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

thai version of "suki-yaki" : สุกี้แห้งไก่

Thai Version of "Suki-Yaki" (Dried) with Chicken : สุกี้แห้งไก่

Lately, I find myself having lunch at “Foodland” in Sukhumvit Soi 16 very often with my colleagues. They have a small restaurant there called “Took Lae Dee” for working people who come for a quick lunch : something quick, good quality and inexpensive. (80 Bht -150 Bht per dish). Yes, what I usually order for lunch here is very predictable. (Phad Ka-pao Gai Kai Dao ผัดกระเพาไก่ใข่ดาว, Phad See Eiw ผัดซีอิ้ว, Rad Nah ราดหน้า, ect.,)

Last week, I ordered this “Dried Suki-Yaki with Chicken” ; one of the most popular (adopted) single-dishes in Thailand and then I thought – this is easy. I can easily cook it at home and I can cook it even better. I mean the bottled-sauce is tasteless.

I wonder how this “Suki Yaki” is becoming one of our nation popular dishes? Its Chinese by origin (most of the popular suaces are Chinese : Cantonese sauce is very popular here.) but its named Japanese ("Suki Yaki" means Hot Pot) and, somehow, some of us like it dried. Dried Suky Yaki (Dried Hot Pot) sounds very unusual, eh? Anyway, I googled a little and found nothing (Not even in Wiki). One thing I really don't like is that when you want to know/learn about food history in Thailand. You can't seem to find where to start. Very disappointed.

Find below my recipe,

1 Cup of Chicken (Free Range is preferred)
2 Cups of Vermicelli (Glass Noodle)
3 Organic Eggs
1 Organic Medium Chinese Cabbage (Shredded)
2 Cups of Morning Glory (Shredded)
1 Cup of Chinese Celery (Cut)
1 Cup of Spring Onion (Cut)
1 Cup of Eryngii Mushroom (Any hard-white Mushroom will do.)
3 Cloves of Garlic (Finely Chopped)
4 Tablespoons of Suki Yaki Sauce (But a bottled-sauce in Supermarket.)
3 Tablespoons of Oyster Sauce
3 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons of Seasoning Sauce
3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil (Light & Mild)

Preparation

Set a wok over medium-high heat, wait till it becoming hot. Add oil and later garlic, fry till aromatic. Add chicken, stir-fry till cooked through. Then add eggs, wait for a few seconds for the eggs to set a little then add oyster sauce, soy sauce and seasoning sauce, stir-fry to mix everything well. Add vermicelli & then add vegetables. Turn off the heat. Add Suki-Yaki sauce and stir to mix everything well. Transfer into a serving plate. Serve hot with a cup of Suki-Yaki sauce on the side.

Now, Taste is individual – each of us likes the Suki-Yaki sauce differently. (I like it with lots of lime juice but my mate likes it very sweet.) I have an easy solution. We don't need to tolerate a bottled-sauce. All we need is being a little creative.

Find below a quick & easy way of Suki-Yaki Sauce

2 Cups of (bottled) Suki-Yaki Sauce
4-5 Chili (Finely Chopped)
3 Cloves of Garlic (Finely Chopped)
2-3 Tablespoons of Fish Sauce
2-3 Tablespoons of Lime Juice

Preparation

Add everything in a bowl, whisk till mixed well. Voila! (Please, note that each brand comes with different taste – test your sauce first before being too creative!)

Serve : 2

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.

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.

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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

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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/

nara restaurant

Nara Thai Restaurant

As I can cook Thai Food (and I am good at it.). So, its not often that I would pay compliment to any Thai Restaurant as Thai Restaurants in general like to cook the food that tastes too sweet.

Nara is remarkably different. I remember that K. Mim introduced this restaurant to me a year ago and since then it has a place in my favourite list. I often spend loads of time in Erawan Shopping Centre and everytime I happen to go there. I always stop for lunch at Nara.

Nara is an authentic Thai with a modern personality... which I really like.
It looks very much modernised but the food tastes 100% authentic. The price is considered not expensive at all comparing to the top quality of their food.





I highly recommend my most favourite dishes which I always order everytime I happen to visit.

1. Somtam Thai with Moo Krob : Papaya Salad with Pork Cracking
2. Gueoy Tieaw Ruae : Spicy Thai Beef Noodle Soup
3. Pla Ka-Pong Tod Ta-Kai : Fried White Snapper with Garlic & Lemon Grass

Everything here is so delicious, good quality and very authentic taste.
At "Nara", nothing could go wrong... trust me.


Nara Thai Cuisine
Erawan Bangkok,
Lower Ground Fl.,
T. 02 250 7707-8

rimpha lapin restaurant

Rimpha Lapin Scennic Bar & Restaurant

I & Khun Mim plan to open a restaurant in Phuket next year. So, we have visited loads of restaurants recently. One of the owners of this restaurant is a mate of Khun Mim.

The restaurant is located in Sattaheep (Pattaya)

I can say that its a good (probably the best) place to watch sunset in pattaya (oh well you can hardly expect the "stunning" places in pattaya... ermmm maybe, very little I do know about Pattaya.)

The food is not as good as the view. I personally think that this restuarant is good for nothing but "chilling out" with mates if you happen to get bored of Bangkok... and wish to go away to somewhere close to Bangkok where's worth sitting for hours doing nothing but drinking wine... talking... and be at ease... watching sunset.

Find below some pictures. Too bad its raining on the day I visited. So, I couldnt be able to take pictures of the fully dressed-up restaurant. (with loads of colourful cushions and candle lights)





Rimpha Lapin
opening time : 17.00pm-01.00am
T. 038 235 515
M. 084 451 5686

sorn-thong restaurant

Sorn-Thong Thai-Chinese Restaurant.

Yesterday, a mate came from England, so we dined at this restaurant as she longs for Thai-Chinese food (unfortunately, she cant cook. so, its hard for her being away for such a long time.) This is one of our most favourite Thai-Chinese Restaurants in Bangkok- we have been regular customers for a very long time.

Everything is delicious and not expensive. We ordered almost everything (about 12 dishes) and we only paid B 1800 for the whole meal! If you are in Bangkok and want to experience a simple place where local people like to go. This restaurant is worth giving a try.


Sorn-Thong Restaurant
Located between Suk. 24- Suk. 26 (Rama IV Road)
T. 02 258 0118, 02 663 8119