Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Japanese

Map: Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB400 per person without alcohol (lunch)

Visited: 2 May 2016

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Mitsumori may be related to the Ootoya chain of Japan. But it is a step forward in term of quality and delicacy. For this one in Bangkok, it is located within Soi Sukhumvit 23. It might be a little hassle for those who do not drive here as the location is somewhat deep into the soi: cc. 8 to 10 minutes walk (600 meters) from the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 23. Nevertheless, driving here might equally gives some headache when the place is crowded as there are less than 10 lots for parking.

What surely calm my nerve down about quality of this Mitsumori when I walked in was the Japanese expats crowd. I did not see many local here. More than 80% was Japanese. The very first word in my mind then was "authentic". And yes, it did not disappoint us at all. I believe, apart from quality of ingredient, Mitsumori shows excellent bbq range like yakitori. The lunch set is as well superb. As for atmosphere, it is comfy enough with Japanese feeling. There is a counter of around 10 seats in the centre of the restaurant where guests can enjoy chef performing bbq.

Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok

~ 6 - 7 car lots for parking only

the counter seats

performance by bbq chef

the menu

It was one fine lunch when we visited Mitsumori. We had Oyakojyu - ข้าวหน้าไก่บ้านโอยาโกะ (7/10), which is simply grilled chicken cooking in a similar way to katsudon, and Hot Soba with Sakura Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (7/10). Rest assure, quality was indeed great. Chicken was tender and flavouful. Alongside condiments were delicious too. The soba had nice texture. The one with chewiness but soft as noodle should be. Simply classic and lovely. The lunch set also comes with a choice of coffee or tea. A set is certainly wonderful enough to fulfill one's need for a meal. Will surely return.

Oyakojyu - ข้าวหน้าไก่บ้านโอยาโกะ (THB320)

Hot Soba with Sakura Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (THB360)

Iced Coffee to end the meal

Mitsumori @ Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok - มิตซูโมริ @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพฯ

47/1 Soi Sukhumvit 23
Thanon Sukhumvit
Khlong Toey Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 02:30pm for lunch and 05:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner (09:00pm for Sunday and public holidays)

Tel: +66 (0) 2640 8283
Web: http://www.mitsumori-bkk.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mitsumori.bkk/

Ton Chin Kan Ramen @ Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

Cuisine: Japanese (ramen / noodle)

Map: Ton Chin Kan Ramen @ Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

Price: THB200 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 9 August 2013

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 5/10

It has been several years that I am a regular customer at this local brand ramen store called "Ton Chin Kan". Ton Chin Kan is, of course, a place that offers really delicious ramen at the level comparable to those famous Japanese chain such as Ramen Tei. This ramen store is famous for its delicate pork broth base ramen which offers rather dense texture and packed flavour. Though during the past years, the place was encountered with moving of location (4 times as of my knowledge but all in Sukhumvit 22 and 24 areas) from really tiny store to large format and now a more practical size, it still survives the crisis. It has even expanded the second store in Soi Aree which I will review some other time.

The place itself is not large but it does give somewhat comfortable feeling for me. Simple as in typical ramen stores. The open kitchen is right in the middle of the floor. You can watch chefs perform while waiting for your orders.

Ton Chin Kan @ Sukhumvit 22

small but comfortable

can I have all these so tender pork (~.~)

Many dishes of Ton Chin Kan are splendid. But there is one exceptional that I personally like so much that I have to order every single time: Kara Negi Chashu - หมูชาชูต้มกับซอสโชยุและต้นหอมปรุงรส (8/10). It is basically tender pieces of pork belly slice, the same as in ramen, that are seasoned with chopped spring onion and herbs. Fantastic, I have to say. It looks really simple but it tastes just so yummy. However, the taste can be strong for some people though. Highly recommend!!!!!

For ramen, this time we had Shio Ramen - ราเมนซุปใสปรุงรสด้วยเกลือ (6/10) and Tonkotsu Ramen - ราเมนซุปกระดูกหมูข้นปรุงรสด้วยเกลือ (7/10).  Both types use salt as the key ingredient for flavouring. Nevertheless, Tonkotsu Ramen uses pork broth as the base soup to bring up denser texture and natural sweeter flavour of pork. I feel that Shio Ramen is more popular amongst oldies like my parents as it is more refreshing. Whilst, youngsters do tend to go for pork broth base ramen which is rather exciting and fuller on the palate.

Anyway, there are still many other dishes that are nice but we could not review this time. We sure would do next review of Ton Chin Kan at Soi Aree branch to compare. Definitely, we would show different dishes. Well, try it yourself, if you have a chance, to see whether you would agree with me.

Kara Negi Chashu (THB80)

Shio Ramen (THB160)

Tonkotsu Ramen (THB170)

one more closer look

Ton Chin Kan Ramen @ Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok

553 Soi Sukhumvit 22
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toey, Wattana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Tue - Sun 11:30am - 02:00pm for lunch and 05:00pm - 11:00pm for dinner

Tel: +66 (0) 81 160 7738, +66 (0) 81 687 7932
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Tonchinkan.Ramen

Katsu King @ K-Village, Bangkok

Cuisine: Japanese (Tonkatsu Specialist)

Map: Katsu King @ K-Village, Bangkok

Price: THB300 per person without alcohal (what I paid for)

Visited: 2 January 2011

Food: 4/10

Atmosphere: 3/10

Value for money: 4/10

Service: 2/10

Overall: 3/10

Katsu King, one of the famous restaurant at K-Village, offers varieties of Japanese katsu dishes ranging from seafood to Berkshire pork and is popular for its homemade Katsu Curry. The setting of this restaurant is rather easy going and simple. Each katsu dish here goes really well with the special made tasty katsu sauce, which has to be combined with ground sesame.

Sesame

In case a set meal is to be ordered, rice with side dishes and miso soup will be available. Each katsu dish will be served with chopped lettuce salad, which goes perfectly with sesame dressing.

White Rice

Pickles & Mashed Potato

Gyoza, a traditional Japanese dish, had tasty and juicy filling with crispy skin. However, the skin was a little thick and the filling was too little compared to the size of dumpling. Too normal and typical in my perspective (3/10).

Gyoza

The next dish was Katsu King's famous Rosu Katsu with Garlic (Black Pork or Berkshire Pork from Kuroda Farm). Berkshire pork is famous for its tenderness and juicy meat due to its fatty marble. Despite its real crisp batter, this dish was rather below my expectation (5/10).

Rosu Katsu with Garlic (Berkshire Pork)

Hire Miso Katsu (Nagoya Style Katsu) was crisp on the outside up to the standard of Katsu King. Strong miso sauce was thick and tasty, yet too salty (4/10).

Hire Miso Katsu (Nagoya Style)

Next inline was Premium Roll Pork Katsu (Fillings: Shiso & Ume, Fresh Wasabi, and 3 Cheeses being Cheddar, Cream, Mozzarella). While shiso & ume was sour in flavour, 3 cheeses were just non spectacular. The combination of tender pork with different fillings was creative, however, right of matching was doubtful (4/10).

Premium Roll Pork Katsu

Premium Roll Pork Katsu (Fillings inside)

The last to arrive for the meal was Yakiniku Don (Australian Grass-fed Beef). This well-known dish was famous for its rich flavour of sweet and salty. At Katsu King, beef was well marinated with sauce (despite too salty). Beef itself was not tender enough as it was overcooked. Rice was a little too soggy. Kimchee and pickles were normal (4/10).

Yakiniku Don

Not accounting for its poor services, an intention for a revisit is perhaps not the option but a place for a quick meal with friends and family is ok. An overall of 3/10 is generously enough. I, personally, cannot find anything outstanding here.

Katsu King @ K-Village, Bangkok

Unit A216, Floor 2F K-Village

93, 95 Soi Sukhumvit 26

Klongton, Klongtoey

Bangkok 10110

คัทซึ คิง @ เควิลเลจ
ยูนิต เอ216, ชั้น 2 เควิลเลจ
93, 95 ซอยสุขุมวิท 26
แขวงคลองตัน เขตคลองเตย
กรุงเทพ 10110

Tel: +66 (0) 2661 2933