Showing posts with label khao chae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label khao chae. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารท่านหญิง @ สีลม กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai
Charged Price: THB350 per person without alcohol
Visited: 15 November 2015
Food: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Services: 7/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Ever thinking of where to really get the authentic Thai food and yet it's royal cuisine, here is an unrivaled one for you: ThanYing. So why I said this is a royal cuisine one. It's because recipes used in this restaurant resembled that ones once used by Princess Sulabh-Valleng Visuddhi who was the head cook in the kitchen of Sukhothai Palace. Thus, now ThanYing is run by the son of the princess, M.R. Sorut Visuddhi.

I kind of remember that this restaurant has been operated since I was a kid. Somewhat 20 years or so ago. It is located in Soi Pramuan which connect Thanon Silom to Thanon Sathon. If you do drive, it is pretty easy to reach this place and there are plenty of parking lots. However, reaching via public transport is still not a big hassle. The nearest BTS station is Surasak Station. Once walk pass the front door of this restaurant, you would feel it right there: the classic contemporary decor with elegant atmosphere. Yes, elegant atmosphere I would say. Most of the time, this place can have low level of noise. It is perhaps mandatory for most of guests to speak softly but naturally and automatically in this place.

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok

beautiful dining hall

more relax corner

One of the plus plus thing for ThanYing is it serves Khao Chae all year round which is a rare case for any other restaurants. Trust me, it is one of the best in town. For today, there is a special menu which we did not hesitate to try: steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, papaya salad, salted egg, shredded pork, tamarind dip and chicken curry - ข้าวมันส้มตำ (Khao Mun Som Tum) น้ำพริกมะขาม ไข่เค็ม หมูฝอย แกงไก่ (8/10). Ever since I was a young boy, khao mun som tum has been one of my all time favourite Thai food. It is such a good combination of delicate steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, which yields flavourful and textured rice, and rich taste som tum of Nort-eastern dish. Another starter that I hardly miss for any Thai meal would be yam ma khuer yaao - ยำมะเขือยาว (7/10). This is a perfect dish to start off your meal. Tangy and mild spiciness. Soft aubergine with charcoal aroma. Love it.

steamed rice cooked with coconut milk, papaya salad, salted egg, shredded pork, tamarind dip and chicken curry (THB230)

yam ma khuer yaao (THB180)

Next was pla ga-phong sarm ros - ปลากะพงสามรส (8/10). This is another of my favourite here. It is not too spicy but rich in flavour and yet it is crisp. Good thing is the dish would be cut into pieces for you to easily eat. Delicate in detail indeed. For curry range, I would usually recommend Gaeng Nuer (beef curry, similar to green curry) at this place. Nevertheless, it was gang massaman nuer - แกงมัสมั่นเนื้อ (7/10) for this time. It is less in spiciness. But richer in texture, more nutty, and comes with unique taste of caraway. For those who may want to have mild dish gai pad ta krai - ไก่ผัดตะไคร้ (7/10) is not a bad choice at all. So rich in lemongrass aroma.

For us, every single time we dine at ThanYing, it is just memorable. Forget those super famous in modern day like BoLan or any other fusion / half-blood Thai food. Here is the real one, I promise.

pla ga-phong sarm ros (THB495)

gang massaman nuer (THB195)

zooming on beef and pineapple

gai pad ta krai (THB195)

ThanYing Restaurant @ Silom, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารท่านหญิง @ สีลม กรุงเทพฯ
10 Pramuan Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 11:30am - 10:00pm
Tel: +66 (0) 2236 4361
Webhttp://thanying.com/

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok - ห้องอาหารกลางซอย @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 49 กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Thai
Charged Price: THB260 per person without alcohol
Visited: 26 April 2015
Food: 7/10
Atmosphere: 5/10
Value for money: 8/10
Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Klang Soi Restaurant has long been famous for its authentic and delicate Thai food at reasonable price. The menu comprises of wide range of Thai dishes. The thing I like about this place is the family kind of place feeling. Things are kept simple, no tedious routine. Of course, noises of joy are all around. As said, this is a really good place for family meal or quick meal. Forget those fancy romantic meal or private business talk here. It is well-known and yes it is common to see this place gets crowded during weekend lunch time. Make sure you arrive early to avoid queue, else make reservation.

To come here is a bit of confusion if you are not familiar with Soi Sukhumvit 49. If you are coming from Sukhumvit 49, then turn into Sukhumvit 49/9 and just drive to the end of alley and Klang Soi Restaurant is right there. On the other hand, if you are coming from Soi Sukhumvit 39, you will have to turn into Soi Phrom Si 1 (Soi Sukhumvit 49/11) and get through Racquet Club to reach the restaurant.

Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49

a comfy Thai restaurant in an old house

a destination for family meal

quick menu, 1 for each day

At the time of visit, it was towards the end of April which is summer in Thailand. During summer, it is common to find Khao Chae in many Thai restaurants in Bangkok. At Klang Soi Restaurant, khao chae is served between March and May only.

Khao Chae - ข้าวแช่ (7/10) at Klang Soi Restaurant seems to be kept like minimalism but packed with quality. What you would see on your plate would be Prik Yuak Yud Sai (stuffed sweet pepper), Kapi Thod (fried shrimp paste ball), Nuea / Moo Foi (shredded sweetened beef / pork), Chai Pow (stir-fried Chinese sweet pickled turnip with egg), and of course fresh vegetable and fruits. All of which were well prepared and came in balance flavour. Chai Pow was mild whilst Nuea Foi was sweet with crisp texture. Kapi Thod, which is my favourite condiment, was delicious. Flavourful but not strong on the palate. One of the most difficult thing about khao chae is perhaps prik yuak yud sai, which has to be properly wrapped with fried egg, was nicely done here. Jasmine scented water was aromatic. It would be a perfect menu if rice in jasmine scented water did not come with ice cubes and more variety of condiments is presented.

Whilst I had my khao chae, Kanom Cheen Nam Prik - ขนมจีนน้ำพริก (7/10), which was the quick menu of the day, was also tasted. I think they made it considerably delicious. The combination of sweetness, hot, sour, and saltiness is well balance. It was packed with flavour and spices. At the price of THB80 per set, why wait. Just bring me two.

Well well well!!!!!! Honestly, if you have never been to Klang Soi Restaurant in Soi Sukhumvit 49, I urge you to check this out. Additionally, if you are soon to be a traveller in Bangkok, here is one place for you to get the real nice Thai food.

Khao Chae - ข้าวแช่ (THB280)

Kanom Cheen Nam Prik - ขนมจีนน้ำพริก (THB80)

Klang Soi Restaurant @ Soi Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok - ห้องอาหารกลางซอย @ ซอยสุขุมวิท 49 กรุงเทพฯ
12/1 Soi Sukhumvit 49/9
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Wattana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Open Hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00am - 02:30pm for lunch and from 05:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner
Tel: +66 (0) 2391 4988
FBhttps://www.facebook.com/ks49.bkk/

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Khao Chae Chow Wang (ข้าวแช่ชาววัง) - Authentic Thai Dish for Summer

A Set of Khao Chae
As of now, mid April, summer heat has approached the land of smile and surely this is the hottest part of the year with temperature of 35 degree Celsius almost everywhere.   Seeking for some cool and refreshing dish is indeed typical.  At this time of the year, many places in Thailand do offer a traditional summer dish called “Khao Chae (ข้าวแช่)” in addition to their ordinary menu for Summer.

Figures above show Side Dishes and Rice in Jasmine Water

So what is Khao Chae? It, at first, may sound simply just rice in cool/iced jasmine water with many different side dishes but it is more complex than we have thought.  Before going into more detail, let me briefly give you the background history of it.  Khao Chae was not originated from Thai people but Mon, at the time of their reign.  Not until the time of King Rama V, Khao Chae was hardly recognised by Thai residence.  King Rama V was passionate to Khao Chae resulting in the popularity and recognition spread out afar.  At the early year, it was regarded as “Chao Wang” dish or dish from palace; nevertheless, it is now available widely from local markets to high end restaurants.  However, Khao Chae is typically for sale during Summer time in Thailand only.

Figures above show Prik Yuak Yud Sai, and Kapi Thod & Hom Daeng Thod

Let’s us now get back to the dish itself.  Choice of side dishes does vary from place to place including Prik Yuak Yud Sai or Pork Mince Stuffed Green Pepper Wrapped with Drizzling Fried Egg (พริกหยวกยัดไส้), Kapi Thod or Fried Shrimp Paste Ball (กะปิทอด), Hom Daeng Thod or Fried Whole Red Onion (หอมแดงทอด), Moo Foi or Shredded Pork (หมูฝอย), Moo Toob or Pounded Pork (หมูทุบ), Chai Pow or Chinese Style Preserved Radish (ไช้โป๊ว), and Kai Kem Thod or Fried Salted Egg (ไข่เค็มทอด).  Most of side dishes of Khao Chao contain rather sweet flavour: Fried Shrimp Paste Ball, Shredded Pork, and Chai Pow.  The highlight of these side dishes is probably Prik Yuak Yud Sai: preparing a nice one is indeed depending on recipe but serving a beautiful one with perfect drizzling fried egg wrapping around green pepper in a mesh-like pattern is an art.  In addition, they are usually served with fresh vegetable, such as Kra Chai or Fingerroot (กระชาย), Cucumber, Raw Sliced Mango, and Spring Onion, to be eaten along side.

Moo Foi on left and Moo Toob on right

Chai Pow on left and Kai Kem Thod on right

Today, things are always in rush and hurry and the matter of return comes to play a major role, people do not tend to keep strictly to tradition anymore.  The process of preparing rice in cool jasmine water requires patient.  Unlike just putting parboiled rice in iced jasmine scented water as nowadays, rice is soaked in water with jasmine flower overnight and added the final touch of complexity by smoking with fragrant candle.

As mentioned earlier that Khao Chae can now be found in many Thai restaurants during Summer, please allow me to introduce to a few great restaurants that serve splendid Khao Chae in Bangkok.

SaNguan Sri: an old fashion restaurant on Witthayu Road that annually serves Khao Chae from Mid March to April.

Address: 59/1 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10120
Tel: +66 (0) 2251 9378
Hours: daily during lunch

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: the famous hotel along the Chao Phraya River does usually serve Khao Chae as one of dishes in its buffet line during lunch in April at Sala Rim Naam.  Mandarin Oriental also offers A la Carte set of Khao Chae at its shops in downtown.

Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Charoen Krung Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: +66 (0) 2437 6211
Hours: daily between 12pm and 3pm

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cassia Cafe & Tearoom @ Soi Sawatdi, Bangkok - Kaao Chae (ข้าวแช่)

Cuisine: European
Price: THB400 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)
Visited: 24 March 2011
Food: 5/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value for money: 7/10
Services: 6/10

It is Summer and Summer always comes with Kaao Chae (ข้าวแช่). This year Cassia Cafe & Tearoom also has Kaao Chae set as a choice for visitors. At THB350 a set, I must say that the portion was huge and perhaps too big for some person. It may not be one of the best in town but still delicious, especially well cooked Rice in Iced Jasmine-Scented Water. Condiments were enjoyable (6/10).


Cassia Cafe & Tearoom @ Soi Sawatdi


ข้าวแช่ - Kaao Chae

Rice in Iced Jasmine-Scented Water

ไชโป๊วผัดหวาน - Chai Pow (Chinese Radish)

เนื้อฝอยกับหมูฝอย - Shredded Sweetened Beef and Pork

พริกหยากสอดไส้ - Pork-stuffed Green Pepper Drizzled with Egg

หอมแดงทอด - Deep-fried Red Onion

ลูกกะปิทอด - Deep-fried Kapi (Shrimp Paste) Ball

พริกแห้งสอดไส้ - Sun-dried Chili Stuffed with Pla Naem (Powdered Dried Fish Meat)

Kra Chai (Chinese Ginger), Spring Onion, and Raw Mango Strips

Cassia Cafe & Tearoom @ Soi Sawatdi, Bangkok
20 Soi Sukhumvit 31 (Soi Sawatdi)
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Toei Nuea, Vadhana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

แคสเซีย คาเฟ่ แอนด์ ทีรูม @ ซอยสวัสดี กรุงเทพ
20 ซอยสุขุมวิท 31 (ซอยสวัสดี)
ถนนสุขุมวิท
แขวงคลองเตยเหนือ เขตวัฒนา
กรุงเทพ 10110

Open Hours: 09:00am - 10:00pm for Tuesday - Saturday and 10:30am - 10:00pm on Sunday
Tel: +66 (0) 2662 0325
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