9 new reasons why Phra Khanong has never been cooler
Is this quaint Sukhumvit neighborhood the new Ari?
8 years ago
Sod Sai Fish & Chips
There's a new food-truck contender for Bangkok's best fish and chips and it comes from a Malaysian chef with over 25 years' experience. Chef Kan Bright San, a former executive chef of Raddison Blu who's also worked for Le Meridien and Anantara as well as Hilton, Marina Mandarin, Royal Plaza at Scott and Maison De Fontaine in Singapore, has parked his truck permanently outside Masaru Japanese Store in Pridi Banomyong Soi 3. Here, it's all about high quality lightly-crusted fish and chips (B120) made with halibut fish featuring Chang beer batter for a bitter-tangy finish, thick Belgian fries and homemade tartare sauce. The set comes with homemade citrus and mustard seed coleslaw, but sides like cheese pops (B100) and the three-cheese halibut quesadilla (B80) are well worth trying. For refreshment, there's a range of Italian sodas (B50) in flavors like elderflower lemon and kumquat orange, as well as a 100-percent cheese, cream-free tiramisu (B80) made with amaretto liquer and French cacao barry chocolate powder.
Soi Pridi Banomyong 3 (outside Masaru Japanese Store), 089-156-2764. Open Wed-Sun 1pm-8:30pm. BTS Phra Khanong.
Craftsman Barber Shop
The latest barbershop to jump aboard the Bangkok gentlemen's grooming train is this laid-back little spot. Craftsman Barber Shop is the work of Akepawee Prakongpetch and Danupat lavanapipat, two guys whose savvy eye for distressed workwear and artfully placed vintage knickknacks will have you begging for a cut. The service starts at B100 for a shampoo and goes up to B400 for haircuts, hot towel shaves and—get this—“beard styling.” You can also grab yourself some American pomades (B750) and Italian shaving lather (B750), or shampoo (B590) and conditioner (B750) from local brand Love Me Tender. Drip coffee (B50) and beer (B100) are also on offer, ’natch. In the near future, serious hair products like Grime Grease, Bluebeards and Daimon will all be available.
5/38 Sukhumvit Soi Pridi Banomyong 3, Phra Khanong. 099-425-3554. Open Mon 1pm-8pm; Tue-Fri 1pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm. BTS Phra Khanong.
Casa Teo
If Rico Rico and Jamon Bar sound familiar than you'll be happy to know Doroteo Velez has set up a permanent shop at Phra Khanong's ever-so-lively W District. Inside his new semi-vintage-style jamon and tapas bar you'll find the same range of Spanish cold cuts, cheeses, olives and quince, but now there's an entire menu dedicated to tapas. Top picks include the Iberian platter which combines jamon iberico, manchego cheese, quince paste, two kinds of chorizo and bread buttered with their home-made creamy tomato paste (B620 or B890 with a glass of wine). There's also casuela de gulas (Spanish salad including chroizo, potato and egg, B180), Iberico sandwiches (ham, manchego, chorizo and pesto cheese, B190) and must-try crispy yet creamy croquetas (B160). Casa Teo is also home to Bangkok's largest Spanish wine collection (which goes well beyond Tempranillo) as well as a few other French and Italian bottles and Spanish coffee brand Catunambu (B70-B85). Doroteo alongside chef Jeerawat Songxang cater for a number of events as well as produce jamon for numerous 5-star hotels and Spanish restaurants here in Thailand and neighbouring countries.
W District, Sukhumvit Soi 69-71, 086-366-0034. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-11pm. BTS Phra Khanong
Koryoryia-te
Phra Khanong's new low-key Japanese speakeasy Koryoriya-te serves a full range of shochu, sake, umeshu, Japanese whiskey and beers, plus an ever-changing snack menu. Inside the dimly-lit, wood-heavy venue, situated next to the ever-popular Kinjo Okinawa Restaurant, you'll find popular Japanese shochu brands like Nikaido (B200) and Doragame (the wheat B200, potatoe B220 come recommended) as well popular sake brands such as Masumi (B220 glass, B420 bottle). The Japanese snacks may include the likes of smoked pork jerky (B80), lotus root and burdock pickles (B100) and, our two personal favorites, anchovy potato salad (B120) and orange and raison cream cheese (B80). Currently, the chalkboard menu is completely in Japanese, but owner Moe Arihama says an English one is on the way.
24 Sukhumvit Soi 69, 092-472-0701. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight. BTS Phra Khanong.
Amped Bangkok
Bangkok’s newest trampoline park has traveled all the way from Singapore to Phra Khanong, joining the gym community at Training Ground. Amped Bangkok is the brand’s fifth branch in Asia, offering a 10,000-sq-foot playground split between a public zone and three private rooms for group sessions or private events. Compared to the city’s other huge arenas, this mid-size offering goes for a friendlier atmosphere with trained staff who will teach you the basics free of charge. The prices are comparatively cheaper, too, starting from B240/hr on Monday up to B290/hr on weekend, while the party rooms start from B4,200-B4,700/hr with a maximum of 10 people. You can also connect all three rooms for parties of up to 30 people—advanced booking required.
Chavanich Building, 36/3 Sukhumvit Soi 69, 02-136-7858. Open Mon 10am-7pm; Tue 3pm-10pm; Wed-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat 9am-10pm; 9am-9pm. BTS Phra Khanong.
Whiteboard Game Cafe
Bangkok's latest board game cafe stays open late, right through till 3am on Saturday nights. At Phra Khanong's W District, the small but cozy Whiteboard Game Cafe offers more than 200 board games, with titles that go far beyond Monopoly and Cluedo. So sit back, roll the dice and sip on some old-school Ovaltine (B49). There's also a full espresso menu (B60-B105) for those late-night gaming sessions, plus specialty drinks including The Force Awakens (creaming soda, lime and Redbull, B80) and Pee in the Pool (passionfruit, lychee, blue curaco, green apple and soda, B90). Food includes easy bites like fish and chips and German sausage, as well as ice cream which starts at B59 per scoop. Best of all there's no table charge, so order up!
W District, Sukhumvit Soi 69-71, 095-429-1686. Open Sun-Fri 9am-1am; Sat 9am-3am. BTS Phra Khanong.
Naiipa Art Complex
Awarded Wallpaper’s design award in 2015, the Naiipa Art Complex has created a stir thanks to architect Chanasit “Dew” Cholasuek’s bold design for a community mall built around the existing trees on the site. It stands in the backyard of owner Sabhat "Kaey" Rakitawan’s house, winding between the trees planted 30-40 years ago by his grandparents. The idea, he says, came 4-5 years ago when the design team were briefed to create a community mall without having to uproot any of the old trees. Apparently, Naiipa is the very first project of its kind in Thailand, with the designers having to work in unison with arborists and tree surgeons to follow the lines of the trees.
46 Sukhumvit Soi 46, Phra Khanong. 080-887-9925. BTS Phra Khanong.
Pencave Co-working Space
This co-working space at Naiipa Art Complex (see above) offers hot desks for walk-in customers and private rooms for groups that are more reminiscent of a university library than cafe. Individuals can choose from a spot the main room, dubbed Penguin’s Ground, either at a shared big table, the long wall-facing counter or daybed (B320/day pass or B6,000/month). Groups can seek out more privacy upstairs in private rooms named Arctic Wolf (maximum 2 people/B900 per day or B14,000 per month), Ringed Seal (max 5 people/B2,250 per day or B35,000 per month) and Polar Bear (max 8 people/B3,600 per day or B56,000 per month). There’s also a library and chill living room with hammock-like communal bed for when you need a short break from work, too.
46 Sukhumvit Soi 46, 062-553-5345. Open daily 9am-10pm. BTS Phra Khanong.
Banh Mi Crispy
This newcomer at Phra Khanong's W District keeps things simple. Aside from a few weekend specials (like pho), the menu is all about banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches, B90-110)—and they are some of the best in town. We love the crispy pork version, but the "special" made with four kinds of pork is also pretty amazing, just beware of all that chili. Delivery is available. And yes, the bun is pretty darn crispy.
W District Sukhumvit Rd, 081-5172-4918. Open daily 5pm-11pm. BTS Phra Khanong.
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