The buzz: PrumPlum is a homonym of the Thai word for drizzling rain, and it’s this kind of weather that makes you want to cuddle up indoors with some comfort tipple. That’s exactly what PrumPlum is serving. The go-to umeshu bar, which has previously made a name for itself in the streets of Sathorn, recently set up a second branch at Talat Noi, upgrading the atmosphere and keeping with their high quality Minabe-imported umeshu selection. 

The vibe: Not unlike the Sathorn branch, the venue still has intimate flair but takes the elegance up a notch with ambient warm lighting and a counter bar area suitable for a romantic night out. You catch a poster of the Wong Kar-Wai film “In the Mood for Love” and rows of umeshu bottles lined against their shelves. There are also larger tables for a fun group hang.

The drinks: The experts at PrumPlum tell BK that each bottle is selected from Minabe, a town in Nagayama that’s the largest producer of ume and is known to genetically alter plums for the specific use in umeshu. If you’re quite green to the umeshu experience, they have a tasting set (B380) consisting of four umeshu bottles with distinct characteristics. The Plumeity white takes the high quality Nanko ume and ferments it with pure sake for a year. This one is quite light on the alcohol scale and shares a similar DNA with other kinds of white wine like a Chardonnay. It also has some fruity, melon, and honey notes. 

For those who like their booze on the sweet side, the Plumeity Pink uses a special type of ume (a hybrid between momo peach and plum). The rosy hue is its natural color. Looking for something a bit stronger? The Plumeity Black which is a complex full body 19% alc sip has been aged in a wooden barrel for two years.

Last but not least is the Plumeity Green. Made from the suiko plum, this glass has its unique acidic quality reminiscent of green apples and has quickly become a customer favorite. Outside the taste test, there are a variety of umeshu cocktails with a base of sake, whiskey, gin, and even mocktails for the designated drivers of the gang. 

The food: The food menu got a huge boost. Compared to the original branch, they’ve added some filling main courses like the hamburg kare rice (B390) ladle with Japanese style apple flavor curry or the napolitan spaghetti (B225) complete with dried chili and fresh tomatoes. For something a little lighter, opt for the miso cream cheese platter (B160) which is exactly what the name suggests: tiny cubes of cream cheese marinated in miso which bodes surprisingly well with the different types of pickled veggies served alongside the dish. Another unique pairing is the Burmese tea leaf salad, or Lahpet Thoke (B120); the nutty flavors and spicy fresh chillies are neutralized with a couple of umeshu sips. If you want to end the meal on a sweet note, opt for the custard pudding (B80). The silky dessert is topped with some whipped cream and a single cherry.

Why we’d come back: Charoenkrung has its charms, especially at night. This spot is an escape from the weather and the streets. So you get a table with friends or a date, and learn a thing or two about the umeshu experience. 

857 Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, 065 042 4645, Open Wed-Sun 5pm-midnight.