Thip Samai Pad Thai (Bangkok)

If you want to know where to find the best pad thai in Bangkok, look no further. 

With a mouth full of food, I told my friend, "Wah! This pad thai really good sia." Not sure how much of it my friend actually understood or heard. Not that it matters, because all that matters is that the pad thai here is really good. 

We had a lesson in pronouncing thai words before we asked a tuk tuk driver to bring us to Pratu Phi Pad Thai. While asking someone else how to get there, it drew a blank stare and a puzzled look. Only after a while did that guy understand what we were talking about and he was obviously delighted when we finally pronounced it the correct way. 

This place works like a factory chain- each worker has their designated role and this is how they churn out plates and plates of delicious pad thai.

It was crowded and the queues just got longer through the night. As there were only two of us, we managed to secure a seat within 10 minutes.

Before entering the shop, you will see bottles of orange juice being sold outside. These were sold at market price, were sweet and an absolute thirst quencher.

The star of the show- the Superb Pad Thai (80 Baht). When served, the pad thai was sealed in the omelette. Upon slowly pulling the thin layer of eggy goodness apart, the hidden gem was revealed. Sweet and slightly moist pad thai, with the aromatic wok hei fragrance, with some big prawns. What differentiates this pad thai from other pad thai is the addition of egg and dried prawns. Do not underestimate what these ingredients can do. The dried prawns lent a slight tinge of saltiness as well as some crispness to this dish.

If there is anything you can't miss out on a trip to Bangkok, it is this.

Thip Samai Pad Thai 
313 Mahachai Road
Samranrat Phra Nakorn
Bangkok, Thailand 

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Somtam Nua (Bangkok)

This was a a restaurant that was recommended by many and indeed, it didn't disappoint. 

Although it was lunch time, it was surprising that we didn't have to wait for long before we got a seat.

We ordered the Fried Chicken (150 Baht). This is one of those deep fried chicken that if I didn't have to care about my waistline or all that news on how there's a lot of stuff being injected through the wings, I could eat baskets and baskets of these finger licking goodness. These were not greasy, had juicy meat, with fragrant deep fried garlic sprinkled over it. 

How could we have left the restaurant without ordering a som tam? We chose the Som Tam with Dry Shrimp and Peanut (75 Baht) and it was an explosion of flavours and textures- the crunchiness and sourness of the papaya, the saltiness of the fish sauce, the nutty flavour and a little spice.

Definitely worth a try!

Somtam Nua
392/14 Siam Square Soi 5
Bangkok, Thailand 

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After You (Bangkok)

Everyone who goes to Bangkok tells me that I have to try After You and their Shibuya  Honey Toast. 

We decided to drop by their branch at Siam Paragon. After getting lost in a maze of food stalls, we finally found the shop (located next to the supermarket). 

The cafe had a ready stream of customers coming in but luckily, we didn't have to wait for a table.

When standing at the counter, my friend told the waiter, "One Shibuya Honey Toast please." I said, "Huh one only ah, okay." Thank goodness my friend had more common sense than I did or we will be walking out of the cafe twice our sizes.

The highly raved Shibuya Honey Toast (165 Baht) came with a block of bread neatly cut into 9 pieces. The exterior crust was crispy and in between that fluffy interior, was a layer of melted butter spread on the bread. Saltiness of the butter coupled with the sweetness of the ice cream. On first bite, it was like eating Crunchie (the chocolate bar with a honeycomb centre). Then as it went on, I was thankful that we ordered one instead of two shibuya toasts.

This is a dessert best consumed in small quantities before the gelatness starts to kick in.

After You
Siam Paragon Ground Floor
991 Rama 1 Road
Khet Pathumwan
Bangkok, Thailand 

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