My
second post of this series brings me the ever accessible Asoke station, which is
also the interchange to Sukhumvit MRT station. When I just arrived in 2009, this
area only had Times Square and Robinson. If I had to summarize Asoke back then
with 3 words, I would say it felt over-the-hill.
The
opening of Terminal 21 in 2011 completely rejuvenated Asoke, injecting it with
new energy, and it has thrived ever since. In fact, Asoke has become my go-to
location when I do staycations with my family in town. What I like about Asoke
over other lifestyle spots (eg. Thong Lor) is how compact it is. Nice eateries,
massages, hotels and watering holes cluster within walking distances from each
other, mainly along the little streets connecting Soi 19,21 and 23 together,
unlike at the long wide street of Thong Lor where you might struggle to get from
one popular spot to another without a car.
With
the help of my Asoke local, here's my first instalment of the hidden
eateries
within walking distance from the BTS
station:
1. Ping's
Sharks' Fin: Fish maw soup I would drink everyday
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Picture with lady boss Mrs Ho, look out for my sticker if
you do visit! |
This
is the flagship store of the Ping's Restaurant Group, owners of Ping's Thai
Teochew Seafood Restaurant at Pathumwan Princess Hotel, which I reviewed with a
"Wah Lau Eh!" last year. You can enjoy the same menu (and cheaper drinks) plus
some authentic Singapore curry puffs at this outlet in a more old-school
ambience.
2.
Uma Uma!: Focus your calories on Ramen
Like
any typical Sarawakian, I love noodles. From the over-hyped Ippudo (I certainly
wouldn't queue for it), to the delicious but wildly inconsistent Yamagoya and
Chabuton (it has way too many branches), ramen is something I consistently go
for when I need a quick meal.
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Uma Uma Ramen, right beside Lawson 108 Convenient
Store |
Uma
Uma's ramen blew me away. There was nothing to complain about their rich broth
and perfectly al-dente noodles. Is the option for a small bowl really
necessary?
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Work of art |
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They are supposed to be big on gyoza
too |
The
gyoza though, was forgettable, even if they are also one of Uma Uma's signature
dishes. So if you specially made your way here in the midst of a day-long food
trail in Bangkok, focus your precious calories on their noodles please!
3. Paris
Mikki: Exquisite French cakes and pastry
For
some reason, the excellent Let Them Eat Cake closed permanently last October. I
am relieved to rediscover top-class French-style cakes and pastry at a little
bakery called Paris Mikki near Asoke BTS station.
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Just a very small space |
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Similar offerings as Let Them Eat Cake, but less
colourful more down-to-earth |
I
will personally recommend the Mille-Feuille and croissants, though I think most
of their desserts should taste pretty good. If you feel like pampering yourself
with delicate desserts sprinkled with a bit of class, you can't go wrong with
Paris Mikki.
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|
Mille-Feuille, simplicity at its
best |
4.
Bharani: 66-yr-old boat noodle with live jazz
Some
of my friends swear by having boat noodles when they come to Thailand, but I
wonder if ther know that the soup of boat noodles gets its unmistakeable deep
hue and cloudy viscosity from a mixture of cow/pig's blood and salt? Because of
this, I am not too big on boat noodles except for a select few, and this is one
of them.
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You have found the right place if you see half a boat
sticking out of a restaurant |
Looking
at the chalkboard of specialties inside Bharani, I was surprised to find
international favourites like Paella, but if you are visiting Thailand for the
first time, my recommendation would be to go for their Sansab boat noodles,
which they have been selling since 1949.
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Clean-tasting broth, not a description you will normally
associate with boat noodles |
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You get to enjoy this taste of tradition in
comfort |
Come
at the right time (7pm on Saturday), you could be slurping down your noodles in
the accompaniment of live jazz!
5.
Khua Kling Pak Sod: Southern classics done the right
way
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Khua Kling Pak Sod offers ample parking
space |
Of
the various regional cuisines Thailand has to offer, I find dishes from the
South most fascinating. Khua Kling Pak Sod is therefore a fitting finale to my
list of recommendations.
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Colourful decoration |
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Toughtful touch: Deliberate introduction of natural light
into the dining area |
Some
essential Southern Thai classics include the Thai stink beans (aka petai/sataw)
with shrimp paste, crab-meat chilli paste with beehoon, yellow fish curry with
coconut shoots etc., all of which can be found here.
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Fried beehoon with crabmeat, more like fried crabmeat
with beehoon |
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|
Stir-fried pork with shrimp
paste |
Despite
the obvious glut of Thai eateries in Bangkok, I would say it is quite a rarity
to find a good restaurant completely focused on Southern Thai dishes. Khua Kling
Pak Sod is certainly worth a try if you are adventurous, or just simply curious
to find out what Thai food has to offer outside Tom Yum Soup and Pad Thai.
*******************************
So there you go, the first instalment of my BTS Asoke
series, enough to keep your tummies satisfied for a good 2 days. Do you have any
other recommendations? I will definitely check them out!
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