Showing posts with label Fried Chicken. Show all posts

[FOOD] 20150113 Som Tam Nua @ Siam Square, Bangkok


Som Tam, or also known as green papaya salad is a very well known Thai dish which is served in almost every Thai restaurant in the world. It's basically green papaya (unripe papaya), thinly sliced and served with other toppings like dried shrimps, nuts, long beans, chilli etc pounded and crunched to bring out the flavours and lastly with the sweet and sour sauce and a sprinkle of fish sauce.

Many reviews, blogs and even news portal have recommended this restaurant which specialize in Som Tam, known as the Som Tam Nua (or Somtam Paradise in Thai) which is located at Siam Square, Soi 5.

It's a restaurant, covering three shop lots and is nicely renovated. Besides som tam, they have other signature dishes like the fried chicken wings, BBQ pork shoulder, Thai style fried fish to just name a few.

While they do have a few outlets around if not mistaken, but it is recommended to try the original oulet at Siam Square, Soi 5.

392/14 Siam Square Soi 5
Nearest BTS Stations: Siam Station
Telephone: +6602 - 2514 880
Opening Hours: 10:45am until 9:30pm (Daily)

TO GO


Siam Square is located just opposite Siam Paragon, and next to the newly opened Siam Square One. Just take the BTS from any line or any public transportation to drop you at Siam Station, towards the Siam Square side, look for Soi 5 signboard and walk inwards until almost the end where you will find the signboard of Som Tam Nua.



SPECIALITY



Due to its high review, it is much recommended to come earlier before the lunch hour to beat the crowd. The restaurant is nicely renovated with a warm atmosphere and a counter in the middle where you will be able to see your som tam being prepared. Communication might be an issue as the waiter here speaks limited English. My orders are done by pointing the menu and numbering it. "This, one."


They have many variant of som tam, which is differentiated by the toppings added on top of the original som tam like the salted crab, dried shrimp, salted egg, pork or pork rind. Price range from 75 Baht (RM8.30) up to 90 Baht (RM10). Frankly, nothing to shout about the som tam. Maybe my expectation were too high, or maybe there are many better options out there, or even in Malaysia. At this price, it's a bit rip off. Nevertheless, it is fresh and is still a good dish.

Fried Chicken - 150 Baht (RM16.50)


The famous fried chicken, served in a basket which cost 150 Baht (RM16.50). Almost every table in this restaurant has this basket of friend chicken wings. The wings are well marinated and deep fried until crispy, maybe a bit overdone. Recommended.

Stir Fried Thai Rice-Flour Noodles - 110 Baht (RM12)

The stir fried Thai rice-flour noodles looks decent from the picture but it was a disastrous dish. I regret every single bit in ordering this dish. It's basically stir-fried soggy rice-flour noodles which coagulate into one big slimy chuck of noodle ball and taste nothing near to what it looks. Avoid at all cost unless you like soggy noddles, or maybe just my luck in getting a lousy dish.

 Crispy Fried Fish - 105 Baht (RM11)

The Crispy Fried Fish is also another signature dish here at Som Tam Nua which is actually deep fried talapia fish with their special spicy sauce that is full of herbs. The size of the fish is actually quite small and should be sufficient for 2 to 3 person.


The fragrant rice is served on a banana leaf and it is quite big in portion. However the price of 20 Baht is a bit steep for Thailand but understandable for a restaurant with this setup. Besides rice, they also have sticky rice which is served in tube basket that costs 25 Baht.


Overall didn't really enjoy the meal and was let down by all the highly rated reviews for this restaurant. I would consider this restaurant decent but overrated.

SUMMARY


Overall a decent meal but was disappointed due to high expectation. I might still come back next time to try some other dishes in the future. The fried chicken and fish are good but the soggy noddles is definitely a no no.

Taste
☆☆☆
Decent but nothing to shout about. Roadside stalls sell pretty much the same at a cheaper price. Credits given to the fried chicken.
Value
☆☆☆
Despite the nicely renovated interior, I still find the price a bit at the high side but still affordable.
Service
☆☆☆
Understaff and not attentive. Difficult in communication sometimes.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆
Opening Hours
10:45am until 9:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Yes
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.744523, 100.534257
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[FOOD] 20150113 Pratunam Food Street (near Big C) @ Pratunam, Bangkok


If you are staying nearby Pratunam area and looking for breakfast after your comfy sleep in your hotel, why not head down to the food street at Ratchadamri Road, nearby Big C supermarket if you have already tried looking around Pratunam Morning Market.

The food street mainly caters for office workers who are off to work early as I observed most of the customers are mostly locals who are buying breakfast along the way to work. The food street stretched from the bridge at Ratchadamri Road down to the Big C Supermarket. You may also find some clothes vendors along the streets as well.

There are more food choices here compared to Pratunam Market as the later mostly cater the clothing market. You can find variety of food from staple rice and noodles, or street snacks and food like sweet potato balls, fish cakes, pandan kuih etc. You can even get a quick fix with a cuppa from the cafe or road side coffee stall, or a milk tea as an alternative.

This post will mainly introduce the morning session of the food street. When the sky turns dark, there will be another shift of food vendors that will gather in front of Central World.

Ratchadamri Road (both sides, from bridge until Big C)
Nearest BTS Station: Siam Station
Telephone: N/A
Opening Hours: Morning

TO GO


Just take a walk from your hotel location towards Big C supermarket or Central World Mall. If you are taking a cab, just head to Central World will do. Alternatively, you may walk from BTS Siam Station (all lines) from Siam Paragon towards Central World direction.


SPECIALITY


Staple food like rice, fried or soup noodles and vermicelli are common breakfast for South East Asian countries. You may find these food commonly available around streets of Bangkok.

Sweet or Savoury Crepe - 20 Baht for 3 pieces (RM2.20)

Different flavours of crepe from the sweet to the savoury. The fillings includes grated coconuts, cereal, nuts or fruits. 


Came across this fish cake stall which sell deep fried fish cakes. The fish cake will then be cut into slices and then topped with special green chili sauce which is sour and spicy and some cucumbers. 

Deep Fried Fish Cake - 20 Baht for 1 packet (RM2.20)

It may look like normal fish cake from the outside but it taste surprisingly good until the extend that I purposely went back the next day to look for it but found out it was not there. Probably on alternate days or free for all basis. It has a texture of tofu but flavour of fish. Coupled with the sour and spicy chili sauce makes a delicious and appetizing combination.


Next will be the coconut crepe or kuih like. Not sure what is it called in Thai. It's actually a batter with coconut milk and then pan baked till cooked with toppings like corn, yam, chives or original flavour.


The stall is manned by an old lady, constantly preparing batch and batch of the coconut snack.

Coconut Milk Kuih - 20 Baht for small packet

The old lady will randomly pack the different flavours for you and it's available in small portion (20 Baht for 16 pieces) or big portion (30 Baht for don't know how many pieces). This coconut snack is savoury with the strong presence of coconut milk. I personally like the corn and yam flavour, but it tend to be a bit too salty for me. Grab some water after that!


Not forgetting the delicious pork satay (skewer). It is much cheaper here that each satay cost only 7 Baht. The uncle handed me 3 pieces fresh and hot from the grill and offer me for 20 Baht. I obliged. Locals tend to pair the pork satay with sticky rice. Very friendly couple.

Thai Milk Tea - 25 Baht (RM2.80)

After so much food, it's time to get something to quench my thirst. I noticed many locals went to this stall at the side of the alley instead of the ones at the main corridor. It must be either cheaper or better in quality, or maybe both. I pointed to the old lady for a milk tea and she understood. The tea here in Thailand is different from ours in Malaysia. It's a kind of red tea which is literally red in colour when brewed. Hence the milk tea is more to orange colour instead of brown colour like our teh ais. The flavour is also different from our Cameron Highlands Teh Boh, and I should asked for a kurang manis version instead as the sweetness level is pretty much like our fellow mamak stall.


Local snacks like crackers and fried anchovies are also available in this market. I asked for a sampling but didn't like the flavour.


Not forgetting the famous Thai Fried Chicken, which can be found every where around Bangkok. There's a famous one at this location, in front of Central World during the night shift. The fried chicken here has a harder curst, which I believe they have add glutinous rice flour in their batter prior to the frying.


Everything can be grilled, even the stick rice and eggs are not exempted!



Yes, even bananas can be grilled.


Found my sweet potato balls in front of Big C. I asked for a 20 Baht mixture of both types and the vendor happily agrees even though his normal price is 50 Baht for more because I told him I'm very full from all the previous samplings. Nothing much to shout about the sweet potato balls as the night market in Malaysia has better ones.


Last but not least, I found the Pandan Kuih in front of Central World. It taste like Pandan Pancake but lack of a wow factor. This packet also cost 20 Baht, as it is pretty standard pricing for street food in Bangkok.

SUMMARY


What a filling food hunt along the food street and you need to come back in the night for the second round of hunt. However, the food quality here maybe a mix of high and low. Hence, hunt your food diligently!

Taste
☆☆☆☆
Huge variety of local street food but the quality might be hit and miss
Value
☆☆☆☆☆
Most of the food are priced at 20 Baht
Service
☆☆☆☆
Most of the vendors are very friendly to tourists
Cleanliness
☆☆☆
by the road side
Opening Hours
Everyday
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.747701, 100.540810
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