Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: coffee and pastry

Map: Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB100 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 22 June 2014

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 9/10

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

Roots Coffee Roaster is a splendid corner for coffee lovers / caffeine addicts. It is just a block of commercial build in which the interior has been decorated to give such relaxing ambient. Let me recall Bar Storia del Caffe @ Eight Thonglor and Casa Lapin X49 @ Soi Sukhumvit 49 that I reviewed last year. Roots, Bar Storia del Caffe, and Casa Lapin do offer similar range of coffee products. However, I personally feel that Roots represent a more delicacy choice whilst the other two are more comfortable ones that could be good for chit-chatting with friends.

One thing you may have to keep in mind is that Roots is in the middle of Soi Ekkamai with no parking lots. Hence, you will need some skill to find parking space, else, you will need to rely on public transportation which is absolutely splendid (not) in Bangkok. In fact, it is built more for local dwellers and those who pass by from my sense. From what I noticed, visitors tend to me the regular type and the ones living nearby. People pop in and pop out pretty fast. Just a quick stop for a good glass of coffee and perhaps a piece of croissant really. If you are going to visit Roots, be sure that you really are here for coffee as there will be no other choices, except some range of baked goods to accompany your coffee. Expect none of those fancy cafe food. Also visit during weekends only from noon to 6pm, there is no weekdays operation.

Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

coffee counter corner

Roots also comes with a range of freshly baked goods in which largely are Viennoiseries. The kitchen is right there for you to observe. The selection may be kept limited but mostly are enjoyable. Remember that it is self serving. If you do like those pastry, you may also buy some back home.

baking room

baked goods for self service

This time, we popped by for a quick cup of nice coffee and without any pastry to accompany. I had Caffe Latte (8/10) and it was really good comparing to many other cafe around Bangkok. The coffee beans were Bruna blend which is 40% Thai from Prao district + 40% Brazil Carmo de Minas, Fazenda Serrado + 20% Guatemala Huehuetenango, Finca Injertal. This Bruna blend gives roasted almond aroma and dark chocolate on the palate with medium-full body. In addition, we also tried French Press (7/10) with Indonesia, Wahana Estate, Longberry. This was a rather nice black coffee. I like the acidity character and the smooth texture. This is a kind of coffee for sipping all day long for me.

caffe latte (Bruna)

Press Coffee (Indonesia Wahana Estate, Longberry)

For us, we do pop by the place occasionally. Each visit is kept short but with satisfaction. The best part is when you pay for your order. They use the system of "Honesty Box" which gives suggested price of THB100 for coffee and THB50 for baked goods. Reasonable price indeed for good coffee and pastry. This is sure a must visit small coffee shop if you do pass by.

products for takeaway

the Honesty Box

Roots Coffee Roaster @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - รูทส์ คอฟฟี่ โรสเตอร์ @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ
between Soi Ekkamai 15 and 17
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: 12:00pm - 06:00pm for Saturday and Sunday only

Tel: +66 (0) 2658 5556
Web: http://www.rootsbkk.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RootsBkk

Aji Japanese Taste @ Big C Ekkamai, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารญี่ปุ่น อจิ @ บิ๊กซี เอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Japanese

Map: Aji Japanese Taste @ Big C Ekkamai, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารญี่ปุ่น อจิ @ บิ๊กซี เอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB800 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 30 March 2014

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 6/10

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

Aji is a large Japanese restaurant that is located of the 3rd floor of Big C Ekkamai. It has been here for a few years already but this was our first visit. Surprisingly for a place like Big C to have this kind of restaurant situated within. The place reminds of those kind of restaurant/pub where white collar Japanese hang out with colleagues or clients after work. Notice the long cupboard with stored unfinished sake near the entrance. Aji is actually suitable for all kind of meal, except a date I suppose, for examples dinner with clients, family meal, hanging out with friends, and etc. However, bear in mind to ask for non-smoking seats if you cannot take the smoke or you are with kids. By law in Thailand, smoking in restaurant is prohibited and illegal but many restaurants still offers their clients smoking seats though.

The one thing that we do like about this kind of Japanese restaurant is the privacy. There is a partition between each table which really give a more private atmosphere. Aji's range of menu is wide. There are almost all sorts of Japanese food: sushi, sukiyaki, udon, and etc. They are, in fact, enjoyable and priced somewhat reasonable. The one that we like is nabe range and we would recommend you to try.

Aji Japanese Taste @ Big C Ekkamai, Bangkok

variety of menu

clients' unfinished sake and alcohol

partition between seats

Firstly, we tried some sashimi and sushi. The aji sashimi (6/10) was fresh and lovely. It was not so delicate but pleasure enough to satisfy me. However, it was strange that we were told to have it with shoyu instead of ponzu like in other places. Anyway, it is one of my favourite dish. Then we had chutoro and akami nigiri. We were told that chutoro is rather nice here. Chutoro (6/10) today was indeed nice and pleasant. It was not the kind of those high end sushi. It is more of valuable kind. The akami (5/10) was standard. It was somewhat bland for me.

aji sashimi - ซาชิมิปลาทู (THB200)

chu toro, akami nigiri morikomi - ชูโทโร่กับอะกะมิรวมมิตร (THB480)

The highlight was the nabe. We had buta nabe or simply pork hot pot (7/10). At the price of THB680, this was not cheap but it could do enough a good meal for 2 persons. The nabe comes with 4 choices of soup: tomato soup, miso soup, shoyu soup, and shio soup. We did go for shoyu soup this time and it did not disappoint us. The set came with various vegetables, sliced porks, and minced pork. Pork was tender and the minced pork that made pork ball was flavourful. The soup was also delicious. This is a must try dish. Surely, people may get used to those all-you-can-eat suki but this will indeed give another kind of happiness.

buta nabe - สุกี้หมู (THB680)

minced pork ball for nabe

tender piece of slice pork

Aji Japanese Taste @ Big C Ekkamai, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารญี่ปุ่น อจิ @ บิ๊กซี เอกมัย กรุงเทพฯ
Floor 3 Big C Ekkamai
78/2 Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai)
Sukhumvit Road
P้ra Khanong Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am - 02:00pm for lunch and 05:00pm - 10:30pm for dinner, and 11:30am - 10:30pm for Sat, Sun, and public holiday

Tel: +66 (0) 2714 8367
Web: http://www.aji.co.th/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ajidouraku

Warocha (Teng) @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese (Noodle)

Map: Warocha (Teng) @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - วโรชา (เต็ง) @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพ

Price: THB60 per person (what I paid for)

Visited: 18 September 2011

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: n.m. (Street Food)

Value for money: 7/10

Services: n.m. (Street Food)

Many times since I was young that I went pass this place without noticing its presence. Having a chance last weekend to give it a quick visit: "Warocha: Fish Ball with Noodle & Fresh Spring Roll". This place serves just what it says, like many other street food. This place has been established for more than 30 years. What I like about this place is not just delightful fish ball but the lady owner is also very nice and friendly. This place is pretty easy to find but bear in mind of no parking space. In case of driving, you may want to find somewhere to park in Soi Ekkamai 12.

Specialise in Fish Ball with Noodle and Fresh Spring Roll

The Legend "Warocha" Sign

Classic Store Front

She has probably worked on this stall for more than 30 years

Attention!!! Close Every Monday

This is of course an ordinary Fish Ball with Noodle but enjoyable and savoury. We did try both with and without noodle and both were pleasant. Fish ball was tender and soft, wanton was also great. They went perfectly well with fried garlic. Some may find THB40 for a bowl of noodle rather expensive but given what you get I think this is rather reasonable. This is surely a traditional and simple dish that can be eaten rather often (7/10).

Fish Ball with Noodle

Assorted Fish Ball and Wanton

What I like more was Fresh Spring Roll (personal perception). Nice and soft sheet dough wrapped with fillings, e.g. Chinese sausages and bean sprouts. Loads of filling with thick and a little sweet sauce, this was splendid (7/10).

We say if you are nearby this place, Thonglor or Ekkamai areas, and are not sure what to eat, why don't try out this tiny lovely place for a quick meal.

Fresh Spring Roll

Warocha (Teng) @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

112/3 Soi Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63)

Sukhumvit Road

Khlong Ton Noey, Watthana

Bangkok 10110

Thailand

วโรชา (เต็ง) @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพ

112/3 ซอยเอกมัย (สุขุมวิท 63)

ถนนสุขุมวิท

แขวงคลองตันเหนือ เขตวัฒนา

กรุงเทพ 10110

Open Hours: 08:00am - 03:00pm Tuesday - Sunday

Tel: +66 (0) 2392 5041

Wattana Panich: Stewed Beef & Mutton @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese (Noodle)

Map: Wattana Panich: Stewed Beef & Mutton @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok - วัฒนาพานิช: เนื้อตุ๋น แพะตุ๋น @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพ

Price: THB240 per person (what I paid for)

Visited: 11 September 2011

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: n.m. (street food)

Value for money: 7/10

Services: n.m. (street food)

Talking about stewed beef, dwellers in Bangkok would probably be familiar with Wattana Panich @ Soi Ekkamai. This 2-block commercial building, just next to Soi Ekkamai 18, is indeed a legendary with its operation more than 5 decades. It may look just like an old little place. But once walking into the place, you could probably feel the atmosphere and smell of nice food. The secret of this little old place is perhaps the broth and stock. It may just be a tradition to keep the pot boiling broth 24/7 to make sure things are nice and thick. Just from appearance, they possibly have been boil the broth continuously for years (interesting...). Just to warn that there is not parking space, hence, bet yourself along the road or find somewhere to park in Soi Ekkamai 18.

Wattana Panich @ Soi Ekkamai

Old Looking Place

Store Counter

There are quite a number of choice of refreshment including traditional tea and coffee. Most of them are THB15 per glass or THB25 a bottle.

Iced Tea

Refreshment List

Beginning with Assorted Stewed Beef - เกาเหลารวมแห้ง, at the price of THB60 this is surely something incomparable. It may sound a little expensive. But indeed you get what you pay. The portion is not small and each piece of meat is tender and flavoursome. From our perspective, it is  a little too salty due to overuse of dark soy sauce. Otherwise, an undeniable dish (8/10).

On the other hand, Stewed Beef and Beef Ball in Soup - เกาเหลาน้ำชิ้นเปื่อยสด is as good as the Assorted Stewed Beef but with broth. Beef broth is thick and strong. One of the best broth in town (9/10).

Assorted Stewed Beef

Stewed Beef and Beef Ball in Soup

Here we come, the legend Stewed Mutton with Chinese Herb in Hotpot - แพะตุ๋นเครื่องยาจีน. Definitely tender and savoury. Again thick broth with loads of Chinese herbs scent such as ginkgo and goji berry or wolfberry. It is always good to have this dish and it does go perfectly well with a bowl of rice (8/10). But be warned if you cannot take the scent or smell of mutton, just go for beef. Though Chinese herbs do their jobs well to eliminate such scent, some still presents. Another thing is THB650 for this medium size hotpot is rather dear.

Stewed Mutton with Chinese Herb in Hotpot

Just a close up look

Some Cabbage to go with stew

Holy Basil for topping

Rice to complement the meal

Vinegar and chilli base dipping sauce

We did also try other non-stew dish and they were also nice. Stir-fried Rice Noodle with Prawn in Thick Sauce - ก๋วยเตี๋ยวราดหน้ากุ้ง was quite nice and up to standard. But I felt that prawn was a little overcooked (6/10).

Stir-fried Rice Noodle with Prawn in Thick Sauce

Ending the meal with Coconut Milk Ice-cream - ไอติมกะทิ, which was rich and thick. It did also contain bits of jack-fruit. It may be so creamy but really delicious and delightful. Good thing is it was not too sweet and it did use evaporated milk to make if my sense is not wrong ^^ (7/10).

Coconut Milk Ice-cream

Wattana Panich: Stewed Beef & Mutton @ Soi Ekkamai, Bangkok

336 - 338 Soi Ekkamai (Soi Sukhumvit 63)

Sukhumvit Road

Bangkok 10110

Thailand

วัฒนาพานิช: เนื้อตุ๋น แพะตุ๋น @ ซอยเอกมัย กรุงเทพ

336 - 338 ซอยเอกมัย (ซอยสุขุมวิท 63)

ถนนสุขุมวิท

แขวงคลองเตยเหนือ เขตวัฒนา

กรุงเทพ 10110

Open Hours: 10:00am - 09:00pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2391 7264