ONE DAY IN BANGKOK: Beyond the Malls

Many people on weekends, when they want to go somewhere, whether with friends or with their partner, often invite them to the mall. Today, I would like to invite everyone to try changing the atmosphere a bit... Because our Bangkok has a lot of food sources, cheap, delicious, much more than the mall, including cute cafes for taking unique photos.

We had no specific plans for our outing, simply seeking a place to take photos and enjoy some food outside of a shopping mall. Our first thought was Yaowarat, so we arranged to meet at the MRT Hua Lamphong station. Arriving early, I decided to explore the area. I noticed a sign at Exit 2 that read "Hua Lamphong Railway Station." Despite living in Bangkok for a long time, I had never visited the station, so I took the opportunity to walk around and discover it.

This location attracts not only travelers but also a significant number of photographers, including those capturing graduation portraits and foreign tour groups.

It took a while for all the members to arrive, even though there were only three of them. It was around 2 pm when we finally started by taking a taxi to find something to eat. In this area, we had to try dim sum, of course. The restaurant we went to was called "He Chen Fong," a small shop located opposite the Leng Noei Yi Temple.

The total cost of the food on this table for 3 people was 440 baht. Everything was delicious, especially the shrimp dumplings, which were very filling. After eating, we crossed the river to the "Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, or Leng Noei Yi Temple". From what I have read about its history, this temple is one of the most famous in Bangkok, and is popular with both Thai and Chinese people who come to pray for good luck in the new year.

After visiting the temple, we decided to grab some coffee at NANA cafe. Following Google Maps, we stumbled upon a famous satay stall called "Auntie Eng's" along the way. Unable to resist the temptation, we stopped by for a taste and were not disappointed. The satay was incredibly delicious, unlike anything we had ever tried before. The meat was incredibly tender, and there was a variety of options to choose from, including pork, chicken, liver, and shrimp. The price was also very reasonable, with each skewer costing only 7 baht, except for shrimp, which was 15 baht.

After finishing the satay, we returned to our original destination, the coffee shop. However, we stumbled upon a famous lod chong vendor. We looked at each other and decided to have some. We immediately told the vendor, "One cup, please!"

When dining in this area, it's recommended to avoid ordering individual dishes. For example, if there are three people, one dish is sufficient for sampling. This way, you won't get too full and can try other restaurants. After finishing the Lod Chong, continue walking. The next restaurant is a bit difficult to find and requires a moderate walk. Along the way, enjoy the sights and sounds, even if you get a little lost or take a detour.

The coffee shop we're talking about is "NANA Coffee Roaster." We found it after seeing a review on Facebook and realizing it was nearby. From what we saw, it's located on Soi Nana. It was quite a journey to get there, and we almost cried because the shop was so hard to find. 😂 But even though it was difficult to locate, there were already eight people waiting in line.

It didn't take long to get to the store. When I got there, I exclaimed "WoooW!" The store was so chic and beautiful, it was worth the walk. The store has a total of 3 floors, but each floor is a bit crowded.

We ascended to the rooftop, the highest floor. The day we visited, the air was pleasantly cool and refreshing, despite the somewhat crowded atmosphere. We each ordered a drink and a slice of cake, which were both satisfactory in terms of taste. However, our primary focus was not on the food, as we were captivated by the breathtaking view from the rooftop. The cost of the beverages was approximately 130 baht, while the cake was around 75 baht.

We spent a considerable amount of time at the restaurant due to fatigue from our walk and the undigested food we had consumed. Continuing our journey seemed unfeasible. After waiting until the crowd thinned, we took photographs at various locations. Finally, we concluded our outing at "Yaowarat".

The journey begins with queuing for the famous dessert shop "Sweettime". Those who have been to Yaowarat know that almost every shop requires a considerable wait. Some people give up and don't eat. If you want to eat something, I recommend having a snack beforehand so you have the motivation to queue like us. 5555555

Continuing our walk, we stumbled upon a shop called "Dek Somboon Ice Cream." We hesitated for a moment, wondering about the taste, but decided to give it a try. The price was 20 baht per scoop, so we ordered a small amount. Upon tasting it, we were pleasantly surprised. Initially, we expected a salty, unpleasant flavor, but it was not the case. It tasted somewhat like coffee ice cream, which was quite peculiar.

The trip ended with a visit to "Mr. Ek's Kway Chap," where the queue was long. After much deliberation, I decided to join the line, as not doing so would mean going hungry. Fortunately, I wasn't too hungry, so the wait was manageable.

In terms of taste, this was the first restaurant on the trip that left me indifferent. The crispy pork was good, but everything else was just average. The first bite was met with a fishy smell, but adding various condiments helped to mask it. The braised pork, however, looked like it had already been eaten, and I didn't even bother trying it.

After finishing our meal at Guay Jub, we decided to head back as it was approaching 11 pm. On our way back, we walked past various shops and felt hungry again. We agreed to come back and explore the area for more food options in the future. For those who are tired of shopping malls and looking for a new place to visit, Yaowarat-Sampeng is a great option. In addition to the delicious food, there are also many cafes suitable for taking photos, making it a perfect spot for young people like us. You can get everything you need here: delicious food, affordable goods, and beautiful photos. It's definitely worth a visit!

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