BANGKOK
BANGKOKEATINGBANGKOKEATINGessentially three very good restaurants
in one: Lan Na Thai does solid upscale
Thai, Misaki focuses on the Japanese end
of things, while Hazara dabbles in exotic-
sounding ‘North Indian frontier cuisine’.
Thonglee THAI $
(Map p 92 ; Soi 20, Th Sukhumvit; mains 40-100B;
hlunch & dinner, closed 3rd Sun of the month; BTS
Asok, MRT Sukhumvit) One of the few remain-
ing mom-and-pop Thai places on Th Su-
khumvit, this tiny kitchen off ers a few dishes
you won’t fi nd elsewhere, such as mŏo pàt
gà·Ъì (pork fried with shrimp paste) and mèe
gròrp (sweet-and-spicy crispy fried noodles).
Mokkori JAPANESE $
(Map p 92 ; 8/3 Soi 55/Thong Lor, Th Sukhumvit;
mains 70-130B; hlunch & dinner; a; BTS Thong
Lo) You know you’re in the right place if,
upon entering this restaurant, the staff drop
everything they’re doing and scream at you.
Tiny Mokkori serves Japanese-style ramen
in a resoundingly authentic setting, and
many agree they do one of the better bowls
in town. In addition to noodles, be sure to
order the wonderfully simple snack of cu-
cumber chunks served with a spicy miso
dipping sauce.
Soi 38 Night Market THAI-CHINESE $
(Map p 92 ; Soi 38, Th Sukhumvit; mains 30-60B;
h8pm-3am; BTS Thong Lo) After a hard night of
clubbing, this gathering of basic Chinese-Thai
hawker stalls will look like a shimmering oa-
sis. If you’re going sober, stick to the knot of
‘famous’ vendors tucked into an alley on the
right-hand side as you enter the street.
LUMPHINI PARK & TH PHR A R A M IV
oKai Thort Jay Kee THAI $
(Soi Polo Fried Chicken; Map p 90 ; 137/1-3 Soi
Sanam Khlii (Polo), Th Withayu/Wireless Rd; mains
40-280B; hlunch & dinner; a; MRT Lumphini) Al-
though the sôm·đam, sticky rice and lâhp
(a Thai-style ‘salad’ of minced meat) give
the impression of a northeastern Thai–style
eatery, the restaurant’s namesake deep-fried
bird is more southern in origin. Regardless,
smothered in a thick layer of crispy deep-
fried garlic, it is none other than a truly
Bangkok experience.
Ngwan Lee Lang Suan CHINESE-THAI $$
(Map p 90 ; cnr Soi Lang Suan & Soi Sarasin; mains
50-900B; h7am-3am; BTS Ratchadamri) This
cavernous food hall is centrally located and
open late, making it a perfect post-clubbing
destination. It’s also a great place to try those
dishes you never dare to order elsewhere
such as jàp chài, Chinese-style stewed ve-
gies, or the delicious Ъèt đŭn, duck stewed
in Chinese spices.Café 1912 FRENCH-THAI $$
(Map p 90 ; Alliance Française, 29 Th Sathon Tai; dish-
es 50-185B; h7am-7pm Mon-Sat, to 2pm Sun; a;
MRT Lumphini) Part of the French cultural cen-
tre, and with food provided by a good local
bakery, this cafeteria is a great place to fuel
up while on an embassy run. Both French
and Thai dishes are available, as well as cof-
fee and delicious cakes and sweets.GREATER BANGKOK
Mallika SOUTHERN THAI $$
(Map p 97 ; 21/36 Th Rang Nam; mains 70-480B;
h10am-10pm Mon-Sat; a; BTS Victory Monument)
A dream come true: authentic regional Thai
(southern, in this case), with a legible Eng-
lish menu, good service and a tidy setting.
The prices are slightly high for a mom-and-
pop Thai joint, but you’re paying for quality.Kaloang Home Kitchen THAI $$
(Map p 96 ; 503-505 Th Samsen; mains 60-170B;
h11am-11pm; bus 32, 516, river ferry Tha Thewet)
Don’t be alarmed by the peeling paint
and the dilapidated deck – Kaloang Home
Kitchen certainly isn’t. The laid-back atmos-
phere and seafood-heavy menu will quickly
dispel any concerns about sinking into the
Mae Nam Chao Phraya, and a beer and the
breeze will temporarily erase any scarring
memories of Bangkok traffi c. To reach the
restaurant, follow Th Si Ayuthaya until you
reach the river.Phat Thai Ari THAI $
(no roman-script sign; Map p 118 ; 2/1-2 Soi Ari/7, Th
Phahonyothin; mains 45-100B; h11am-10pm; BTS
Ari) One of the city’s better-known pàt tai
shops is located a couple of blocks from the
eponymous soi. Try the innovative ‘noodle-
less’ version, where long strips of crispy green
papaya are substituted for the traditional rice
noodles from Chanthaburi. Phat Thai Ari is
located on the narrow soi that leads to Pha-
holyothin Center, north of BTS Ari.Pathé THAI $
(Map p 118 ; cnr Th Lat Phrao & Th Viphawadee; mains
75-160B; h2pm-1am; a; MRT Phahon Yothin) The
Thai equivalent of a 1950s-era US diner, this
popular place combines solid Thai food,
a fun atmosphere and a jukebox playing
scratched records. Don’t miss the deep-fried
ice cream.