Baan Malako @ Rayong, Thailand - บ้านมะละกอ @ ระยอง

Cuisine: Noodle

Map: Baan Malako @ Rayong, Thailand - บ้านมะละกอ @ ระยอง

Charged Price: THB100 per person

Visited: 1 July 2016

Food: 9/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 8/10

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

During bank holiday break, we had a chance to visit Rayong and indeed we did spend our opportunity to try out the local stuff. Baan Malako was one of them and is the one we really appreciated. It is a very local joint that serves noodle with spotted mackerel. I have to say it is really fabulous. So simple, so delicious, and so local. The place is spacious and I would guess it can accommodate 50 people easily. Also you don't have to worry about parking space as there are many parking lots right in front of the place. Only problem is they do not serve dinner (T<>T)"

Baan Malako @ Rayong, Thailand - บ้านมะละกอ @ ระยอง

rather spacious

The Menu

Since this was our first visit, so we did decide to try both with and without soup: Stewed Noodle with Mackerel Fillet and Fish Ball (10/10) and Fish Ball with Fillet and Noodle in Soup (9/10). I have to admit that I could be a little biased towards stewed noodle as I personally not the kind of soup-eater. Nevertheless, both were simply delicious. They were flavourful. The fillet were fresh and tender. Usually mackerel can be somewhat tough but it was not the case here. We did as well give a go with Pad Thai with Spotted Mackerel - ผัดไทยปลาอินทรี (8/10) and it did not disappoint us at all. The vermicelli noodle used for pad thai (Chan Noodle - เส้นจันท์) was originally from Chanthaburi Province which is right next to Rayong. So I would presume that the very best Chan Noodle must be from this area. Yes, the noodle here was wonderful. Tender but also possesses some chewiness. Excellent texture. Combining with great local ingredients and fresh mackerel fillet, this was a wow dish. Without doubt, Baan Malako will be another in my list to revisit every other time when popping by Rayong. 

Soup vs. No-Soup

Stewed Noodle with Mackerel Fillet and Fish Ball (THB60)

zooming up

Fish Ball with Fillet and Noodle in Soup (THB60)

fish ball with fillet

Pad Thai with Spotted Mackerel - ผัดไทยปลาอินทรี (THB60)

Baan Malako @ Rayong, Thailand - บ้านมะละกอ @ ระยอง

33 Moo 6
Tambol Klaeng, Amphoe Muang
Rayong 85000
Thailand

Open Hours: Mon - Sat from 08:30pm - 04:30pm

Tel: +66 (0) 38 648 617

Jiyusan (じゆうさん) @ Eharacho, Tokyo

Cuisine: Soba

Map: Jiyusan (じゆうさん) @ Eharacho, Tokyo

Charged Price: JPY2,000 per person without alcohol

Visited: 13 November 2015

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 8/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Who knows "Soba" can be fabulously nice. Whilst people keep seeking and searching for high end sushi or sukiyaki, this little soba-specialised restaurant just out of Tokyo city centre offers such unforgettable soba: "Jiyusan". Apart from lovely soba, the atmosphere and services of this place are as equally great. Expect the warm welcome from owners, and quiet and peaceful ambient.

As it is out of city centre, arriving at Jiyusan can be a little tedious. What we did is taking a train from Ikebukuro to Higashi-Nagasaki (~ 5 minutes) and then followed by a short walk of around 10 mins. Trust me, it is not that difficult and worth a trip for dinner.

Jiyusan (じゆうさん) @ Eharacho, Tokyo

small but comfy restaurant

counter seats

When flipping through me here, we were not surprised the menu was all in Japanese. However, the owner was kind enough to recommend us to take Dinner Course which was priced at JPY2,000. This came into 3 parts. The first one was Soba on Bamboo for dipping - せいろ (9/10). Classic zaru soba that was well made. If you were Italian, you may say "al dente". Delicious indeed. Love the texture as well as well balanced dipping sauce.

Soba on Bamboo for dipping - せいろ

Then we were presented with a small bowl of Soba with Mackerel in Soup - 小さばにしんそば (8/10). This was mind refreshing. The soup was well made with flavour and a touch of tanginess. The saba (mackerel) was also tasty.

Soba with Mackerel in Soup - 小さばにしんそば

[soba water with remaining dipping sauce]

Lastly, the dessert was red bean jelly (8/10), I suppose. What a perfect way to end the course in classic Japanese style. Sweetness was well balanced. The flavour of red bean exploded deliciously. Soft on the texture. Love it.

Nothing much to say about this place, except "Must Visit".

dessert of red bean jelly

Jiyusan (じゆうさん) @ Eharacho, Tokyo

3-1-4 Eharacho
Nakano
Tokyo 〒165-0023
Japan

Open Hours: Tue-Sun from 11:00am - 03:00pm for lunch and 05:30pm - 09:00pm for dinner

Tel: +81 (0) 3 3951 3397
Web: http://www.bluewesco.co.jp/hp/jiyu-san/index.html

Kuai Chap Mr. Joe @ Chan Road, Bangkok - ก๋วยจั๊บมิสเตอร์โจ @ ถนนจันทน์ กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Noodle / Street Food

Map: Kuai Chap Mr. Joe @ Chan Road, Bangkok - ก๋วยจั๊บมิสเตอร์โจ @ ถนนจันทน์  กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB85 per person without alcohol

Visited: 7 December 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: n.m.

Value for money: 7/10

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

Kuai Chap is a classic Chinese style noodle soup dish that I have been fallen in love with since I was a young boy. Kuai Chap is simply rice noodle soup with variety of pork organ. In brief, there are 2 types of Kuai Chap in Thailand: one with clear type of broth which yields in fresher result in palate and the other one with thicker type of broth which is packed with flavour. It surely depends on your style and different stores do offer its own style of broth. For Kuai Chap Mr. Joe, it is the former kind of broth.

If you are going to visit Kuai Chap Mr. Joe, forget for those public transports you may be aware of: local bus only otherwise just drive. There is no parking space available at this rather big store of street noodle. So use your luck to find a parking lot along the road. Surely you will find one as this road is not so jam. It is on Thanon Chan and is not far from Thanon Charoen Krung at all. During lunch time, please do expect to see queue but it usually won't take long. Staffs here work pretty much fast and efficient. Bare in mind that this Kuai Chap place only operates to around mid afternoon. So no dinner at this joint.

Kuai Chap Mr. Joe @ Chan Road, Bangkok

very busy lunch

the place was packed with foodie

another corner, this is a rather spacious noodle joint

For us, we did try both Kuai Chap (8/10) with and without soup. The one without soup gave nice flavour of fried garlic. Nice touch of noodle. Ingredients were fresh. For noodle soup, this was definitely more aromatic and refreshing. But personally it won't be so good on a hot hot day. We did also taste crispy pork belly (7/10). Wonderful texture: crisp skin, tender meat, and juicy.

In short, if you are a local, it won't be difficult for you to pay this place a visit. However, for traveller, it can be tedious to reach this Kuai Chap place. Unless you stop by during lunch on your way to Asiatique which is not far from this place. Anyway, it is good and is worth a visit.

Kuai Chap - ก๋วยจั๊บ (THB50)

decent size of ingredients

Pork Belly with Rice Noodle - ก๋วยจั๊บแห้งหมูกรอบ (THB50)

Crispy Pork Belly - หมูกรอบ (THB55)

Kuai Chap Mr. Joe @ Chan Road, Bangkok - ก๋วยจั๊บมิสเตอร์โจ @ ถนนจันทน์  กรุงเทพฯ

313/7 Chan Road (near Soi Chan 44)
Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem
Bangkok 10120

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 08:00am - 04:30pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2213 3007

Fu Unji Ramen (風雲児らーめん) @ Shinjuku, Tokyo

Cuisine: Ramen

Map: Fu Unji Ramen (風雲児らーめん) @ Shinjuku, Tokyo

Charged Price: JPY1,000 per person without alcohol

Visited: 12 November 2015

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 7/10

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

Ramen can be found anywhere in Japan. They all look alike from outside. But surely you will need some info to discover a great one. Here is one for you in my humble opinion. Fu Unji Ramen is located in the well-known commercial district, Shinjuku and tucked on ground floor of a building called Hokuto Daiichi (北斗第一ビル). It is within walking distant from Shinjuku Station. This ramen store is typically small as for usual place in Japan. Perhaps around 15 seats for capacity.

Being one of those who do not fancy queueing much. So we decided to have early dinner by arriving before opening time of Fu Unji. As expected, the queue was already there but we were lucky enough to be placed in the first batch.

15 seats store of Fu Unji Ramen

Fu Unji Ramen (風雲児らーめん) @ Shinjuku, Tokyo

chef owner in action

At Fu Unji, there are only 2 choices of ramen: standard ramen or tsukemen. Tsukemen has the same type of noodle of ramen but it comes separately between noodle and soup. The other choices for you would be those minor touches e.g. ordinary or special size, added egg, extra char siu, and etc. You will also be paying at the machine first.

pre-payment machine - main menu

pre-payment machine - side dishes

We believe the ramen soup at Fu Unji is kind of different from others. Usually you would see pork broth being used but it is fish and seafood here. The aroma of both ramen and tsukemen is unique. I personally like it here but some may say the soup is perhaps too salty.

At the time of placing order, you can choose how much the amount of noodle you would like. A big boy may say large. But going for small if you would just like to taste. The noodle was excellent, I think. They were chewy but still soft on the touch. For Special Ramen (8/10), I like the fact that chopped spring onion played the balancing role well. It added freshness to the rich ramen. Egg was definitely boiled to perfection: not hard nor runny. Special Dipping Noodle - つけめん (Tsukemen) (8/10) also yielded similar kind of taste. However, the texture was more concentrated and showed more distinct flavour of dried-squid. The other point would be the form of char siu. Ramen came with big piece of char siu while tsukemen came in diced char siu. I personally prefer ramen due to spring onion and softer taste. Anyway, both were excellent.

If you do not mind queueing which can be longer than eating time. Fu Unji Ramen is sure a place worth exploring. The chef owner and staffs were polite and friendly too.

Special Ramen (JPY950)

Special Dipping Noodle (JPY1,000)

dipping noodle

Fu Unji Ramen (風雲児らーめん) @ Shinjuku, Tokyo

Floor 1, Hokuto Daiichi Building (北斗第一ビル)
2-14-3 Yoyogi
Shibuya-Ku
Tokyo 〒151-0053
Japan

Open Hours: Mon-Sat from 11:00am - 03:00pm for lunch and 05:00pm - 09:00pm for dinner

Tel: +81 (0) 3 6413 8480
Web: http://www.fu-unji.com/

Gokfayuen @ Soi Thonglor 9, Bangkok - ก๊กฟ๊าหยุน @ ซอยทองหล่อ 9 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Chinese

Map: Gokfayuen @ Soi Thonglor 9, Bangkok - ก๊กฟ๊าหยุน @ ซอยทองหล่อ 9 กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB230 per person without alcohol

Visited: 6 September 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 6/10

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

Looking for Hong Kong style wuntunmeen or simply noodle with dumplings in Bangkok, here is one in Thonglor 9, "Gokfayuen". It is just a small shop of a commercial building. The place can accommodate probably around 20 visitors at a time only. Gokfayuen can be really busy during lunch time at weekends. However, it is at least convenient that it opens all day from 11am to midnight. Some tips for visiting here: 1) do not come in a large group and 2) if you do drive, just park anywhere along Thonglor near the restaurant as there are only 1 or 2 lots in front of Gokfayuen.

Gokfayuen: The Original Hong Kong Wuntunmeen

no fuss atmosphere!!!!

Unfortunately, I did go for noodle at all so I cannot really comment on that. For soup base dishes, we had Jin Wuntun (shrimp dumplings) - เกี๊ยวกุ้งน้ำ (6/10) and Jin Ngou Lam (braised beef) - เนื้อตุ๋น (6/10). Both were decent. Jin Wuntun gave more freshness whilst Jin Ngou Lam was rich in flavour. The braised beef was rather tender. When coming to shrimp dumplings, I personally usually look for complexity of the soup. The one here is nice enough but I expect more than just that. Both dishes should be great with noodle. Next time I will surely order with noodle.

Jin Wuntun - เกี๊ยวกุ้งน้ำ (THB119 for 8 pieces)

decent in size and delicious in mouth

Jin Ngou Lam (braised beef) - เนื้อตุ๋น (THB139)

tender braised beef with turnip

Along with the above two soup dishes, we also ordered Jin Cha Siu (bbq pork) - หมูแดง (5/10) which is perhaps one of the most famous Hong Kong dish. So I did not hesitate to go for it. I was good. Again, just good. Tender but not quite there yet. Some part was still tough. Flavour did not explode throughout. Quite expensive for bbq pork. With the pricing of THB139 for approx. 10 pieces or less. Lastly, we had Hong Kong Style Boiled Chicken Rice - ข้าวไก่นุ่ม (6/10). This one was delicious too. Tender and flavourful pieces of chicken paired nicely with the ginger/spring onion sauce. In my opinion, the proportion between rice and chicken was somewhat mismatching. I wouldn't mind paying more with larger portion of chicken. For HK Chilled Milk Tea - ชานมเย็น (5/10), it was just an ordinary milk tea but enjoyable. Plus point is it is not overly sweetened. 

Jin Cha Siu (bbq pork) - หมูแดง (THB139)

Hong Kong Style Boiled Chicken Rice - ข้าวไก่นุ่ม (THB79)

HK Chilled Milk Tea - ชานมเย็น (THB39)

Gokfayuen might not be the very top Hong Kong style joint just yet but it is decent enough for Bangkok. As I was strolling out of the restaurant, I saw a post of congee and it looked great. That would be my order during the next visit. By the way, Gokfayuen also do the loyalty card programme thing. Each dish you order, you get 1 stamp. With 9 stamps, you get 1 dish for free during the next visit. Not a bad deal huhhh???

loyalty card

wanna try congee

Gokfayuen @ Soi Thonglor 9, Bangkok - ก๊กฟ๊าหยุน @ ซอยทองหล่อ 9 กรุงเทพฯ

161/7 Soi Thonglor 9
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:00am - 00:00am

Tel: +66 (0) 2712 5779
FB: https://www.facebook.com/wuntunmeen

Wuanood @ Mahatun Plaza, Phloen Chit, Bangkok - วัวนู้ด @ มหาทุนพลาซ่า ถนนเพลินจิต กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: noodle (beef)

Map: Wuanood @ Mahatun Plaza, Phloen Chit, Bangkok - วัวนู้ด @ มหาทุนพลาซ่า ถนนเพลินจิต กรุงเทพฯ

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

Visited: 29 November 2014

Food: 5/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 2/10

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

Here is another high end beef noodle joint, "Wuanood". Setting aside its taste, Wuanood has recently, end of 2014, been launched at Mahatun Plaza on Phloen Chit Road by siblings of Hongsakul family. The place is small, only a block of commercial building, and can accommodate around 10 tables only. To me, it is a kind of place for those who work around Mahatun Plaza to have lunch. But if you would like to travel all the way here to taste it, BTS will do just fine with Phloen Chit station situated right there. Driving will also do with many parking lots. By the way, this place only operates during lunch time.

Wuanood @ Mahatun Plaza

store front

tiny little place

Menu here is mainly beef noodle with some choices of side dish. You will get a piece of paper to tick your preference. In brief, you just choose your kind of beef, noodle, stewed / soup, bean sprouts or not, toppings, and etc. Surely it is not cheap: say THB150 on average per bowl of noodle comparing to THB50 on elsewhere but of course with air conditioning.

noodle menu

savoury and drink menu

Guava Juice - น้ำฝรั่ง (THB30)

We did try both stewed noodle and noodle soup. I would say they were enjoyable but not particularly one worth looking for. Each bowl was quite small in fact. Come on, THB120 per bowl a base price for Thai-French sirloin, it should be a larger portion (5/10 perhaps). A normal guy would need like 3 bowls to satisfy for a meal. Ok, at least it is better than Nuer Koo - ร้านเนื้อคู่ at Siam Paragon / Silom Complex. What really disappointed was Crab and Glass Noodle Spring Roll - ป่อเปี๊ยะปู (2/10). This was sure not crab and glass noodle spring rool, I would say it was "glass noodle" spring roll. I barely felt any taste of crab. Oh crab. 

Anyway what I know at least is that whether or not you will like beef noodle here, indeed the owners of Hongsakul family are beautiful ones (O_o)". Try this place yourself to judge if you have time or pass by Mahatun Plaza.

Stewed Noodle with Sirloin Beef - เส้นเล็กแห้งสดเปื่อย (THB120)

Noodle Soup with Sirloin Beef - เส้นเล็กน้ำสด เนื้อกรอบ กากหมู (THB145)

Crab and Glass Noodle Spring Roll - ป่อเปี๊ยะปู (THB70)

Wuanood @ Mahatun Plaza, Phloen Chit, Bangkok - วัวนู้ด @ มหาทุนพลาซ่า ถนนเพลินจิต กรุงเทพฯ
Mahatun Plaza
888/56 Phloen Chit Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330

Thailand

Open Hours: Mon - Sat from 11:00am - 04:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 2650 7842
FB: https://www.facebook.com/wuanood