When I am Bangkok, everyone always assumes that I will be surrounded by street stalls of fish noodles, or a plethora of Thai snacks here and there. However, if you ever spot the amazing creativity of Thai chefs and artists, and note the influx of Japanese expats and tourists, what resulted is a trendy cafe scene that satisfies your tastebuds in every way.
I followed ladyironchef’s blog post “34 Best Cafes in Bangkok you must visit once in your life” and as they said, cakes, tarts, coffee..they have it all. (Original blog here: http://www.ladyironchef.com/2015/01/bangkok-best-cafes-guide/)
Hello Kitty land is the dream place for every Hello Kitty fan. A three-storey shop, the second and third floors are decorated with pink, sweet and comfy furniture for high teas and main courses with plenty of Hello Kitty merchandises and furnitures for you to take photos with. (Even the ceiling has a Hello Kitty logo)
The third floor is mainly used for afternoon tea patrons, while the first floor has a diverse range of main courses and sweets available, from pad thai to ice cream and cupcakes, you can savour them all at Hello Kitty land and enjoy a sweet tune of the famous Japanese cartoon, then unwind yourself at the spa at the basement.
Hello Kitty Land
SiamSQ1, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 115 1335
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest BTS: Siam
After You is a cafe famous for its Japanese desserts, especially for its Shibuya Toasts (THB175). True to its slogan, “you always have room for dessert,” its coffee and desserts are not only photogenic, but also taste as good as they look. If the Shibuya toasts are too much for you, there are also other delicious little treats, such as Japanese custard cake above, mille feuille, crepes and cakes.
Another amazing gem is their coffee. Each mocha/latte/cappuccino comes with latte art (if you have tried making latte art before, you know how difficult it is!) and twists of Japanese flavours, such as matcha coffee are also available. But beware, while there are branches in Central World and Siam Paragon, they are often packed full of shoppers. The best bets may be Siam Square or Silom Complex branches with less shoppers and more space.
After You
Siam Square One
Daily: 11am – 12midnight
Nearest BTS: Siam
Everyday by Karmakamet
Everyday by Karmakamet is a small lifestyle shop and cafe tucked in the corner of Yada Building next to BTS Sala Daeng Station (if you come by MRT, get off at Silom and follow the masses who are commuting to BTS). While the cafe is not that spacious, it’s a cozy creative spot that encourages you to doodle your thoughts with pencils, crayons and markers as you enjoy a croissant or sip the cup of coffee. Combined with a lifestyle store, you can also get MUJI-esque notebooks, liquid containers and aprons.
My favourite is the rose milk tea with almond croissant. Karmakamet, the group that operates Everyday by Karmakamet also runs a diner on Sukhumvit Soi 24.
Everyday by Karmakamet
1/F Yada Building
Silom Road
Tel: +66 2 237 1148
Nearest Station: Sala Daeng BTS/ Silom MRT
Bake a Wish
Bake a Wish Cafe is another dessert cafe that my friend recommended when Coffee by Dao and After You both have huge queues. A small Japanese dessert shop at the basement of Siam Paragon, this cafe boasts many creamy, chocolate-y desserts that are sure to fill your tastebuds with sweetness.
From chocolate almond cake above and New York cheesecake to Japanese chou-cream (cream puffs) and matcha macarons, Bake A Wish definitely satisfied my sweet tooth that day.
Bake A Wish
Basement at Siam Paragon
991/1 1st Floor, Rama I Road, Bangkok 10330
Nearest BTS Station: Siam
http://www.facebook.com/bakeawish.japanesehomemadecake
Cafe Chili
What if you crave for something Thai? To be very honest, the food courts of Siam Paragon, Central World and Terminal 21 are filled with Japanese restaurants. Perhaps, it is because Thais love Japanese food because it means trendy or cheap (yes both combinations are there when you have Yoshinoya and Ootaya), or perhaps, because traditional Thai food is easily available at home or on the streets outside these malls.
Thai food is always a bit of a challenge for me because of my peanut allergies. However, Cafe Chili is the solution for my Thai food craving when my friend took me there. Specialized in Northeastern Thai cuisine, the Som Tum (papaya salad with crab) was a spicy and sour wake-me-up, while the pad see ew (stir fry noodles in soy sauce) is just the right portion. There is also an outdoor patio area for drinks.
Cafe Chili
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Location: Basement of Siam Paragon
Nearest BTS station: Siam
The Epicurious Foodie 