Bangkok - once again

There are some places in this world which pulls you back time and time again. Bangkok is one of those for me. This time around, I went on a four day three night free and easy trip. The food and sights were nothing but amazing. 

5 awesome food places in Bangkok

A continuation on my bkk trip from my previous post on Siam Square

"Growwwwl!" Your rumbling stomach starts to make noises. Your mouth is tired from all that bargaining. And your legs are wobbly from all the walking. Your nerve cells send bursts of signals to your brain, telling you that you are hungry and you need to rest your tired muscles quick! Where should you go? What should you eat? And more importantly, where are all the good food?

I had previously recommended some food places at Siam Square, and today, I'll be sharing with you 5 more awesome food places around Bangkok!

Or thinking of a place to tempt your wife/girlfriend to go to if you are too tired from carrying her shopping bags? Petite Audrey is an elegant cafe that is tastefully decorated with extremely pretty furniture. The desserts served to us were also presented in a fashionable manner. This place certainly reminded me of the Antoinette we have back in Singapore. Hence if you're one who is a sucker for pretty ambiences, this is one pretty dessert cafe you definitely have to check out in Bangkok.

Petite Audrey
4th floor
Siam Centre
BTS: Siam
Reservation: +66 26581545

Thinking of where to head to for dinner? Check out Greyhound which serves both Thai and Western food. An extremely popular restaurant, reservations are thus a must at this place. We missed our reservation timing and the queue was 1 hour long! The food prices were reasonable and the mains were below SGD20. This place reminded me of PS. cafe back in Singapore. It follows the similar concept where the owners operate both a clothes shop and food cafes. 

Greyhound

3rd floor

Siam Centre

BTS: Siam

Reservations: +66 26581129

Next to the Erawan shrine, Erawan tea room at the Grand Hyatt serves authentic Thai food in a well furnished setting. Again, I had to wait for about 30 minutes before I could be seated. Lesson learnt, always reserve a table before heading out of the hotel! Anyhow, we ordered 2 lunch sets. I really like how the sets offered a huge variety of food, allowing us to savour a myriad of Thai dishes. There was duck curry, tom yam soup, papaya salad etc. For dessert I was served coconut ice cream. An ice cream flavour which my friends have been raving about. So glad I finally got to try it. (:

Erawan Tearoom by Grand Hyatt

494 Ploenchit Road

BTS: Chit Lom

Reseravation: +66 2540 7777

MK restaurant is place to go to satisfy your steamboat craving. This popular restaurant has numerous outlets around Bangkok and we tried the one at Union Mall. Shopping tip for all the women out there;  if Union Mall is in your shopping itinerary, you may wish to consider this place as part of your lunch or dinner itinerary. The steamboat is served ala carte style and you pay for what you order. Prices are reasonable and cheaper than that in Singapore. There is also a higher end version called MK gold restaurant for those willing to splurge a little more. 

MK restaurant

Union Mall

54 Lat Phrao Road

BTS: Phahon Yothin 

Another popular restaurant, Zen Japanese restaurant serves quality Japanese food at wallet friendly price. The style and ambience is similar to that of Sushi Tei in Singapore but prices are cheaper here. We dined here for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our fresh sashimi and cooked food. Service was good and the food was served fast. If you're in hurry to shop around the Siam area, this is a place for a quick restaurant meal. 

Zen Japanese restaurant

Siam Centre

Nearest BTS: Siam

  

For other restaurant recommendations, you may refer to my previous Bangkok post

♥

Bangkok - Siam Square

De-stress, blogshop shopping and pearly white smiles

This post is for those seeking a getaway to Bangkok. If you've been thinking about travelling to Bangkok recently, here's an option - head to Siam Square. Its a wonderful place to de-stress, do some crazy blogshop shopping and receive the feel good vibes from the land of smiles. 

I'd previously blogged about my trip to Bangkok in which I talked about the food and shopping. During that time, I didn't have much time to shop at my favourite area - Siam Square, but thankfully this time around, I had a whole afternoon to conquer that gigantic square! YAY!!!

So without further a do.... here's my experience on Siam Square, my favourite place in bkk and how it can make you really happy!

This place is nestled with many popular restaurants and cafes which a LOT of Singaporeans frequent. 

Among the many places, the more popular ones are:

1. SomTam Restaurant - serves northeastern Thai food, featured on CNNGo and awarded certificate of excellence by Tripadvisor in 2013

2. Mango Tango - serves Mango desserts, be warned there was a VERY long queue when I passed by the shop

3. Ban Khun Mae - I prefer SomTam but if the queue there gets too long, this is another place for authentic Thai food and it is just opposite Mango Tango 

4. A&W - if you were born before the 90s, this is the place to satisfy your root beer and curly fries craving

If you are in need of a beauty fix in Siam Square, take your pick from the multitude of hair salons available. I had a hair cut and rebonding session and it cost me 3500 baht (SGD 160). I remember doing a similar treatment at kimage once and it cost me a whooping $400.  YAY to good bargains, hope my straight hair lasts for a long time. Oh yes, and do remember to bargain to get a better deal bcos I did!

Just like the hair salons, this square is filled with lots of massage shops too. And girls dont worry, they are not the sleazy sort. I had a 1hr head and shoulder messages that cost me 300 baht (SGD 12). My friend and I liked it so much that we extended it to 2hrs!

Siam square has been known to offer trendier clothings at affordable
prices. Despite prices being more expensive than Platinum and Union Mall, the prices here are justified by their more unique and trendier designs. If you are looking for dresses similar to those sold in a blogshop, apart from Platinum mall, this is another place where you could try your luck. 

I had my pampering pedicure session in Siam square too. Am simply in love with the bright pink hue. It brings out the positive energy in me and chases away the blues (pun). My pedicure session came with a quick feet scrub and massage. This cost me 400 baht (16 SGD). The pictures on the right are the neck candies I bought from various shops in Siam Square. Bought the necklaces for SGD 5, 10, 12 and 16 respectively. 

I did a whole lot of pampering activities in Siam Square and all at affordable prices. The services were top notch and the ladies were friendly to me despite the language barrier. It felt great not thinking about the worries that had been bogging me down for the past weeks and my mind was definitely recharged at the end of the day. So if you're looking for a feel good head to toe pampering session, I highly recommend Siam Square in Bangkok!

♥ 

Bangkok clothes prices

Some of you have asked about the prices of clothes in Bangkok.
Shall share a quick update on the loot I bought and how much I bargained for it.
For starters, I am very very bad at bargaining. If I was, I would have been a salesperson or lawyer by now.  So based on the prices given, you could try bargaining a bit lower. However, do note that prices quoted vary from tourist to tourist. A lot of factors play a part in the price you get: are you local, do u speak Thai, are you buying in bulk, do you look like a student etc

Blue Peplum dress

Beige work dress

Bought together from Platinum Mall

2 dress for 700baht 

Approx 

USD 23

SGD 28

White and Black dress

Blue beaded dress

Bought together from Platinum Mall

2 dresses for 500baht 

Approx

USD 16

SGD 20

Left: Black top bought at Union Mall, 150 baht, 5 USD/ 6 SGD

Right Black studded top bought at Siam Square, 350 baht,  11USD/ 14 SGD

To get to these malls, please refer to my previous post on Bangkok

Or drop me an email :) 

Bustling Bangkok!

*Updated this post with transport tips!

Bangkok

where one experiences 

the city of angels

&

the city of smiles

View from Novotel, Platinum Mall

From Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link connects one to the city in less than 30 minutes and allows you to beat the massive jams across the city. There are two lines; the Express and City Line. The Express route costing a flat fee of 150baht takes one to Makkasan Station in 15 mins. The City Line stops at 6 stations and ends at Phaya Thai station. 

I paid 40baht for the City Line. The journey took about 20min from the airport to my stop, Ratchaprarop station. The walk from the train station to the newly built hotel Novotel @ Platinum Mall took us about 15 minutes. All in, it was still faster than taking the cab. 

The hotel room with the see through toilet. Ok just kidding, you can actually pull down the blinds for more privacy :D 

Shopping - Yes, most of the time was spent shopping! 

#1 Platinum mall 

Wed,Sat,Sun: 08:00 - 20:00

Mon,Tue,Thur, Fri: 09:00 - 20:00

Bought most of my loot from here. Most of the stalls sold clothes and accessories for girls. I bought my work and party dresses ranging from 250-400baht (SGD $10 to $16). The mall gave me the feeling that some blogshops got their stocks from here as the designs were similar to those sold online. There are even ATMs and moneychangers just outside the mall in case you run out of money. 

Tourist Tip: It's cheaper if you buy more than 1 item at each shop. The shop lady will quote you a cheaper price if you buy 2 or more. Best to buy in 3s. 

The top floor has a foodcourt where a variety of food awaits the hungry tourist. A great place to take a break after a long day of shopping. The foodcourt works on a coupon system. One will have to exchange cash for coupons before ordering their food. Left over coupons can be returned to get your cash back. There's also KFC and a 24hour MacDonalds for those who are in need of fastfood.

Other shopping places

#2 Union Mall

Sells clothing similar to Platinum Mall. There's also a plentiful amount of food choices here. I still kinda prefer Platinum Mall though but this mall is worth a visit. There's A&W here for those craving the curly fries. Best to go after touring Chatuchak as it is one BTS train station away.

#3 Chatuchak or Jatujak or JJ Market (They all refer to the same thing)

This is a weekend market that is the largest in Thailand. This sprawling market sells everything from clothes, furniture, paintings and even to exotic animals. Prices are slightly cheaper than the malls but surprisingly I couldnt find anything trendy to buy. Most of my money spent here was on street food and drinks. 

#4 MBK or Mah Boon Krong

Lots of cheap phone accessories, DVDs and games (Wii/playstation etc). I checked out the prices for Canon cameras and they were cheaper than Singapore's (Tourist can claim the 7% GST). The authorized stalls have worldwide guarantee too!  

I did my nails here and the service was awesome. 200baht ($8 SGD) for a classic pedicure session. This 200baht included a full foot scrub while sitting on a massage chair! Really worth one's money considering my nails were also cleaned, filed and painted. 

#5 Siam Square

Lots of small stores selling VERY trendy clothes. Despite the higher prices, I must say the clothes here are a better investment due to their design. Please remember to bargain! I bought a top for about 300baht ($12 SGD) here.

#6 Patpong night market

If you're thinking of what to do at night when the shops are closed, do check out Bangkok's night markets. I went to the one at Patpong and there were lots to look at. Most stalls sold clothes, decorative items (like pretty lights) and lots of bags/watches/belts. 

Food glorious food

ok now onto the food section ....

Lek Seafood

for affordable Thai seafood cuisine 

I enjoyed the garlic and pepper soft shell crab loads! (Top left pic)

Restaurant is next to BTS Chong Nonsi

Tripadvisor review: http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d911575-Reviews-Lek_Seafood-Bangkok.html

Provence Cafe

Voted CNNGo Bangkok's best Thai noodles

Top right: Boat noodles which won the best Thai noodle award

Peninsula Plaza, 153 Rajdamri Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 652 1399. Open daily, 10 a.m.-9p.m.

Pizzeria Limoncello

for awesome pizzas and Limoncello

17 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit Rd,, Bangkok 10110, Thailand (Bang Rak, Wattana)

Tripadvisor review: http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d885688-Reviews-Pizzeria_Limoncello-Bangkok.html

Papaya salad restaurant

Lan Som Tam Nua

Siam Square, Soi 5

Side lane after Novotel hotel

Nam Sing Restaurant at Chinatown

for birds nest and shark's fins

Birds nest 4th grade: 200baht

Shark's fins: 300baht

39-47 Soi Texas, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

Trip advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d1140891-Reviews-Nam_Sing-Bangkok.html

Hoon Kuang

381 Yaowarat Rd

near the intersection with Soi 4

As seen in the above, this restaurant has garnered itself a handful of media features and reviews.

Great Thai Chinese food at affordable prices

Chokchai steakhouse

for affordable premium steak 

1st floor, Prasarnmit Plaza Building, 45 Soi Sukhumvit 23, Sukhumvit Rd

So this sums up the food I ate during my stay in BKK :)

Can't wait to be back again

Transport tip for tourist

#1 - Always bargain with the tuktuk driver and ask if it is a "direct" trip. Sometimes they charge surprisingly low like 50baht because they have the intention of dropping you off at a restaurant or shop where they can collect commission. Tell the driver you would like a direct trip, usually they will increase the price. If the price is too high, walk away and try another tuktuk.

#2 - Metered cabs somehow usually turn out to be cheaper than the tuktuks. It is distanced based and not time based. You don't pay for the time spent stuck in jams.

#3 - Take the trains to avoid the jams

Till then, I'll leave you with once last picture of the city of angels

Try the ubiquitous tuk tuks, you'll be in for an enjoyable ride :)