bk best eats 2015

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1 GeckoSister street Ram-

buttri is another hopping spot to spend your night with good beer. Head to Gecko, a low-key street beer garden, for reliable cheap drinks deals. Singha B60/small bottle and B80/large bottle.

2 Baan ChartThe space that used

to be a gas station next to the police station is now a colonial-style ho-tel. The property’s front space doubles as a beer garden where you can sip draught Singha along with daily live music. Singha beer park out front with deals from B100/glass, B249/jug and B649/tower.

3 FubarAfter kick-starting

your night at Baan Chart’s beer garden, head inside the hotel for some dancing at Fubar with a small bottle of Singha in hand.Buy-one-get-one-free on pints of Singha from 5-9pm.

4 ChartOwned by the same

people as Baan Chart, this tiny guesthouse is nestled down a little alley off Kha-osan Road, and retains a similarly chill vibe with a small drinking garden out front. Singha bottles for B130, small bottle for B90 and towers for B650.

Gecko A graffiti streetbeer garden

Chart Small beer garden on Khaosan road

Kh ao San Road

Rambuttri Road

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Fubar Live music and DJ spots to get some dance

Barlumphu Hidden gem for live acoustic

Baan Chart Spacey beer garden with live music

RAMBUTTRI HOT SPOTS

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Want to know more about Rambuttri? Located right beside the party capital Khaosan Road, sister street Rambuttri makes for a

more chilled drinking destination thanks to a long list of laid-back bars. Since launching in 1933, Singha Beer has been a major part of Bangkok’s nightlife scene. Here are the top seven spots to experience a true taste of Rambuttri’s nightlife with a Singha Beer in hand.

For more information please visit singhabeerth

Four activities you shouldn’t miss around Rambuttri

Kh ao San Road

Rambuttri Road7

Bangkok Bar A one stop service for a night out

Villa Cha Cha Tropical-themed beer garden

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RAMBUTTRI HOT SPOTS5 Barlumphu

Next up from Villa Cha Cha is this classic live acoustic venue hidden among Banglampoo’s street stalls.Promotion on three small bottles of Singha at B200.

6 Villa Cha ChaLocated only a few

steps from Bangkok Bar, this tiny tropical-de-signed hotel is a hidden gem for those looking for a peaceful drinking spot on Rambuttri. Singha at B650/tower

7 Bangkok BarOne of the lon-

gest-standing bars in the area offers a one-stop service: start with spicy Thai dishes and a tower of Singha, before heading to the upstairs’ dance-floor for live pop/rock and hip hop DJs.Singha towers at B500 from 7-10pm daily.

1 Snap a Shot with Captain Jack Sparrow

Captain Jack Sparrow himself exists on Khaosan—or at least a Thai guy in convincing costume.

2 Try Insects or Delicious Street Food

Pad krapao and pad Thai for a quick refuel or, if you’re brave, crispy insects. Deep-fried larva with a bottle of Singha, anyone?

3 Shop for Vintage Finds

Find everything from ’70s floral dresses to vintage leather trunks. And all at pock-et-friendly prices.

4 End Your Night with

a Bowl of Delicious CongeeOpposite Swensen’s, you’ll find the famous jok banglampoo (con-gee with minced pork) and stir fried seafood sukiyaki.

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From North to South, Thailand is globally renowned as a year-round tourist destination. With the high season about to commence for the tropical South, we visit two of Thailand’s most beautiful diving islands–Koh Tao and Koh Samui—and roundup the places to drink by the beach.

1The SunsetAs the name suggests,

this beach and pool bar is one of the top spots to catch the sunset. Singha buy-two-get-one-free (B90/bottle).

2Fishbowl BarThis true tiki-style

beach bar is ideal for a sunset barbeque, DJs and live music. Catch their daily happy hours from 4-10pm to get Singha at B60 (down from B90).

3Lotus BarA laid-back beach bar

to watch the sunset from a daybed.

4Wind BeachThis Thai-style resort’s

pool and beach bar offers a private and chillaxing atmosphere.

5Bar Next 2 Expect a wide range

of electronic tunes on the dance floor, along with a lot of fire dancing and other activities you can join by the beach. Daily happy hours from 8-10pm see Singha priced B80/bottle (down from B90).

Top Three things to do in Koh Tao

1 DivingMust-visit spots Ao Luek and Ao Tanot offer endless diving/snorkeling

schools. We recommend com-pleting you trip with a visit to neighboring Nang Yuan.

2 Join the Koh Tao PubcrawlIf you have a night to spare

during your trip, join the Koh Tao pub crawl to explore the

best of the island’s buzzing nightlife. The party starts at Choppers Bar, 7pm, on every Mon, Wed and Fri. For more information, visit kohtaopub-crawl.com

3 Beach Party There’s a huge range of tiki-style bars from which to sip a drink while watch-ing the sunset. Don’t

forget to catch a fire dancing show while you’re there.

ISLAND HOPPING

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Top three things to do in Koh Samui

1 Visit Chaweng BeachThis the best place to experience the island’s beachside nightlife. At Chaweng Beach, you’ll find a huge range of bars serving food and drink all

night long. Make sure you catch the fire juggling by the beach, too. See our favorite bars in the map (TK).

2 Visit the Fisherman’s VillageKoh Samui is much more than beautiful beaches and parties. If you’re looking for a quiet escape, Bophut fisherman’s village offers

a taste of the slow life, the ideal setting for restaurant and cafe-hop-ping. There are a lot of charming guesthouse, too, if you really enjoy the change of pace.

3 Visit Fullmoon PartyKoh Pangan may be the original setting for the infamous island party, but Koh Samui also has a monthly Full Moon Party that’s worth adding to

your to-do-list. It all takes place at Cha Cha Beach Club, Chaweng Beach, where international electronic DJs will get you dancing the night away with a Singha in hand.

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1Ark BarThis beach resort and

bar offers a long list of fun activities and facilities, from its beachfront restaurant and pool bar to live music, fire shows and beach parties.

2Henry Africa’s Irish Pub

This backpacker haunt has become extremely popular among locals and visitors alike due to their friendly service, good drinks and live music.

3The Duke Pub Nice and spacious, this

spacey Irish bar is a top spot to head for dinner and drinks, serving Western favorites with a long list of booze.

4Green MangoOne of the island’s most

popular spots to hit the dance floor, Green Mango offers electronic tunes, boozy buckets and cold beers, as well as a pool table for pre-gaming.

5Frog and Gecko Pub

Set in a wooden villa by the beach, this bar offers Thai food and draught beer, along with live ‘60s-‘90s Brit-pop/rock every day. Daily happy hours from 5-8pm serve up specially priced Singha at B70/bottle (down from B90) and B100 Singha draught.

6Coco Tam’sThis beachside garden

sits a little far from the other bars in the area, offering a cozy and private drinking ex-perience. Pick a spot among the rattan garden seats and enjoy your Singha beer.

7Krua BophutThis beautiful Thai house

specializes in traditional Thai food from the Central and Southern regions. It’s also the perfect place for a few drinks.

8The Shack Bar & Grill

Situated in Bophut fisher-man’s village, The Shack Bar & Grill specializes in every-thing barbecue-related amid a cozy atmosphere.

Chaweng Beach

Na MuangSafari Park

Na MuangWaterfall

Fisherman’sVillage

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You’re back for seconds? Good on you. Our 2015 edition of Best Eats is even better than last year’s debut. It’s still packed with unpretentious restau-rants doing quality comfort food. Many of them are even—gasp!—chains located in malls. This is not the kind of dining BK usually admits to, even if these are the spots where we spend a lot of time eating in the real world.

And why not embrace fuss-free comfort food? What’s not to love with Greyhound’s iconic “com-plicated noodles” or the honey toast at After You? That’s not to say Best Eats isn’t packed with stand-alone restaurants, too, but this is definitely our most democratic guide. And this year, it just got a whole lot more democratic with the addition of a voting component. Look out for the Reader’s Choice trophies: these are the places you, dear readers, have voted to be your absolute favorites.

From pizza and dim sum to pastries and coffee (maybe not in one seating), Best Eats 2015 has you covered with places we guarantee will not dis-appoint. Tuck in!

Best Eat 2014 is published and distributed on tktktk, 2014. It is published by Asia City Media Group Ltd., 22/F, Silom Center, 2 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500. Copyright ©2014 Asia City Media Group Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,” “Top Tables 2014” its associated logos or devices, and the content of Top Tables 2014 are the property of Asia City Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. This publication is distributed as a supplement to BK Magazine. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Media Group Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request.

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Who’s in charge

General Manager Andrew Hiransomboon

Managing Editor, Product Director

Grégoire Glachant

Managing Editor Oliver Irvine

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Staff Writer Pinnyada Tanitnon, Lily

Kittisrikangwan

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Cover Simple, see page 14, photography by

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8 Best Eats 2015

One Ounce for Onion Guitarist of indie-rock mainstays Slur, House Sorasak, moved his fashion accessories store, Onion, from Siam Vintage to this bigger location in Ekkamai, and with it added a cafe that brews beans supplied by Brave Roasters. The raw-meets-industrial decor is a fitting backdrop for a wide range of sunglasses, shoes and preppy bags. It all makes for a cozy atmosphere in which to enjoy genuinely excellent in-house roasted coffee.19/12 Ekkamai Soi 12, 080-046-6885. Open daily 9am-8pm. Other branch: Ari. oneounceforonion

Ceresia Coffee Roasters Owned by a Venezuelan family, this specialty coffee shop sells single origin and original blended coffee sourced from a variety of farms worldwide, roasted in small batches and rotated seasonally. Try the filter cof-fee of the day or a flat white along with a slice of carrot cake and freshly baked pastries. There are also bags of roasted coffee available to take home, just be sure to ask for brewing recommendations from the baristas for the best results. They now also have a second branch in Sala Daeng.593/29-41 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 098-251-4327. BTS Phrom Phong. Open Tue-Sun 8am-6pm. Other branch: Silom on.fb.me/1ECWVdR

Roots The coffee-driven sister of popular brunch spot Roast, Roots sources some of the finest local and inter-national coffee beans and roasts them in house. Take a seat at the rich, dark wood-decorated bar to pair an espresso with a freshly made pastry or try the new cold drip. Coffee offerings change every 6-8 weeks depending on what’s in season; if your timing’s right, we recommend the fruit-forward Ethiopia Sidam Schilicho French press. 295, Ekkamai Soi 15-17, 088-190-5950. Open Sat-Sun noon-6pm

BEST LOCAL COFFEE

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9Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Gallery Drip Coffee The two photographers behind this joint, Piyachart Trithaworn and Natthiti Ampriwan, take their coffee so seriously that they source and roast the beans themselves. As the name sug-gests, it’s all about the drip brew method here. The menu is short, as the owners are advocates of single-origin beans, sourced from places like Yemen and Kenya. But they’re also big believers in empowering their baristas, who we’ve noticed are really knowledgeable, friendly and passionate.BACC, Rama 1 Rd., 081-989-5244, 081-917-2131. BTS National Stadi-um. Open Tue-Sun 11am-9pm

Casa Lapin Rough wood tables, exposed brickwork, moody lighting and imposing-looking coffee equipment—this charming but tiny cafe offers a slice of Brookyn in Bangkok thanks to the owner’s keen eye for decorating (by day he’s an interior designer). Not just a pretty space, they also serve a seri-ous cup of coffee—choose from espresso machine, drip or French press, expertly made and served with baked goods sourced from young Thai entrepeneurs.Opposite Samitivej Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 081-261-2040. Open daily 8am-5pm. Other branches: Ari, Thonglor, Sukhum-vit Soi 26 and Bang Na. CasaLapin

Nikko Café

Kuppadeli

Exclusively for Citibank Credit cardmembers.

Get 15% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages for Citibank Ultima, Preferred, and Select and Get 10% discount on food and non-al-coholic beverages for other card types

Today - 31 Jan 16

G/F, Citadines Hotel Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-258-2270. Open daily 11am-9:30pm

The hip Zen-inspired coffee shop on Ekkamai Soi 12 is now making

moves into nightlife. After the success of its Ekkamai outlet, Nikko

Cafe has opened a second branch. The new spot still puts the prece-

dence on drinks over food. The cocktails stick to the venue’s Japa-

nese theme with options like the Summer Garden (umeshu, honey,

citrus and soda) served on a wooden tray. But you’re welcome to

stick to their great coffee.

Room 219/1A, The Pride, Asoke Towers, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-2350. MRT Phetchaburi, Open daily 7am-9pm.

Kuppa has long been a popular international cafe and restaurant

on Sukhumvit Soi 16. Their mini-me is Kuppadeli on Asoke (closer

to MRT Petchburi than Sukhumvit), which does breakfast and lunch

treats in a sundrenched setting. The lovely loft-like space features a

prominent bar and cooking station from which come fancy breakfast

options like egg white frittata with mascarpone and parmesan, plus

lunch favorites like chicken pesto penne or roast beef sandwich with

grain mustard and quiche Lorraine.


Get free Hot / Iced Coffee (small size) when spend 1,000baht/sale slip (before discount) Today – 30 Sep 15

Get 10% discount on food and non-alcohol beverage Today – 31 Mar 16


10 Best Eats 2015

Ink & Lion Cafe Both espresso machine and slow drip coffee in an in-dustrial setting adorned with old bikes, bare bricks and wooden furniture. The barista, Adithep Pinijpinyo, sourc-es his beans from local roasters such as Brave Roasters, Pacamara and Ceresia. You can also munch on pastries like lemon tart and coconut cake, made by Size S Coffee & Bakery (Soi Ngamduplee), while taking a peek at the rotating exhibitions.1/7 Ekkamai Soi 2, 091-559-0994, 02-002-6874. BTS Ekkamai. Open Mon-Tue 9am-6pm; Thu 9am-6pm; Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. F

Kaizen Coffee Co. The quiet end of Ekkamai is home to the all-white Kaizen Coffee Co. Founded by three (fittingly hip) bud-dies who were fascinated by Austra-lia’s coffee scene, the cafe’s brews go beyond long black and flat white nonetheless. (This is Bangkok, after all.) You can expect nitrogen-brewed coffee along with tea, experimental health drinks and a brunchy menu of bacon and eggs on ciabbata or to-matoes, avocado and feta on sour-dough.Tai Ping Tower, 582/5 Ekkamai Soi 26 and 28, 098-831-6009. Open daily 7am-7pm. F

BEST LOCAL COFFEE

PacamaraChiang Mai boutique coffee roaster Pa-camara has moved its Bangkok base a few sois from Thonglor to a much cozi-er and more accessible spot at Rainhill. Set amid familiar industrial-style decor defined by hanging lamps, steel and ex-posed bricks, you’ll be pleased to find the main focus doesn’t stray far from the coffee. Sit, sip and chat to the informed staff about the new beans they source from popular roasters like Intelligentsia and Ogawa.2/F, Rainhill, Sukhumvit Soi 47, Bangkok, 02-261-7830, BTS Phrom Phong

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Hemingway’sSet in an exquisite old teak house built back in the 1900s, Heming-way’s Garden Bar & Restaurant offers a lush, colonial escape in the heart of downtown Bangkok. The all-in-one dining complex boasts two bars, air-conditioned dining rooms, a leafy Spanish gar-den and a breezy terrace. The kitchen serves a creative list of comforting favorites with a Carib-bean influence. 1 Sukhumvit Soi 14, 02-653-3900, BTS Asok, Open daily 11:30-1am F

Costa Coffee The UK’s largest coffee shop chain is now serving its handcrafted, Rainforest Alliance-certified brews right here in Paragon. Not only do they boast about their trade-mark Mocha Italia blend, but they’re also pretty proud of their eco-friendly cups made using only certified sustainable pulp and vegetable ink. Enjoy a cup of cof-fee with simple food such as British beef cornish pie and Melayu-style chicken pie. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7719, BTS Siam, Open daily 10am-10pm. F

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12 Best Eats 2015

Crepes & Co. Crepes & Co. may have

moved from its original location, but for locals and long-term expats alike con-tinues to represent Bangkok’s original home-style brunch spot. The new house retains the fuss-free food that works just as well for a casual date or for a big fam-ily lunch. And great service adds to the positive vibe. In addition to the array of sweet and savory crepes, the frequent Spanish, Greek and Moroccan promo-tions are highly anticipated.59/4 Lang Suan Soi 1, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-652-0208-9.. BTS Ratchadamri. Open Mon-Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 8am-11pm. F Other branches: Thonglor and CentralWorld. crepesnco

Chu Chu gets its name from its churros, a traditional Span-ish fried dough which you can order with chocolate or dulce de leche. Do also try the creamy, velvety, dark hot chocolate—possibly the best in town. The darkest one, made with 58-percent cacao French baking chocolate (as opposed to cacao powder) is wonderfully com-plex, bitter and creamy. The polished service and solid brunch menu make Chu a popular lunch destination, too, particularly on weekends.Room 204-206, 2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-663-4554. BTS Asok. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm; Sat-Sun 8am-9pm. F

BEST BREAKFAST & BRUNCH


Get 10% discount on food only

Today - 31 Dec 15

Cafe Tartine While some may picture French food as incredibly complicated, smaller Parisian cafes don’t even have a kitchen, and do little more than a sandwich, a croque monsieur and some salad. Here too, you can tuck into a very solid lineup of sandwiches, soups, quiches and salads. Desserts, like the tarte tatin and creme brulee, are also delicious. Don’t just take our word for it; the place is always packed with French people getting a little taste of home.Athenee Residence, entrance through Soi Ruamrudee, 65 Wireless Rd., 02-168-5464. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 7am-8pm. F


13Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Tribeca Restobar This New York-inspired restaurant is doing brunch-friendly dishes and comforting basics in an elegant setting featuring the requisite brick and marble touches. The all-day brunch menu consists of everything from eggs Benedict with pan-cakes and the health-minded granola and yogurt parfait to their own version of the Reuben sandwich. Enjoy the free-flow brunch on weekends from 11am–3pm and don’t skip des-serts, particularly the amazing flourless chocolate cake and New York cheesecake.Nihonmura Mall, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-712-9209. Open daily 9am-10pm. F


Get S’More & Brownie Cheesecake when order Wagyu Burger (limit 1 dish/card/table) (Today – 30 Sep 15)

Get 10% discount on food only (Today – 31 Mar 15)

T&C : discount promotion cannot be used with free dish promotion.

Today - 31 Mar 16

Gram If you can’t snag a seat at the counter of this very Brooklyn-inspired coffee shop, park yourself in the tiny (but leafy) courtyard. As the corrugated steal and white subway tiles might have led you to surmise, the dishes on offer include bagels and burgers. It’s a prized spot for brunch too, thanks to offerings like the egg royale, banana caramel pancake and creamy crispy egg. Top it all off with a milkshake, cof-fee or matcha grean tea.1/F, 49 Terrace, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 081-884-8554. Open Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. F Other branch: Emquartier


Get Ovaltine Volcano Pancake when spend 1,500baht or more/sale slip Limit 1 dish/card/table or 10% discount when spend 1,000baht or more/sale slip (Today – 30 Sep 15)

Get 10% discount on food only when spend 1,000baht or more / sale slip (Today – 31 Jan 16)

T&C : on food only and promotion discount cannot be used with free dish promotion.

***Also note that both promotions are for Emquartier branch only

Today - 31 Jan 16

Paul

Ceret


Get complimentary salad of your choice from selected salad menu when spend 1,200 Baht or more/sales slip (limit: 1 dish /card /table /sales slip)

Today - 31 Jan 16


Get 10% discount on food only when spend 500 Baht or more/sales slip and get complimentary dessert of the day when spend 2,000 Baht or more/sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip)

Today-30 Jun 16

1/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Rd., 02-001-5160. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 7:30am-10pm

Founded over a century ago in Croix, Northern France, Paul is now in

Bangkok. It’s a big chain, for sure, but their products are surpisingly

convincing (and the baguette even earned the top spot in BK’s blind

taste test). Best known for producing over 140 types of bread, the bak-

ery empire has opened over 400 branches throughout the world, also

specializing in pastries (millefeuille fraises), cakes (lemon and rasp-

berry sponge cake) and croissants, as well as sandwiches and salads.

G/F, Emquartier, The Helix, 693 Sukhumvit Rd., BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily 10am-10pm F

Classic comfort food with a focus on local organic ingredients, all

plated up in a handsome, pared-back Nordic interior. Veggie-focused

dishes range from the vegetable salad with tofu and spicy nut dress-

ing to the seasonal vegetables and mushrooms cooked with an egg

yolk fudge and topped with parmesan truffle. Elsewhere there are

street food touches, like kanom pung ping (toasted bread) served

with a twist of tres-leches, milk ganache and house-made ice-cream.


14 Best Eats 2015

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TaperThis brunch spot offers Western dishes with Thai twists, such as salted egg carbonara (fresh pas-ta, grilled squid, salty egg yolk) and E-Sarn Olio Aglio (fresh pasta, Isaan sausage, salted fish). Also expect breakfast staples like eggs Benedict and granola with yogurt and their house-made butter-milk biscuit. Book ahead. The little shop-house’s ground floor is dedicated to an open kitchen and a small bar overlooking the street, while the mezza-nine level has space for about 20 people.G/F, 44/11 Thonglor Soi 13, Sukhumvit Rd., 099-929-5464. Open Tue-Sun 9am-4pm. F

Simple This organic grocers-slash-cafe-slash-restaurant offers up excellent produce sourced from local farmers and artisans amid a warm, homely setting. Expect everything from brown rice and pure co-conut oil to freshly-baked pain au choc-olat, frittata, and ham and bacon hash. The welcoming staff will also give you the lowdown on what goes into their prod-ucts, where they come from, how they are made and what’s good on the menu. We recommend the full English breakfast and risotto with spicy sausage.235/5 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-2510. Open Tue-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. F

BEST BREAKFAST & BRUNCH


Get Homemade Plum Ginger Soda when order Duck & Waffle (limit: 1 drink /menu) (Today - 30 Sep 15)


T&C : on food only and discount promotion cannot be used with free dish promotion.

Today - 31 Jan 16


Get Hot/Iced Latte or Cappucino when order Full English Breakfast (limit: 1 dish/ card/ table/sales slip) (Today – 30 Sep 15)

Get 10% discount on food only for Citibank Ultima, Preferred, and Select

Get 5% discount on food only for other card types

T&C : on food only and discount promotion cannot be used with free dish promotion.

Today - 31 Mar 16

RoastHere you'll find excellent coffee roasted just around the corner. Whether you opt for the French press or the drip coffee, the beans are expertly selected from var-ious regions. The menu covers brunch-type dishes like crab cakes with eggs Benedict and corned beef hash, as well as more substantial options like burgers, steak-frites, flank steak and butter-roast-ed chicken.2/F, Seenspace, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2865, Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 9am-10pm


15Best Eats 2015


Get complimentary Rocket POP (any flavor) valued 135 Baht when spend 1,000 Baht or more /sales slip (limit: 1 drink /card /table /sales slip)

Today - 31 Dec 15

Rocket Coffeebar This Scandinavian-style cafe is one of the most popular break-fast venues in town thanks to a delightful interior decked out with a mix of cool marble and warm blond wood. Although the break-fast menu sounds fairly simple—omelets, buckwheat waffles, Scandinavian open sandwiches and homemade granola—it is perfectly executed and uses great ingredients, many of them organic. Do try the cold-brew tea and home-infused cocktails. Cof-fee, too, is excellent.149 Sathorn Soi 12, 02-635-0404. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily 7am-9pm.

Calin Cafe Featuring lots of dark oak and a classic black and white chequered floor, Calin Cafe offers up a French-influenced din-ing experience. The boulangerie offers house-made croissants and brioches, while dishes include the likes of razor clam with garlic and chili, eggs Benedict with salmon and zucchini, and croque monsieur. Also on offer are six choices of coffee made from Cafes Richard brand beans.G/F, Eight Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thon-glor), 081-586-7305. Open daily 8am-11pm. F


16 Best Eats 2015

Buddhi Belly The go-to local name has been serving up some of the best frozen yogurt in town since 2008 at a reasonable price. Along with the original flavor, there’s always a ro-tating flavor of the month which can range from peach and watermelon to tiramisu. On its small, white-domi-nated counter, you can opt for toppings like fresh fruits, cookies, nuts and sauce.7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1643. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 10am-10pm. Other branch: Paragon www.buddhibelly.com

iBerryIn what has to be the pick

of J Avenue real estate—a bell-shaped, glass-walled conservatory right by the entrance —this iconic Bangkok dessert spot serves delicious house-made ice creams, sorbets and smoothies, along with a lengthy list of cakes and brownies. There’s also a brief menu of savory dishes like pastas, salads, soups and khao gaeng, but that’s really not why people go here. J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 15, 02-712-6054. Open daily 9am-11pm. F 14 other branches in Bangkok. www.iberryhomemade.com

Crumb by After You May Kanokwatanawan shot to meteoric popularity for her chain of dessert cafes, After You. Its sister brand is focused on ice cream, rolling out delicious flavors like the luscious salted caramel popcorn ice cream and the playful chocolate chili, which incorporates sweet, bitter, spicy and salty flavors. Situated at the high-end Central Embassy, it’s the perfect pick-me-up after a brand name shopping marathon.3/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Rd., 02-160-5630. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

BEST ICE CREAM


17Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Creamery Boutique Ice Creams This warmhearted boutique ice cream shop serves up frozen delights in a homey setting. Owned by a foodie who works in a five-star ho-tel, it offers some pretty weird and wacky ice-cream flavors, like Bacon & Eggs (aka Brit-Pop), alongside slightly more conventional concoctions, like Apple Crumble (huge chunks of cooked apple, caramel and cinnamon), Nutella Kid-Cad (a must for chocolate lovers) and the ever-popular Berry Cheesecake. U Center Chula, Soi 42, Bang-kok, Thailand Opening Hours: Fri-Sun 11am-9pm MRT Sam Yan 087-909-8080. 2 other branches: Thonburi and Tha Maharaj. creamerybkk

Jaiyen Cafe After successfully launching as a homemade ice cream de-livery service, Jaiyen launched this cafe serving 24 flavors of ice cream, including childhood favorites such as Nutella, Yakult, Milo and Thai tea fudge. If you drop by with some company, try the Jaiyen Dips, which come in eight scoops and with three dipping sauces, or tuck into the waffles with ice cream served in the cute tableware amid a Japanese-inspired wooden interior.27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 33, 098-251-6485. Open Mon-Fri noon-9pm; Sat-Sun 11am-9pm. F Other branches: Thonglor Soi 13, Paragon

jaiyencafe

Emack & Bolio’s

Cold Stone Creamery


Get 5% discount when spend 300 Baht or more /sales slip

Today - 30 Nov 15


Get 10% discount on ice cream only

Today - 31 Oct 15

7/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6250. BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Straight out of Boston, Massachusetts, and dubbed the “original hip-

pie ice-cream company”, Emack & Bolio has made a stir with its fancy

marshmallow waffle cones. Get their natural cow’s milk ice cream in

one of the signature cones or try their smoothies made with a scoop of

non-fat vanilla yogurt. If that’s not decadent enough for you, go for an

ice-cream pizza with sweet toppings like brownie crust, marshmallow

and homemade hot fudge sauce.

6/F, Beacon Zone, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 10am-10pm.

This premium American ice-cream parlor is now several branches old

in Thailand and lets you customize your ice cream, combining a flavor

of your choice along with a choice of toppings. The components get

slapped onto a frozen granite slab and manhandled until they’re all

mixed in.


18 Best Eats 2015

Farm to Table Cafe These guys not only grow their own vege-tables out in Phu Chee Fah, but they take things one step further, making ice cream from their own produce—pumpkin, pota-to, carrots and strawberries—all certified by IFOAM (International Foundation for Organic Agriculture). We’re particularly impressed by their ability to blend organic milk with vegetables, a long process of tri-al and error, due to the flavors and acidity of some veggies. 179 Atsadang Rd., 02-115-2625. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Itim Morefire Yotse This may be a street-side stall, but don’t expect cups of coconut ice cream. Not only do they serve their ice cream in moh fai (a tin hot pot), but the flavors are also out of the ordinary: milk, seasonal fruits, beer and, our favorite, Red Bull vodka. This amazing local parlor now even has a branch in the giant Terminal 21 shop-ping mall. Across from Elvis Suki, Soi Yosse, 089-111-6836, Open daily 7am-11pm. Other branch: Terminal 21. tonguefunicecream

Ampersand Boutique The boutique serves up ge-lato ice cream amid a setting of Western-style country furniture, marble and big cushions. Choose from 14 flavors, including earl gray, butterfly pea and lime, and mango and passion fruit, or keep an eye out for their sea-sonal specials, like the man-go gelato and sticky rice, and Greek-inspired feta cheese and mint leaves.Baan Promphong, 147 Sukhu-mvit Soi 39, 02-662-0351. Open Tue-Fri noon-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

BEST ICE CREAM


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FoodPandaYou don’t actually have to leave your home to taste Bangkok’s best food. All you have to do is browse the FoodPanda website or smartphone app, place an order and wait for your delicious meal to be delivered to your door. Operating in Bangkok since 2012, the service currently partners with more than 500 restaurants in Thai-land, including some of the best in this guide, namely Peppina, Pala, Basilico, Bonchon, Chu, Sunrise Tacos, Firehouse and Kumpoon.www.foodpanda.co.th

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20 Best Eats 2015

Bankara Ramen From the dramatic kanji sign to the

dark wooden windows, there’s no doubting the restaurant’s Japanese pedigree even from the outside. This ramen favorite is known for its fatty tonkotsu broth, served with perfectly al dente noodles and various forms of intensely flavorful slow-cooked chashu. A cholesterol attack, yes, but definitely worth trying. The Kakuni Bankara comes with three-day-braised pork belly that lit-erally melts on your palate. Delicious. The Manor, 32/1 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-622-5162/3. BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily 11am-11pm. F Other branch: Paragon bankararamen

Ramen Kio Intense tonkotsu flavor does not need to be greasy, as this place proves with its clean, tasty broth that retains a deep and porky profile. The popular Japanese chain has fully lived up to the hype of its debut a few years ago, and still packs in the crowds. This is ramen as an artform, from the al dente homemade noodles to the melt-in-your-mouth soy-sauce-simmered chashu.Japanese. 3/F, Rain Hill, 777 Sukhumvit Soi 47, 02-261-7414. BTS Phrom Phong. Open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-10:30pm. F B-BB

BEST RAMEN

Chabuton The first Michelin-star chef devoted to Japanese noodles, Yasuji Morizumi, now has 12 branches around Bangkok. Expect superior quality from all Chabu-ton branches, but we particularly like the original at Siam Square. The tonkotsu chashumen has a slightly greasy broth that’s packed with flavor, and the slen-der in-house noodles have the requisite springy quality, the perfect accompani-ment to three slithers of tender rolled-up chashu.Siam Square, next to Lido Theatre, Rama 1 Rd., 02-635-7930. BTS Siam. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm. 14 other branches in Bangkok. chabutonramen


22 Best Eats 2015

BEST RAMEN

Menya Kouji Hailing from Sanuki prefecture in Ibaraki, this ramen is creamy and very earthy. The house-fa-vorite Special Ramen features molten pork fat, slow-cooked pork-belly chashu and a boiled egg with a perfectly fudgy yolk. This guilty, cholesterol-fueled (but surprisingly palatable) pleasure is just too good to miss out on.G/F, 39 Blvd. Bldg., Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-160-0112. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-10pm.

Korakuen With four branches in Bangkok and over 500 in Japan, Kourakuen claims that its ramen has retained the same taste since 1954. Its most popular dishes are Chuka Soba, its signature ramen in traditional broth, and Niku Chuka Soba, which is ramen with sliced pork belly, grated rad-ish and red peppers.M/F, Gateway Ekamai, 982/22 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-108-2803. BTS Ekkamai. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

J

Ippudo Ramen Having spread his empire to more than 130 branches around the world, three-time ramen TV Champion chef Shigemi Kawahara finally made his long-awaited splash in Bangkok at Central Embassy with Ippudo Ramen. Famed for his Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, chef Shi-gemi aims to use the finest local ingredients for a rich broth bursting with intense pork flavor and umami goodness. Served with bouncy in-house ramen and his signature chashu, this is food heaven for Nippon noodle fanatics.3/F, Central Embassy, Ploenchit Rd., 02-160-5672. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 10:30am-10pm. F Other branch: Emporium


Get complimentary Chicken Bun valued 70 Baht++ when order a bowl of ramen (Limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip)

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The Lucky RoomTucked down Sathorn Soi 11, this chic, all-day diner from the team behind Katsu King serves Ameri-can and Japanese food in gen-erous portions and at reasonable prices. Start the day with the Big Breakfast, which features two eggs, hash brown, baked beans, Sloane’s sausage and pancakes. For a perfect brunch, order some coffee, juices or Hitachino beer, too. The lunch menu features more Japanese dishes like Katsu King’s famous tonkatsu pork cutlet. 18/9-10 Sathorn Soi 11, 090-980-2441, BTS Surasak, Open daily 7am - 9pm.

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24 Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Ramen Tei This bustling ramen shop can get rather wild, when office workers and Japanese salarymen descend for good-value lunch sets. In the evening, it’s similarly packed, so this is not the place for a romantic dinner. However, it’s perfect for any-one looking for an affordable, filling, delicious meal. One of the best katsu curry in Bangkok, thanks to a thick pork cutlet and rich curry with big chunks of meat. They also do a mean bowl of shio ramen.23/8-9 Soi Thaniya, Silom Rd., 02-234-8082. BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11-2am. 4 other branches in Bangkok. www.ramentei-bkk.com

Hachiban Hachiban arrived in Thailand in 1992, and today is one of the largest Japanese ramen franchises in the country. The fast service and friendly prices mean its popularity has only in-creased with time—that and its reliable bowls of ramen. Try the ha jung men, traditional soup served with roast pork, seaweed and kamaboko; and the saru ramen, chilled noodles with zaru dipping sauce.6/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1029. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 10am-10pm. F Branches nationwide. www.thaiha-chiban.com

BEST RAMEN

Nantsuttei

Misoya Ramen



Today - 31 Jan 16


Get 15% discount on food only for Citibank Ultima and Preferred Get 10% discount on food only for other card types

Today - 31 Jan 16

B/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-261-0214. BTS Phrom Phong. Open

daily 10am-10pm. F Other branch: Paragon Nansutteithailand

With eight branches in Japan, Nantsuttei is recognized for its rich

and creamy pork bone broth and ma-yu, a black oil made of roasted

garlic. The entire process is impressive: the garlic roasted in seven

steps, to reach the optimal bitterness that will balance the broth; the

broth itself is made with pig’s head and chicken bone boiled under

pressure for 24 hours. The results are equally impressive.

Thonglor Soi 13, 089-053-7474. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm

This ramen chain is now an empire that stretches from Los Angles to

Sao Paulo—and throughout Japan, of course. They have the usual thick

pork bone broths and slices of intense char siu but Misoya also serves

healthy, vegetarian alternatives that tap into the therapeutic qualities

of miso. You should also look out for their specials, which can range

from miso to Hokkaido snow cheese toppings.


25Best Eats 2015

Rengaya Standing in the Japanese-friendly and very much golf-obsessed Thaniya Pla-za, Rengaya is a lot more exciting than it looks. This yakiniku restaurant’s tasty yet affordable lunch sets, available from 12-2pm, come with sweet, umami-fueled marinated beef loin, karubi, pork and sea-food for you to grill. Accompaniments of rice, miso soup, salad, kimchi, tea or cof-fee and fruits are included. Evening prices (a la carte) are reasonable, too.2/F, Thaniya Plaza, Silom Rd., 02-231-2140. BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm. F

Yakiniku Bar A yakiniku spin-off from the popular shabu-shabu chain Akiyoshi, this Japanese bar-becue offers a tasty selection of marbled beef, both from wagyu and local breeds. Our advice: don’t miss the jyo tongue shio—thinly sliced salted beef tongue that is just perfect for barbecuing. To load up on some carbs, try the Ishiyaki Bibimbap, which is the restaurant’s take on the famous Korean dish.55 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-259-5781. BTS Thong Lo. Open Mon-Fri 4-11:30pm; Sat-Sun noon-11pm.

Gyu Gyu Tei Run by an apprentice of Jo-

joen, one of Tokyo’s ubiquituous yakiniku institutions, this restaurant serves a great selection of marbled beef sourced from reputable Japanese purveyors. There’s a wallet-friendly option of all-you-can-eat local beef as well as quality a la carte items, fresh salad and the signature dip-ping sauce. There are four branches around Bangkok, with the Seenspace branch ideally suited to some after-dinner bar-hopping. Seen Space, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2392. Open daily 11:30am-11:30pm. F 3 other branches. www.gyugyuteibbq.com

BEST YAKINIKU


26 Best Eats 2015

AKA While grill restaurants are often described as smoky, greasy and cacophonous, this place is the opposite. The dining room has a high ceiling, a bright and airy feel, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an open kitchen. You have a choice between shabu shabu (hot pot) or yakiniku (grilling) but expect to wait at least 15 minutes for the latter—it’s really, really popular. If you’re not on a corporate account, forget the Kobe and wagyu and stick to the delicious Thai-French tenderloin. 7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-646-1364. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 11am-10pm. F.

Miraku Choosing between Thaniya Plaza’s cookie–cutter Jap-anese restaurants is no easy task. But step through Miraku’s cluttered facade and you’ll find more character than most thanks to plentiful tables of happy patrons not put off by acres of laminate wood. As well as reasonably priced beef to grill at your table, the restaurant offers sashimi, sushi and a la carte grilled dishes. 2/F, Thaniya Plaza, Silom Rd., 02-231-2219. BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5-10pm. F

Hida Grill Following the success of Honmono Sushi, Iron Chef Boontham Pakpo and his team brought this venture to Bangkok. Formerly Seikitei, an all-you-can-eat DIY yakiniku restaurant, Hida Grill now offers different cuts of two-time Wagyu Olympics-winning Hida beef for you to grill to your own liking. Fans of Honmono can still order tuna sushi and sashimi, freshly flown in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, as is de rigueur. For gourmands on a budget, there are also set options. G/F, Charn Issara Tower II, Phetchaburi Rd., 02-718-1922-4. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm.


Get 15% discount on food (a la carte menu only) and redeem 10% on-top discount when using Citibank Rewards redemption

Today - 31 Dec 15

BEST YAKINIKU


27Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

King Kong by Nami One of the most popular all-you-can-eat yakiniku chains in Bangkok offers local beef along with juicy pork, poultry and seafood at excellent value—hence the crowds. You can also order sides such as garlic fried rice or the signature King Kong soup to slurp up with the fatty beef. Buf-fet maniacs will head straight for the big prawns and New Zealand mussels but desserts and non-alchoholic drinks are included, too.2/F, Amorini, 1 Suan Siam Rd.. 02-517-5077. Open daily 11am-11pm. F 5 other branches

Tohkai Around for almost two decades, Tohkai is still going strong with its seven branches of yakiniku restaurants catering to both beef enthusiasts and the not-so-picky-but-very-hungry. With both an all-you-can eat and a la carte menu, you’ll have to make an important choice: stuffing yourself with quality lo-cal marbled beef or sampling super high-end wagyu and US prime cuts. Either way, prices remain very fair. 3/F, Thaniya Plaza, 62/17-18 Soi Thaniya, Silom Rd., 02 266 4551. BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11am-9:30pm. F 14 branches www.tohkai4u.com


Get 25% discount on Australian Wagyu from 1,200 Baht to 900 Baht orGet 15% discount on selected menu

Today - 30 Nov 15


Get 150 Baht discount when 2 customers or more dine at the restaurant (Mon – Fri, 11.00hrs – 17.00 hrs and exclude public holidays)

(Limit 150 Baht /card /table /sales slip)

Only at participating branches: Meng Jai, Town in Town, Ramindra

Today - 31 Dec 15

Yakiniku Tan

Sumi Tei Yakiniku


Get 5% discount on food (a la carte only) when spend 1,000 Baht or more /sales slip

Today - 31 Dec 15




Today - 31 Dec 15

Arena 10, Thonglor Soi 10, Sukhumvit 63 (Soi Ekamai 5)/Sukhumvit 55(Soi Thonglor 10), 091-772-4652. Open daily Mon-Fri 5-11pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm, 5-10:30pm. F

This is your no-frills Japanese barbeque joint: barebones decor,

powerful ventilation, diligent service changing your grill whenever it

gets encrusted with charred bits, and giant plates of meat at pock-

et-friendly prices. The multiple locations across town and the Japa-

nese clientele are testament to the brutal efficiency of this minimal

recipe. One of the best yakiniku in town, Tan might not be ideal for

a date, but for a rowdy and beer-fueled meal with friends, it doesn’t

get much better than this.

9:53 Community Mall, Thonglor Soi 9, 02-662-5818. Open daily 5-11pm.

This Japanese barbecue’s main attraction is the melt-in-your-mouth

A5-grade wagyu, which the owners say comes from a special breed

usually only available to the imperial family of Japan. Cuts range

from sirloin and short rib to rib eye. Or try it all with the tasting plate.

If you are not keen on red meat, the Imperial seafood set includes

king crab, Hokkaido scallops and tiger prawns. We also like the views

of this rather leafy community mall and the elegant wood interior.


28 Best Eats 2015

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Today - 31 Dec 2015


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Today - 30 Jun 2016

Yuutaro64 Sukhumvit Soi 51, BTS Thong Lo, 02-662-6070. Open Daily noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm. F

Serving fresh and high-quality ingredients, the restaurant strikes a harmonious balance with its Zen garden and dark wood decor, while the kitchen is run by Thai chef Uthit Jittrong, who has more than 30 years experience in Thai-land and Japan. Besides the must-try sushi, the kampachi with ponzu jelly and wagyu toro maki are also not to be missed.

Bo.lan24 Sukhumvit Soi 53, BTS Thong Lo, 02-260-2961-2, Open Thu-Sun noon-2pm, 6pm-midnight.

Chef couple Bo and Dylan (both formerly worked at David Thompson’s Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, Nahm in London) make all their Thai food from scratch, including the curry pastes, using only the best ingredients. Their traditional style, jazzed up with a few modern plating touches, has earned them global recognition. We recommend the Bo.lan Balance, a degustation menu regularly chang-ing to reflect seasonal products. Bo.lan’s styl-ish house prominently features dark wood and ceiling covered with kradong (flat baskets).

P.28-31_CITIBANK ADVER_NEW.indd 28 7/21/15 6:48 PM

29Best Eats 2015

Vivarium3675 Rama 4 Rd., 02-261-9507. Open Daily 5-11 pm. F

Two big-name local chefs, Chumpol Jangprai of MSC Thai Cooking School and Boontham Pakpoh of Honmono Sushi, have collaborated to open this Thai restaurant which makes all its dishes using the finest Japanese ingredi-ents. Think Hokkaido crab curries, stir-fried Kobe beef with basil, Kobe beef green curries and sablefish cooked with ginger and chili. The vast space is flooded with natural light and also comprises a wine cellar, single malt bar and cocktail bar.


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Today - 31 Mar 2016


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Today - 30 Apr 2016

Lenzi Tuscan KitchenRuamrudee Soi 2, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-001-0116. Open daily 11:45am-2pm, 6-10:45pm.

Francesco Lenzi, former head chef at Opus and Medici (Hotel Muse), serves rustic-style Tuscan food from a refined-looking dining room created by Italian designer Ermanno Scapin. There’s a big emphasis on cold cuts, courtesy of Lenzi’s uncle’s small-scale organic ham company, Antica Norcinera. The tagliere del Lenzi platter includes truffle-rich morta-della col tartufo and melt-in-your-mouth pan-cetta Toscana. We also recommend the nettle potato gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and Iberico pork cappicola.


30 Best Eats 2015

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Honmono Sushi19 Thonglor Soi 23, 02-185-1447. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-11pm.

Years after opening, Honmono still packs in affluent Thais drawn to its fresh fish from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. It’s located in a charm-ing Thonglor house, way up the road from the most bustling part of the street. We recom-mend sitting at the bar, where friendly chefs are happy to talk you through choices. The chunks of fish are positively enormous, mak-ing it more of a guilty pleasure than a refined dining experience.


Get 20% discount on food a la carte menu and redeem 15% on-top discount for Citibank Ultima when using Citibank rewards redemption or 10% on-top discount for other card types when using Citibank Rewards redemption

Today - 31 Dec 2015


Get 20% discount on food and non-alcoholic bev-erages for Citibank Ultima, Preferred, and Select

Today - 31 Dec 2015

Italics63/3 Soi Ruamrudee, Phloen Chit Rd., BTS Phloen Chit, 02-253-2410, Open daily 7am-11pm.

Modishly kitted out in black and white, this is a neighborhood coffee spot, lunch-friendly bistro, evening restaurant and even deli all at once. The kitchen team creates new inter-pretations of Italian cuisine, with dishes like calamari frito (fried squid with chili powder), smoked duck with mango and red onion jam, or buffalo poached chicken (poached chicken with mozzarella cheese). The restaurant also makes pasta and pizza dough in-house, and cooks its pizza in a wood-fired oven.


31Best Eats 2015



Get 10% discount on food only for other card types (Today - 30 Sep 15)


Today - 31 Dec 2015


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Today - 31 Jan 2016

Sava Dining5/F, The Emquartier, 693, 695 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6208, BTS Phrom Phong, Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm.

Having made his name with the modern, ready-to-wear womenswear label Asava, de-signer Polpat Asavaprapa is now combining fashion with food with Sava Dining by Asa-va. Here, the focus is on hearty, home-style dishes with slight twists, such as bruschetta nham with fresh chili and garlic sprinkled with cheddar cheese (B190), fish and shrimp balls in spicy and tangy sauce served with poached morning glory and crispy fish flakes (B220), and baked garlic and spiced clams in crispy puff pastry (B260).

Bella Rocca9/F, The Emquartier, 693, 695 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6273, BTS Phrom Phong, Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-11pm.

This restaurant by Pomodoro group (Pomo-doro, Gustuso, Amici, Common Room) is set in an elegantly-decorated dining room. The food is also well presented. At Bella Rocca, classic Italian dishes are showcased with modern pre-sentation. Highlights are the Risotto Allo Zaf-ferano e Fegato Grasso, which not only com-prises a risotto with saffron but is also topped with unctuous foie gras from France. Another must-try is the Guancia di Manzo, tender ox cheek, marinated for hours and braised in red wine.


32 Best Eats 2015

Din Tai Fung Founded over 50 years

ago as a cooking oil store in Taiwan, Din Tai Fung switched to dumplings, caught the eye of The New York Times, bagged a Michelin star and became a global chain of restaurants. It specializ-es in xiao long bao (soup-filled steamed dumplings) and shao mai. The honed menu, the general appeal of the prod-uct (who doesn’t like dumplings?) and the handmade, quick-service model have made it a huge hit. Also try the dry noodles with pickled mustard and shredded pork and the noodle soup with vegetable pork wonton. 7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-646-1282. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 11am-10pm. F Other branch: Central Embassy. www.dintaifung.com.sg

Hong Bao Hong Bao breaks with tradition by offering a bright white dining space decked out with chandeliers and ink draw-ings from 18th century Europe. It is also unusual in that it serves its dim sum, which are some of the best in town, all day. We’re particularly fond of the steamed rice rolls with crispy shrimp, which perfectly combine a fluffy rice roll with the well-mixed dark soy sauce. Their famous salapao lava is also superb, managing a wonderful bal-ance between sweet creaminess and salty egg yolk.Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-3565, 092-273-5242. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-9:30pm; Sat-Sun 10:30am-9:30pm. F Other branches: Central Embassy and Thanya Shopping Park

hongbaorestaurant

Ah Yat Abalone ForumThere’s a friendly atmosphere to this long-standing Chi-nese restaurant specializing in Cantonese cuisine. The native Hong Kong chef, Yeung Koon Yat, whose Forum Restaurant in Hong Kong once held a Michelin star, is best known for his abalone and seafood dishes but he also does some of the best dim sum in town. Don’t for-get to try the lava buns which were on the menu long before becoming popular elsewhere in Bangkok.3/F, Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, Charoen Krung Rd., 02-291-7781-2. Open daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-10pm. F

BEST DIM SUM

P.32-45_DIMSUM-VIETNAMESE_NEW.indd 32 7/21/15 6:55 PM

33Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Chef Pom Iron Chef Thanarak Chuto’s riverside Chinese cuisine covers dim sum as well as dishes like Hokkaido scallop with garlic, Szechuan sauce and milk, drunken chicken with wasabi and jellyfish, and seared beef tenderloin with onion, kale and Hong Kong red wine sauce. Although Thai, chef Thanarak has been cooking Cantonese food for more than 30 years. Take note: they do serve shark fin dishes. 622/69-70 Rama 3 Rd., 02-294-3998, 090-971-1193. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10:30pm.

Chef Man Make your reservation early if you want a taste of what is some of the best dim sum in Bangkok. Excel-lent preparation, fresh ingredients and perfect timing make even the most basic shrimp dumplings ex-citing. Located in the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, the atmosphere is fairly vibrant thanks to a large open kitchen where a small and frenzied army of cooks prepare the Can-tonese dishes.3/F, Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Sathorn Rd., 02-212-3741. 02-212-3789, BTS Surasak. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10pm. F 2 other branch-es: Bang Na and Ratchadamri. www.chefmanrestaurant.com


Get complimentary Chilled Mango Noodle when spend 1,000 Baht or more / sales slip

Today - 31 Dec 15


Get 50% discount on Peking Duck (advance reservation required, Limit 10 dishes /day) (1 Aug - 31 Oct 15, excluding 12 Aug 15)



Today - 31 Jan 16

Royal Kitchen

Liu


Get 50%* discount on Peking duck (Limit 1 dish/card/table/sales slip) (Only at Thonglor branch, 1 Aug - 31 Oct 15)

Get 10%* discount on food only, excluding dim sum menu *does not apply with other promotions

Today - 30 Apr 16


Get 20% discount on food only for lunch and dinner for Citibank Ultima, Preferred, and Select

Today - 31 Dec 15

912/6 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-391-9634, 02-714-8548. Open daily 11am-1:45pm, 5:30-10pm

Open since 1985, this Thonglor institution is well-known for Canton-

ese cuisine prepared by Hong Kong chefs. Drop by at lunch for the

special dim sum variations ranging from basic shrimp dumplings to

more sophisticated options like abalone. Eight-or-nine-course menus

can be had for well under B1,000 per person for a table of ten or

come close to 4,000, depending on the ingredients. Coming with a

smaller party? Play it safe with the signature Peking duck.

Conrad Bangkok Hotel, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9255. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm.

As you might guess from the neo-classical decor, the Conrad Bangkok’s

gourmet Chinese restaurant is aiming to go beyond traditional dishes.

Liu offers authentic Chinese delicacies creatively reinterpreted for con-

temporary restaurant goers. Case in point: Liu’s signature “Dong Po

Pork,” stewed pork belly with black soy sauce served with Chinese buns.

We particularly like the refined sets, which combine all you-can-eat dim

sum and treats like pan-fried snow fish or barbecued peking duck.

Liu Chinese. Conrad Hotel, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm. BB-BB

As you might guess from the neo-classical decro, the Con-

rad Bangkok's gourmet Chinese restaurant is aiming

to go beyond traditional dishes, boldy venturing into con-

temporary variations of Shanghainese, Sichuan and Can-

tonese cuisines. Case in point: Liu's signature "Dong

Po Pork," stewed pork belly with black soy sauce served

with Chinese buns. We particularly like the refined sets,

with combine all you-can-eat dim sum and treats like pan-

fried snow fish or "guitar" duck.


34 Best Eats 2015

Grand Palace For over 20 years, Grand Palace has held its place as one of the most famed Chinese restau-rants in town. The location, tucked away at the bottom of the B.I.S. Building, takes some find-ing. Inside, it’s just what you’d expect from an old Chinese establishment: round tables with white tablecloths and a predominance of dark-hued wood. Their strength is in dim sum dishes (do order the har gau [shrimp dumplings] and fried tofu skin with shrimp) and Peking duck.B.I.S. Building, 119 Mahesak Rd., 02-235-8949, 02-234-3640-1. BTS Surasak. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm; daily 6-10pm; Sat-Sun 10:30am-2pm. F

China Palace This long-standing Cantonese restaurant is tucked down a small alley on Si Phraya Road. The establishment is a Rama 5-era building with fittingly grand, Chinese-style decoration. On top of traditional dim sum dishes, the highlights here include suckling pig and the thin-yet-crispy Peking duck. You can also expect pricey seafood dishes like the soft-boiled fresh lobster. Be warned, on Sundays the place can get seriously crowded.297 Si Phraya Rd., 02-631-5111-3. Open Mon-Sat 11am-2pm; daily 6-10pm; Sun 10:30am-2pm. F

Ting Tai Fu Loud Thai-Chinese families gather here on Saturday nights for Shanghai-inspired comfort food. The stir-fried dishes such as garlic eggplant, ma poh tofu and pork ribs in red sauce are sinfully greasy and, as a consequence, very tasty. We also recommend the amazing xiao long bao (broth-filled steamed dumplings) and li-on-head meatballs. Ting Tai Fu may not look like much, but its dim sum, buns and noodles made from scratch make it well worth a trip to Ramkamhaeng.166 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 14, 02-718-8586. Open daily 11am-9:30pm

BEST DIM SUM


Get 30% discount on abalone menu (Limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) (1 Aug - 31 Oct 15)

Get 10% discount on food only and exclude dim sum menu

Today - 30 Jun 16


35Best Eats 2015

EAT (Eat All Thai) Supanniga Eating Room is widely con-sidered one of the best restaurants in Bangkok for Thai home-style food, and this follow-up also does some pretty amazing dishes. The menu includes regional specialties from all over Thai-land, like big, plump Ayutthaya river shrimps and green curry fried rice with salted eggs from Chaiya, in Surat Thani. The atmosphere manages to belie the restaurant’s mall location with homey, roughly hewn wooden furniture and quaint ceramic tableware. 2/F, Groove at CentralWorld, Rama 1, 02-251-1230. Siam. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm. F

Kalpapruek There are plenty of resons why this bis-tro serving fuss-free Thai comfort food draws in such a crowd of hungry shop-pers: authentic Thai flavors (even by the standards of its picky, local clientele), comfortable, relaxed seating, and decor that puts its shopping mall neighbors to shame. Whether it’s a plate of kanom jeen, somtam with grilled pork or a simple plate of fried rice, the food is consistently delicious. 7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1359. Siam. Open daily 11am-10pm. F

4 other branches: Paragon, CentralWorld, Mercury Ville, CDC. http://ow.ly/Pe80a

BEST THAI BISTRO


Get 10% discount on food only for Citibank Ulti-ma,Preferred, Select, Citibank Rewards, Platinum Rewards and Citibank Gold.

Today - 31 Oct 15

Greyhound Cafe

Like its sisters, this branch of Grey-hound Cafe combines urban cool and comforting dishes. Most of all, Grey-hound is reliable: same menu, same attentive staff, same reasonable prices and same touches of creativity that don’t take you out of your comfort zone. We recommend the Complicated Noodles, which are now something of a Bangkok dining legend.2/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6660. Open daily 11am-10pm. F 9 other branches.

greyhoundcafe


36 Best Eats 2015

Somtum Der Not far from the bustle of Silom Road, this restaurant brings typ-ical street food into a modern shop-house setting. The menu focuses on somtam and other classic Northeastern dishes. Not as sweet as Bangkokians usu-ally like their somtam, the flavors here are particularly authentic. Do try the pork skewers marinated in coconut milk and the wonder-ful deep-fried minced pork balls. Their martinis are also a highlight.5/5 Sala Daeng Rd., 02-632-4499. BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Silom. Open daily 11am-2pm, 4:30-10pm.

Kai Yang Sua Yai This colorful shop-house transports the Northeastern dishes of an old street-food favorite into a proper dining setting. Tuck into a whole chicken, along with namprik pla ra (chili paste with fermented fish) and somtam poo (papaya salad with fresh-water crab). Wash it down with Singha, fruit juice or wine by the glass. They offer about 15 vegetarian dishes, too.Piman 49, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-6428. Open daily 11am-10pm. F

BEST THAI BISTRO

Taling Pling Taling Pling is so good at walking that fine flavor line on Thai dishes—not too salty, not too sweet—pleasing its very mixed clientele. Its wooden house is pleasantly bright and contemporary inside thanks to vividly colored walls. This place is as close as it comes to a sure bet—a simple meal that gives you little cause to com-plain and won’t cost you the earth.Room 653, Baan Silom, Silom Soi 19, 02-236-4829. Open daily 11am-10pm. 6 other branches. www.talingpling.com

Kram Kram does simple Thai comfort food in a house filled with plants and reclaimed wood. The adorable outdoor area is filled with bean bags, picnic-style seating and hanging light bulbs, with movies project-ing onto the wall. The kitchen serves up classic Thai dishes including gaeng kua poo bai chaploo (curry with crabmeat and wild betel leaf), pla rak gluay pad prik khing (stir-fried horseface loach with chili paste) and woonsen dork kajorn pad khai (stir-fried glass noodles with cowslip creeper).113 Sukhumvit Soi 39 (Sukhumvit), 02-258-8170. Open Tue-Fri 11am-2:30pm; Tue-Thu 5:30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm; Fri 5:30-11pm. F



Today - 30 Jun 16



Today - 30 Jun 16



Today - 31 Jan 16


38 Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Baan Ying Cafe & Meal In a bright, modern dining room with well-crafted hardwood furniture and shelves stocked with white crockery for a homey touch, Baan Ying serves a lengthy menu supercharged with Thai fusion favorites like spaghetti tom yam while retaining solidly executed standards. The calamari fried with chili and salt is downright addictive, but most of the teenage crowd here opt for the design-your-own-omelet menu to create the ultimate comfort food pick-me-up.4/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1533. BTS Siam. Open daily 10am-9pm. F 7 other branches. Baanyingcafeandmeal

KumpoonThis mall-dwelling somtam store tries to create an upcountry ambiance with lots of wood, servers clad in mor hom shirts and fake trees branching out from the ceiling. Small-portioned food is served in clay pottery while complimentary crisp veg-gies come in a mortar. The short menu offers a familiar run down of Isaan’s greatest hits from somtam to larb and soup normai (bamboo shoots salad) and variations of the flavor-some somtam. Also at Central Plaza Pinklao and Central Plaza Lardprao.7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd, 02-646-1044. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 11am-9pm. 3 other branches. Kumpoon

BEST THAI BISTRO

Nara

Kub Kao Kub Pla



Today - 31 May 16



Today - 31 Dec 15

7/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1657/8. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

Set on the seventh floor of CentralWorld, Nara is upscale Thai bis-

tro dining done right. The decor is suitably refined, while the food is

quickly executed, no-nonsense classics. Accessible and reliable, Nara

works both for out-of-town guests and locals who want Thai flavors

delivered with smooth service and elegant decor. Blending purple

fabrics and dark woods, tropical plants and a lofty ceiling, Nara man-

ages to feel Thai and modern at the same time.

Thai. 6/F, The Helix, The Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6236. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Having proved her ability to create scalable, quality restaurants with

dessert cafe iBerry, Atchara Burarak (aka Pla iBerry) has now turned

her attention to savory dishes. Kub Kao Kub Pla (meaning “dishes to

eat with rice”) spans both Western and Thai comfort food, from rad

nha (thick noodles in gravy) to spaghetti aglio olio. The restaurant

also serves classic iBerry desserts like ice cream and waffles.



Today - 31 Dec 15


40 Best Eats 2015

Sushi Hiro The sister restaurant of

Tatsuya Izakaya Buffet and Niku-King sports traditional Japanese fisher-men’s village-inspired decor and of-fers dishes like spicy maguro maki, kinmedai sushi (golden eye snapper) and Canadian lobster sashimi. For a taste of it all, splurge on the Hiro special set consisting of 12 varieties of fish, including chutoro (medium fatty tuna), scallop and taraba crab. There’s also a more pocket-friendly seven-bite set available.Ramindra Soi 57, 080-080-0538. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-10pm. 3 other branches.

sushihirothailand

Sushi Masa Thanks to great produce and very reasonable prices you still need reservations to snag a seat here. Unlike the stiff, sullen operations in other Japanese enclaves, here you’ll find relaxed staff and cheerful chefs serving huge chunks of fish literally drooping over the sides of the rice. As well as cheap sets you can also get high-end offer-ings of fatty tuna belly and Matsuzaka beef.Siam Sawana Hotel, 359/1 Phaya Nak Rd., 083-701-7627. BTS Ratchathewi. Open Mon-Thu 10:30am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10:30am-11pm. F 2 other branches: Phloen Chit and Thonglor www.sushimasabangkok.com

Muteki The sister restaurant to Thonglor’s endlessly praised Mugendai is similarly sushi-oriented. Yet its modern ca-fe-style decor and creative menu mark it out as some-thing quite different, where the team can exercise their creativity. The tabloid newspaper-style menu is packed with hundreds of dishes, from maki to sashimi, tempura and lots of agemono (deep-fried sets) and don (rice). One dish that ranks highly is the engawa lavadon (seared hali-but fin and mayonnaise truffle oil on a bed of rice).G/F, Empire Tower, Sathorn Rd., 02-670-2888. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

BEST BUDGET SUSHI

J


41Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Seiryu Sushi The black steel and large bay windows of this renovated shop-house are a fitting setting for its modern sushi offerings, while the affordable menu has proven its staying power. The straight-forward offerings include classic and fusion maki, as well as some Edomae-style sushi ranging from fresh local fish to im-ported ones. Dinnertime is primetime for nearby office workers, while weekends see families and expats dropping by. 25/2 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-636-3338, 02-636-3342 MRT Silom. Open daily 11am-10pm. F


Get 5% discount when spend 500 Baht or more/sales slip

Today - 28 Feb 16


Get complimentary Green Tea or Black Sesame ice cream with red bean when spend every 800 Baht

Today - 31 Jan 16

Sushi Shin

Tenyuu Sushi Bar



Today - 31 Dec 15


Get Salmon Spicy Saikyo Ball when spend 800 Baht or more /sales slip (Limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip)

Today - 31 Jan 16

2/F, Nihonmura Mall, Thonglor Soi 13, 091-021-8985. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm. F

Young Bangkokians just can’t get enough of this sushi bar, which

combines affordable raw fish, a host of deals regularly popping up on

its Facebook page (up to 50 percent off!) and a decor of pale wood

that evokes Muji’s minimalism. Sashimi and classic sushi options co-

exist with signature pieces that don’t shy from tempura crumbs, a bit

of blow-torching, a sprinkling of shrimp eggs and a dollop of freshly

chopped wasabi.

B/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-261-0245. BTS Phrom Phong Open daily 10am-10pm.

If you’d like to sample the food of the palatial Rama V-era Tenyuu

Grand (on Sathorn Road), without the hefty price tags and hi-so vibe,

this sushi bar is a chill alternative. The food is equally playful, thanks

to fusion recipes like sashimi in tacos or a fiery laab salmon don. You

can keep things perfectly safe though, such as with the salmon ikura

don and dragon rolls.

Sousaku The character-filled venue was one of the first omakase-style sushi bars in town. The raw ce-ment walls are adorned with il-lustrations while the low wooden ceiling gives the impression of a gabled roof. The food focuses firmly on sushi, which is served in rounds (mostly on the hour), with diners at the counter’s six seats forced to eat with their hands. Prices for 10-15 piece sets de-pend on market rates.1/6 Ari Soi 2, 02-279-2461. BTS Ari. Open Tue-Sun noon-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Sun noon-3pm, 5-9pm.


42 Best Eats 2015

Tororo This cozy sushi spot has floor-to-ceiling windows and stylishly minimalist wooden table sets. They serve a wide range of su-shi, from the cheapest tamago (Japanese omelet) to the more expensive otoro (fatty tuna). They also recommend the uni (sea urchin), foie gras and Mat-susaka beef. Service is friendly and mindful, too, and when you factor in that the venue is quiet and small (with about 40 seats), Tororo makes for a real sushi sanctuary.1/F, The Horizon Destination Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai), 02-714-2228. BTS Ekkamai. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm. F

Torajiro Here, the winning izakaya (“drinking restaurant”) formula offers fun, as op-posed to fine, dining at relatively afford-able prices. The tables are housed in little alcoves equipped with wooden coat hangers ready for salarymen suit jackets. The menu is a 14-page multicolored fold-er that’s as fun as the venue itself, fes-tooned with refreshingly unprofessional full-color photographs. And there’s liter-ally something for everyone—tempura and tonkatsu, noodle dishes, rice dishes, sushi, sizzling platters. 1/F, Nihonmachi, Sukhumvit 26, 02-259-6075/-6. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-midnight; Sun 4:30-11pm. F 2 other branches: Sukhu-mvit Soi 39 and Thonglor Soi 13 www.aroi-japan.com/torajiro

Sakana Sushi & Sashimi There’s a charm to Sakana’s hidden, barebones setup: a few tables in a glass box and sushi chefs slicing and blow-torching at the counter. It’s always packed, and you may even spot the oc-casional bigwig (ex-PM Abhisit is said to be a regular). The menu is dominated by sushi, from raw to grilled, along with some delicious maki (rolls). The Rainbow Roll (salmon, tuna and squid topped with avocado) has a freshness that chain restaurants simply can’t match. Aree Garden, Ari Samphan Soi 11, 02-278-2968. Open daily 11am-10pm. F

BEST BUDGETSUSHI


Get 5% discount on food only and get free mochi ice cream when spend 1,500 Baht or more / sales slip

Today - 28 Feb 16


Get 5% discount on food only excluding set menu and promotional menu

Today - 28 Feb 16


43Best Eats 2015

Le Dalat The most beautiful and re-fined Vietnamese restaurant

in town now has a shopping mall branch. Here, you’ll still find a kitchen that focus-es on quality ingredients, but the royal Vietnamese recipes have been updated with more contemporary presentation to match the equally updated decor. The kitchen also incorporates some French twists in dishes like the French-style roasted chicken, salmon with cheese and salmon with cucumber summer rolls.7/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000. BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily 10am-10pm. F 1 other branch: Sukhumvit Soi 23. www.ledalatbkk.com

Thang Long One of the most upscale Vietnamese restaurants in Bangkok, the establish-ment has a very crisp design, with heavy dark furniture and an imposing bar quite reminiscent of a modern steakhouse. Its best dishes include the deep-fried fish with lemongrass—crisp, flavorful and impressively presented—and the melt-in-your-mouth Thang Long beef steak. For those unfamiliar with Vietnamese food, the picture menu is a real savior. 82/5 Soi Lang Suan, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-251-3504. BTS Ratchadamri. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5-11pm.

BEST VIETNAMESE



Today - 31 Mar 16

Saigon Recipe The Japanese-Vietnamese cou-ple who own this restaurant have decorated it with their beautiful collection of vividly colored Hoi An lanterns, communist pro-paganda posters and wooden cabinets. The freshly cut flow-ers, ‘60s and ’70s Vietnamese soundtrack, ceramic tableware and Vietnamese tartan styled napkins are a charming set-ting for classic dishes from the southern and central parts of the country. It’s a popular spot with the Nippon housewives of the area. Piman 49 Complex, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-6311. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm. F


44 Best Eats 2015

BEST VIETNAMESE

Ngon LamThis busy neighborhood spot serves consistent Viet-namese meals at decent prices. The dining room has a glass facade and is decorated old-school with bam-boo-patterned wallpaper, while the menu comes with helpful pictures of both classics and house specials. Dishes like pak mor yuan (shrimp and minced pork wrap), goong pan aoi (fried shrimp meat with sugar cane) and guayjab yuan (broad rice noodle soup with meat and herbs) are made using better produce than most places use. 556-558 Saphan Lueang, Rama 4 Rd., 02-633-2762, 081-831-2128, MRT Samyan. Open daily 11am-10pm.

Vietnamese & More The specialty here is Vietnamese sandwiches. Nestled down a tiny sub-soi, the place offers a rather haphaz-ard setting and a brief yet delicious menu of Vietnam-ese faves (and, yes, a few Thai and French-influenced dishes). Our favorite is the succulent beef brisket and blue cheese banh mi sandwich with a side of au jus for dipping. The pho also comes with a richly seasoned broth that’s evidently been simmered for an extended period of time.Rompo Mansion, 99/9-11 Thang Rotfai Khao-Saipaknam Rd., 02-671-9955. Open Tue-Sun 11am-2pm, 5-9:30pm.

J

Banh Mi BoThe green Vietnamese sandwich truck Banh Mi Boy has turned into this cafe and takeaway spot serving an extend-ed menu. Of course, you can still order their specialty banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) in five varieties: crispy roast pork, barbecue pork, Vietnamese grilled pork, lemongrass chicken and tofu. They now also offer pho (noodle soup with beef), summer rolls, spring rolls and bun cha gio nem nuong (rice vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork) as well as Vietnamese coffee and desserts.Ellsie Boutique Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 096-886-0052. BTS Phrom Phong. Open Wed-Sun 11am-7pm; Mon 11am-7pm.


Get 10% discount on food only when spend 500 Baht or more /sales slip

Today - 30 Jun 16



Today - 15 Jan 16


45Best Eats 2015

EAT & ENJOY by Citi

Bin Bin Long Boasting dark wood decor (and a slightly out-of-place Union Jack sofa) and playing host to a smooth jazz trio every Friday night, the romantically cozy restaurant rolls out a very decent list of Vietnamese dishes. Do try the banh canh, known in Thai as guayjub yuan, a thick Vietnamese noodle soup, and the naem nueng set, which comprises traditional Vietnamese meat balls, served with rice paper, fresh salad and a sweet and sour dip.39 Paholyothin Soi 11, 02-279-8665. Open daily 11am-10pm.

Thien Duong

Madam T



Today - 30 Dec 15


Get 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic bevarages

Today - 31 Dec 15

Dusit Thani Bangkok, 946 Rama 4 Rd., 02-200-9000. MRT Silom, BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10pm. F

Thien Duong is one of the very few fine-dining Vietnamese restau-

rants in Bangkok. The decor is a lavish mix of Vietnamese antiques

and classical decor. The menu takes all-time favorites—sugarcane

skewer of shrimp and charcoal-grilled pork dumplings, crispy soft

shell crab salad with herb dressing or deep-fried whole flounder

fish with toasted peanut served with lemongrass sauce—and plates

them with refined presentations, making for a delicate and exotic

experience.

L/F, Sukhumvit House, 128/46 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-259-1127.

Open daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-10pm.

This second branch of the friendly Vietnamese restaurant from

across the Chao Phraya, with its limited but fresh array of Vietnam-

ese dishes and prompt, unobtrusive service, is a welcome addition

in a condo-heavy neighborhood. The comfort of the colorful and re-

laxed dining room also makes a change from the slightly fussier La

Dalat up the road. The place is just so cute, the food so fresh, eating

at Madam T makes you feel healthy and warm inside.

Zoulviet Set in the old spot occupied by Yuu Shabu, above After You in J Avenue, the intrigu-ingly-titled venue is a good fit for those seeking solid Viet-namese food like spring rolls and banh cuon (steamed rice crepes), rounds of drinks or both. A lively ambience is provided by splashes of bright blue and red while hanging lamps and bare brick walls add an industrial edge to the place.J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-712-9435. Open daily 11am-11pm. F


Get 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages

Today - 31 Jan 16



Today - 31 Dec 15


46 Best Eats 2015

La Monita Taqueria

Despite the expansion, the original venue remains our favorite place to get a super flavorful quesadilla or fish taco. Burritos and the steak torta are also excellent thanks to well-flavored meat, onions, ci-lantro and a squeeze of lime. You might also want to try the Cuban rice topped with fried egg and the amazing chorique-so, a spicy dish made with Mexican cho-rizo and cheese. The decor isn’t much, but you won’t care after your third mich-ilada—a concoction of beer, lime juice, salt and chili.888/26-25 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9581. BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 11am-11pm. F 3 other branches in Bangkok. www.lamonita.com

Sabroso Mexican Tapas Bar This is one of only a few Mexican restaurants in Bangkok that’s actually run by Mexicans. Jorge Bernal has kitted out his 20-seater restaurant with a homey, intimate vibe that doesn’t skimp on Mexico’s bold signature colors of blue, red and yellow. The three-page menu contains every traditional Mexican dish you can think of. Start with a traditional pozole soup before tucking into mole enchiladas or one of the 11 different tacos. Want to try them all? Swing by on a Saturday for the taco buffet.24/5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-262-0997. MRT Sukhumvit. Open Tue-Sat 3-10pm; Sun noon-10pm.

BEST MEXICAN

Charley Brown’s It’s been around for two decades, and the decor’s pop portraits and bright colors are as vibrant as ever. Char-ley serves up generous platters of Tex-Mex favorites like fajitas and tacos. We’d also point you to the well-spiced albondigas (meatballs) and elaborate nacho platters, not to mention their delicious house sangria. There are always some interesting food and booze deals running, too, plus some creative cocktails like the delicious pas-sion fruit margarita.Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-2215. BTS Nana. Open Mon 5pm-midnight; Tue-Sun noon-midnight.

P.46-62_MEXICAN-INDEX_NEW.indd 46 7/21/15 8:17 PM

47Best Eats 2015

Sunrise TacosSunrise Tacos has a few branches across town, and there are now other restaurants doing more purely Mexican food. But we’ll always have a sweet spot for Sunrise, the first genuinely satis-fying Tex-Mex in town. The 24/7 opening hours make it perfect for night crawlers, and Sunrise Tacos mostly remains very solid comfort food. When we’re in the mood for a hearty chew we go for barbacoa beef; otherwise our top pick is carnitas, juicy pork cooked “for hours” until it’s tender. Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, 02-651-3718. BTS Nana. Open daily 24 hrs. 11 other branches in Bangkok. www.sunrisetacos.com

Zambrero This Mexican chain from down under is armed with a small quick-service menu. Start off with some nachos or the spicy marinated fried chicken with lime pickle and coconut flakes (which is a special dish only for Thai-land). Or go even larger with the 480g burrito. All protein options (beef, chicken, and pork) are cooked sous-vide to ensure moistness and maximum flavors. There is also a selection of traditional dressings and condiments such as red chili, chipotle and an assortment of salsas. 6/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadam-ri Rd., 02-251-1788. BTS Chit Lom. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

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Exclusively for Citibank Credit cardmembers.Get 10% discount on food only (Valid at Terminal 21 branch only)

Today - 31 Oct 15


48 Best Eats 2015

BEST MEXICAN

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Méjico The Bangkok branch of the Sydney-based restaurant Mejico does away with Mexican food’s usual format of big portions and low-key vibe. Instead, Mejico aims to give its food a more exciting edge by incorporating modern twists like guacamole made table-side and served with plantain chips. The menu does include some simpler items, too, like the sub-stantial braised beef short rib in smoky chipotle marinade. They also carry Bangkok’s largest selection of tequila. 2/F, Groove, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02-252-6660. BTS Siam. Open Sun-Thu 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat 11-1am. F

Coyote The Coyotes in Sukhumvit Soi 33 and Convent Road have closed, but fans can now visit this branch in Soi 11. It serves the signature Coyote Nachos, shrimp quesadilla and beef burrito. Heavily themed in a bright orange adobe color scheme, Coyote is just as much about the ambience as the drinks (its happy hour runs twice a day, from 4-7pm and 10pm-midnight), making it the party ani-mal of Bangkok’s Tex-Mex scene.The Prime 11 Building, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-3313. BTS Nana. Open daily noon-2am.

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Tacos & Salsa Behind the bright pink exterior of this tiny shop-house is a low-key fiesta, with burnt-or-ange and yellow walls, bright tablecloths and the occasional sombrero. The menu is typical comfort food, with a surpris-ingly good guacamole, as well as slow-cooked pork carnitas, beef fajitas—the works! And it’s all always made fresh to order. With its low-key charm, tasty grub and relaxed service, Tacos & Salsa is suited to both quick in-and-out meal or a long night with friends. 49 Sukhumvit Soi 18, 02-663-6366. Open Mon-Fri 3-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm.

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49Best Eats 2015

The Firehouse The joint is among the first of a slew of places that began using finer ingredients to elevate the burger beyond a simple fast food snack. It’s also home to one of the city’s largest collections of fire-related paraphernalia. The food shows real attention to detail, with a sizeable menu of American-inspired com-fort food. Most of their burgers, like the simple but impressive 180g Premium Burger, use hand-ground patties made of organic Thai French beef from Pon Yang Kham Cooper-ative farms.33/26 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-3643. BTS Nana. Open daily 11:30am-midnight

Escapade Burgers & Shakes A collaborative effort between chef Chal-ermpon “Van” Rohitratana and mixologist Karn Liangsrisuk, runner-up in the 2012 Bacardi bartending contest, Escapade Burgers & Shakes is a miniature gastro-bar powerhouse that packs a flavorful punch. The specialty here is beef burgers that regularly rank among Bangkok’s best. Double your intake with a Quarter Cow (two beef patties, two slices of cheddar cheese with truffle sauce) and be sure to try the decadent smoothie cocktails. Fill-ing stuff. 112 Phra Athit Rd., 081-406-3773. Open Tue-Sun 4pm-midnight.

NERD by Daniel Thaiger

Hungry for Bangkok’s very best burger after long, hard gaming sessions of FIFA 15 or Ghost Recon? Mark and Honey Falcioni of Bangkok’s favorite burger truck, Daniel Thaiger, have you covered with their follow-up venture at gaming lounge Game Over. NERD by Daniel Thaiger of-fers burgers and malty shakes to hungry video and board game addicts in need of refresh-ment. For the rest of us, it’s also a chance to try some of the city’s most-hyped burgers with air conditioning and without the prospect of them selling out.Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-170-7684. Tue-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-11:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-11:30pm. Other branch: Daniel Thaiger Truck (Sukhumvit Soi 23)

BEST BURGER

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50 Best Eats 2015

Junker and Bar Part WTF (crowds drinking on the street outside), part Escapade (hefty-sized, no-nonsense burgers), the compact galley space packs in a kitchen (OK, a grill, deep-fat fryer and fridge) and a well-stocked bar serving locally distilled sprits, home-infused concoctions and Thai-made craft beers. Go straight for the burgers: the meat in the the towering, strictly-knife-and-fork Austra-lian wagyu burger is lovely and moist, accompanied by a sharp and sweet tomato relish.454 Suanphlu Soi 1, 085-100-3608. Open Tue-Sun noon-midnight

Mother TruckerLocate the black food truck and order some big-sized burgers stuffed with a premium, juicy 150-gram jumbo pork or beef patty, arugula, Aussie cheese, bacon and a breaded onion-ring. Add more onion rings on the side or go nuts and double, triple or even quadruple it up for a beast of a burger. If this is your first time, we’d recom-mend sticking to a single patty though. It’s more than enough and plenty delicious.Opposite Joke Bang Lamphu, Khao San Rd., 085-121-3767, 082-596-5222 Call ahead or visit mothertruckerbkk

BEST BURGER

Fatty’s Bar & Diner This fairly basic space is grungier than oth-er diners in town, but it puts some serious gusto into its classic American dishes and also hosts comedy nights, gigs and movie screenings. Join the largely expat crowd and order the deep-fried jalapeno stuffed with Wisconsin cream cheese, Buffalo hot wings and Jack the Ripper (deep-fried ba-con-wrapped sausage topped with pep-pers, onions and jalapeno cheese sauce). Or maybe just one amazing burger and a craft beer. Reasonable prices and a rock-ing playlist earn it extra points.598/66 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 081-438 7221. Open Tue-Sun 4pm-midnight.


51Best Eats 2015

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Chef Bar Located near Chokchai Steakhouse, this recently refurbished, tiny dining spot serves a focused list of dishes with an empha-sis on classic and modern Australian fare. Chef Roland Gra-ham’s recommendations include the naturally fed steaks from Tasmania, lamb sausage rolls, homemade meat pies and lamb shoulder burger, as well as rotating daily specials. We’re particularly fond of the Robbins Island pasture-fed wagyu burger, topped with wild mushroom ragout and torched goat’s cheese. It’s one of the best in town.Across Prasarnmitr Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 21/2, 080-052-7336. MRT Sukhumvit. Open Mon-Sat 5-9pm; Sat noon-3pm

25 Degrees Burger Bar

Hyde & Seek Peek-a-Boo


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G/F, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, 188 Silom Rd., 02-238-1991. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily 24 hrs. F

Originated in famous Hollywood Roosevelt, this burger bar is named

after the precise temperature difference between a raw and well

done hamburger, 25 Degrees introduces a sophisticated new twist on

the traditional American burger bar concept –complete with funky

music and cool “bordello meets burger bar” decor. The most popular

is the No.1 signature burger, with caramelized onion, bacon, Arugula,

Gorgonzola cheese and thousand island dressing. 25 Degrees can

also do it your way with its Craft Your Own Burger menu.

1/F, Groove, CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd., 02 646 1099. BTS Siam. Open daily 11-12:30am. F

Inspired by tree houses, this bar-restaurant hybrid offers a sophisti-

cated trip down memory lane. A local former champion of the Diageo

Reserve World Class Thailand Competition designed the drinks list,

and it shows. The menu is tight and original, from the fruity BKK Cob-

bler to the old-fashioned-style Whiskey Rebellion. Be sure to order

the tasty bar snacks like Scotch eggs to go with your drinks.

Mad MoaThe tiny Old Town shop-house that previously housed Seven Spoons has been given a Polyne-sian makeover. Called Mad Moa, the tiki-themed bar serves simple yet unique pub grub. The Aussie wagyu-packed Mad Moa Burger comes in a homemade brioche with chipotle mayo, while the super-ten-der, three-day slow-cooked ribs with lemon and herbs are, frankly, some of the best we’ve tasted in Bangkok–-the perfect pairing to one of their rum-heavy daily rotating cocktails. Take note: they also do a line of under-the-counter home-brewed beers that you won’t find on the menu.211/7, Chakkaphatdi Phong Rd., 085-155-2601. Open Tue-Sun 6-11pm.

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52 Best Eats 2015

Pizza Pala Romana The result of Pala’s Roman-style 72-hour-cured dough is a thick, bread-like crust bursting with flavor. Pala also does a mean selection of pastas and specials that seem to never repeat themselves, serving up rare ingredients for the Bolognese-weary, such as gnocchi with pumpkin or blue cheese and walnut sauce. As a place to simply grab a slice to go, it remains one of our top picks in town—just don’t expect a fine-dining ambiance.Room #1, MRT Sukhumvit Station, Asoke, 02-259-1228-9. MRT Sukhumvit. Open Mon-Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 11am-midnight. Other branch: C.P. Tower (Silom Rd., pic-tured here). www.palapizzabangkok.com

Il Bolognese Trattoria e Pizzeria Il Bolognese does pizza for the connoisseur, using crust left to rise for 72 hours. The manager, Andrea Bernardi, says he never stops testing the recipe, and has tried various different flours and techniques to produce a crust that is crispy but not too airy. There are generous wood-fired notes, accentuated by quality toppings. The parma e stracciatella, for instance, is a terrific option.139/3 Sathorn Soi 7, 02-286-8805. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm. F

BEST PIZZA

PeppinaWanting to make the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in Bangkok, chef Paolo Vitaletti (of the highly esteemed Appia, which is just around the corner) ordered his massive pizza oven direct-ly from Italy, along with a Neapolitan baker with five years’ experience just to make the dough. The result is sim-ply some of the best Italian pizza in town. But Peppina also serves a vari-ety of fresh salads, specialty cold cuts and hearty grilled meats.27/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-119-7677. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-mid-night. F (valet) H


53Best Eats 2015

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Pizza Massilia Anchored in a Sala Daeng parking lot, this food truck stems from a collaboration between two French and Italian powers, namely French restaurateur Frederic Meyer (Issaya Siamese Club and Namsaah Bottling Trust) and Italian chef Luca Apino (La Bottega di Luca). The resulting pizza is pretty amazing. In addition to the classic margherita, other options include spicy andouja and garlic, the French-inspired ratatouille and baby squid Provencal. Drinks range from limonata and orangeade to wine and Italian draft beer.MK Gold Parking Lot, Soi Sala Daeng, Silom Rd., 02-259-9294. BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Silom. Open Tue-Sun 5:30-10pm. F

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Beccofino Italian Restaurant & Grill

Domino’s Pizza


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Fifty Fifth Plaza, 90 Thonglor Soi 2, 02-714 -7763-4. BTS Thong Lo. Open daily 10:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm.

The starched white tablecloths and velvet-upholstered chair are

paired with rustic materials like bare bricks, hand-troweled walls

in earth tones and solid wood furniture. Chef and co-owner Ange-

lo Rottoli, Beccofino takes particular pride in his hand-rolled and

hand-twisted pasta, but also the wood-fired oven used to make

crispy thin-crust pizzas. Either way, dishes are comforting and fuss-

free. Beccofino is equally serious about its wine: their list is impres-

sive, and just for Italian wines.

One Fenix Square, Sukhumvit Soi 22 (and more than 20 other stores), Call center: 1612. www.dominospizza.co.th. Open daily 10am-11pm.

After some ten years during which it had disappeared from Bang-

kok, Domino’s Pizza returned to the city in 2012. The U.S. pizza chain

boasts its hand-tossed, thin and crispy crusts as well as the signa-

ture pan with various kinds of toppings like pepperoni, Hawaiian and

seafood, spanning all over to the rim. It also highlights its delivery

strength, with the growing store locations, by offering a 30-minute

delivery guarantee.

Pizzeria Limoncello

The sister of the esteemed fine-din-ing restaurant Zanotti offers delicious pizza as well as other authentic Italian classics. The decor is home-style and the open ovens make the whole place smell delicious. Do leave some space for the panna cotta or just a cup of fresh strawberries and enjoy the kitsch experience of dining on checkered tablecloths under a vaulted ceiling painted with chubby cherubs.17 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-0707. BTS Nana. Open Mon-Fri noon-2pm, 6-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-3pm, 5:30-11pm. H F


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54 Best Eats 2015

Kram Kram does simple Thai comfort food in a house filled with plants and reclaimed wood. The adorable out-door area is filled with bean bags, picnic-style seating and hanging light bulbs, with movies projecting onto the wall. The kitchen serves up classic Thai dishes including gaeng kua poo bai chaploo (curry with crab-meat and wild betel leaf), pla rak gluay pad prik khing (stir-fried horseface loach with chili paste) and woon-sen dork kajorn pad khai (stir-fried glass noodles with cowslip creeper).Thai. 113 Sukhumvit Soi 39 (Sukhumvit), 02-258-8170. Open Tue-Fri 11am-2:30pm; Tue-Thu 5:30-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm; Fri 5:30-11pm. A F B-BB

Scoozi Pizzeria Scoozi is a veritable pizza empire now, with some 20 locations all over Bangkok. It’s all the more remarkable that their pizza continues to taste this authentic. The tartufo, for example, is a signature recipe that takes a classic four-cheese pizza and throws in some mushrooms and truffle oil for added depth. The crusts are satisfyingly thin and crispy, and can even be ordered with whole-wheat flow-er. They also serve salads, soups and pasta—but we’d recommend you stick to the pizza.174/3 Surawong Rd., 02-234-6999. Open dai-ly 10:30am-10pm. F 19 other branches in Bangkok www.scoozipizza.com

BEST PIZZA


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Pizza ManiaOne of our favorite pizza deliv-ery joints, Pizza Mania is easy on the prices, but big on fla-vors. The doughs and sauces taste very natural, the crust is crispy and, although the toppings may be far from so-phisticated Italian stuff (think chewy pepperoni instead), they are very hearty and unpretentious. Pizza Mania doesn’t skimp on the cheese and the seasonings either, meaning this is the perfect accompaniment to a beer or Coke while watching a game.120/3, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-1212. MRT Sukhumvit. Open dai-ly 11am-11pm.

BasilicoAmid classical green checked table-cloths, rustic chairs and vaulted nich-es, Basilico serves affordable pizzas that were some of the first in Bangkok to truly aim for authenticity. With only three branches in town, Basilico is no Scoozi, and its restaurants retain the atmosphere of a standalone. There are dozens of different pizzas on offer, from a simple Napoli to a hearty ca-pricciosa, but you could also swing by for the whole antipasti, pasta and meats combo. We also recommend the lasagna.34 Phahon Yothin Soi 7 (Ari), 02-619-8188. Open daily 11am-2:30pm, 5-10:30pm. F Other branches: Sukhumvit Soi 20 and 33 www.basilicopizza.com


55Best Eats 2015


Get Free Mini Croissant (THB 45) or Macaron (THB 65) when spend 200 baht or more /sale slip. (limit 1 pc./card/table)

Today – 31 Jan 16

BEST PASTRY

Paris MikkiAfter training in Paris for nine years at top names like Ladu-ree and Angelina, Thai/Ameri-can pastry chef Carol Boosaba opened this little white and blue cafe in Asoke. Here, all the cakes and pastries are baked daily in limited numbers. Focusing on traditional French pastries, the menu rotates depending on seasonal ingredients. We recom-mend classics like St. Honore, tarte au chocolat and the Parisian croissant.1/F, Metha Wattana, 27 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 088-870-0020. BTS Asok. Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm. F

Uncle Tetsu Founded in Fukuoka, Japan, this bakery has been spreading around the globe for over 20 years and makes some of the best Japanese-style cheesecake you will ever taste. The signature Angel Hat has a cloud-like texture which unfolds into a sugary and tangy burst of flavor. Their secret? Plenty of butter and cream cheese from happy Jap-anese cows. Also try the original chocolate flavor—not to be missed.G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-235-2221. BTS Siam. Open daily 10am-10pm. F 9 other branches in Bangkok. uncletetsu.thailand

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After You After You is a phenomenal success. To this day, the dessert

cafe’s many locations are often mobbed, with people queuing out front for the super-buttery honey toast (picture a giant slab of bread several inches tall) topped with vanilla ice cream and a side of whipped cream. There are equally decadent variations with nutella, strawberries or even cheddar cheese.323/3 Thonglor Soi 13, 02-712-9266. Open daily 11am-midnight. 9 other branches in Bangkok. www.afteryoudessertcafe.com


56 Best Eats 2015

Pierre Herme Pierre Herme started out as an apprentice for legendary patissier Gaston Lenotre, before becoming pastry chef for Fauchon at only 24, and then Laduree. The man is singlehandedly responsible for the world’s macaron ma-nia. And now, he’s making the very best ones in his own name. Munch on signature flavors rose, caramel, dark chocolate and milk chocolate with passion fruit or go seasonal with such short-lived treats as truffle, mandarin orange and green apple-celery. In addition to macarons, you can also order chocolate bonbons, cakes and jams.G/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 089-365-8888. BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily 10am-10pm. F

Maison Eric Kayser After opening stores in nine countries through-out Asia, French artisan boulangarie Maison Eric Kayser has finally landed in Bangkok. Eric Kayser, known for his signature Baguette Monge and croissant, is the fourth generation of a family of bakers and has opened more than 110 outlets worldwide in little over a decade. Expect a variety of breads, croissants and pas-tries as well as sandwiches and light meals.103 Sukhumvit 55, between Soi 3-5, 02-712-9070. BTS Thong Lo. Open daily 7:30am-10pm.

Krispy Kreme Remember the crazy three-hour queues that welcomed the opening of the first branch at Paragon? Well, this is still our favorite doughnut in town. The appearance is appealing, if a little uniform, with a layer of hard icing coating the perfectly formed ring. Perhaps not surpris-ingly, then, the initial taste is a heap of sweetness but the actual texture of the doughnut is very light, with buttery notes. There’s hardly any aftertaste of oil making it very easy to have two—or three. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-402-4554. BTS Siam. Open daily 10am-10pm. F 17 other branches in Bangkok www.krispykreme.co.th

BEST PASTRY

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57Best Eats 2015

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New York Cheesecake Sure, they do a few other things, like chocolate truffle cheese-cake and black forest cake. But what really makes the trip to CDC worth it (and putting up with the shack’s no-frills decor) is its splendid New York-style cheesecake. Baked not set, the huge cakes have a flavor that’s creamier than most, and come served in portions plenty big enough to share. Oh, and their pastrami sandwiches are not to be missed, too.Crystal Design Center, Praditmanoontham Rd., 02-102-2065. Open Sun-Thu 10:30am-8pm; Fri-Sat 10:30am-9pm. F

Lobby Salon The Sukhothai is the choco-late king in this town, thanks to its single-focus afternoon tea-time buffet devoted to this dark pleasure. First off, there’s the signature choc-olate cake with confit gin-ger by pastry chef Laurent Ganguillet. But you’ve also got to sample a cup of the hot chocolate that’s made on the spot by melting chips of chocolate (16 types and origins available, from Cuba to Venezuela) and cream into a cup. The Sukhothai Bangkok, 13/3 Sathorn Rd., 02-344-8888. MRT Lumphini. Tea-time F

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

ChikaLicious


Get complimentary TWG Tea mocktail valued 190 Baht when order TWG Tea Harmony set valued 790 Baht

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Today - 28 Feb 2016

M/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6070. BTS Phrom Phong. Open

daily 10am-10pm. F

TWG Tea’s trademark look is all monogrammed glass, wood panel-

ing trimmed with gold and shelves lined with signature yellow tins.

Drinks are prepared behind an open bar, so you can keep an eye on

the bartenders as they steep and taste every pot. The menu includes

sets for breakfast, brunch and dinner, as well as all-day dishes. Ex-

pect plenty of signature dishes infused with tea, from the seared foie

gras salad to the mango crumble.

5/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5892. BTS Phloen Chit.

Open daily 10am-10pm. F

This New York based concept sees a dessert bar serve up a three-

course-dessert prix fixe menu which you can pair with wine. The

menu starts with an amuse-bouche e.g. a fresh granita in flavours

like watermelon, followed by a signature main dessert such as choc-

olate tart with pink peppercorn ice cream and red wine sauce, paired

with port wine. Finish with chef’s selection of three petit desserts,

for examples Cointreau chocolate truffle and coconut marshmallow.


58 Best Eats 2015

Tony Roma’s Ribs purists don’t have much love in their barbecue sauce-coated hearts for chains. But something has to be said for global brands refining their secret weapon for decades—think Coca-Cola or McDonald’s French fries. Tony Roma’s ribs combine perfect texture with a well-balanced sauce, particularly if you get the beef ribs. Cheese-topped potato skins and a half-slab of original baby backs are always a safe bet, too.4/F, Terminal 21, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-108-0790. MRT Sukhum-vit, BTS Asok. Open daily 11am-10pm. F

BEST BBQ,RIBS & WINGS

Kyochon One of Korea’s largest fried chicken restaurant chains, Kyochon now has six branches in Bangkok. It claims to import the sauces and main ingredients from Korea, for an authentic and traditional taste. The signature flavors are the original soy garlic, red hot and honey. You can either opt for wings and drumsticks or even a half or whole chicken. 1/F, Centerpoint of Siam Square, Rama 1 Rd., 02-623-4166. BTS Siam. Open daily 10am-9pm. 5 other branches.

kyochonthailand

BonChon Chicken BonChon has followings

in several major US cities, Seoul and Bangkok. Their concept is simple: fried chicken, Korean-style, comple-mented by fat-cutting condiments like salads, pickles and booze. The signature chicken lives up to the hype: a crunchy batter on the outside that holds up marvelously against the restrained slathering of spicy sauce, and moist, tender and flavorful meat on the inside.2/F, Seenspace, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2361. Open daily 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-midnight. F 10 other branches in Bangkok. bonchonthailand


59Best Eats 2015

Smokin’ Pug The brainchild of the Amer-ican barbecue aficionados behind the 10-year-old Lazy Pug in Chengdu, China, spe-cializes in the low-and-slow smoking technique. The result is tender, aromatic meats like smoked buffalo wings, pulled pork (in sandwiches and chili) and full racks of baby back ribs. There are also colorful Tex-Mex dishes like smoked brisket quesadilla and citrus shrimp tacos. Don’t miss the equally smoky bourbon cock-tails, either. 88 Surawong Rd., 083-029-7598. Open daily 5pm-midnight.

Roadhouse Barbecue This spacious, three-story tavern comes fully equipped with a grill and two bars, attracting crowds of office workers and expatriates every night with huge steaks, massive platters, gi-ant sandwiches and 26 beer taps with many new craft beers including Rogue, Deschutes, Brew Dog and Anderson Valley. The menu features a great variety of American favorites in-cluding barbecue ribs, buffalo wings, burgers and steak chili.942/1-4 Rama 4 Rd., 02-236-8010. BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Silom. Open daily 11-2am.

The Chop


Get complimentary BBQ Wings when spending 1,500 Baht or more / sales slip (limit: 1 dish / card / table / sales slip)

Today - 31 Dec 15

9/F, The Helix, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6275. BTS Phrom Phong.

Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-11pm.. F

This elegant steakhouse with industrial age decor, red banquettes

and views of downtown Bangkok serves both its generous steaks and

juicy burgers on slate framed in wood--a fittingly masculine gimmick.

The Chop’s signature is a massive tomahawk (or cote de boeuf as

the French call it) but they also take great pride in their Billionaire

Burger, a decadent tower of wagyu beef, truffle seasoning and foie

gras. For some proper beef and a standalone atmosphere, The Chop

ticks all the right boxes.

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EAT & ENJOY by Citi


60 Best Eats 2015

Sway This pre- and post-clubbing spot puts the emphasis on Western bar favorites. The main draw is undoubtedly the chicken wings in some 35 flavors. All come with a special ranch sauce and carrots. Another real highlight is the great beer selection, including a beer wall that lets you try a variety of fine drops from the likes of Rogue and Anderson Valley before you buy. Arena 10, Thonglor Soi 10, 02-711-6052. Open daily 6pm-2am. F

BEST BBQ, RIBS & WINGS

Bourbon Street Around for years, Bourbon Street is still the only place in town doing Cajun and Creole food. The result? Tables packed with nostalgic Americans and locals, amazed and comforted by Louisiana favorites like cornmeal-crusted catfish, barbecued ribs, crawfish etouffee and jambalaya. The portions are large and affordable, and service is brisk. 9/39-40 Ekkamai Soi Tana Arcade, 02-381-6801-3. BTS Ekkamai. Open daily 7am-mid-night. F

Lady Brett The folks behind next door’s Rocket also own this cozy wood-and-tiles restaurant inspired by 20th-centu-ry taverns. Chef Patrick Martens’ menu focuses on barbecued and seasonal food, cooked over open flames on a Josper charcoal grill. Cocktails are excellent, while up-stairs you’ll find the dimly-lit and leather-laden U.N.C.L.E., serving more craft cocktails throughout the night. 149 Sathorn Soi 12, 02-635-0405. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily 5pm-midnight.


61Best Eats 2015

INDEX

0-1051 25 Degree Burger Bar A55 After You32 Ah Yat Abalone Forum26 Aka18 Ampersand Boutique

B38 Baan Ying Cafe & Meal44 Banh Mi Bo20 Bankara Ramen54 Basilico53 Beccofino Italian Restaurant & Grill31 Bella Rocca45 Bin Bin Long28 Bo.lan58 BonChon Chicken60 Bourbon Street16 Buddhi Belly

C12 Cafe Tartine15 Calin Cafe09 Casa Lapin08 Ceresia Coffee Roasters13 Ceret20 Chabuton46 Charley Brown’s 51 Chef Bar33 Chef Man33 Chef Pom59 The Chop11 Costa Coffee12 Chu57 Chickalicious34 China Palace

17 Cold Stone Creamery48 Coyote17 Creamery Boutique Ice Creams12 Crepes & Co.16 Crumb by After You

D32 Din Tai Fung53 Domino’s Pizza

E35 EAT (Eat All Thai)17 Emack & Bolio’s49 Escapade Burgers & Shakes

F18 Farm to Table Cafe50 Fatty’s Bar & Diner49 The Firehouse

G09 Gallery Drip Coffee13 Gram34 Grand Palace35 Greyhound Cafe25 Gyu Gyu Tei

H24 Hachiban11 Hemingway’s26 Hida Grill32 Hong Bao30 Honmono Sushi51 Hyde & Seek Peek a Boo

I16 iBerry52 Il Bolognese Trattoria e Pizzeria10 Ink & Lion Cafe22 Ippudo Ramen18 Itim Morefire Yotse30 Italics

J17 Jaiyen Cafe50 Junker and Bar

K36 Kai Yang Sua Yai10 Kaizen Coffee Co.35 Kalpapruek27 King Kong by Nami22 Korakuen36 Kram56 Krispy Kreme38 Kub Kao Kub Pla38 Kumpoon09 Kuppa Deli58 Kyochon

L60 Lady Brett46 La Monita Taqueria43 Le Dalat29 Lenzi Tuscan Kitchen33 Liu57 Lobby Salon23 The Lucky Room


62 Best Eats 2015

M45 Madam T51 Mad Moa56 Maison Eric Kayser48 Mejico22 Menya Kouji26 Miraku24 Misoya Ramen50 Mother Trucker40 Muteki

N24 Nantsuttei38 Nara49 Nerd by Daniel Thaiger57 New York Cheesecake44 Ngon Lam09 Nikko Cafe

O08 One Ounce for Onion

P10 Pacamara55 Paris Mikki13 Paul52 Peppina56 Pierre Herme53 Pizzeria Limoncello54 Pizza Mania53 Pizza Massilia52 Pizza Pala Romana53 Pizzeria Limoncello

R22 Ramen Kio24 Ramen Tei25 Rengaya59 Roadhouse Barbecue14 Roast15 Rocket Coffeebar08 Roots33 Royal Kitchen

S46 Sabroso Mexican Tapas Bar43 Saigon Recipe42 Sakana Sushi & Sashimi31 Sava Dining54 Scoozi Pizzeria41 Seiryu Sushi14 Simple59 Smokin’ Pug36 Somtum Der41 Sousaku47 Sunrise Tacos27 Sumi Tei Yakiniku40 Sushi Hiro40 Sushi Masa41 Sushi Shin60 Sway

T48 Tacos & Salsa36 Taling Pling14 Taper41 Tenyuu Sushi Bar43 Thang Long

45 Thien Duong34 Ting Tai Fu42 Torajiro42 Tororo 27 Tohkai58 Tony Roma’s13 Tribeca Restobar57 TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

U55 Uncle Tetsu

V44 Vietnamese & More29 Vivarium

Y25 Yakiniku Bar27 Yakiniku Tan28 Yuutaro

Z47 Zambrero45 Zoulviet

INDEX


bk best eats 2015

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