”

Avocado and fruity sauce, Tonka bean ice cream with hot chocolate croquette

Warm Ice

Orange and fruit jelly, warm lemongrass and praline soup, tagliatelle with Matcha parfait

~*~

Lord Jim's
@ The Oriental Hotel
48 Oriental Avenue,
Bangkok, 10500

Open daily for buffet lunch and a la carte dinner.
T. 02 659 9000 Ext. 7680-1

iberry homemade ice cream in bangkok

iberry Homemade Ice Cream

I always love Ice Cream. I loved it when I was young and I still love it now. I can eat Ice Cream for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Normally, my most favourite ones are Haagen Dazs & Oriental’s Ice Cream (Well... we are only speaking about Ice Creams that are available in Bangkok)

((“18 Below” Homemade Ice Cream in Hau Hin is very cute and their Ice Creams are very yummy & creative. Anyway, I will write about it later when I next visit Hau Hin. (Need to take some photos before writing about it))

"iberry" is something that I am very proud of , being a Thai, as its 100% Thai Brand. I have to talk about it sooner or later. Hence, iberry’s post.

iberry offers wind range of exotic favors like Lychee Sorbet, Tamarind Sorbet, Rambutan Sorbet, Mango Milk, Mangoes teen, Pandanus or Durian.
Their Ice creams are really yummy and refreshing when the weather is too hot to handle in Bangkok.

When I get bored of the usual favors that I like (it happens from time to time) I go to iberry to find something, different, new, creative, yet familiar as most of their popular favors are made from local Thai fruits.

I personally admire a very very creative side of the iberry’s owner “Khun Pla” how she decorates her shops (15 branches – 12 in Bkk, 1 in Chiang Mai, 1 in Pattaya & 1 in Phuket) in a very cozy, creative & cute way – none of them has the same decoration, they are very individually decorated. She, somehow, knows where to invest & what locations should be popular & always right about them.
I have to say she has good taste & intelligent. She manages to make her Ice Cream stands out from the others in Bangkok & to be very successful. (If we look at this market closely, we will find that there are quite a lot of Ice Cream Sellers in Bangkok: Buono’s, Italiano, Tuscanini’s, Amaretto, Swensen’s, Baskin’s Robbins, Haagen Dazs & Oriental, ect,.)
She once said that she plans to expand her branches to Singapore and Malaysia – that’s very impressive given that she is very young in her late 20s.

iberry Homemade Ice Cream
J Avenues: T. 02 712 6054
Market Place Thonglor : T. 02 381 3274
Siam Square Soi 2: T. 02 658 3829
Emporium: T. 02 259 8717
Central World: T. 02 613 1409
See more of their‘s branches ->> "iberry's Branches"

mrs. balbir's : indian restaurant

Mrs. Balbir's Indian Restaurant

I am a very open-minded person when it comes to food and culture. I am very much interested & exposed to other countries. (their food, lifestyle, culture, architecture, art, etc.)

I am very fascinated by Indian Art, textile & Architecture, and especially their Food. We (I and mates) always try to find new Indian restaurants in Bangkok. Our most favourite are The Rang Mahal , Indus & Mrs. Balbir's.

We have known Mrs. Balbir personally for ages (The restaurant has been serving Indian Food to people in Bangkok for more than 25 years) and we always love her food.
In her restaurant, you will be impressed with her way of decorating her restaurant how she wants to be different from other Indian restaurants and how she tries to present her food in a modern way. Many small details that she takes very close attention to... and how she tries to add more personal touch into her restaurant... like using banana leaves, using small individual silver cups for us to clean our hand after finishing food.

We ordered our usual favourite dishes like: Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, Lamb Rogan Josh, Makkhani & Tarka Dal, Fish Vindaloo, Garlic Naan & Thandori Roti.

The food is always good as usual.

Mrs.Balbir Indian Restaurant
www.mrsbalbir.com
155/18 Sukhumvit Soi 11/1
Next to Swiss Park Hotel
T : 0-2651-0498
F : 0-2651-0019

greyhound café

Greyhound Café

My beloved mate came from Phuket to live with me for a month. We went to our all time favourite restaurant “Greyhound Café” for lunch.

“Greyhound” is something I grow up with –their first boutique brunch opened in 1980 at Siam Centre, I first known about it in 1984 as then I started to be a teenager who would go shopping in Siam Square – I & mates spent our time in Siam Square almost every day after we finished school or during weekend – its always being a place that Thai teenagers in Bangkok hang out.

Khun Bhanu Inkawat, founder, is very smart & brilliant and everything he touches seems to be always very successful. Khun Bhanu was initially trained in advertising. His career in advertising began with an art director's position at Leo Burnett Thailand Limited in 1978. In 1984, he assumed control of the agency's creative department and in 1989, was appointed executive creative director. Six years later, Khun Bhanu became chairman of the Leo Burnett board. The advertising executive has since resigned from the industry, though he continues to advise and train a new generation of creative advertising talent.

I admire him so much as he is an amazing person.

The first “Greyhound Café” opened in 1998 at the Emporium & I was there when it first opened. The reason I like this restaurant because it always reminds me of “Fusion” and “mixed & crossed culture” – it gives the same buzz & vibe as like being in a restaurant in Sydney.
Greyhound was the first restaurant in Bangkok that started to bring something very much different – in a creative, fashionable & modern way - delicious and still affordable to Thai people in Bangkok.

I think we can call this restaurant “urban cuisine” where Thai people in big Bangkok who seem to be exposed to other cultures can come and hang out with mates and enjoy food.

Check thier menu @ http://www.greyhound.co.th/cafe/


Greyhound Café
Branches:

Emporium Shopping Complex
2nd Floor
T. 02 664 8663

Central Department Store – Childlom Branch
4th Floor
T. 02 255 6955

J. Avenue
Thonglor 15,
T. 02 712 6547-8

Siam Centre
Ground Floor
T. 02 658 1129-30

La Villa
Phaholyothin
T. 02 613 0547-8

gueoy teaw reua "dung deng dai" -boat-noodle house

"Dung Deng Dai" Boat-Noodle House

I heard that “Khun Patee Sarasin” opens a (Boat)Noodle House in Thonglor.
Everybody knows that I love Noodles too bits – I couldn’t wait to try his “Boat-Noodle”

As the place is owned by Khun Patee – It’s very crowded!!! I & mate had to wait for ages just to have 2 bowls of Beef Noodles served at my table.

The menu offers a wide variety of “Boat Noodle” & related Food (Pork or Beef / Local or Imported Beef, Imported Beef Salad, Meat Balls Salad, Pork Cracklings (less fat), Thai Desserts, etc.,)

Food is fairy good. The portion is reasonable – Service is acceptable (oh well, the place is new – their staff will need sometime to learn to cope with customers when the place is packed and busy).

Anyway, I personally think that his Noodle House will do very well as its located in Thonglor where we hardly find a good place for decent noodles.

His idea is cool & smart – selling "Boat-Noodle" (everybody loves it) in a modern bowl & decent place (where is comfortable and not too hot too handle like those open-air places) to his fellow hi-so in Thonglor.


"Dung Deng Dai" Boat-Noodle House
@ Top’s Thonglor (Siam Future Town Centre)
Unit # B3, Thonglor Soi 4,
Sukhumvit 55
T. 02 392 1417