Bangkok - Menya Itto

Dear Fork,

Rank #1 Tokyo's Best Ramen restaurant on Tabelog, Menya Itto is now served in Bangkok! Located in Erawan Bangkok in Urban Kitchen area. I went there after 6pm, lucky for us, there was no line out the door. Lunch is the time to avoid, as the area gets busy. The restaurant is decorated simply with wooden floor and furnitures. Open kitchen gives you the aromatic scent of delicious broth, to keep your stomach growling. 

Started off with these delicious looking Gyoza (90฿). It was amazing and perfect as a starter. The meat is flavorful and tender, and the sauce was a great compliment. Must-try!

Gyoza 

Menya Itto is famous for their Tsukemen, a ramen dish that the noodle is to be dipped in on a bowl of soup or broth before eating. I've had many Tsukemen before and there's something special about Menya Itto's style. 

I opted for the signature Itto Noko Gyokai Tsukemen (350฿). Cold thick daily house-made ramen noodle topped with 3 sous vide meat, Tori Chashu (chicken), Rosu Chashu (pork shoulder) and Bara Chashu (pork belly), along with a bowl of flavorful hot chicken broth with Tori Dango (chicken meatballs). The meat was so tender! The soup was delightful. Some people may find it too salty, so they offer Wadashi soup on the table to dilute the soup and also for you to drink up the soup after your meal. The Karami (ebi chili flake) added some spice to the soup wonderfully. 

Truffle Mazemen with cheese (590฿), a seasonal menu is another dish to try. Dry ramen dish topped with onsen egg, negi, onion, thinly sliced rosu chashu and truffle. Mix everything well together and what you get is Viola! Serves only 15 dishes per day.

Everything was very fulfilling. This will definitely be my go-to spot for Tsukemen from now on. To end the night, I would recommend you to order their Hokkaido Milk Creme Brûlée (120฿), made of Hokkaido milk and strawberry is hidden underneath, giving this creme brûlée a unique taste. 

I wish you were here,

Spoon.

Menya Itto
www.menya-itto.com
Address: Menya Itto, LG/F, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Phloen Chit Rd., Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02-250-7669
Business Hours: Mon - Sun 11.30AM - 3.30PM and 6.00PM - 9.00PM
Parking: Erawan Bangkok
Price: ฿฿฿

Bangkok - La Dotta Pasta Bar & Store

Dear Fork, 

Glad to see you on such a festive season. It was a late Christmas dinner, but just perfect for some delicious pasta! La Dotta - a traditional Italian restaurant located in the heart of Thong Lo. It offers fresh daily made pasta with hearty sauce. It hosts a mini-sized display of their appetizing fresh pasta by the entrance, from bucatini, linguine, garganelli to tortelloni etc.

Walking in to this small cozy restaurant, decorated with blue and yellowish beige (just like the color of the pasta :D), marble counter top with an open kitchen for us to take in the art of making delicious dishes. There is a shelf holding La Dotta owned products of their pasta sauce and what not. Upstairs, located a more family styled sitting tables and a bar, giving its loud and fun vibe.

Speaking of the bar, I got to try these (not-so)basic cocktails and they were both great! La Dotta Martini - Bombay Sapphire Gin, Carpano Bianco, Strawberry, Cherry Tomato (340฿). Easy to drink. I only wish the glass was bigger. LOL

G & T & TEA...what! Yes, Gin & Tonic with premium selection of tea you can choose from, Rooisbos Cream Orange/Soft Peach/Morgentau Green Tea, Wild Cherries. I opted for the soft peach (320฿). Very refreshing. 

La Dotta Martini

Gin & Tonic & Soft Peach Tea

Started off with Truffle, sage & ricotta cheese deep fried balls (190฿). They took cheese balls to a whole nother level! These were wonderful, crispy on the outside, fully stuffed with warm truffle, sage and ricotta cheese. Went perfectly well with the aioli. 

Truffle, sage, ricotta cheese balls.

Here comes my favorite dish of the night, Tortelloni 4 Formaggi or 4 cheese (360฿). Same shape as tortellini but filled with artisanal Italian 24-months aged cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano fondue. The dish looked so simple but the taste was pure heaven, filled with warm melt-in-my-mouth cheese. Not too creamy. The kind of dish that gives you that "umm" sound effect after the first bite. 

Tortelloni 4 Formaggi

Another dish that's highly recommended, Tagliatelle Bolognese (590฿) - 24-hour slow cooked Wagyu beef shoulder with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Flavorful dish with tender meat. Love the texture of their fresh pasta. One thing I really enjoyed about their menu, in the back, they have this glossary of their pasta in the back, using a basic 2D illustration. 

There is no complete meal without desserts, right? I went for the Sicilian Ice Cream (220฿). You get to choose 2scoops of lemon, pistachio or vanilla, served in a waffle cup. I went for lemon and pistachio and they were both delightful. First time having Sicilian ice cream, and I fell in love! Must try!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Happy Holidays!

Love,
Spoon.

La Dotta
Address: 161/6 Soi Thonglor 9 Sukhumvit 55 North Klongtan, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02-392-8688
Business Hours: Mon - Sun 11.00AM - 11.00PM
Parking: Lunch - off-street parking or at Eight Thonglor. Dinner - Valet parking.
Price: ฿฿฿฿

 

Bangkok - Kaizen Coffee Co.

Dear Fork, 

Friendly staffs and they sure know what they are doing!

I stumbled upon Kaizen Coffee Co. after a big feast of BBQ buffet in the same complex. The minimal-looking plain white coffee shop is located in front of Tai Ping Tower towards the end of Ekamai Road, in the complex where all the buffet places are. Walking in to this cafe, I noticed all these coffee gears and what-not for the coffee lovers to indulge in, experiencing the art of coffee making. 

Kaizen Coffee Co., the name itself gives you the Japanese vibe but instead you get this minimalist atmosphere along with great company of their friendly baristas behind the counter. Oh, they sure know what they are doing! The counter consists of the slow bar, espresso machine, cold brew station etc. Their Nitrogen Cold brew is highly recommended if you like cold brew. 

Hot latte (Five S Blend) with beautiful latte art. Wonderful taste, just perfect.

Let's head over to what made me fall in love with this place...(EVERYTHING :D) Kaizen Iced Coffee is my all-time favorite, and this is what got me addicted to my daily visit to Kaizen. The moment I took a sip of this wonder made me feel WOW...what was that? It's served in a glass with beautiful coffee marble between half and half milk and the double espresso, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream. #GOODNESS.

Kaizen Iced Cofee.

On a no-coffee-needed kind of morning, I would go for my second favorite, Double Down Chocolate Shake. Again, a beautifully presented blended milk ice cream with Dulcey chocolate bits and balls and topped with Milo powder. WOW, this is THE SHAKE you must try. It gives you crunchy bites in every sip. Imagine having a boba milk tea, but crunchy! 

Double Down Chocolate Shake

Their cakes range from 75-200 Baht. The red velvet is amazing!

Milo Mountain

Last but not least, Milo Mountain, your childhood drink with a twist. Iced chocolate blended with cream, topped with dark chocolate ice cream and Milo powder, creating the mountain shape. Jump in the pool of chocolate but beware, it can get a little messy!

Kaizen also serves brunch which I have yet to try. So, I might be able to see you then?

Love,

Spoon xoxo

Kaizen Coffee Co.
Address: 582/5 soi ekkamai 26-28 (Tai Ping Tower) Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: 098-831-6009
Business Hours: Everyday 8.00AM - 6.00PM
Parking: Yes
Price: ฿฿฿

 

Bangkok - Tuang by Chef Yip

Dear Fork, 

Bao station with many flavors.

I missed you again. I stumbled upon a small hole in the wall again. The perk of going to Charoenkrung street is that there are so many hidden gems of street food along the whole street. This particular street connects China town through a few parts of the city, displaying the the old town Chinese vibe in Bangkok remarkably. The busy street has its flaw. There is no parking area provided! Luckily, I went there on the weekend and street parking was not as challenging. 

Tuang - by Chef Yip, has set its standard as one of the best affordable dim sum in Bangkok. The casual setting is the place where you see people coming in and out, lining up ordering food home throughout the day. Famous for its Lava Bun that has so many variety for such a tiny restaurant. On the inside, the wall is filled with certificates and awards of the restaurant itself and the infamous Chef Yip Yun Keong, a Hong Kong-born, the person behind the success of Chinese restaurant in the 5-Star, Shangri La hotel.

Shang Hai Xiao Long Bao

Shrimp RIce Flour Roll, Pork Spare RIbs, Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (Hakao)

Let's talk about the food. Everything was so darn cheap! I got Shang Hai Xiao Long Bao (฿40/tray), Pork Spare Ribs (฿40/tray), Hakao (฿50/tray), Shrimp Rice Roll (฿50/plate) and Custard Lava Bun (฿17/pc). o_O... WOW!!! I know right!? Only a few bucks for such good meal, why not? The BBQ Pork Rice Roll and Hakao is highly recommended here. The BBQ Pork Rice Roll is so soft, melt in you mouth along with the warm flavorful sauce, just heavenly.

And...here's my favorite TADA! Egg Yolk Lava Bun or they called it Custard Lava Bun here. This was incredible, with the perfect amount of the custard. The taste was so good I had to order more for take-out. #sorrynotsorry (It was still great after a few hours and a few secs of heating-up). I wish you could join me next time! 3.5/5 it is. This place is actually better than some hotel dim sum places, not to be named, it's so closed to this restaurant. ><"

The best Egg Yolk Lava Bun!!

Tuang - by Chef Yip
Address: 2029/9 Charoen Krung Rd, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120
Tel: 086-603-0908
Business Hours: Everyday 7.00AM - 5.30PM
Parking: Off-street. 
Price: ฿฿฿

 

Bangkok - Le Boeuf The Steak & Fries Bistro

Dear Fork,

How have you been lately? I swear I told myself I would be on diet...but, I fail every time. LOL I was craving for steak and hmm... Le Boeuf it is!

Le Boeuf The Steak & Fries Bistro is a French restaurant located in Marriott Mayfair Executive Apartment, Lung Suan area. The restaurant is set in a glasshouse, right off the building, facing the street of Lang Suan, which makes the fine-dining ambient real romantic during dinner.

Assiette de Chacuterie

Started off with some appetizers, I got a Assiette de Chachuterie board, which comes with baguettes, parma, salami with Terrine de Foie Gras and Terrine de Campagne, topped with pickles and walnut. Plenty to share with 4-6people. Make sure to save lots of space for the meat!!

Entrecote Steak

Known for the very amazing L'Entrecote Steak with their infamous 'Green' sauce. This secret green sauce was developed from the legendary, Cafe de Paris in Geneva. This concept remains which were mainly focused on serving the green sauce with one cut of meat. The sauce is so good, very flavorful, goes well with all kind of meat. It's thick but compliments the steak wonderfully. The other best part is every Entrecote order, comes with walnut salad and UNLIMITED FRENCH FRIES. Oh Em Gee, the fries came out hot and fresh. Dip them fries in that green sauce and enjoy!!! 

Grilled Lamb Chops

Let's talk about their steak. We went for both the Entrecote Steak and Grilled Lamb Chops, they both were cooked to perfection as requested (medium rare). Served on a hot sizzling plate, so your steak never gets cold. They were super juicy and tender. If you fancy for a more flavorful option, the grilled lamb chops is the way to go. SO DELISH! Highly recommended - 5/5 Hope you loved it too.

Love,
Spoon

Le Boeuf Steak & Fries Bistro - Marriott Mayfair, Bangkok
Address: 60 Langsuan, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Tel. +662-672-1230 (Langsuann), +6697-235-7935 (Thonglor)
Business Hours: 11.00AM - 11.00PM
Parking: YES
PRICE: ฿฿฿฿