7 Bangkok izakaya where the beer is too cold to miss
Drinking beer and izakaya go hand-in-hand, but the experience shouldn't burn a hole in your wallet.
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7 years ago
Drinking beer and izakaya go hand-in-hand, but the experience shouldn't burn a hole in your wallet.
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- By GROVE
- | Aug 04, 2017
Teriyaki Bar Kelly’s
The cute tavern-like teriyaki bar named after Grace Kelly serves well-priced izakaya classics (wings, noodles, nabe, tepanyaki and takoyaki), with many dishes hailing from the owner’s hometown of Nagoya. The teriyaki skewers (B315/five, B498/eight) are excellent. With great drink prices one could happily stick to these moreish offerings, while ordering from the cheap and cheerful cocktail list (from B180), the lengthy selection of sake, shochu and umeshu, or sticking to the requisite Asahi draught (B120) or a big bottle of Singha is also only B160. The “bottomless drink” promotion (B400/person/120min) is tempting, too.
46 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-662-5155, Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight. BTS Thong Lo
Taishusakaba Torayoshi
Run by the same team as neighboring Nagiya, Taishusakaba Torayoshi’s chefs know how to grill fish perfectly. Brushed with a very light, not-too-sweet soy sauce, it has a slightly crisp exterior and fluffy inside. The kitchen is just as competent with raw fish, particularly the gokai nokke (B490). They claim that it’s “big in Japan” and we can see why: The six maki rolls almost completely disappear under the generous amounts of fresh crab, salmon roe and minced tuna. You can get a great bottle of sake for a mere B300, Asahi draught is just B90 and a bottle of Singha is just B130—but the complete drink list, which also includes sochu, would take many drunken nights to fully explore.
Nihonmachi, 109 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-2016. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 10am-midnight
Shakariki 432 (Thonglor)
Expect a down-to-earth atmosphere, exuberant staff and a solid menu of tasty fusion maki rolls such as the succulent foie gras and wagyu (both B380). Wash them down with an icy cold bottle of Singha (B130). Check out its Facebook page (www.fb.com/shakariki432) for news of occasional Japanese imports such as kurodai sashimi (black sea bass, B300) from Fukuoka. Also try the tasty Osaka-style okonomiyaki (B230).
PS Tower, 36/1 Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), 02-664-0927. Open daily 5pm-3am, MRT Petchaburi
Kushikatsu Daruma
At this Bangkok branch of an Osaka favorite, the traditional kushikatsu (deep-fried golden oysters, tuna, prawns and vegetables in cold breadcrumb batter) are fantastic—fresh, fluffy and surprisingly non-greasy. For maximum value, go for the lunch set, which features five assorted skewers with rice, raw egg, stewed pork belly and miso soup (B250).
Thonglor Soi 9, 02-023-6695, Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5-11pm. BTS Thong Lo
Karatama Robatayaki
Akanoya Robatayaki has been rebranded and now offers more variety, functioning somewhat like a Japanese market. Grab a bottle of Singha (B120) to go with the fresh ingredients (imported twice a week from Japan) to grill at your table, such as awabi (Japanese abalone), kinki (rockfish), Kagoshima beef and Hokkaido corn. Alternatively, you can order dishes like fresh assorted sashimi (starting from B800), Kagoshima beef hot pot (B1,100) and soy sauce-braised rockfish (starting from B2,000).
D1 Bldg., Piman49, 46/10 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-4237. Open daily 6pm-midnight. BTS Thong Lo
Teppen
Tucked behind Major Sukhumvit, this tatami-floored izakaya is a favorite among Japanese expats looking for a taste of home. The warm lighting and sincere staff create a friendly, authentic vibe. We particularly like the katsuo warayaki (straw-roasted skipjack tuna, B430), which blends fresh bonito fish with the flavor of hay smoke. The fresh salmon roe-topped ikura kamameshi (old-school Japanese rice made with bonito broth, B340) is wholesome and very tasty. On the drink list, you can grab an ice-cold Asahi (B160), big bottle of Singha (B150), ginger highball (B180) or full bottle of sake (from B1,500).
14/2 Sukhumvit Soi 61, 02-714-1412. Open 6pm-midnight. BTS Ekkamai
Sekai no Yamachan
Sitting in salaryman’s haven Soi Thaniya, this fried chicken wing (from B130/five pieces) specialist from Nagoya does a proper list of drinking snacks. Be warned: The low-ceilinged room at the back gets pretty boisterous. Another branch on Sukhumvit Soi 39. All you can drink deal is B499 and lasts for 90 minutes where you can get Asahi draught beer, sake, shochu, chuhai, whiskey highballs, acerola and soft drinks. If you’re not that big of a drinker, grab a 450ml glass of Singha draught for B99.
The Manor, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-5541. Open daily 5:30pm-12:30am; Sat-Sun 11:20am-2:30pm
Soi Thaniya, Silom Rd., 02-632-8338. BTS Sala Daeng
Stay Cool Wherever You Go with the New Singha Ice Pack
Whether you’re headed to the beach or throwing a barbecue in your backyard, Singha has a new beer pack that changes everything. Its clever design allows you to pour ice directly into the box, so that your beer stays frosty cold despite the crushing summer heat. See, it’s possible to leave the comfort of your air-con in the summer. You just need to pack the right stuff.
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