Feasting Through Bangkok

Cravings! and Bangkok have an undying love affair: hardly an issue goes by where we don’t discuss Bangkok. Thailand’s heritage, people and culture are incredibly fascinating, besides the food that can somehow be spicy, tangy and sweet all the same time. Our editor Krishy visited Bangkok over the Labour Day weekend, simply for the love of food. Here are some of his best finds, in a fun directory format for you to refer to the next time you’re in Bangkok!

I cannot remember doing 2 travel features in one issue, but here we are! Everytime I take a holiday, I always feel like I need to go on another to to sort of get over the previous one. This is a sentiment that I’m quite certain that most of you can identify with. That, folks, is how I end up in Bangkok year after year. I am a complete city person - I’ve said this many times on my blog, instagram and facebook. Bangkok feeds all my city cravings - a spot-on-service train, Uber at the press of a button, fantastic hotels, unique cafes and the best food. Whenever I go to Bangkok, I end up finding something new. These are my new discoveries during my most recent trip.

ARTIS - NANA

Artis is a great place for breakfast, located a stone’s throw from Nana train station. Its directly opposite the Shiva/ Parvati Shrine, next to an overhead bridge. They roast their own coffee there, so you’ll smell it as you soon as you step in. The places can fill up quite quickly, and they have limited seating. A good time to go there would be around 10am.

LAZY GOOSE - NANA

Lazy Goose has the best breakfast burgers, and the kindest staff. They also have vegetarian and vegan items on their menu, and plenty of seating. I would personally recommend their portobello mushroom burger, and flat white coffee, while the rest of the menu is equally (pulled pork sliders, pulled chicken caesar sandwiches) mouth-watering. The spicy sauce they use is a little Thai and Indian at the same time, with mustard seeds and coriander set amidst a spicy curry background.

INK & LION - EKKAMAI

This one require Google Map’s guidance to find, but it’s worth the short walk. Ink & Lion has a Cwaffle on their menu - a cross between the waffle and croissant. I found this to be a must-try, as the curious pastry comes in two forms: the savoury with ham and cheese and the sweet with chocolate.

AU BON PAIN - NANA

This one is for the milkshake lovers. Amazing Chocolate and Vanilla milkshakes here, as well as food. They have an instant ice cream machine by Ben & Jerry’s, though it was out of service when I was there. Here’s hoping they’ll have it up and running before I get there again!

AFTER YOU DESSERT CAFE - SILOM

This cafe is proof that Bangkok has a lot more than just amazing tom yum . After You Dessert Cafe is popular amongst locals and tourists alike for its Shibuya Toast. This is not just an amazing cafe with wonderful sweet treats, but a social high for many instagrammers looking for ‘the’ shot for their profiles. Try the Shibuya Special Black Toast, topped with a halfbaked peanut cookie, luscious peanut sauce and smooth, melting icecream.

MAE VAREE MANGO STICKY RICE - TAKE AWAY ONLY (THONG LOR)

Famed as the best Mango Sticky Rice place in all of Bangkok, this quaint little stall lives up to its reputation. The lady who runs the show sells out pretty quickly, though she had some for me when I was there at around 7pm. The mango was soft, sour and married the warm coconut milk so well. A must have when you’re in Bangkok.

FEATHERSTONE - EKKAMAI

This is a boutique and cafe rolled into one - you can find artisanal coffee and delicious main courses alongside bespoke, handmade soaps and jewelry. They have a number of things on their menu, but I urge you to try the duck confit with raspberry sauce - a set of flavours that I never knew could sing in harmony the way they do.

WARM WOOD CAFE - THONG LOR

Located along Thonglor Soi 10, this cosy little cafe is mainly all wood, giving it a warm, homely vibe. The eggs benedict here is served with pulledpork, which if you ask me is borderline genius. This place has a delicious menu, and smoothies made with homemade frozen yoghurt. If alcohol is more your thing, they also have a cocktail menu!

ROAST COFFEE - THONG LOR

In today’s world of social media, checking out foodporn worthy photographs on instagram is half the experience of dining. Roast hits this spot on, with drool worthy images and a menu that delivers on its delicious pictorial promise. Expect western breakfast items such as Jerk Chicken Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Rosti and Crab Cake Benedict (this one might be more Thai than western).

ROASTOLOGY - SALA DEANG

The guys behind Roastology had already been in the coffee roasting business for 5 years, before they opened this establishment. You can tell the coffee here is of an exquisite quality, with both local and international beans up for sale. Aside from coffee though, what really stood out here is their Super Dark Chocolate Drink, which has both African and South American cocoa beans in the mix.

AUDREY CAFE AND BISTRO - THONG LOR

Audrey Cafe’s design and interior are inspired by the Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn. The classic black and white french interior is quite different from other cafes and boasts a rustic appeal. While they do have a lunch menu, I strongly recommend you skip it all and head straight for the delectuable Thai Milk Tea Crepe Cake - smooth, melting, luscious and just so sinful.