Gourmet Food in Bangkok

A standard foodie never judges food by price. He may go to a 3-star Michelin restaurant and would also eat at a street food stall. It’s a must-go for him so long as the food there is tasty. Though not a local, I have discovered some good restaurants during my several visits to Bangkok in the past two years. The capacity of stomach is limited while delicacies are numerous. It’s a great pleasure to have the most satisfactory food with a limited stomach. It’s an even greater pleasure to share the discoveries with gourmet friends.

Thong Lo Night Market

Though Asiatique the Riverfront is trendy and bustling, I found the food street next to Thong Lo Station of BTS is unforgettable. I lived in the nearby Marriott Hotel that time and strolled to this night market by chance to find the food on this lessthan-one-hundred-meter street like roast fish, roast chicken skewer and various sweet soup quite luscious. Few food guides mention this night market and many people go across the street to try the socalled “best rice with mango in Bangkok” in Mae Varee. I don’t think it’s necessary to come to Mae Varee for rice with mango only，but it would be a great fun if you can also try the snacks at the night market. The price is low but the taste of the food is authentic here where you can feel what the real night life in Bangkok is like since the street is outside the tourist area. If you want to enjoy a western style night life in Bangkok, go to the balcony bar on the top floor of Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit where you can see the sunset, the night scenery and beauties clad in evening dresses.

China Town

The night market in China Town is also one of my favorite night markets in Bangkok. The pomegranate juice there, neither strong nor insipid, was the most delicious pomegranate juice I have drunk. It is also a good place to eat bird’s nest soup, a cheap delicacy in Thailand. Eaten with roast shrimp and shellfish, the soup tastes even better. BBQ, rice noodles, herbal tea, sweet soup, dried meat, and juice offer you a number of choices and you may try them one by one. As China Town is close neither to the subway station nor to the wharf, and you need to walk for a while to take the bus, you can take the walking time to digest.

Ayutthaya

It was not a weekend, so I couldn’t take my BFFs to eat seafood BBQ at Amphawa Floating Market. Then we took a taxi to Ayutthaya, a famous place to eat shrimp in Bangkok, which cost us 2,000 Thai baht. At noon, the driver brought us to a fair near the expressway. Various living sea creatures are kept in aquariums with marked prices. We ordered a kilo of shrimp, a kilo of blood clam, a kilo of crab, a kilo of whelk and a squid to roast, drinks and fried water spinach only for 1,600 Thai baht. The only problem to dine here is that it’s not convenient to come unless you take a taxi.

Midnight Kai Don

I stayed in The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam when I came to Bangkok last year. The famous Midnight Kai Don is just across the street. One portion of Pratunam Chicken and Rice including chicken soup cost me only 40 Thai baht. There are two chicken and rice restaurants, one is in pink decoration while the other in green, it is said that the pink one is authentic. I actually prefer the chicken rice in Chiang Mai, for the dip dish here tastes too light for me. But since we don't go to Chiang Mai, this time I'll of course take my ladybro to try this chicken and rice not found in Hainan but in Southeast Asia. After visiting Center World and Big C, why don’t you come and try the chicken and rice at Midnight Kai Don. Many people like the milk tea in the restaurant but I prefer its longan soup. The nearby food stalls selling rice and mango are also worth trying.

Elements Restaurant of The Okura Prestige Bangkok

Gaggan or Blue Elephant? I hesitated for quite a while and finally chose Blue Elephant. You’d better reserve a table in advance to dine in this Michelin starred restaurant located by Surasak BTS Station. Within a European style villa, the restaurant features exquisite Thai decoration, fine tableware, and considerate service, but the dishes somewhat disappointed me. Compared with the Thai restaurants loved by the locals, this restaurant doesn’t stand out for its dishes. Among the upmarket restaurants, I prefer Elements in The Okura Prestige Bangkok. The innovative western style cuisine served there will surprise you with both its look and taste. Of course, it’s pricey. Besides, the swimming pool in the hotel is superb, too.

Laem Cha-roen

Nara is a popular Thai restaurant which has won awards year after year. But my local friend recommended me another seafood restaurant popular among the Thai people - Laem Cha-roen on the third floor of Central World. Fresh crab salad is offered here. With strong spicy and sour garlic taste, the salad is incomparably delectable. Its curried crab is also the most delicious among all those I have tasted in Thailand. What’s more, the price is reasonable and the service is good. I like all the dishes served here.

Author’s lounge of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is an elegant hotel with a long history. One of the highlights of the hotel is its Author’s Wing. One of the four writer’s suites on the second floor was lived by William Somerset Maugham, one of my favorite writers. Though I couldn’t afford to live in the room he once lived, I could have an afternoon tea at Author’s lounge on the first floor where the best traditional British afternoon tea in Bangkok is served. White rattan furniture, green plants, live music, sunshine in the lobby and nostalgic photos on the wall create a wonderful environment for you to drink strong black tea, eat scrumptious snacks and enjoy a moment of serenity. The afternoon tea contains British style and Thai style, each of which has its own features. I ordered three kinds of black tea – “oriental”, Indian “Darjeeling”, and “Marco Polo” to find “Marco Polo” was to my liking.

Shangri-La Hotel is not far from Mandarin Oriental but there is no shortcut between the two hotels, and you need to make a long detour. Luckily, the Shangri-La offers free shuttle service by water between the two hotels. At Saphan Tak Sin BTS Station, you can also find the free shuttle service of Mandarin Oriental. It’s worth mentioning that you cannot wear T-shirt, shorts or flip-flop to have an afternoon tea at Author’s lounge. Besides, Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel also offers good afternoon tea and its handmade chocolate is especially desirable.

After You Dessert Café

After You Dessert Café is one of the hottest cafés in Bangkok. Although it has opened many branches, you still need to wait in line. My local friend strongly recommended it to me. For tourists, the branch on the seventh floor of Central World is the most convenient one to visit. Its specialty Shibuya honey toast is so delicious that even I, who don’t like toast, cannot help praising its good flavor. Some must-try desserts are all great!

Words & Photos / Iris