See also: BK's dynamic guide to Phrom Phong

11 dishes you need to eat in Sathorn right now

1. The whole sea crab spaghetti at Seed (B1,390)

The newest Water Library bistro goes rustic, comforting and (slightly) more affordable. This dish ticks at least two of those boxes. Serving 2-3 people, this pasta is peppery, mildly spicy and charmingly reminiscent of pu ob woonsen (crab casserole with glass noodles), made with fresh crabs delivered live daily (thus, reservations are recommended).

104 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 099-283-6363

2. The bonguri kimchi at Bulgogi Brothers (B280)

The Bangkok branch of this Gangnam-hailing chain is the brand’s first attempt at going premium. That means elevated ingredients and jazzed up Korean samples like this, made from two-day-fermented mushroom, pear and apple, wrapped in cabbage. The result: a more refreshing kimchi experience.

8/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd. BTS Phrom Phong

3. The banh mi at Banh Mi Bo (B90)

The Vietnamese food truck has found permanent digs, down Sukhumvit Soi 33/1. The tiny counter serves a slightly expanded menu (pho, spring rolls), but we say you still can’t go past the banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) with its deliciously light yet crunchy baguette. Our fave filling is the crispy pork.

Ellsie Boutique Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 096-886-0052

4. The lobster roll at Crab and Claw (B950)

Yep, it’s been all over your Instagram and Facebook feeds. But we say the lobster roll, in all its buttery goodness, more than justifies the hype. Served without the slathering of mayo you find elsewhere, the buttered house-made bread lets the sweet, subtly smoky—and plentiful—lobster meat truly star. It is rivalled by the perfectly crisp and seasoned fries—the portions are generous, but we still wish there were more.

7/F, Emquartier, 095-564-5422. BTS Phrom Phong

5. The kaya toast at Charm (B240)

This Emquartier newbie does a long list of dishes from around Southeast Asia, but we’re tempted to go straight for the kaya toast with pandan custard topped with vanilla ice-cream. Simple but super-comforting. Feeling savory? The satay toast hits the spot too.

8/F, The Helix Quartier Emquartier, 02-003-6281

6. Meat Bar 31

This new steakhouse serves a variety of premium cuts from the US, Japan, Australia and England. The pick? The Australian grain-fed tomahawk steak (B2,950), a 1kg bone-in rib cut which serves at least three. Tender and tasty enough to eat with just a sprinkling of sea salt.

El Patio, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 095-778-2617

7. The cheese dip at La Monita Urban Cantina (starting from B350)

If you love your Mexican food drowned in cheese then this is the dish for you. The warm bowl of Mexican-seasoned cheese, served with flour tortillas, is like a quesadilla, turned up to 11. The Longganisa pork sausage is delicious too.

6/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd. BTS Phrom Phong

8. The iberico pork secreto at Harvest (B980)

The best thing we tried at this seafood-focused restaurant wasn’t the seafood, it was this: nothing more than thick-cut and beautifully-cooked slices of pinkish pork on top of sharp and slightly sweet braised fennel.

Chapter 31, 24/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-262-0762

9. The Broccoli Burger at Broccoli Revolution (B220)

This talk-of-the-town dish takes the vegetarian burger to another level. The patty, made with broccoli and quinoa and bound together with quinoa powder, is firm and flavorful, nothing like the familiar mush you get from most veggie burgers. The cranberry-charcoal bun, mango salsa and dill spread make a perfect combination.

899 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-5002. BTS Thong Lo

10. The Nagoya deep-fried chicken wings (B120) at Sekai no Yamachan

This izakaya import has some 30 years’ experience whipping up maboroshino tebasaki, aka deep-fried chicken wings. The perfect crisp and not-to-oily accompaniment to a night of beer and sake (from B119 and B359, respectively). There's a new branch about to open on Silom, too.

The Manor, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-5541

11. The baked rice with chicken in Portuguese sauce at Chairman (B230)

Chef Man's new restaurant whips up casual Hong Kong-cafe food, including this Macanese-inspired dish of chicken on the bed of HK-style egg fried rice. The highlight is the aromatic yellow sauce made with curry powder and coconut milk.

B/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd. BTS Phrom Phong

12. The buttermilk pancakes on the new Sunday brunch menu at Shuffle (B200)

In keeping with the regular menu of jazzed-up American comfort food served in an industrial setting, Shuffle's newly released a la carte brunch menu features dishes like chocolate berries French toast, and pumpkin and potato scrambled egg, starting from B180 a pop. As always, you can count on consistency, Our pick has to be the pancakes: super fluffy and layered with so much fresh fruit it almost feels healthy.

Rainhill, Sukhumvit Soi 47, 022-616-992. BTS Phrom Phong. Sunday brunch served 10am-10pm