Better than Bangkok

I had always avoided Bangkok/central Thai-style food up in Chiang Mai. The few dishes I’d had weren’t exactly great, and anyway, how could I not take advantage of all the wonderful local stuff?

But it appears that all I needed was a bit of pointing in the right direction, and recently I encountered two restaurants that do dishes traditionally associated with Bangkok, but, well, better.

Phat kaphrao, minced meat fried with chili, garlic and the eponymous holy basil, is available on just about every street corner in Bangkok. It’s always cheap, salty and spicy, but almost never exceptional; in recent years I’d begun exclusively making it at home rather than getting it outside.

Unless I’m in Chiang Mai, that is. Raan Kraphrao Samrap Khon Chorp Phet translates as “Phat Kaphrao Restaurant for People Who Like Spicy”:

a slightly misleading name, as part of the deal here is that the customer chooses his preferred level of spiciness. I went for the pork version, medium spicy (shown at the top of this post). Unconventionally, the cooks here marinate the meat beforehand, and the resulting seasoning is spot-in. And I like that the holy basil (the eponymous kaphrao) is tossed into the wok at the very last second, so that it doesn’t wilt and disappear. Yet most of all, I was impressed by the texture of the dish, which emerges from the wok dry and concentrated, almost crumbly. This is an attribute I’d recognised in better versions of the dish, and something I’d always tried to recreate when making it at home.

Phat kaphrao is the obvious highlight, but they also do a daily selection of Chinese-Thai-style soups — perfect mild counterpoints to the spicy food — and full menu of central Thai dishes, including a really excellent phat khee mao.

Also putting Bangkok to shame is Pathom. This place specialises in khao tom, rice — steamed or boiled — served with various Chinese-influenced sides.

The menu here spans no more than a dozen dishes, which over Pathom’s 30 years in business, they appear to have absolutely perfected. This isn’t sexy cuisine: the dishes aren’t exactly handsome, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find presentation or garnish, but you’ll also be hard-pressed to find better versions of these staples just about anywhere in Thailand.

On my most recent visit (shown above), I had eggplant, Thai basil and fermented soybeans expertly flash-fried until just milliseconds away from turning to mush; crispy, meaty deep-fried pork belly; jap chai, Chinese-style braised vegetables, which here includes lots of cabbage and pork skin; a really excellent tao huu phalo, firm tofu braised in five spice broth, where here is served with dip that’s a near-perfect intersection of spicy and tart; and of course rice. I generally opt for steamed rice, but most customers go for the eponymous boiled rice, which allegedly is given extra gluten by the addition of a bit of sticky rice

Everything is made in advance and staff are efficient, so you’ll be eating in seconds.

And like Raan Kraphrao Samrap Khon Chorp Phet, in addition to better-than-in-Bangkok Bangkok-style food, the other linking element is a dining room that has all the charm of airplane hangar:

Bringing home the fact that, no matter where you’re eating Thailand, good food often involves a degree of compromise.

Raan Kraphrao Samrap Khon Chorp Phet/??????????? (???????????????)
Rte 1001, Chiang Mai
081 530 0380
11.30am-1pm & 4-9.30pm

View Thai Eats in a larger map

Pathom/??????????
Th Chang Phuak, Chiang Mai
7am-2pm

View Thai Eats in a larger map

View the original article here

Hansar Bangkok

Hansar Bangkok pictures (1 of 4)

Whenever I go back to my home country Malaysia, I will make it a point to visit our neighboring country, Thailand for a dose of its amazing hospitality. I made no exception this time. The only difference was that I was not alone. So, in December, I went to Bangkok with one mission: to eat and to pray. And I accomplished it, and more, at Hansar Bangkok.

When I was on the lookout for a nice city hotel for my little boy and me on our mini escapade in the Land of Smiles, I wanted nothing but the best for the two of us. The DestinAsian’s Luxe List 2011 that showcases the best new hotels and resorts in the Asia-Pacific region came in handy for me. To be on that list, the hotel has got to exhibit a “rare convergence of style and substance that sets a place well above the rest” (DestinAsian, 2011), and there it was on the list, Hansar Bangkok, selected for its distinctive brand of hospitality. So that was how I came to check myself and Baby G into Hansar Bangkok, a beauty so close to the heart of downtown Bangkok.

Tucked in the city’s most prestigious Rajdamri Road and within walking distance to the BTS Skytrain that connects one to every major part of the city, Hansar Bangkok is a rising favorite among business, leisure travelers, and even celebs. For someone who takes first impression rather seriously in her judgment, Hansar Bangkok conquered my heart the moment I walked into the entrance of our suite, greeted by a rare interior garden wall radiant with lush tropical greenery. I could imagine how this would instantly calm the fatigued bodies and minds of those who have just gone through a day of grueling business negotiations or long meetings. And of course this would totally appeal to those who are on a leisure trip. Blending in the abundance of tropical greenery and tasteful adornment of luxurious Jim Thompson silk to the overall contemporary and modern setup, you’ll be mesmerized by Hansar Bangkok’s definition of chic-luxe.

Hansar Bangkok offers a range of suites to accommodate your budget. There are Studio Suites, Urban Suites, Edge Suites, Vertigo Suites, and Loft Suites to choose from. Some suites come with an integrated kitchenette with stovetop, fridge and built-in washing machine that can be real life-savers for those who travel with their family, like me. With so much of space in our suite, my boy had great fun romping and stomping around, exploring each nook and cranny of the sitting room and the separate bedroom. It felt so good to see him happy in a room not his own, far away from home.

Back to my first mission in Bangkok – to do food and the city. Hansar Bangkok made it so easy for me to accomplish this mission under its roof, and in style. There are four flagship dining outlets that present their own iconic culinary fares in the hotel. Hansar Bangkok prides itself in its four flagship dining outlets that present their own iconic culinary fares – the sophisticated Eve at which you are introduced to an inventive French Provençal menu, the simple Café Boca that makes dining pleasurable and uncomplicated for those who want a quick bite of a hearty gourmet sandwich or a wholesome traditional Thai meal, the swanky lobby bar Vue at which you can see and to be seen, and the zesty Zest by the pool where you grab that refreshing glass of cocktail. The highlight of my dining episode, however, was none other than enjoying the sumptuous spread of daily buffet breakfast at the outdoor terraces, under the canopy of luxuriant greenery, with Baby G squealing excitedly sighting those cute squirrels scurrying up the trees. Again, a rarity in a city hotel yet made possible only in Hansar Bangkok.

Visiting the famous Erawan Shrine to pray to the four-faced Hindu god Brahma has been a ritual in my visits to Bangkok. It was a very wise choice to stay in Hansar Bangkok since it is just a walking distance to Erawan Shrine, allowing me to take Baby G with me without any difficulty. Hence, my second mission, to pray, was totally hassle-free and accomplished with deep serenity needed in saying my prayers. The strategic location of the hotel also enabled me to achieve more than what I set out for. Not only did the mom-and-son team cruise the magical Chao Phraya, climb the majestic Wat Arun, but also scour the myriad of stores at Siam Paragon. What’s more, I even had the opportunity to check out the amazing night view of Bangkok at Red Sky Bar—one of top 10 best sky bars in Bangkok—located just a stone’s throw away from the hotel.

I have to commend the staff of Hansar Bangkok, especially the concierge, for making our stay totally stress-free and enjoyable. Simple gestures like searching for child-friendly restaurants and offering us an umbrella as we were going out for our adventures made us feel truly special. Thumbs up for Hansar Bangkok for the superb hospitality.

In Hansar Bangkok, we created many lasting memories for our short trip. If you ask me where to stay in the swanky downtown Bangkok, I’ll say, “Hansar Bangkok, of course,” with a smile.

HANSAR BANGKOK HOTEL
3 SoiMahadlekluang 2
Rajdamri Road, Lumpini
Pathumwan, Bangkok
10330 Thailand
Tel: +66 2209 1234
Fax: +66 2209 1212
Website: www.hansarbangkok.com
Blog: Hansarvue.com

View the original article here

Ma Du Zi Hotel, Bangkok

Smoked Foie Gras, Ma Du Zi by Yuya pictures (1 of 9)

Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in Asia. Other than an endless array of delicious foods, be it street-food or fine-dining restaurants, Bangkok offers some of the best—and most trendy—boutique hotels in the region. Flip through any travel magazine and you will read about new, happening, chic resorts and boutique hotels sprouting up all around Bangkok. I travel there every two years or so, and each time I discover something new.

In March I visited Bangkok with baby G and my niece. It was a short trip but packed with lots of fun. I chose to stay at Ma Du Zi Hotel. Ma Du Zi means “come and see” in Thai, and it occupies a prime spot in the bustling Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, located within walking distance to the Asoke BTS station and the new mall, Terminal 21. The hotel is home to Yuya, one of the most talked about French restaurants in Bangkok. Ma Du Zi is also part of the following luxury boutique hotel groups: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Small Luxury Hotel of the World, Design Hotels, and Tablet Hotels. It has everything I look for in a hotel.

Closewise from top ght: lobby, reception, and hotel lift

.

My first impression of Ma Du Zi was the extreme privacy of the property. The main gate of the hotel is closed and guarded. All hotel reservations must be made in advance as they do not accept walk-ins. The overall aesthetic and decor is ultra-hip and sexy without coming across as kitschy or pretentious. We were greeted by two friendly staff who helped us with the registration, and even offered shopping tips on where to pick up baby’s supplies and food. The warm and friendly services made us feel right at home.

Spacious bedroom with a working area and the powder room

.
We stayed in the Studio 53 room which was spacious, exceptional and cozy. I absolutely loved the small touches, such as the sliding door that separates the entrance foyer and the bedroom, the abundant king-sized bed that was comfy for the three of us, the espresso machine, free wifi and minibar; but the sweetest spot is the infinity bathtub with Jacuzzi plus rain shower, which I conveniently spent an hour in each night, unwinding after a fun day out. Every detail in the room was very well thought out.

During the day, when we wanted to escape the tropical heat outside, I spent my time lazing about at the tea lounge, sipping complimentary coffee, tea and refreshments. There is also daily evening cocktail from 6 pm–7 pm at the bar area. The tea lounge area is airy and beautifully appointed with just the right, tasteful whirl of details and decorations. It was probably my favorite place in the hotel.

Clockwise from top right: restaurant, bouillabaisse, Chef Yuya, smoked foie gras

.

On the last day of my stay at Ma Du Zi, I had lunch at Yuya (named after its executive chef Yuya Okadu). This is Bangkok’s only French restaurant run by a Japanese chef and offers fine French cuisine with Japanese/Asian ingenuity. I savored the supreme luxury and absolutely delightful smoked foie gras and wished that I had more.

Smoked Foie Gras

.

This dish alone was worth my entire trip!

Next, I had Chef Yuya’s signature bouillabaisse, which was unconventional as the seafood was served separately from the soup base which was made with a tint of Japanese miso. At first sight, I doubted the execution of this iconic French dish but it was surprisingly good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bouillabaisse

.

Ma Du Zi Hotel is a one of a kind, unique conceptual hotel offering ultimate privacy, comfort, and tailor-made services. With its reservation-only policy and no walk-ins, Ma Du Zi caters to the exclusive needs of its guests, whether it is for business or your own private luxury getaway.

Ma Du Zi Hotel
9/1 Ratchadaphisek Road, Klongtoey, Klongoey,
Bangkok 10110, THAILAND
Tel: +66 (0) 2615 6400
Fax: +66 (0) 2260 0658
Email: reservation@maduzihotel.com
Make a reservation

var Scribol;if(typeof Scribol=='undefined'){Scribol={}; Scribol.frames=[];Scribol.site='http://scribol.com/';Scribol.is_preview=false;}Scribol.frames.push('775964');

View the original article here

Instagram: Fancy northern Thai noodles, Gedhawa, Bangkok

Instagram: Fancy northern Thai noodles, Gedhawa, Bangkok | Austin Bush Photography PortfoliosPeoplePlacesFoodExhibitionAbout MeBiographyContactMy Blog
$('ul#main_menu li.menu-item-1471').addClass('current_page_item');A blog about food in Thailand
and elsewhere.

Instagram: Fancy northern Thai noodles, Gedhawa, BangkokPosted date: January 19, 2012 No comment;

Wanna say something?

Name (required)

Email (required)

URL

Message (required)

 Cancel Reply

View the original article here

Instagram: Just yer typical curry stall, Bangkok

Instagram: Just yer typical curry stall, Bangkok | Austin Bush Photography PortfoliosPeoplePlacesFoodExhibitionAbout MeBiographyContactMy Blog
$('ul#main_menu li.menu-item-1471').addClass('current_page_item');A blog about food in Thailand
and elsewhere.

Instagram: Just yer typical curry stall, BangkokPosted date: January 20, 2012 No comment;

Wanna say something?

Name (required)

Email (required)

URL

Message (required)

 Cancel Reply

View the original article here

Bangkok, 14 January 2012

Last night I was at Bangkok’s ‘flashlight’ market — so called because it’s held at night and shoppers need to provide their own source of light. Unfolding on the sidewalks around the Phlap Phla Chai Intersection, at the edge of Bangkok’s Chinatown, it’s sort of like an open-air jumble sale, with lots of junk:

but also a handful of interesting antiques (see pic at top of this post), food:

fortune tellers:

and beggars:

Bangkok’s ‘Flashlight’ Market
Phlap Phla Chai Intersection
5am Sat to 5pm Sun

View Thai Eats in a larger map

View the original article here

Instagram: Khao soi, Lam Duan Fah Ham, Bangkok

Instagram: Khao soi, Lam Duan Fah Ham, Bangkok | Austin Bush Photography PortfoliosPeoplePlacesFoodExhibitionAbout MeBiographyContactMy Blog
$('ul#main_menu li.menu-item-1471').addClass('current_page_item');A blog about food in Thailand
and elsewhere.

Instagram: Khao soi, Lam Duan Fah Ham, BangkokPosted date: January 15, 2012 1 Comment

Comment for Instagram: Khao soi, Lam Duan Fah Ham, Bangkok

Cool photo. Nice looking soup, does it taste as good as it looks.

Reply

Wanna say something?

Name (required)

Email (required)

URL

Message (required)

 Cancel Reply

View the original article here

Instagram: Khanom jeen nam ngiaw, Lam Duan Fah Ham, Bangkok

Instagram: Khanom jeen nam ngiaw, Lam Duan Fah Ham, Bangkok | Austin Bush Photography PortfoliosPeoplePlacesFoodExhibitionAbout MeBiographyContactMy Blog
$('ul#main_menu li.menu-item-1471').addClass('current_page_item');A blog about food in Thailand
and elsewhere.

Instagram: Khanom jeen nam ngiaw, Lam Duan Fah Ham, BangkokPosted date: January 15, 2012 No comment;

Wanna say something?

Name (required)

Email (required)

URL

Message (required)

 Cancel Reply

View the original article here

SNAPDRAGON Bangkok Sweet Chili Baked Rice Crisps, 3.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

Journey to the culinary capitals of Asia with Snapdragon, where every stop brings a new taste discovery. Snapdragon Baked Rice Crisps are seasoned with authentic Asian flavors. Bangkok Sweet Chili Rice Crisp has a subtle kick from sweet chili peppers and Southeast Asian spices.

Price: $40.68

Click here to buy from Amazon