Somtam Nua @ Siam Square

Somtam Nua (ส้มตำนัว) @ Siam Square
Cuisine: Thai (Isaan)
Address: 392/14 Siam Square Soi 5, Bangkok 10110.
GPS: Nil
Tel: 02 2514880
Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm. Kitchen closes at 930pm.
Payment: Cash only.
Web: Nil

So many have been written about food in Bangkok. This blog will never be complete if there is no mention of a restaurant in the heart of Bangkok called Som Tam Nua which is renowned for their delectable Issan food.


** Our order **
This is a sample of our order which we last visited the restaurant two months ago (May'11). Most of them are signature dishes of the northeastern Thai cooking. Among all, the Laab Moo is the most spicy dish on the table. This time, we'd a special dish called Phad Khanom Jeen which, I believe, is not a typical Isaan dish. Khanom Jeen, a kind of thick white noodle, is usually taken with hot spicy/curry soup topped with shredded cabbage and hard-boiled eggs. However, this was our first time sampling stir-fried Khanom Jeen with pork floss. The dish turned out to be surprisingly good. It isn't spicy and tasted a little sweet, probably because of the pork floss!

Kor Moo Yang / คอหมูย่าง (Grilled pork collar) THB98

Laab Moo / ลาบหมู (Spicy minced pork) THB85

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Tom Yum Kung @ Khao San Road

Name: Tom Yum Kung @ Khao San Road
Cuisine: Thai cuisine
Address: 9 Trokmayom Jakapong Rd., Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200
GPS: NA
Tel: 02-2629 2772, 02-2629 2882
Open: 11:00 am to 2:00 am
Payment: Visa, Master & cash.
Web: http://www.tomyumkungkhaosan.com/
Remarks: Nil
Originally posted: November'2010
Last updated: Nil

** The Restaurant **
'Tom Yum Kung', the Thai restaurant, is tucked at the end of a short soi, off Khao San Road. The restaurant, or more aptly an eating place, is in reality set at the courtyard of an old bungalow which now houses 'true Cafe'.
We have to navigate through a cramped alley before reaching this part of the soi. Their neon signboard. Courtyard view ...

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Ruen Mallika @ Sukhumvit 22

Name: Ruen Mallika @ Sukhumvit 22
Cuisine: Royal Thai cuisine
Address: 189 Sukhumvit Soi 22 Bangkok
GPS: NA
Tel: 02-6633 2112
Open: 8am to 10pm
Payment: Visa, Master, Diners & cash.
Web: http://www.ruenmallika.com/
Remarks: Nil
Originally posted: September'2010
Last updated: Nil

** The Restaurant **
A fine lady greeted us on our arrival. Because of the rain, we were ushered to this big low coffee table. Looking to the left from our table is a small indoor garden. If not for the rain, we would have dined alfresco.

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Ratree Seafood @ Silom

Name: Ratree Seafood @ Silom
Cuisine: Thai
Address: Silom Soi 1, Bangkok.
GPS: N13°43'41.46", E100°32'01.71"
Tel: NA
Open: 8pm to midnight.
Payment: Cash only.
Web: NA
Remarks: NA
Originally posted: July'2010
Last updated: NA

** The stall **
Ratree's small banner I believe she is the stall owner who also prepared our foods A humble selection of seafood

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Once Upon a Time Restaurant

Name: Once Upon a Time
Cuisine: Traditional Thai
Address: 32 Petchburi Soi 17, Pratunam, Bangkok. (Opposite Pantip Plaza)
GPS: N13°45'10.08", E100°32'17.72"
Tel: (02)-252 8629 / (02)-653 7857
Open: Daily from 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Payment: Cash & major credit cards
Web: http://www.onceuponatimeinthailand.net/
Remarks: -
Originally posted: April'2010
Last updated: -

The restaurant (indoor) ...
The indoor dinning place is in an old two storey wooden house painted in pink. The small air-conditional restaurant occupies the first floor. The upper level houses two studios which mock up as bedrooms. As these studios are small & the angles are tight, I don't have a wide-angle cam to take any representative shots of these rooms. Suffice to say, we were very impressed by the nostalgic Victorian decor.
A demure signboard that doesn't say much of what lays behind. Main entrance to the indoor restaurant. Servers are donned in traditional Thai costumes. Warm lighting.

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Face Bangkok - Lanna Thai

Name: Face Bangkok - Lanna Thai
Cuisine: Thai
Address: #29, Soi 38, Sukhumvit Road, Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok, 10110
Tel: (02) 713 6048
Open:
Payment: Cash & major credit cards
Web: http://www.facebars.com/bg/
Remarks:
Originally posted: July'2009
Last updated: -

A collection of old photos of 'Lanna Thai' Thai Restaurant from the Face Bangkok which is formed by a cluster of traditional Thai houses tucked quietly in the inner Sukhumvit Soi 38.

The compound houses a chill-out bar by the name of Face Bar, Hazara an Indian restaurant, Visage ('Face' in French) the pastry shop and a spa, in addition to Lanna Thai!

Table for two: No details.

My verdict: Fantastic ambiance, impeccable service and definitely a place to impress your partner.

Recommended: -

The restaurant ...

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Buri Tara Bar & Restaurant

Name: Buri Tara Bar & Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
Address: 762/2 Rama III Road, Jatujak Rama III, Bangkok
Tel: (02) 682 9457
Open: 5pm - 1am
Payment: Cash & major credit cards
Web:
Remarks: The restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco dining.
Originally posted: June'2009
Last updated: -

Just some old photos of Buri Tara taken in 2006.

Table for two: It's THB1007 for our sumptuous Thai dinner.

My verdict: Nice river view dining place despite located more than THB100 taxi ride away from Bangkok City center.

Recommended: Tom Yum Goong & morning glory salad.

The restaurant ...

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Ko Kred Kanom Jeen

Name: Ko Kred Kanom Jeen
Cuisine: Thai
Address: Ko Kred
Tel: Nil
Open: -
Payment: Cash
Web: Nil
Remarks: Kanom Jeen's Thai script - ขนมจีน
Originally posted: April 2009
Last updated: -
Date visited: May 2008

Kanom Jeen (ขนมจีน) is a kind of white round noodles. It is thicker than sen mee (เส้นหมี่) or what's similar to mee hoon (米粉) in Singapore. Jeen is Chinese in Thai language. Hence, Kanom Jeen is also sometimes translated as Chinese noodles/pasta.

I have a feeling that our Singapore's Peranakan Laksa is somehow related to Thai Kanom Jeen.

Table for two: No details

My verdict: To be honest, I haven't had much experience with Kanom Jeen. But the first impression of this riverside eatery gave was orderly and, to some extend, neat. My self-made dish was inviting, although the curries were really spicy.

Recommended: Nil

In a nutshell
Likes:
> Simple, unpretentious dining place by the river
> Fresh ingredients

Dislikes:
> Nil

The eatery ...

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Sukhumvit House Number 1

Name: Sukhumvit House Number 1
Cuisine: Thai
Address: No 1, Sukhumvit Soi 14, Bangkok
Tel: (02) 653 3900
Open: Daily 11am to 1am
Payment: Cash and major credit cards
Web: http://www.skv1.com/
Remarks: -
Originally posted: March 2009
Last updated: -
Date visited: May 2008

Table for two: It was a table for three this time and the bill came up to THB3084 (~SGD134). No alcoholic drink and excluding tips.

My verdict:

Recommended: Nil

In a nutshell
Likes:
> Impeccable & attentive services
> Above average foods
> Great ambiance

Dislikes:
> Performers actively solicit tips

The restaurant ...
Façade:

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The Krok @ Siam Square

Name: The Krok, Thai Isan Restaurant
Cuisine: Northeastern Thai - Isaan
Address: Soi 2, Siam Square, Bangkok
Tel: (02) 251 9916
Open: (to be updated)
Payment: Cash and major credit cards
Web: Nil
Remarks: -
Originally posted: March 2009
Last updated: -
Date visited: January 2009

This was my maiden visit to an Isaan restaurant. The Krok is located at Siam Square. They are not as popular as the much sought after Som Tam Nua @ Siam Square Soi 5. But the latter is also notorious for letting diners queuing up for as long as 30 minutes or longer outside its restaurant. We gave it a miss since time wasn't on our side, as we have a movie to catch later. While we prowled lane by lane for food, we chanced upon The Krok at Soi 2.

The three-storey restaurant, serves mainly Isaan cuisine, is minimalist in design. Each storey has its color theme which is eye-catching and loud. The ground floor was painted in my favorite lime green color.

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Ging Kalpapruek @ Siam Paragon

Name: Ging Kalpapruek
Cuisine: Thai
Address: Basement, Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
Tel: -
Open: (to be updated)
Payment: Cash and major credit cards
Web: -
Remarks: -
Originally posted: March 2009
Last updated: -
Date visited: December 2008

Our first dining at Ging Kalpapruek was dated back in 2006. I recalled that we unknowingly ordered a potage with coagulated pork blood which both of us are absolutely not in to it. Otherwise, I haven't had much impressions after that.

I was at the food court of Siam Paragon on the New Year eve. The place was over-crowded and it was difficult to reserve/find a seat since I was alone. Eventually, I settled for a dine-in at Ging Kalpapruek Thai Restaurant which was also on the same floor. It could be a little more expensive but I know I don't have to queue for food and compete for a table.

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Thipsamai Pad Thai

Name: Thipsamai Pad Thai
Cuisine: Thai
Address: 313 Mahachai Rd. Samranrat, Phra Nakhon Bangkok 10200.
Tel: (02) 221 6280
Open: Daily from 5pm to 3am.
Payment: Cash.
Web: http://www.thipsamai.com/
Remarks: This eatery has been colloquially known as Pad Thai Pradu Phee (ผัดไทยประตูผี).
Originally posted: February 2009
Last updated: -
Date visited: 29th and 30th January 2009

My attempted visit to Thipsamai on the 3rd day of CNY was discouraging and almost uneventful. When we were at the vicinity, only 2 eateries out of the block of shophouses were opened for business. One of the two was selling Pad Thai and we were misled by the long queue awaiting outside this eatery. As the shop was small, all seats were taken. We were left standing outside contemplating our next move. I quickly noticed that the Pad Thai served by this eatery were soggy and it didn't seem to be as good it should be. I reflected this to my Thai friend who, after looking at the shop sign, realized that he has mistaken the shop for Thipsamai which is just 2 doors away. After getting our bearing right this time, what greeted us at Thipsamai was an half-shut shop! We asked the young lady who manned the partially-opened shop and was informed that they were observing CNY celebration. The eating place would not be opened until the next day (4th day of CNY). Although during this time, the shop continued to sell their famous orange juice (nam som). Eventually we left the place with empty stomach but not without a big bottle of fresh OJ which was really good. ^_^"

Undeterred by my fruitless trip, I returned to Thipsamai on the following evening and was duly rewarded.

On the day of my successful visit, I had their famous Pad Thai Song-Kreung (ผัดไทย ทรงเครื่อง THB150). I picked the Woon Sen (glass noodle or 冬粉 in Chinese) version. In this special order, one gets a big portion of Pad Thai with fresh shrimps topped with sliced green mangoes, thin strips of crispy cuttlefish and a generous serving of crab meat. The delicacy was then added with bean-sprouts, Chinese chives, coriander, lime juice, sprinkle of fish-sauce and finished it with some grind groundnuts before tossing it like Chinese Yu Sheng (鱼生).

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Bussaracum

Name: Bussaracum Royal Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Royal Thai
Address: 139 Sethiwan Tower, Pan Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand 10500
Tel: (02) 266 6312
Open: Daily
Payment: VI, MC, DC & cash
Web: http://www.bussaracum.com/
Remarks:
Originally posted: November 2008
Last updated: March 2009

UPDATED: The restaurant has been relocated to 912/6 Sukhumvit 55 Road (Soi Thonglor).

All pictures were taken in 2006. The restaurant has since gone through a renovation shortly after our visit.

Table for two: TH1398 (Inclusive of 2 non-alcoholic drinks)

Recommended dishes: choo chee groong nang

In a nutshell
Likes:
> Impeccable service
> Exquisite food presentation

Dislikes:
> Nil

The restaurant ...


Our order ...

Naj

Cuisine: Thai
Address: 42 Convent Road, Silom, Bangkok 10500. [map]
Tel: (02) 632 2811
Open: Daily; Lunch 11:30am to 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm to 11:30pm
Payment: VI, MC & cash
Web: http://www.najcuisine.com/
Remarks: An elegant and upmarket restaurant housed in a double storey century old house. And a collection of fine wines carefully stored in the wine cellar located at the basement of the restaurant.
Originally posted: October'2008

Table for two: No record.

Recommended dishes: No details.

In a nutshell
Likes:
> Polite & well-trained servers
> Food served in order

Dislikes:
> Small serving size
> Relatively expensive

The restaurant ...


Our order ...

Cabbages & Condoms

Cuisine: Thai
Address: Sukhumvit soi 12, Bangkok [map]
Tel: (02) 229 4610
Payment: VI, MC, DC & cash
Web: http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/
Remarks: Open daily from 11:00 to 22:00
Originally posted: September'2008

Table for two: THB1661 (inclusive of 2 non-alcoholic drinks)

Recommended dishes: Goong ob woon sen

In a nutshell
Likes:
> Unique theme & lush greenery
> Good food
> Above average dining experience

Dislikes:
> Cheesy outdoor lighting

The restaurant ...



Our order ...