We constantly get asked to reccommend our favourite restaurants to clients and this worries us as it seems to change so quickly. What suits Peter, seems to annoy Paul, in much more pronounced a way than hotels or more general hotel experiences. I am often tempted to let people chose for themselves by reading the numerous blogs and reviews out there. However, we can always make the table booking for you too…. As usual speak to us directly here.
For Vietnam in particular there are some brilliant blogs on the subject - the writer of Noodlepie has long since left but the info is still there and it is fantastic. I really like a Girl In Asia too. There are many more.
For us here is a quick list to get you started of places we have experienced… This is by no means definitive though - there are simply thousands of incredible options, from street food to high end dining… These are just places we like - I wouldn’t even remotely claim to be expert enough to pronounce on what is best…
Hanoi - Quan An Ngon. Great idea - brought some of the best street chef’s together under one roof - paid them a regualr wage, added a decent markup and made this a brilliant introduction and must visit if time is short.
Hoi An - The Cargo Club is great for Vietnamese food and a relaxed and stylish introduction to the country….
Siagon - personally i’m huge Pho fan… but for high end eating Nam Kha is fun.
Bangkok - where to start - it’s ridiculous and I usually end up with street food but Suan Kularb - has a great variety of Thai and Chinese dishes as well as Dim Sum to die for at lunchtime and the best steamed fish around in the evening.
Cambodia - anywhere on the south coast where delectable fresh seafood, Cambodian spice pastes, French cunning and Kampot pepper collide to extraordinary affec but the fish amok at The Jasmine in Kampot is particularly blinding….
Suggestions from the floor?
Bangkok:
Would agree with Suan Kularb, but the Ari area has some other good options such as Somtum Bangkok for north-eastern Thai food, or Pla Dib for fusion and Japanese food.
For some top-end options, I’d go for Baan Kanitha on Sathorn Road near the Australian Embassy for top-notch food in a grand setting, or Lemongrass on Sukhumvit Soi 24 (Phrom Pong Skytrain station) for Royal Thai cuisine in a beautiful traditional Thai house.
The nightly music & dance performance in Vientianne Kitchen on Sukhumvit Soi 36 is also fun, and the Lao & north-eastern Thai food they serve is very good.
If it’s southern Thai food you’re after then Malika on Soi Rang Nam (Victory Monument skytrain station) is a good bet, be warned though that southern Thai food can be very pungent and spicy, so remember to order it “mai pet” if you’re not accustomed to the high chilli content.
Just an update on this comment - sadly Malika, the southern Thai restaurant on Soi Rang Nam, has now closed.
For those wanting to sample firey Southern Thai food in Bangkok, I can recommend “TS Cuisine” instead - it’s in the Coco Walk complex by Ratchathewi skytrain station, directly opposite the Asia Hotel, about 50 yards inside on the left. The Gaeng Som Pla (fish orange curry) here is excellent.
Hoi An - try the Secret Garden. Opened in 2009 - wonderful! The owners seem to have more energy for doing it right than Cargo Club which is used to riding it reputation. Also, the restaurant next to the Bale Well, which serves ONLY Banh Xeo is THE place to eat this delightful meal - and all you CAN eat for one price. Popular and well-known among the locals.
Bangkok - Anna’s on soi Saladaeng has fab. Thai cuisine. Lemongrass is also very good.
Phuket - fresh seafood, popular among locals and expats, and DElicious - Kan Eng II off of Phuket Town road between Chalong circle and the back side of Wat Chalong.
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Hi Dawn,
do get in touch with us directly through the site and we can talk about some options.
Many thanks,
Sam
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