Ban Khun Mae - our very first dinner in Bangkok!

Going for a trip is always exciting! After going through the routine life of working, eating and sleeping.. a short break from all the hustle and bustle is always welcomed! It's what I always say - RECHARGE! However, what was supposed to be a relaxing trip turned out to be exhaustive as well. Why? Apart from Jenn's seminar, I have already arranged a day or two for some sightseeing as I didn't get to immerse myself in the history and culture of Thailand the last time I visited here with Thule's delegate. My plan didn't materialise and instead we went for a shopping spree in the famous Platinum Mall for 3 DAYS!!! Imagine the walking while carrying the spoils inside the 6-storey shopping mall (another new 5-storey extension mall had opened next to it).

Lucky for me, I still got to indulge in something which I love - FOOD!! A trip to Bangkok is not complete without sampling their traditional Thai cuisine. As a matter of fact, I have asked a friend of mine who used to live in Bangkok for a few years on where to eat delicious Thai food prior to this trip. He did point me to one particular restaurant which was located in Siam Square but he forgot its name. His direction was simple - take taxi/tut-tut to Novotel Hotel in Siam Square and the restaurant is located at 2 o'clock direction from its entrance.

The direction was simple and soon we were standing in front of this particular restaurant. A quick google revealed that this restaurant was opened in 1998 and to date, remained a popular destination for both locals and tourists who want to taste traditional and authentic Thai cuisine. Located in the heart of Siam Square, getting here is not easy as one have to go through the congested road in front of Siam Paragon.

The menu was simple with English description on all their food.

Something to quench the thirst - coconut and lemongrass drink (my fav!)

Som tam is a dish that I have never failed to order everytime I went to Bangkok. Thai's version of Caesar salad - I love som tam for its fiery reputation of being sour & spicy at the same time. Using shredded young papaya, tomato, anchovies, dried shrimp and lots of bird eye chilly.. I could eat this everyday without being bored! Ban Khun Mae whipped out a kickass version of somtam

Our appetite was instantly improved by the somtam and further enhanced by the tom yum goong. Prawns were generous and the soup had kick in it!

A simple stir fried vegetable to balance our dinner

Their red curry prawns won us over with the plump & juicy fresh prawns + thick & creamy red curry - a dish to be reckoned with!

However, their steamed fish with lime and chilly failed to make its mark! The broth was not sour enough to our liking even though the fish was very fresh. We had yet to find better version compared to the one we had in Krabi (Lae Lay's Grill)

Leo's verdict - our meal could easily feed 4 but both of us managed to finish all of the dishes like hungry wolves :P the price for their food was surprisingly not expensive despite located in one of the expensive area in Bangkok. to our delight, the service was fast and attentive even though the restaurant was packed that night. Our very first meal in Bangkok was satisfactory and we definitely recommend this restaurant to Thai food lovers. Opens from 11am till 11pm!

Ban Khun Mae Restaurant
458/6-9 Siam Square Soi 8, Rama 1 Road,
Patumwan District, Bangkok 10330
Tel. (662)250-1952-3, (662)658-4112-3
Email: contact@bankhunmae.com

Disclaimer:
1) I'm not paid to promote/endorse any particular event, restaurant or person in this blog. ALL are based on my unbiased personal opinion.
2) My reviews are based on my personal taste and preference and therefore may vary for others.

I'm back from Bangkok!!

There is something about Thailand that makes me want to go back there again and again. I tried to figure out on what was the pulling factor - was it due to the fact that I have 25% Thai blood running inside my veins? Never mind the fact that I am clueless when it comes to speaking Thai. My maternal grandmother who came from a small town north of Bangkok was married to my grandfather (Chinese) and moved to Malaysia. Therefore my mother didn't know how to speak Thai as she practically grew up in a village that only speaks Cantonese. When she told me about this, I didn't take it seriously. I mean... seriously.. who would care or remember all these when they were small?

Now, I love almost everything about Thai - the food, the people and their culture! I am now learning to speak Thai although it is still in the beginning stage :) In Malaysia, I would go everywhere just to sample good Thai food but no matter where I go, nothing beats eating the food in the country itself. Even som tam that is sold on the side street was great! My last trip to Bangkok was in July 2006 with Jenn but we were still green on the capital of Thailand then.

Opportunity came when Jenn had to attend seminar in Bangkok! Plans were made quickly just to utilise our time while in Bangkok. We were so excited that both of us lost our motivation to work a few days before the trip. It has been a while since the last time we stepped into KLIA just to board a plane. I think it was 4 years ago when we went for our honeymoon in Italy and French Riviera and after that we had to settle for LCCT as we flew via Air Asia most of the time.

Look at Jenn's excited face

Finally, we boarded the plane through Gate H8

Sunset never looks so beautiful - taken from our window seat as we were approaching Bangkok airport!

A summary of what we had done during our trip!
Seafood

Prayer at Erawan Shrine

McDonald - it's a must for me everytime as I crave for their Samurai Pork Burger :P

Shopping (of course!)

This is only a fraction on what we have bought... wait till you see the rest! LOL!!

Bird nest @ Chinatown

Aromatheraphy massage @ Healthland Spa, Sathorn Road in Silom. Got ourselves couple room and pampered for 1.5 hours. A must go if you are into massage as they have many branches in Bangkok (google ok?)

Walking around the street of Bangkok. It was an eye opener to see how people in Bangkok carry on their daily lives. Not much difference from Kuala Lumpur but I think that they are more contended and happy.

Romantic dinner by the famous Chao Phraya river.

Enjoying the night view of Bangkok city from our hotel room. Will post more about this hotel on the next blog

Bacon!!! Can't get enough of it!

Not much of sightseeing this time as we were really busy shopping! Remember that I wrote that Jenn practically want to change her wardrobe?? Well, she almost reached her goal :P we went there with one bag and came back with 4! Our legs were tired due to the walking and we went for foot massage almost everyday after shopping.

Disclaimer:
1) I'm not paid to promote/endorse any particular event, restaurant or person in this blog. ALL are based on my unbiased personal opinion.
2) My reviews are based on my personal taste and preference and therefore may vary for others.

Finally! A well-deserved holiday (^_^)

Let me recap - my last oversea vacation was to Krabi sometime in January 2010! After that, Jenn got pregnant with baby Keith and we were grounded for quite a long time. Fast forward to June 2011, Keith is now 5 months ++ and more manageable. So far, Jenn & I had gone to a few short vacation (local ones) but both of us are yearning for overseas. Destination is not an issue as long as it's not in Malaysia.

Fate has it that Jenn has a seminar to attend in Bangkok in June 2011. Yippee! We took this opportunity to rejuvenate (LOL!) ourselves. Plans have been made - as a matter of fact, I have already drawn up the itinerary for our 5D4N escapades to The Land of Smile from the day I booked flight tickets :P mostly shopping spree and eating... well, some sightseeing maybe! Jenn practically want to change her entire wardrobe so a trip to the famous Platinum Mall is inevitable.. lol! I think that my wallet is going to bleed.

This time we are flying using MAS instead of AirAsia as we found a good deal - RM800 return trip for both of us! It has been a while since we last took plane via KLIA. Looking forward to this trip... and probably won't be able to access the web until I come back this weekend! Take care

Disclaimer:
1) I'm not paid to promote/endorse any particular event, restaurant or person in this blog. ALL are based on my unbiased personal opinion.
2) My reviews are based on my personal taste and preference and therefore may vary for others.