BANGKOK RESTAURANT

Maki Maki

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

The buzz: Squeezed into the third floor of the small community mall No. 88, along with neighboring restaurant and bar Moulin, Maki Maki is yet another new eatery doing sushi with a twist. Chef Yindee, who previously worked in Chicago, looks to strike a balance between Eastern and Western influences following a similar approach to existing sushi joints like Isao, In the Mood for Love and High Hat.

The décor: Following the general trend for this kind of place, the interior is a mix of intimate and industrial, and is the creation of one of the partners who is also an interior designer. Adorned with lots of wood, grey tones, and hanging lamps, the lofty atmosphere has a casual canteen vibe. For those who are on a date, you might want to head straight to the small mezzanine area where you can dine under a lovely pitched glass roof with a dimly lit chandelier and some ferns for company.

The food: As its name suggests, the menu is loaded with different sushi roll options, many of them accentuated by the homemade sauce which they make with more than 10 kinds of different chili. The artistic presentation is informed by the chef’s interior design degree, while the flavors are definitely aimed at a Thai palate. The signature dishes include the Dragon Fly (B330) which combines cream cheese and spicy mayo, with a crunchy texture derived from shrimp tempura. A less common choice is the Poseidon on Fire (B250), a mix of crab, shrimp, red roe and chili sauce. At lunch, they also offer up sets like the spicy tuna set (B259) and tempura set (B199).

The drinks: A fairly standard selection of bottled wines from B1,000-B2,900, while beers are Asahi (B90) and Hoegaarden (B180). They’re also developing a range of sake-based cocktails so you can expect concoctions like the Sakeritta (lime juice, sake, triple sec, B250) to be added soon. Sake drinkers have a brief selection of nama (unpasteurized sake), sparkling and plum (B270-B590) varieties to choose from.

The crowds: Maki lovers, which judging by the success of similar ventures are plentiful and locals from the nearby high-rise condos. Pieng-or Mongkolkumnuankhet
 

The big malls may be packed full of sushi restaurants, but chances are that if you’re serious about your raw fish, you’ll end up wandering the sois of Sukhumvit. One restaurant that sits somewhere in-between is Maki Maki, squeezed into the third floor of the very small community mall No. 88, in Soi Pai Di Ma Di, behind Thonglor Soi 5.

Unlike its flashy neighbor Moulin, Maki Maki keeps things intimate with an industrial mix of wood, grey tones and hanging lamps. Overall, the place has a casual, loft-like atmosphere. You might also relish their small mezzanine area, where you can dine under a lovely pitched glass roof with a chandelier and some ferns for company.

As its name suggests, the menu is loaded with different sushi roll options, many of them accentuated by homemade sauces incoporating more than 10 different kinds of chili. Chef Yindee, who previously worked in Chicago, looks to strike a balance between Eastern and Western influences, following a similar approach to other sushi joints like Isao, In the Mood for Love and High Hat.

The artistic presentation is informed by the chef’s interior design degree, too. Take the elegant Beauty and the Leaf Maki (scallop, salmon, asparagus, red tabiko, avocado, spicy mayo and lime, B450), arranged like a leaf, which actually tastes as good as its looks. A signature dish like the Dragon Fly (fried shrimp maki, B330) contains well-rounded flavors—not too sweet and not too sour, and nice and crunchy. Equally enjoyable is a Thai fusion choice like the Crazy Salmon (B290), with its tangy Thai seafood sauce. The seared salmon (B190), too, is well executed: tender and jazzed up with a special shoyu sauce. 

Not everything is so successful, though. Another special recipe like the To Die For (O-toro, black and red tobiko, green onion, quill egg, avocado and ikura, B590) is bland in flavor apart from the overpowering seaweed.

For drinks, you can expect Asahi and sake with a brief selection of nama (unpasteurized sake), sparkling and plum (B270-B590) varieties. While the drinks list is pretty standard, Maki Maki outshines many other trendy sushi cafés with its balance of tasty food and tasteful atmosphere.

Venue Details
Address: Maki Maki, 3/F, No. 88, Thonglor Soi 5 (Pai Di Ma Di), Bangkok, Thailand
Phone: 02-712-8181
Price Range: BBB
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-1pm; Mon-Thu 4:30-10pm; Sun 4:30-10pm; Fri-Sun 4:30-11pm
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