33 Seafood @ Sri Racha, Chon Buri - 33 ซีฟู้ด @ ศรีราชา ชลบุรี

Cuisine: Seafood / Thai

Map: 33 Seafood @ Sri Racha, Chon Buri - 33 ซีฟู้ด @ ศรีราชา ชลบุรี

Charged Price: THB300 per person without alcohol

Visited: 30 April 2016

Food: 4/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 4/10

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

Another overrated seafood restaurant in Chon Buri in my humble opinion, this is. There are so many seafood restaurants, most of which are pretty similar, in Chon Buri but hardly any of them keeps up with the standard like in the past. 33 Seafood in Sri Racha is no exception. The atmosphere is certainly great during non-public vacation days. However, during public vacation I believe this place can be totally opposite despite its large area. On a cool evening, al fresco at this restaurant can be lovely. Arriving this place is easy enough. It is only a few kilometers from Nong Mon Market and is near Thanon Sukhumvit.

33 Seafood @ Sri Racha, Chon Buri

seaside dining (not during Summer for me)

The menu at this place is as aforementioned not different from other seafood places around. As for pricing wise, it is not very expensive nor valuable. The first one for us was Fried Salted Squid - หมึกอาบแดด (2/10). Ways too salty in my view. It was as well over-fried. Portion was small too. Next was Oyster Omelette - ออส่วนหอยนางรม (7/10). I kind of like this one: crisp and flavourful. The overall picture of this oyster omelette was delicious. If there were more of bean sprout, it would even be better.

Then Hot and Spicy Sea Clam - หอยตลับผัดฉ่า (5/10) arrived. Usually this is a dish that everyone likes. However, it was so-so here. It seemed to be lack of spices. Lastly, Baked White Prawn with Salt - กุ้งแชบ๊วยอบเกลือ (5/10) was the choice. Good but not great. Too expensive in fact. THB500 for half a kilo which came around 6-7 prawns. Anyway, 33 Seafood is not at all a bad place to visit. Just bear in mind that you are not visiting for food but overall picture instead: seaside view on a good day with ok food.

Fried Salted Squid - หมึกอาบแดด (THB180)

Oyster Omelette - ออส่วนหอยนางรม (THB200)

Hot and Spicy Sea Clam - หอยตลับผัดฉ่า (THB180)

Baked White Prawn with Salt - กุ้งแชบ๊วยอบเกลือ (THB1,000 / kg.)

33 Seafood @ Sri Racha, Chon Buri - 33 ซีฟู้ด @ ศรีราชา ชลบุรี

340 Thanon Sukhumvit
Moo 2
Bang Phra, Sri Racha
Chon Buri 20110
Thailand

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

Tel: +66 (0) 38 776 228
FB: https://www.facebook.com/33seafoodrestaurant

Ban Pak Chok Aree Restaurant @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ร้านอาหารบ้านพักโชคอารีย์ @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

Cuisine: Thai

Map: Ban Pak Chok Aree Restaurant @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ร้านอาหารบ้านพักโชคอารีย์ @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

Charged Price: THB200 per person without alcohol

Visited: 29 October 2015

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 9/10

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

One last destination during my short vacation in Pran Buri was at Ban Pak Chok Aree. This is a new find for us. It is located at the very north end of Pak Nam Pran. I doubt any non-local would drive all the way here to find its existence unless they have been there before. This is another gem for us really. The atmosphere is still local like. The size of the restaurant is not big but should be able to accommodate up to 30 guests comfortably. The place does not just offer fresh seafood but it is an inn too. Hence, looking for cheap local stay with nice food, here is one for you.

Ban Pak Chok Aree Restaurant @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan

not big but not small

very local ambient

fresh seafood

Needless to say much about how delicious food here is. I would like to draw attention more on its quantity to begin with. Ok, pricing wise may look somewhat 20% to 30% lower than other places around. But when each dish turned up, I was just hooooo. They were big, I promise, especially Stir-fried Squid with Curry Powder - ปลาหมึกผัดผงกระหรี่ (6/10) which was delicious with nice taste of curry and soft squid. At the price of THB200 comparing to THB250 for fried squid with salty egg at Krua Jaew but almost double in size. This is one hell of bargain. We also had Stir-fried Pako Fern with Oyster Sauce - ผัดผักกรูดน้ำมันหอย (7/10). Pako Fern, sound odd, right? It was odd to me too. But it was a nice stir-fry vegetable dish. It also came with a lot of fried chopped garlic. Nice indeed.

Stir-fried Pako Fern with Oyster Sauce - ผัดผักกรูดน้ำมันหอย (THB100)

Stir-fried Squid with Curry Powder - ปลาหมึกผัดผงกระหรี่ (THB200)

Let's just skip Omelette with Oyster - ไข่เจียวหอยนางรม (5/10). Ordinary one. No need to mention about it. The highlight was instead Deep-fried Sea Bass with Lemongrass Sauce - ประกะพงทอดยำตะไคร้ (8/10). God......the fish was big and fresh. Very good frying skill too. Sea bass was crisp. The aroma of herbs and especially lemongrass was beautiful. Cashew nut did give another dimension to the structure too. I promise this was delicious. When we ordered, we did ask for no chili as one of us cannot take much spiciness. The friendly lady chef did come out to serve this dish herself and talked jokingly to us that no-chili in this dish was in fact an offensive, LOL.

Well, this is the new secret heaven for us which is now not so secret as you are reading. Nice people too. Will sure return for many more times. Just wish it won't get overly crowded in the future.

Deep-fried Sea Bass with Lemongrass Sauce - ประกะพงทอดยำตะไคร้ (THB300)

Omelette with Oyster - ไข่เจียวหอยนางรม (THB100)

Ban Pak Chok Aree Restaurant @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ร้านอาหารบ้านพักโชคอารีย์ @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

181/77  Moo 2
Pak Nam Pran, Pran Buri
Prachuap Khiri Khan
77140

Thailand

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

Tel: +66 (0) 32 631 461
Web: http://www.banpakchokaree.com/

Krua Jaew @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ครัวแจ๋ว @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

Cuisine: Thai

Map: Krua Jaew @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ครัวแจ๋ว @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

Charged Price: THB360 per person without alcohol

Visited: 28 October 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 6/10

Services: 4/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Krua Jaew is the one that we often visit in Pran Buri. This seafood restaurant is rather large in size and comfy and is located conveniently along the beach front at Pak Nam Pran (though with division of small road). This place offers enjoyable food at decent price. One little thing to be aware about Krua Jaew is its popularity during public holiday. Make sure about reservation before visiting during public holiday. Otherwise, you should be fine.

Krua Jaew @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan

rather large venue at a convenient location

The first dish to arrive was Fried Squid with Salty Egg - ปลาหมึกผัดไข่เค็ม (6/10). Squid with salty egg seems to be my all time favourite dish at any seafood joint whether good, bad, or so-so. For the one Krua Jaew, I would say it was enjoyable, nothing much better than meeting standard expectation. The way sliced chili and spring onion combined well with creaminess and saltiness of salty egg was nice. Only if the blending between squid and salty egg had been more simultaneously, this would be a highlight. Moving on to more spicy dish: Fried Babylon with Chili and Basil - หอยหวานผัดฉ่า (6/10). Babylon is another popular seafood ingredient here. When combining with chili and basil, it turned to be a strong punchy dish. Need a lot of rice to go with this one. Make sure of asking for little chili if you cannot take much hot and spicy.

Fried Squid with Salty Egg - ปลาหมึกผัดไข่เค็ม (THB250)

Fried Babylon with Chili and Basil - หอยหวานผัดฉ่า (THB150)

Omelette with Oyster - ไข่เจียวหอยนางรม (5/10) is another classic dish that is always popular among both kids and adults. The one here was ok. I would prefer it to be fluffier and crispier. Having seafood, it is all about fish for me, not crab or prawn like others would do. Today I had Deep-fried Sea Bass with Sweet and Sour Sauce - ปลากะพงสามรส (6/10) and Boiled Sea Bass with Coconut Milk - เนื้อปลากะพงต้มกะทิ (6/10). The more interesting one was sea bass with coconut milk. It tasted similar to Tom Kha Gai but with fresh sea bass fillet instead of chicken. Weird combination but turned to be nice really. For sea bass with sweet and sour sauce, it was delicious enough to keep the meal going. Crisp texture with yummy sweet and sour sauce.

Omelette with Oyster - ไข่เจียวหอยนางรม (THB120)

Deep-fried Sea Bass with Sweet and Sour Sauce - ปลากะพงสามรส (THB400)

Boiled Sea Bass with Coconut Milk - เนื้อปลากะพงต้มกะทิ (THB150)

During the meal, we also had Chateau le Puy Rose-Marie 2014 to accompany. Its crispiness and fruity character seemed to go rather nice with seafood. In fact, any fruity white wine or off-dry white wine or sparkling wine would be tremendous. But never red wine for strong and spicy Thai food in my opinion. Anyway, Krua Jaew at Pak Nam Pran is a decent one. Not cheap but it at least presents rather good value to money for its location and quality. By the way, just ignore the service here. Staffs seemed like robot. No interaction apart from taking order at all. Bland is the word perhaps.

Chateau le Puy Rose-Marie 2014

another seafood meal

Krua Jaew @ Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan - ครัวแจ๋ว @ ปราณบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์

486/9  Moo 2
Pak Nam Pran, Pran Buri
Prachuap Khiri Khan
77220

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 08:00am - 10:00pm

Tel: +66 (0) 32 631 302
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ครัวแจ๋ว-ปากน้ำปราณ-203205943047222/

Sushi Takumi Shingo (寿司匠進吾) @ Aoyama Ichome, Tokyo

Cuisine: Sushi

Map: Sushi Takumi Shingo (寿司匠進吾) @ Aoyama Ichome, Tokyo

Charged Price: JPY30,000 per person without alcohol

Visited: 9 November 2015

Food: 9/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 9/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Sushi Takumi Shingo is another excellent sushi joint among many sushi restaurants in Tokyo. No star, no Michelin thingy but worth a detour. As in usual sushi place, it is very small with sushi counter of max 10 seats only. This place is in a few minutes walk from Aoyamaichome Station. Pretty much convenient but it can be difficult to find. The front door of the restaurant is rather small. We even got lost at first. Luckily, we happened to ask for direction with a lady who happened to be a staff of Sushi Takumi Shingo. Spot on (lol).

Sushi Takumi Shingo (寿司匠進吾) @ Aoyama Ichome, Tokyo

The entrance is a little difficult to spot

At Sushi Takumi Shingo, things were really nice with high quality ingredients. Rather relax ambient. Chef Shingo is friendly too. I am not so sure whether there are choices for sushi course here. But what we had was some 30 kinds of sushi / sashimi / appetiser altogether and the bill came to be around JPY30,000 per head. The meal just went on and on, from 8pm to almost 11pm. Chef Shingo managed the flow fabulously with help from 1 assistant. The flow just did not stop until one point when Chef Shingo asked whether we were full. However, we felt a bit greedy and we ended up having a rather big meal. I will not go through all pieces here. There were too many really. What I can say is that I like this sushi place and will return without camera to fully enjoy it.

Hamaguri (蛤) or Clam

Umi Budou (海ぶどう) - Sea Grapes

Sashimi: Engawa (縁側), Hirame (鮃), Kue (九絵)

Ika (烏賊) - Squid

Aji (鯵) - Horse Mackerel

Akami Zuke (赤身漬け) - Marinated Red Tuna (9/10) was one of the highlight for me. Classic red fillet but packed with flavour. Good contrast between sweet and sour. So tender and smooth. I personally prefer this over chu-toro and o-toro.

Tako (蛸) - Octopus (10/10) was one of the very best you may find. Wonderfully tender to the bite. Not chewy at all. A bit of wasabi and salt paired amazingly well.

Kinmedai (金目鯛) - Splendid Alfonsino (10/10): I like the bit that natural flavour of kinmedai played a big role here. Sweetness of kinmedai with a small touch of shoyu and lightly vinegared rice seemed to come at the balance portion.

Kohada (小鰭) - Gizzard Shad

Akami Zuke (赤身漬け) - Marinated Red Tuna

Tako (蛸) - Octopus

Kaki (牡蠣) - Oyster

Kinmedai (金目鯛) - Splendid Alfonsino

Kuruma Ebi (車海老) - Prawn

Hokki Gai (北寄貝) - Surf Clam (9/10) was a big piece of bouncily tender surf clam. It came along with chili powder. If it was blind tasting, I might even think it was great quality of grilled squid. Anyway, you may forget those typical hokki gai elsewhere. This is another world of hokki gai.

Sawara (鰆) - Spanish Mackerel (10/10) was another unexpected goody. It gave impression similarly to kinmedai but just less fattiness. By the way, the pickled turnip was so delicious too.

Saba (鯖) - Mackerel

Hokki Gai (北寄貝) - Surf Clam

Sawara (鰆) - Spanish Mackerel

Pickled Turnip

Nishin (鰊) - Herring

Awabi (鮑) - Abalone (10/10) was without doubt the Kaiser of shell in my humble opinion. So soft on the touch. Flavour exploded at the first bite and it went on and on. So long aftertaste. Chef Shingo does surely prepare the very top class abalone here. In my experience, the one that may outclass Sushi Takumi Shingo in term of awabi is Sushi Mizutani.

Shirako (白子) - Fish Milt (10/10) was another undeniable choice here. Creaminess was the key. Lightly sour and a small touch of wasabi went perfectly with its natural sweet taste. I would just love to have more.

Awabi (鮑) - Abalone

Shishamo (柳葉魚) - Willow Leaf Fish

Katsuo (鰹) - Bonito

Shirako (白子) - Fish Milt

Nodo Guro (喉黒) - Black Throat Sea Perch

For those fatty fillet range, buri, chu-toro, and o-toro were delicious but they were all outclassed by Kinmedai Kawa (金目鯛皮) - Skin Part of Alfonsino (10/10). It was the skin part of kinmedai that was lightly torched. With a bit of grated daikon and ponzu, it was heaven on earth.

Buri (鰤) - Amberjack

Chu-Toro (中トロ) - Medium Fatty Tuna

O-Toro (大トロ) - Fatty Tuna

Kinmedai Kawa (金目鯛皮) - Skin Part of Alfonsino

Pickled Radish

Ankimo (鮟肝) - Angler Fish Liver (10/10) and Uni (海胆) - Sea Urchin (10/10) were just incredible. I went speechless with these two. Heart-melting bites. For ankimo, there seemed to be a thin slice of daikon inserted inside to give another dimension too (if I was not wrong). 

Ankimo (鮟肝) - Angler Fish Liver

Ikura (いくら) - Salmon Roe

Sulmi Ika (鯣烏賊) - Flying Squid

Uni (海胆) - Sea Urchin

Amadai (甘鯛) - Tile-fish

Aoyagi (青柳) - Trough Shell

The meal ended with 2 kinds of tamagoyaki: one with ebi (shrimp) and one with fish dashi. Both were good but still not great. Choices of dessert were sorbet. I opted for pear sorbet and it was at satisfaction.

In short, thank God I found you.

Hand-rolled Toro

Tamagoyaki (卵焼) - Sweet Omelette

Pear Sorbet

Sushi Takumi Shingo (寿司匠進吾) @ Aoyama Ichome, Tokyo

Floor 1 Win Aoyama (ウィン青山)
2-2-15 Minamiaoyama
Minato
Tokyo 〒107-0062
Japan

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

Tel: +81 (0) 3 6434 0074