Remember the time when Rotiboy imposed a quota of 10 buns per person? Remember when you had to get in a long line to taste the glory that is Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts? Remember the time when opportunists were reselling the said glory across the street from Siam Paragon?
People now ask friends who are travelling to Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan to buy them a bucket of Garrett popcorn. Go online and you'll find pages where people resell it. Meanwhile, we here at Guru pray every night before bedtime that someone would bring a ramen burger to Thailand very soon.
It seems Bangkok has been hit by wave after wave of food crazes and still our appetite for new things is yet to be satisfied. Here are seven current food-related trends in the city that we think are worth putting your tongue to.
CRONUT
What it is: A hybrid pastry somewhere between a croissant and a doughnut originally developed by chef Dominique Ansel for Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York. To the naked eye, it looks like a doughnut on the outside and has croissant-like flaky layers within. The original cronut has been featured on popular American TV shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America. Heidi Klum also flew home in a private jet with a box of cronuts (safely buckled in its own seat) last week and the treat has started to spring up in different parts of America as well as other countries. The good news is that you can find similar versions in Bangkok too.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:
- Amatissimo Caffe (10am-8pm. Behind Paradise Park, Srinakarin Soi 55, 085-482-9977, facebook.com/AmatissimoCaffe) offers a wide range of baked goodies, coffee and has its own version of cronut called "CD". It's glazed with vanilla cream cheese, vanilla cream, or chocolate raspberry and priced at B145 each.
- Poolside restaurant Cafe Mozu (6am-11am. Tower Club at lebua, 1055 Silom Road, 02-624-9555) recently introduced the "croughnut" as part of its breakfast offer. This month's glaze is mint and crispy yogurt. You can enjoy this new treat on top of favourites from Thai, Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine. Priced at B600++ per person, the breakfast buffet also comes with pastries, salad bar, juice and fruit.
HI-SO POPCORN
What it is: No longer a side attraction you chow down while watching a movie, popcorn has become something to really savour. There are local makers of gourmet popcorn who have elevated the snack to a new level with generous amounts of flavours. Some of their varieties even contain real nuts and fruits. While waiting for your friend to come back from Singapore with your order of Garrett, why not check these out.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:
- Nine Popcorn (080-453-0999, 086-777-7453, facebook.com/NinePopcorn) offers four flavours. Cashew crunch (caramel and cashew nut) costs B80 for a small bag of 165g and B150 for a 330g size bag. Almond crunch (caramel, cashew nut and almond) is priced at B100 for 170g and B190 for 340g. Macadamia crunch (caramel and macadamia) is B200 for 170g and B390 for 340g. Cherry berry (caramel, cashew nut and strawberry) costs B100 for 170g and B190 for 340g. Buy directly from the maker or their retailers at Pak Bakery (7am-10pm. 96/8-9, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-258-1234), Cheesecake House (9am-9:30pm. 69/2 Thong Lor Soi 20, 02-392-5485) and The Selected (10am-9pm. 3/F, Siam Center, Rama I Road, 02-658-1000). Nine Popcorn is also available at Villa Markets.
- Popco (081-885-6615, www.popco-shop.com, facebook.com/popcoshop) offers eight flavours from buttery to wasabi at its outlets on the ground floor of Central Chidlom, the second floor of Chamchuri Square at Sam Yan, the third floor of Digital Gateway at Siam, the lower ground floor of Terminal 21 and the second floor of Mega Bangna. Each bag costs B59 except for cashew nut flavour which is B69. Four flavours in one pack costs B200.
- Minibar Royale (11am-midnight. 37/7 Citadines Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-5533, facebook.com/MinibarRoyale) offers only one flavour of popcorn but it's delicious. A 110g bag of Macadamia caramel popcorn costs B190. A 140g jar is priced at B300. Truffle popcorn is available as part of the Happy Hours (5-8pm) nibble set. For B399, you can choose three foods out of 12 to nibble with your drink. For B499, you can choose four. For B599, choose five.
COFFEE ROASTERS
What it is: Coffee connoisseurs can now take their craze to another level by making their own cup of joe at individually run coffee roasters in town. They can learn how to make a cup of coffee from scratch (minus having to grow a coffee tree and wait for the berries, that is), buy premium beans and learn the art of the latte. If you aspire to one day having your own coffeehouse, then definitely consider them.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE IT:
- Coffee Bark Home Roaster (33/2 Moo 4, Bangkok-Suphan Buri Road, Nonthaburi, 089-008-8929, www.coffeebarkhomeroaster.com, facebook.com/coffeebarkhomeroaster) offers roasted beans from Doi Chang, imported beans, coffee-making equipment and classes. They roast beans per order only so call in first. The lessons take place on weekends only from 9am-4pm and each class is open to four people only. The price is B2,000 per person.
- Flow Coffee Roasters (7:30am-5pm. 544/23 Soi Sonprang, Asok-Din Daeng Road, 087-798-0222, www.flowcoffeeroasters.com, facebook.com/FlowCoffeeRoasters) offers local and foreign quality beans for sale, coffee-making equipment for home use, coffee-making classes and a latte art class. They source roasted beans to many places in Bangkok. The one-day class costs B2,500 per person; the two-day class is B4,500.
ARTISAN BREAD
What it is: Handcrafted breads made with traditional techniques to produce superior flavour, aroma and texture compared to industrially processed loaves. They are also healthier, being made without additives.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:
- Urban Pantry (089-787-4569, urbanpantrybangkok@gmail.com, tiny.cc/urbanpantry, Twitter: @urbanpantrybkk) features weekly menus of various handmade artisan breads, condiments, marinades, sauces, all natural nut butters and sweet treats such as biscotti. The menu is sent out Monday mornings. Place your order by 5pm on Tue so it can be delivered on Thu-Fri, as all items are made to order and they don't keep stock. Delivery areas include Silom, Sathon, Narathiwat Ratchanakharin, Yen Akat, Lumpini, Chidlom and Sukhumvit (up to Ekamai). Delivery is free for orders over B700; otherwise it's B50 delivery charge. If you live outside of these areas, pick up your order at Bangkok Bagel Bakery on the ground floor of Maneeya Center (BTS Chidlom) on Fri from noon to 6:30pm.
- You can buy artisan breads from Conkey's Bakery (Ekamai Soi 22, 089-166-6080, facebook.com/ConkeysBakery). They bake every day and you can buy fresh breads from them but call at least one day in advance. Meet them at the next Spring Epicurean on Aug 25 (Spring Restaurant, Sukhumvit Soi 49) and the next Bangkok Farmers' Market which will take place on Aug 31 and Sep 1 from 9am-5pm at K-Village (Sukhumvit Soi 26).
- Another crafty bread-maker is Maison Jean Philippe (083-111-5557, facebook.com/MaisonJeanPhilippe). Loaves from Maison Jean Philippe are available at Simple (235/5, Soi Sawatdi, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 082-670-6706), which is a cafe/grocery store that uses organic ingredients in its dishes and sells artisanal products. Leading eateries in town such as Minibar Royale, Quince, Appia and Smith also use their bread. You can also find Maison's bread at Villa Market in Phrom Phong, Thong Lor and Ari. Meet them at the Bangkok Farmers' Market on Aug 31 and Sep 1.
CRAFT BEER
What it is: Beers that are created by independent breweries on a small scale, usually using natural and locally sourced ingredients. Therefore, all craft beers are distinct from one another and have regional character.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:
- Beervana (02-108-0387, www.seekbeervana.com, facebook.com/seekbeervana) exclusively imports craft beer with different characters and flavours from around the world and distributes them to leading establishments in Bangkok. Check out their website to find out venues they supply. Beervana also does home delivery.
- Wishbeer (www.wishbeer.com, facebook.com/wishbeerthailand) is an online beer store offering home delivery anywhere in Thailand and proposing the largest selection of premium imported beers from around the world. They offer a wide selection of craft beers as individual bottles and sets. Enjoy free delivery when you order at least B2,000 worth of beer provided that your address is in central Bangkok. Get 10 per cent discount on orders of B4,000. Additional surcharge apply for deliveries upcountry.
PALEO DIET
What it is: The paleolithic diet, or caveman diet, is based on the idea that we should eat the same stuff our ancestors did pre-agriculture. You'll be eating food found in nature such as meat, fish, veggies, fruit, eggs and nuts. Paleo food is high in protein and low in carbs, and paleo eaters enjoy improved health as a result. The very good news is that you don't have to hunt for your own food like a real caveman.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT:
- Subscribe to Paleo Robbie (080-946-3337, facebook.com/PaleoRobbie) and have pre-made paleo dishes delivered to your home or office. No industrial meats or artificial additives are used in the making of these dishes and Paleo Robbies' repertoire doesn't sound primitive in the slightest. Highlights include Lamb shoulder korma, Tomato braised beef cheeks, and Chorizo salad. Every day except Sun, choose between four dishes. For more information on the diet, details of what's on offer, costs and how to order, go to its Facebook page.
CAT AND DOG CAFES
What it is: If you've ever fantasized about having a light meal while stroking a furry friend in your lap, there are several places in this city to realise your dream.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE IT:
- Chico Interior Products & Cafe (Wed-Mon 9:30am-6pm. Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-258-6557, www.chico.co.th) unintentionally became a cat cafe when some stray cats went there and made it their home, according to owner and cat lover Sachiko Matsumoto. There, you can eat Japanese desserts or heavier fare like omurice and spaghetti. You can also cuten up your home with decor on sale.
- Cataholic Cafe (Tue-Fri noon-9pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-9pm. 2/F, Ozono, 307, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 084-269-7945, tinyurl.com/kegj6vu) is where you can get up close and personal with cats since you'll be sitting on a floor cushion while enjoying some nibbles. The venue also has some cute accessories and their own merchandise for sale.
- Coffee & Puppy (Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. 36/4 Chaeng Wattana Road, 02-982-6519) serves food for both owners and their dogs. Their human menu sounds seriously good with the likes of New Zealand lamb leg steak with red wine sauce, shimeji mushrooms and saute potatoes. If you're one of those people who consider your dog to be your child, you can hire the place to host a birthday party for it. Bring your own dog to meet with the others so they can socialise, i.e. sniff each other. They also offer a daycare service for dogs.
- Purr Cat Cafe Club (Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm. Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-108-3604, facebook.com/PurrCatCafeClub) offers light food, cute cats, cat-themed artworks, handmade cat accessories, a cat shower station and feminine vibe. Watch as cats sashay their way down a spiral staircase or sleep in a bookcase while enjoying some sweet treats.
