Bangkok: Hot. Traffic. Sawadeeka. Massage. Thai Iced Lemon Tea. Fresh Mangoes/Fruit. Tom Yum Goong. Shopping. Culture. Explore.
My luggage didn't arrive until the second morning so I was pretty upset. Had a quick bite at McDonald's/Paragon food court (Thai iced tea & tuna pie... Asia McD's > North American) then bought some essentials instead of leisure shopping. Felt better after my two hour Thai/aroma massage and a good dinner at Greyhound Cafe. Second day was spent on a private tour to Train Market, Floating Market and Tiger Temple, followed by another massage. Didn't get to ride gondola in Venice, but I think this is more interesting - relaxing and buying food/merchandise from the vendors. There is one 'mama' (old lady) who paddles her boat for two hours to get to the main market.
Bangkok is such a culturally/historically rich city. (It used to be called Siam - hence Siamese twins, Siamese cats...) I thought it would be pretty underdeveloped, but in the tourist area where we stayed (Courtyard Marriot - highly recommend), it was surprising to see it much like any other metropolitan city with its abundance of large malls, luxury brands and sky bridges (although the locals I saw were still low income). Of course, a few hours out to the markets and it's such a contrast. I wish I had more time to explore Terminal 21 - pretty unique mall with airport theme and small independent shops. Overall a very well-rounded and enjoyable trip.
Next stop: Hua Hin.
A popular new restaurant famous for the roast duck, but turns out they also have a wide variety of unique Beijing dishes. Start off with this fusion salad - lettuce, red cabbage, cucumber, tomato, onion x nuts and duck gizzard in a sour-salty dressing. Very interesting flavor combination!
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| 香芋芝麻卷 ~ Sesame Roll |
As a taro lover, I had to try this. I like the mashed taro inside. The outside was crispy but tasted oily.
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| 手工粉 |
Chewy texture (like japchae) in a slightly spicy sauce.
The famous Beijing roast duck. This is the less expensive/fancy version. I wouldn't say it's that amazing, but you can definitely taste the difference compared to usual Cantonese restaurants. This one is thinly sliced, tender meat, less salty, with a thin, crispy skin that is not fatty. For an additional $2.88, you have the choice of using the bones to make soup or deep fry (not good.. next time maybe try soup)
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| 米酒湯圓 ~ Rice Wine Rice Balls |
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| 金鴨梨 ~ Gold dayali |
Ordered it 'cause I thought the pear shape would look nice. Deep fried with a red bean filling (?).
Hyped to have the best Peking duck in Toronto - I had to try, and ended up liking the rice ball dessert and salad the best. Even on a weeknight, there was a line up throughout the night and they don't take reservations for parties less than five so be prepared to wait. With a VIP card, it's actually pretty decent priced for the quality and variety of dishes. The interior is very spacious, white and Western-style - really reminds me of the restaurants I went to in Beijing. Other than the duck, there are many other noteworthy and unique dishes. Most of the servers only speak Mandarin. Overall a very enjoyable dinner with good company!
Finally made the trip to Zakkushi on Carlton last Tuesday. Another izakaya from Vancouver, this definitely lived up to expectations. I liked pretty much everything we ordered, especially yakitori and udon. (but poor quality iPhone photos in dim lighting)
The yakitori selection is really good. Started with the Premium Set.
Wagyu beef - good beef taste
Free Range Chicken - tender with a nice crispy skin
Premium Beef Tongue - I like the texture of this!
Unagi - THE BEST UNAGI EVER. Warm, sweet, tender, melt-in-your mouth. My fav item of the night, had to order 2 more.
Wagyu Beef Ball - didn't try this one
Kimchi Udon - another favorite! Perfect al dente udon, creamy with a bit of grittiness from the cod roe and the flavor of the kimchi was just right, not too spicy (unlike Don Don).
Albacore tuna - fresh and good portion (6 pcs), the texture was more on the flaky side rather than hard/solid
Age Mochi (deep fried sticky rice balls) - very interesting chewy texture in a sweet soy sauce. ~ ok.
P-Toro (crunchy & juicy Pork) & garlic stubs wrapped w pork - very flavorful and 爽 (but on the thin side, not as juicy & fatty as Fin)
Okonomiyaki - yum~ I like the seafood bits and the sauce
Ikayaki - nicely cooked in sweet teriyaki sauce
Negi P-Toro Don - Bite sized P-Toro pork was so good and 爽! Half boiled egg mixed with the seaweed and green onion gave a sharp flavor.
Beef Tataki - something I always order. This one was more raw and thicker than other places, a bit bloody even, but ok.
Grilled Rice Ball w Soy Sauce - who knew something as simple as rice + soy sauce could be so good?
Chicken Wing - salty with a crispy, slightly burnt skin.
Definitely recommend this izakaya. Friendly service & delicious yakitori.
Ordered a variety of food for 4 ppl + tea + sake for ~$120.
Ordered a variety of food for 4 ppl + tea + sake for ~$120.
My second visit to Ju after a few years. I would recommend the hamachi, clam and scallop (very sweet and fresh) and the chicken wings yakitori (hot, salty and crispy). These two were the best items of the night.
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| Beef sashimi, beef tendon oden, chicken wing oden, chicken knuckle |
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| Yakitori Combo (Chef's Choice)- chicken gizzard, chicken w green onion, wings, chicken ball + chicken knuckles |
"Seoul street food meets Tokyo grill"
Forgot the name of this, but it's one of the rotating monthly skewers specials made by guest chefs (this one by Fidel Gastro?) Bacon wrapped beef.. naturally salty and charred with a bit of sweet sauce.
Total was ~$17 per person. Wanted to try the squash dubbokki but it was sold out :(
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| Kimchi Fries |
Fries are good with anything! Melted cheese + sweet kimchi.. so good!
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| Seafood Miso Chowder |
Recommended by the server, this soup was creamy and flavorful with scallops, mussels and shrimp.
Forgot the name of this, but it's one of the rotating monthly skewers specials made by guest chefs (this one by Fidel Gastro?) Bacon wrapped beef.. naturally salty and charred with a bit of sweet sauce.
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| Bulgogi Cheeseburger |
Was expecting something like Koryo burger, but this was more of a sandwich with panini-type bread, bulgogi, cheese, caramelized kimchi, tomato, cucumber. It was cold by the time I got around to eating it, but still okay.
Total was ~$17 per person. Wanted to try the squash dubbokki but it was sold out :(
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| Tonkotsu Ramen |
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| Thick noodles |
~ They recommend thin noodles with the tonkotsu, but I opted for thick. It was firm with a springy bite, cooked just the way I like it (texture in between Kinton and Santouka)
~ Soup was slightly creamy and salty, but I still enjoyed it despite my low salt tolerance. Good hot temperature.
~ Pork - finally this is good pork! Perfect size and thickness, good balance of fat and tender meat, flavorful with slightly charred edges.
~ Softboiled egg - almost-runny sweet yolk, soft egg white with slight soy sauce flavor - so delicate! ~ Green onion added fresh taste and the black fungus was nicely cooked.
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| Shio |
Shio broth is more clear and salty. I think the pork was a bit different (less burnt?)
I was skeptical about Sansotei after reading mixed reviews on their thin noodles, but my experience was better than expected. I liked it more than Santouka.
