by : Reiko Bangkok Restaurants, Eating Out, Restaurants, Uncategorized

You Don’t Have to Miss Out Anymore – Khun Churn in White
もう諦めなくていい

We walked near this restaurant so many times, but it was only recently we found out about this place.

It’s located right by the Ekkamai station.

It’s small, but it’s not hard to find because of the large white sign.

It’s not a big place, but there is enough distance between tables, so you can dine comfortably.

Their menu is full of beautiful high-quality pictures, and it looks like a magazine.

Here you can see what I’m talking about.

They serve many traditional Thai dishes, which made me so happy because I don’t have to miss out on local cuisine because of my diet.

My husband had Kaeng Phed Ped Yaang, or Red Curry with their signature vegan “duck” made from tofu.

Let me tell you this is not any ordinary red curry!

I’ve seen pineaple in Thai curry, but grapes?!

He said it was unexpected, but for some reason it worked very well.

He also found something else he hadn’t expected.

He liked how it tasted, but he did not know what the green pea-like thing was.

So he asked me to taste it.

Based on the texture and the taste, I think it was (mini) eggplant, although I have never seen eggplant this tiny.

He said he would absolutely order the same dish because everything, from the soup, the “duck” to the grapes, was tasty.

When you read reviews online, this seems like one of the most popular dishes.

It doesn’t come with rice, but you can separately order rice.

I had Kuai Tiew Tom Yum.

The soup had slight sourness, and it was tasty.

What I liked the most about this bowl was the variety of toppings.

There were tofu, vegan meatballs, vegan ham, many kinds of mushrooms, and a lot of vegetables.

It was very satisfying!

There were so many toppings that I was almost afraid that they forgot to put noodles because I couldn’t them at first!

Everything is priced very reasonably, and this is a kind of place where I may become a regular.

(It seems that Khao Soi is one of their most popular dishes, and I am almost certain that is what I will get next time!)

Khun Churn in white: House of Vegetarian – https://www.facebook.com/KhunChurninwhite/

*It is a vegetarian restaurant, and not everything on their menu is vegan. Based on some reviews online, all dishes seem vegan except those with eggs, but I did not have that verified with staff myself.

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by : Reiko Bangkok Restaurants, Eating Out, Restaurants

Yes, Hip Vegan Restaurants Do Exist – Vistro-Vegan Cafe & Restaurant お洒落なヴィーガンレストラン現る

Last time we were in Bangkok we did some city-exploring, but it’s a big city and there was still a LOT more to see.

So this time in order to learn more about each neighborhood we decided to pick a train station each day and explore the area.

Most of the time we don’t make any specific plans.

We simply enjoy leisurely walk.

But when we picked the Phrom Phong station, I did a little research in advance and found an interesting-sounding restaurant, so we made our plan for the day with an intention to have lunch there.

It’s an 8-minute walk from the Phrom Phong BTS station.

You’ll find it on the main street, on the right side, and easy to find.

The restaurant is on the second floor, but before you get there, you will see this cool restroom.

Once inside the restaurant, you will quickly notice how bright it is because of the large windows on the street side.

In addition to the natural light, thanks to the high ceilings it feels more spacious than it actually is (the place IS a nice size, definitely not small by any means).

The white walls, wood accent, metal chairs, and a lot of plants work great together and create a hip atmosphere.

At this point I already decided that I liked the place and prayed that I would like their food as much as their decor.

My husband and I shared this as an appetizer, Fried Gyoza with Asian Salsa Verde, THB 240 (approx. $6.70).

There was something other than vegetables used for the filling, but we could not tell exactly what it was.

Because of the texture it was probably some kind of protein product.

He liked it, but I was not a big fan of that.

The Asian salsa verde was refreshing, and the spicy dipping sauce complimented the fried gyoza well.

My husband liked them more than I did, but I have to confess I generally prefer pan-fried or steamed gyoza to deep-fried one.

As a main dish he ordered 12-inch Masala Pizza.

The crust was nicely chewy and light.

The masala sauce and “cheese” were both flavorful.

Overall I liked the pizza more than he did.

He said it was missing something like sweetness or umami.

Also he usually likes his pizza with a lot of sauce, so he felt it was a bit dry.

I didn’t find it particularly dry, but I might like it better if there was a little more “cheese” on it.

The 12-inch was too big for us, especially with an appetizer and another main dish.

They had a very large pizza menu, and I have a feeling pizza is a popular item at this restaurant.

The star of our lunch was this dish, Mooping Soi 24, THB 280 (approx. $7.80).

I love this type of dish because it is unique, cooked well, served with the right amount of vegetables and carbs, presented beautifully, and you can enjoy the local flavors without compromising on your diet.

It took me a long time to decide on this because I never had Moo Ping before (vegan or not) and I didn’t know what to expect.

I went back and forth between this and a noodle dish, which is more familiar to me.

But I’m so glad I chose this.

First of all, the plate pleased my eyes with large skewered “meat” pieces, cute rice balls, and fresh veggies.

Moo Ping is a Thai-style marinated and grilled pork skewers.

Soy meat was used here, and it had a wonderful grill flavor, and the sauce that came with it on the side was delicious.

I believe that the texture is everything when it comes to vegan meat, and this soy meat had a great chewy texture.

It is also very important that I mention their papaya salad was one of the best I’ve ever had, vegan or not.

Some papaya salad is often flavored with too much sweetness, but this one was just delicious without any extra sweetness.

It was spicy, but good spicy, too if you know what I mean.

If I have a chance to go back, I will probably try noodles or sushi rolls next time, as their pictures on the menu looked very good.

As I said, this place is such a hip place, and it is perfect for lunch with girlfriends or a date to impress your boyfriend or girlfriend!

Vistro-Vegan Cafe & Restaurant – https://www.vistrobkk.co/

“Prices are subject to 10% Service Charge and 7% VAT.”

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by : Reiko Bangkok Restaurants, Eating Out, Restaurants

I could eat here every day! – So Vegan 毎日でも食べたい！

We were lucky to find this place on our first day in Bangkok.

We loved it so much that we went there almost every day during our 2-week stay in the city, sometimes twice a day!

They have a few locations in Bangkok, but this one is located inside the Gateway Mall at the Ekkamai station, on the first floor.

When you approach, you will notice a glass case in the corner which displays all the dishes they are serving.

The system is quite simple.

You can get rice with two dishes of your choice or three dishes and pay accordingly.

(You can simply point to the dishes you like, and they will make a plate for you.)

I’ve never counted, but I think there are always about 20 (or possibly much more) dishes to choose from.

I will categorize their food as Asian, but they have a wide variety in terms of flavors and ingredients.

They have a nice mixture of “protein” (tofu, soy meat, gluten meat, etc.) and vegetables.

The combination you can create is endless, and you may feel a bit lost because there are too many choices.

But the good thing is that I’ve never had a dish I did not like.

Last time (December 2023) we were here, the plate of rice with two dishes cost 50 baht ($1.40), and the plate of rice with three dishes cost 60 baht ($1.70).

Currently (July 2024) the two dish plate costs 65 baht ($1.80), and the three dish plate costs 75 baht ($2.10).

The prices went up, but they are still VERY reasonable.

Some of the pictures I share below were taken last December.

Thus, the prices on the picture reflect those at that time.

You can find some fun, unique dishes like this fried “chicken”.

Their fried “egg” is a must-try!!

I was skeptical first, and I waited to try it until the last day of our stay.

I kicked myself because it was so good that I regretted that I had not tried it sooner.

Luckily, we were able to come back six months later, and guess what I chose for my first meal back in Bangkok!

I have no idea what it’s made of, but it’s super tasty.

You can take away the food as well.

They charge 5 baht for the container.

Many people seem to choose food from their case, but they also have a set menu, and they serve some noodle soup dishes, which I am planning to try sometime soon.

I love this place so much, and it’s not exaggerating to say So Vegan is an essential part of our stay in Bangkok!

July 27, 2024 – I did try Mushroom Noodle Soup from their menu.

The soup was tasty, and there were so many different toppings, including veggies, tofu, and mushrooms.

It was so good that I will definitely order it again.

It was only 70 BHT.

So Vegan – https://www.so-vegan.com/ (Thai)

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by : Reiko Bangkok Restaurants, Breakfast, Eating Out, Restaurants

One (First) Night in Bangkok
ワンナイト・イン・バンコク

We are back in Thailand!

We were here last December, but we liked it so much that we decided to come back and spend a longer time this time.

So, I am excited to start sharing my experience in this beautiful country here on my blog.

It’s going to be still mostly about plant-based food, but I’m also planning to share a bit more outside of that category as well, hoping this blog will be informative for those who may be interested in visiting Thailand in the future.

Most of the foods you will see here are going to be restaurant foods until I have access to a functional kitchen, but it’s going to be a nice change, and I think you will enjoy those posts because there are so many wonderful restaurants here!

Today I would like to talk about the hotel we stayed upon our arrival.

We arrived at the Bangkok airport at midnight.

After a 24-hour long trip all we wanted to do is to crash.

So, we booked this hotel for one night because it was a quick (10 min) ride from the airport.

The hotel staff were nice and friendly, and the check-in process went smoothly.

Their rooms are clean and well maintained.

The room seen in the picture above is the bedroom of the suite we had last December (yes, this is our second time staying here).

Their suites have a bathtub with a view!

This time we booked a regular room without a separate bedroom or a bathtub, but it was still a comfortable and satisfying stay.

Most people likely stay at this hotel for one night right after their arrival or right before their departure, and this hotel provides just what is needed by those tourists for a reasonable price.

If you stay at this hotel, you should consider getting the breakfast option!

It costs less than $10, and it’s so worth it.

There is a shopping mall where you can find a lot of food options only 3 minute-walk from the hotel, but finding plant-based food is tough, and the hotel offers a nice buffet that includes a lot of fresh and cooked plant-based food, such as salad and fruit bars, stir-fried vegetables, grilled tomatoes, and roasted potatoes.

They conveniently serve a mixture of Asian and Western foods, and three is something for everyone.

The dining room is airy and elegant.

It accommodates families and large groups too.

You can also choose to enjoy eating outside (if it is not too warm).

The checkout is 12:00 noon, but depending on the availability they may be able to change it to 1:00 p.m.

(We were able to have it changed both times we stayed, so it’s worth asking.)

If you have time before you head out to your final destination, you can enjoy a little splash at the pool.

Do not, however, forget to use the welcome drink ticket they give you when you check in before you leave and relax at their beautiful lounge.

This time we got Longan Herbal Tea.

They served Butterfly Pea Flower Tea last time we stayed in December.

This is a great option to consider for anyone who needs a hotel near the Bangkok airport.

The Park Nine Bangkok – https://www.theparknine.com/suvarnabhumi/

———-

Also, here is a little tip for future travelers about navigating the Bangkok airport immigration process…

Last time we came here, we stood in line for almost one hour to go through the immigration process, and it was stressful.

So this time we booked “fast track service” in advance, and we were glad we did.

That allowed us to go through the immigration process extremely fast (you do need to wait for your luggage though).

We also used the same company’s limousine service, and that was also great!

Once we picked up our luggage, we were escorted to a SUV already waiting for us just outside, and we were off, which was so much better than the last time when we had to wait for our Grab (like Uber) and then struggled to find our ride among 20 other passengers doing the same thing at the same time.

There are various companies that offer this type of service, but we used Bangkok Airport Limousine.

Bangkok Airport Limousine – https://limousine.in.th/

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