Category Archives: Bangkok

PAR RIS, Bangkok – One of the Hottest New Café Openings in Sukhumvit with Korean-style Bagels

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Last month, I visited one of the hottest café openings in Bangkok amongst the Thai café hoppers and influencers. It wasn’t hard to understand why. Even before entering, the all-white façade of the entrance tempted me to stop and snap several pictures.

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Stepping in, I immediately grew to the rustic French vibes of the interior, and I would have felt like I was transported out of Southeast Asia for a moment, if not for the crowd of Asian influencers. The owners paid close attention to the details – from the exposed ceiling to the cream washed walls, to the wooden furniture, and to the vintage trinkets cleverly placed at several spots. I particularly loved the arched wall framing the coffee counter.

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I tried a few drinks, and my recommendation is to skip the Caffe Latte (THB160) and Matcha Latte (THB195) and go for their signature Pistachio Cream Coffee (THB180). It comprised an espresso shot with pistachio milk and pistachio syrup, topped with pistachio cream and roasted pistachio bits. The sweet, nutty flavours were subtle and well balanced with the natural acidity of the coffee.

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The food menu showcases bagels in different flavours, and you can have it plain, with cream cheese toppings, or as part of bigger plates. I noticed that the bagels here seemed to have taken inspiration from Korean-style bagels (vs. classic American style bagels), especially for the Sweet Corn Hokkaido Milk Bagel (THB240). Seasonal sweet corn desserts can be typically found in Korea’s cafes during the summer, and I was surprised to find one in Bangkok. The bagel was crafted from a base of Hokkaido milk, filled with sweet corn cream, and finished with caramelized corns on top. The cream was neither too heavy nor sweet.

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For something more substantial, there is the Breakfast Plate (THB380) which came with a sesame bagel, fluffy cloud eggs, Italian grilled pork sausage, wild rocket, sweet maple ponzu yuzu dressing and mixed berries. Despite the visually pleasing use of colours, somehow the different components didn’t complement one another well, and the sausage was not warm enough.

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For those feeling less peckish, you can also opt for one of the plain bagels (choice of plain, chocolate, Hokkaido milk, sesame) with different cream cheese toppings. I had a hard time choosing between the available cream cheese toppings, with interesting flavours like butterfly pea & honeycomb, fig, lemon zest, parmigiano & bacon, earl grey milk, pistachio. Eventually I went for the Plain Bagel (THB75) with a side of Fig and Honey Cream Cheese (THB155) since it was fig season. The consistency of the cream cheese was on the richer and thicker side, and I liked the mix of sweet and savoury.

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My tip: Come as early as possible to avoid the afternoon crowd, which can upset the vibes.

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16, 3 Soi Ekamai 21, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

8am – 5pm (closed on Tues)

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Someday in Copenhagen – Scandinavian themed café in Bangkok serving innovative coffee

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I would have never expected a café to be located right at the entrance of a carpark, in an area away from the bustling streets of Bangkok. That was where I found Someday in Copenhagen, a Scandinavian, minimalistic themed café.

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With the huge letters of “HEJ DENNIS :)” being plastered on one of the facades, I couldn’t help but wonder who Dennis was. I later found out that Dennis is the owner, who used to be a barista at the famous Fuglen in Oslo.

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Despite a focus on the grab and go concept, the coffee stand offers some tables and chairs for dine in – there was an air-conditioned area to escape the heat and the more hipster outdoor area where vehicles could be driving right into the parking lot anytime.

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The menu has a series of classic and innovative coffee/non-coffee options, together with some pastries. Out of the items I had, my favourite one was their Signature Iced Honeycomb Latte (THB150/SGD5.9, +THB20/SGD0.8 for oat milk). As the honeycomb melted, there was a subtle sweetness released into the latte gradually which I liked. The iced latte itself was also very smooth and drinkable. I also tried the Hot Latte (THB130, SGD5.1) which was dull in comparison to the honeycomb latte.

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From the range of pastries, I had the Caramel Roll (THB130, SGD5.1) and the Pain Suisse (THB155, SGD6.1). I preferred the former, with flaky and crunchy layers on the outside which when cut, revealed a gooey and melty caramel core. The Pain Suisse had a filling of orange chocolate within, but I wished they could be more generous with the filling.

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The no-frills concept of the café was interesting, and it stands out with its unpretentiousness amongst the other heavily decorated cafes in the city. If you’re willing to go a little out of the way (definitely a Grab is needed), not minding the dingy surroundings of the café, you will be in for a treat.

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41/19-20 Soi Sriaksorn, Chuea Phloeng, Sathorn Thung Mahamek Bangkok 10120

Mon – Fri 8am to 4pm

Sat – Sun 8am to 5pm

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Anonymous Coffee, Bangkok – Outstanding Coffee in an Industrial Geometrical Building

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Anonymous Coffee was one of my best finds for coffee from my recent Bangkok trip. As it was not located near any BTS subway station, I hitched a Grab bike which conveniently brought me to this relatively quieter area where the café was situated.

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I couldn’t help but mesmerize at the geometrical, industrial structure of the café as I crossed the outdoor yard, where a few patrons were enjoying their coffees peacefully despite the blazing heat. Adorned with camping chairs and hanging light bulbs, it also made for a good photo spot.

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I grabbed a seat indoors where I could catch the baristas in action and still bask in some natural light while taking advantage of the aircon. The café specializes in single origin roasts with beans imported from various regions.

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I had the Flat White – single origin espresso with milk (THB140, SGD5.13), which tasted so much like a light roast that I was surprised when I found out it was a medium roast. The coffee had a creamy texture and was very easy to drink with no bitter or sour aftertaste. There were also some signature drinks on the menu which caught my eye, such as the Yuzu Garden (THB6.60) which seemed to be a yuzu and elderflower drink with single origin espresso, and Sally O’ Brien (THB150, SGD5.50), a single origin cold brew with house espresso syrup and fresh cream.

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The only available pastry/dessert when I went was the Banana Bread (THB85, SGD3.12), so I had one together with my coffee. Thankfully, it was not as dry as I expected it to be.

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I had a great time as a solo patron – the baristas were friendly and amiable, the patrons seemed to be serious coffee drinkers, and the ambiance made me forget about the busyness of life for a moment.

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149 Rimtangrodfai Sai Peat-Riu Road, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

8.30am -5.30pm daily

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