Just a thought, Oldie vs. Trendy

Having been writing blog for sometime and most of the time I have been trying to keep posting a weekly basis, this would be my last post before taking a long break. Writing blog does give pleasure of sharing experience. Of course, some are great, some are enjoyable, and some are unacceptable. Living in the world of social media nowadays, I, personally, do often feel somewhat uncomfortable despite writing the blog.

Thus, I have come to decision that this post would be my last blogging for now before returning in the future. Just need sometime off really. More time on dining table with beloved one and family with flashing photos. Of course, there will still be one or two for instagram and things like that. Anyway, for this blog I will be comparing a few of those the local has enjoyed for long while the trendy stuff has as well penetrated the market especially for those young generation. All of which are Tubtim Krob @ Wongwein Yai, Strawberry Cheesecake Kakigori @ After You, Coconut Ice-cream of Pa Na @ Hua Ro Market in Ayutthaya, and Tiramisu Soft-serve of Kiss the Tiramisu @ Siam Square.


First of all, it is Tubtim Krob at Wongwein Yai. Tubtim krob has long been one of favourite desserts for generations. These ruby like water chestnut are just crisp and sweet and when combined with a touch of syrup and coconut milk, it is just awesomely delicious. I, personally, can go on and on with this dessert meal after meals. However, it seems to be freaking hard these days to find a good store/stall that sells nice one. Just when I was a kid, a nice tubtim krob can be found like within the neighbourhood.

Anyway, this one at Wongwein Yai is a famous one and is just wonderful. Love the freshness and crunchiness of water chestnut. The sweetness of syrup is just right. Having along with salim or coconut is equally pleasant. Going there can be difficult but this is not a hurdle for me at all when I feel like one.

P.S. They also serve vermicelli with fish curry and soft-boiled egg (Kanom Jeen Nam Ya).

Tubtim Krob (THB40)

water chestnut, salim, and ruby water chestnut

For Strawberry Cheesecake Kakigori at After You, I have to say that this might be the only one at After You I would actually eat. As posted a long while ago, After You has never been my choice of dessert. With those toast soaked with yakky melted butter and ice-cream that is full of esters aroma, I will never touch it. But this kakigori is another story in my view. They do it much nicer that others. The ice flakes are creamier and with more flavour. If there is more of the strawberry sauce, it would be more balance. By the way, kakigori is just shaved ice in Japanese. You may also find the word Bing Su in Korean shop. But if you go on street food in Thailand, it would simply be Nam Kang Sai (น้ำแข็งไส). They are all the same word but just different marketing terms.

Anyway, at the price of THB235 (if I recall it correctly) for just shaved ice and strawberry sauce is way too excessive in my view, not even counting in the long queue you will have to encounter. For me, I surely rather go for 8 of tubtim krob than just a bowl of this shaved ice. But it has been a trend in Thai for the last year and still now. You can find it anywhere. Wish the younger generations will realise the goodie of old time local food.

Strawberry Cheesecake Kakigori (THB235) 

If ones have been following my blog, facebook, or instagram, they would recognise that I am one of the ice-cream lovers. Back in May when I had a chance to visit the old capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, I did not hesitate to search for a nice ice-cream stall. Indeed I did find one at Talad Hua Ro (Hua Ro Market) which sells the classic coconut ice-cream: Pa Na.

Na is the name of the owner and Pa means Aunty in Thai. This ice-cream stall is just a tiny corner in the market. There are perhaps less than 10 seats for you to sit while enjoying your treat. At the price of THB30, you get a delicious cup of coconut ice-cream with your choices of topping. My favourite would have to include sticky rice and candied palm seed definitely. If you want to go for a more rustic one, have them on bread. Surely classic and heavenly delicious. The best parts of Pa Na Coconut Ice-cream are just everything. The ice-cream is creamy and yummy. The toppings come in variety. The local atmosphere is priceless. Everyone is friendly. Hey, THB30 for coconut ice-cream is expensive??? Hell no for me. It is a treat for me.

Coconut Ice-cream Stall of Pa (Aunty) Na @ Ayutthaya

Coconut Ice-cream with your choice of topping (THB30)

Coconut Ice-cream on Bread (THB25)

Now it comes to a posher side of ice-cream. The Korean brand, Kiss The Tiramisu, offers just one choice (as far as I'm aware of at the time of tasting): Tiramisu Ice-cream of course. However, they recently offer Banamisu flavour also. Suppose it is banana flavour. The cost of savouring this Korean soft-serve would be THB159 for one. Good god!!! THB159 and it does not even satisfy me. Ok, it is not that bad, enjoyable at a certain level. But please, it is tiramisu, not vanilla soft-serve with a dash of chocolate flavour. Oh, did I miss out the coffee part. No, I did not. I barely sensed the coffee bit when eating. Give me back my THB159 pleaseeeeee.

Kiss The Tiramisu @ Siam Square

the owner must really love Mary Poppins in my view

its soft-serve with filling to resemble tiramisu: Tiramisu Ice-cream (THB159)

shaving in the chocolate

Anyway, the point I would like to make here is nowadays we seem to forget all those nostalgic goodies and tend to be lured with those pricey fancy stuff. Personal opinion, I have to make it here. Not trying to discredit anyone here but purely pointing out that the local food can be equally great and at a more realistic price. Just don't forget them before they are no longer available.

Well, wish everyone enjoy their savouring. I will surely do. Sometime may be in any restaurants. Sometime may be strolling around on streets finding the best kept secret. Travelling the world to search for local culture could also be. Sipping Barolo while typing facebook can be a regular activity or swallowing in glasses of Burgundy somewhere on earth. Instagram with glasses of Champagne in someone backyard. Surely most of the time, dining either opposite or by the side of Deadly Bunny. Or even grilling my own steak, tossing pasta, blending soup, or baking something in my tiny orange kitchen. Bon appetite to you all till we meet again.

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Tubtim Krob @ Wongwein Yai, Bangkok

184 Thanon Lat Ya
Khlong San
Bangkok 10600

Thailand

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

Tel: +66 (0) 2438 2118

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Pa Na Coconut Ice-cream @ Talad Hua Ro, Ayutthaya
Tha Wa Su Kri

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District
Ayutthaya 13000

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 09:00am - 01:00pm

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Kiss The Tiramisu @ Siam Square Soi 3, Bangkok
258 Siam Square Soi 3

Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 12:00pm - 09:30pm

Tel: +66 (0) 91 562 9956

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kissthetiramisuthailand/

Khun Lek Khao Mok Kai @ Charoen Krung, Bangkok - คุณเล็ก ข้าวหมกไก่ @ ถนนเจริญกรุง กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai Muslim Food

Map: Khun Lek Khao Mok Kai @ Charoen Krung, Bangkok - คุณเล็ก ข้าวหมกไก่ @ ถนนเจริญกรุง กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB150 per person without alcohol

Visited: 9 July 2016

Food: 9/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 9/10

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

Khao Mok or Biryani is something rather common in Thailand. Thanks to the magic of mixing spices of Muslim culture. However, a really good one and authentic can be difficult to find. Here on Thanon Charoen Krung and opposite Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, Khun Lek who is the owner of this tiny joint, Khun Lek Khao Mok Kai, produces such wonderful khao mok.

Khun Lek operates her shop only during lunch time and I can tell you that things run out pretty fast. Make sure you are here not too late if you don't want to get disappointed of something running out. As mentioned, it is a small place and only around 10 tables, so be patient. To get here, driving might be your only choice as there is no major public transport around except bus.

Khun Lek Khao Mok Kai @ Charoen Krung, Bangkok

just a small joint of 1 commercial building

This is where the delicacy prepared

perhaps 10 tables

surely something good on the wall

Typically, khao mok with chicken is common. But I tend to go for something with beef each time I visit as you won't often see khao mok with beef around. If you fancy combination, they can also do it for you for example Khao Mok Chicken + Beef - ข้าวหมกไก่ + เนื้อ (10/10). I have to really say it is fantastic. The quality of rice that has been prepared well with spices is top of the class. Chicken and beef were as well tender, juicy, and flavourful. In case of fancy something rare, Khao Mok Mutton - ข้าวหมกแพะ (9/10) could be your pick. Again very nice with its distinct character. Among chicken, beef, and mutton, my top pick would have been beef. To couple the meal Beef Soup - ซุปเนื้อ (8/10) was also a good choice. With a bit of spice from chili, it just completed the meal.

Personally, khao mok of Khun Lek is one of the best in town. So bon appetit if you are visiting Khun Lek.

Khao Mok Chicken + Beef - ข้าวหมกไก่ + เนื้อ (THB80)

Khao Mok Mutton - ข้าวหมกแพะ (THB130)

Beef Soup - ซุปเนื้อ (THB70)

Khun Lek Khao Mok Kai @ Charoen Krung, Bangkok - คุณเล็ก ข้าวหมกไก่ @ ถนนเจริญกรุง กรุงเทพฯ

2432/3 Thanon Charoen Krung
Bang Kho Laem
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:00am - 03:00pm except Sunday

Tel: +66 (0) 2291 1858
FB: https://www.facebook.com/คุณเล็กข้าวหมกไก่-เจ้าเก่าท่าน้ำถนนตก-155674774769927/

Sühring @ Yen Akat, Bangkok - ซูห์ริง @ ซอยเย็นอากาศ กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Modern German

Map: Sühring @ Yen Akat, Bangkok - ซูห์ริง @ ซอยเย็นอากาศ กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB4,500 per person

Visited: 30 May 2016

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 5/10

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

Suhring, a modern German cuisine run by Suhring brothers, launched epically during early 2016. I believe Suhring is under the same group of sponsors as the famous Gaggan. That explains implicitly the logic behind its style of food. Without doubt, food here come in those small portions and presented using modern technique.

Personally, this is my first chance to visit this place and it was during Albert Bichot wine dinner. The overall impression with this place was good but not great. Some dishes were delicious but some missed elements here and there. But the wine were definitely gorgeous. Apart from food, I have to admit that the ambient of this place is really lovely. It is a house-converted restaurant. It is spacious and with beautiful garden. The downside about this place is its location. It is nowhere near public transport access point. Hence, driving or taxi remain your only choices. For those who drive, beware of limited parking space. Otherwise, you will have to park along the Soi.

Sühring @ Yen Akat, Bangkok

a beautiful house of the restaurant

spectacular seats within the glass house area

the dining hall

As for wine, the line up for the night were:

Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis 1er Cru les Vaucoupins 2013 (92/100): Lovely Chablis with early access. Fresh with white fruits elements.

Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis Grand Cru Moutonne Monopole 2007 (93/100): Richer and deeper than the former one. Notes of mineral and floral. Wine for food it is.

Chateau Gris Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2011 (93/100): Sweet black fruits and oak harmony. Perfect for meat dishes. Expect more in a few years time.

Domaine du Pavillon Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos des Marechaudes 2013 (93/100): Opulent with earth and fruit forward. Give it time to reveal its class.

Domaine du Clos Frantin Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 (94/100): Definitely harmony in the glass. But it is a long way for this guy before full enjoyment.

Albert Bichot line up for the night

The dinner started with those small bites / snacks / amuse bouche (or whatever you may call). Spiced Tomato Cracker with Fermented Garlic (7/10) did show nice taste of tomato along with spices but Avocado, Smoked Eel and Horseradish (7/10) was somewhat confusing. It was delicious but could not really detect the distinct character of avocado and eel. On the other hand, Frankfurter Grüne Soße (6/10) was presented gorgeously but the taste did live up with its look in my humble view. Taste of herb, yes. Unbalance, yes also. As for, Duck Liver, Chicken Skin, and Sea Buckthorn (6/10), the sea buckthorn was the weak link in this case. It didn't seem to pair well with pate though the overall texture was lovely.

Spiced Tomato Cracker with Fermented Garlic | Avocado, Smoked Eel and Horseradish

Frankfurter Grüne Soße

Duck Liver, Chicken Skin, and Sea Buckthorn

The last nibble came with a more fruitful size: Pork Knuckle Sandwich, Sauerkraut, and Marjoram (7/10). Rather nice actually. A bit of sauerkraut would be even better. Tender texture with flavourful taste. Moving on to a more proper size dish. Simmentaler Roast Beef, Pickled Mackerel, Capers, Beetroot, and Apple (7/10) would be a lovely one if it had come without mackerel. The combination of beef and mackerel in the same plate seemed confusing though the beetroot and apple cut well through fattiness of beef. The strange thing is this dish was paired with Chablis. Not a perfect pair but interesting. Then we had a plate to share: Cold Cuts & Pickles: German Rustic Sour Dough + Cultured Butter + Griebenschmalz | Soft-Pretzel + Obatzda (8/10). Wonderful indeed. The sour dough was outstanding. I would not pay much attention on sauces here: cultured butter, griebenschmalz, and obatzda. I think when the bread is nice, just plain butter could already bring you to heaven so as cold cuts.

Pork Knuckle Sandwich, Sauerkraut, and Marjoram

Simmentaler Roast Beef, Pickled Mackerel, Capers, Beetroot, and Apple

Cold Cuts & Pickles

building up

Moving on to heavier dishes. Celeriac Tortellini with Summer Truffle (9/10) would be the highlight of the meal in my view. Beautiful aroma of truffle. The tortellini was as well perfectly executed. Love this one. It seems the Italian dish performed much better than the German ones tonight. Next was Hungarian Duck Roasted on the Bone, Pumpkin and Lavender Jus (9/10) which was almost equally great as the tortellini. Flavourful and tender. Sweetness of pumpkin also cut through the flavour of jus well. Execution and ingredients are the keys here, I think. For lamb dish, it was Salt Meadow Lamb from Piet Van Den Berg, Beans, Saffron, and Herbs (7/10). Not extraordinary but enjoyable here. Honestly, saffron is too elegant and it looked as though unique aroma of lamb overwhelmed the great saffron here.

Celeriac Tortellini with Summer Truffle

Hungarian Duck Roasted on the Bone, Pumpkin and Lavender Jus

Salt Meadow Lamb from Piet Van Den Berg

Here comes the dessert. I have to say that dessert were superb here. Both Buttermilk, Cucumber, Gin, and Tonic (8/10) and Waldorf Salad (9/10) were just delicious. The cucumber one cleansed the palate pretty well. So simple, classic, and refreshing. For waldorf salad, this was a great transformation from salad to dessert. Freshness is the key, again. The crumb added 3rd dimension to creaminess of dessert. The meal then ended with a small bite of doughnut (if I recall correctly).

All in all, this is a restaurant for experience but not for often visit in my view. Nice and enjoyable but it lacks here and there and the meal can be very long.

Buttermilk, Cucumber, Gin, and Tonic

Waldorf Salad

petit fours (doughnut?)

Sühring @ Yen Akat, Bangkok - ซูห์ริง @ ซอยเย็นอากาศ กรุงเทพฯ

10 Soi Yen Akat 3
Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - 11:00pm for dinner

Tel: +66 (0) 2287 1799
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SuhringsHome/

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/

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - ชาปัญญา @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Tearoom

Map: Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - ชาปัญญา @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ

Charged Price: THB400 per person without alcohol

Visited: 5 March 2016

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

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

Personally, Cha Panya is a kind of tearoom I like. It is peaceful as well as has quality tea available. Located right next to Mother May I in Soi Sukhumvit 59. Hence, driving is perfectly fine as visiting via public transport. Similar to Mother May I, Cha Panya is a house converted into a cafe. The interior is kept minimum in zen like atmosphere (Am I using the right word???). Thinking about going on a game of Go while sipping quality hot tea for a fine afternoon. Isn't this another great moment? At least it is a "yes" for me.

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok

house converted tearoom

tea counter

seating area by window

another seating corner

Strolling into the tearoom, there you can find a tea counter where beverage would be prepared. Cha Panya uses different technique in brewing different kind of tea. Indeed there are various choices of tea to be chosen from: Japanese, Chinese, Indian, white tea, green tea, red tea and etc. If you are unsure, ask for samples to sniff. It is always a great idea to get the sense of what you are going to order.

the brewing area

different brewing technique

the classic high pour technique

In my humble opinion, either iced tea or hot tea represent better character of the tea than the hybrid one such as tea latte. But still pleasant though. Iced tea here ranges around THB150 a glass while hot tea can range from THB200 to THB300+ depending on your choice. My favourite one was hot Pu-erh Tea (THB240). Classic strong Chinese tea with unique palate, it is. I could just sit at the tea counter with a book of novel and sip for hours.

Iced Tea Range

Hot Tea Choice (Pu-erh)

new gen tea latte

We also did try a selection of cakes including Banana Cake (4/10), Carrot Cake (4/10), and Green Tea Cake (3/10). I personally would not recommend any of these. Cakes are not the strong point of Cha Panya. They seem to be there just for a minor role complimenting the tea.

our trio cakes

Banana Cake (THB90)

Carrot Cake (THB90)

Green Tea Cake (THB80)

Not so much better were Bael Fruit Cake (4/10), Ginseng Oolong Tea Jelly (4/10), Osmanthus Tea Jelly (4/10), and Green Tea Panna Cotta (3/10). Out of these desserts, I would go for those jelly. At least they seem to pair better with exotic Asian tea.

Bael Fruit Cake (THB90)

Ginseng Oolong Tea Jelly (THB70)

Osmanthus Tea Jelly (THB70)

Green Tea Panna Cotta (THB110)

Cha Panya @ Sukhumvit 59, Bangkok - ชาปัญญา @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 59 กรุงเทพฯ

26/1 Soi Sukhumvit 59
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Tue - Sun from 11:00am - 09:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 93 650 4944
FB: https://www.facebook.com/chapanyaTH/