Asai Chinatown Bangkok has introduced a new menu concept at Jam Jam Eatery & Bar, whipping up contemporary Thai-Chinese fare inspired by the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Bangkok's Chinatown.
A stone's throw away from Chinatown's bustling precinct, the lifestyle hotel boasts a casual dining spot set in a sleek wooden interior with Chinese decorative accents. The design concept pay homage to its neighbourhood, and so does the newly-launched street food-inspired menu. "Our dishes are inspired by the culturally rich surroundings that harmoniously blend Thai and Chinese heritage with modern, international flair," says head chef Wissanu "Nu" Tiewtagoon.
Reimagining streetside snacking, chef Nu presents the menu in a tapas concept, perfect for sampling and sharing among friends. If you're a fan of the rich and creamy flavour of salted egg, you won't want to miss Salted egg pumpkin (B140). Slices of Japanese pumpkin are coated in a salted egg sauce and deep-fried to perfection, resulting in a crunchy, savoury shell accented by the pumpkin's light sweetness. Looking for a dish that combines the best of both worlds? XO Gambas al Ajillo (B320) offers a Chinese take on the Spanish sautéed garlic shrimp by pairing it with mantou.
Other seafood dishes from the "Sharing Bite" section worth trying are Szechuan shrimp wontons (B270) or plump Chinese dumplings filled with juicy shrimp and drizzled with a spicy Szechuan sauce, topped with crispy pork rinds for added texture. The Citrus-soy salmon (B250) features tender poached salmon diced into bite-sized pieces in an umami-rich soy sauce, served alongside crispy salmon skin.
Don't let the name fool you, but the "sides" section offers dishes that are anything but small in flavour and size. Protein-packed dishes like Steak & garlic fried rice (B290) will satisfy your empty stomach with grilled Angus beef steak and garlic beef-fat fried rice. You'll also find two salad options that offer distinct flavour profiles. It's a battle of the tastebuds between the light and refreshing Garden salad (B180), featuring a tangy yuzu dressing and fresh orange segments, and the bold and spicy Fresh cucumber special (B90), marinated with chilli paste and sesame oil.
In a nod to the classic street food staple, the chef has elevated humble skewered cuisine to smoky heights with his culinary spin. The "Charcoal Skewers: section features a skewered version of the classic moo daeng: Char siu pork belly (B130). The juicy pork belly is marinated in a blend of Chinese barbeque sauce and five-spice powder before getting a flame-kissed finish. Don't be caught off guard by Wasabi mustard beef (B300), whose creamy topping may look like melted cheese, but actually is a wasabi mustard sauce. For those who enjoy the burning sensation, Mala mushrooms (B100) and Mala shrimp (B160) are your calls. All skewered dishes are served in pairs.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with Banana toffee rolls served with vanilla ice cream (B160), while Mango sago pudding (B120) is a combination of sweet and sour delights. Nothing can beat the Salted egg ice cream (B140), which reminded me of street food's favourite sweets, served with rice crackers and caramelised peanuts.
Jam Jam Eatery & Bar is on the 4th floor of Asai Chinatown Bangkok and is open daily from 6.30am-11pm. Call 02-2220-8999.