Taste Test: Who makes Bangkok’s best khanom jeeb?
These bundles of joy are up there with the world’s best-loved comfort foods.
4 years ago
Tim Ho Wan WINNER!
The brand: Made famous when its mother branch in Hong Kong became “the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant,” this spot is known for its legendary pork buns and fine dim sum.
Taste: These juicy, tender dumplings practically melt in your mouth, with a pleasantly mild tasting mix of pork and shrimp that speaks of high quality, freshly prepared ingredients.
Verdict: Melt in the mouth.
Price: B120
Various locations. Try Terminal 21, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-006-5288
Taste: These juicy, tender dumplings practically melt in your mouth, with a pleasantly mild tasting mix of pork and shrimp that speaks of high quality, freshly prepared ingredients.
Verdict: Melt in the mouth.
Price: B120
Various locations. Try Terminal 21, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-006-5288
Hong Bao RUNNER UP!
The brand: This modern Cantonese restaurant serves carefully crafted dim sum to packed round tables in a gloriously over-the-top setting replete with chandeliers.
Taste: These bite-sized dumplings are beautifully presented and thankfully follow through with their smooth texture, generous fillings and soft, thin flour wrappings.
Verdict: Perfect balance.
Price: B97
Various locations. Try Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 092-667-2992
Waraporn Salapao
The brand: What began as a humble shop in 1992 has since gained traction, expanding with branches across Bangkok.
Taste: Though tasty and perfectly packed, these dumplings are a little on the peppery side. The flavor does not stand out among the pack.
Verdict: Pepper spray.
Price: B39
Various locations. Try Tops, Sukhumvit Soi 101/1, 02-042-2830
Salapao Ko Ouan
The brand: This Hat Yai-born dim sum house now has several branches across Bangkok.
Taste: Thumbs up for the pleasant scent and the melt-in-your-mouth filling, elevated by the inclusion of shrimp. However, despite their tenderness, these dumplings are in sore need of flavor.
Verdict: Flatline.
Price: B40
Various locations. Try U/G, Siam Takashimaya, IconSiam, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd., 095-539-2451
7-Eleven
The brand: This ubiquitous convenience store from the US offers some surprising hot food items, including khanom jeeb.
Taste: A lesson in “don’t judge a book by its cover,” these unappealing-looking dumplings smacked us with a flavor that beat many of their restaurant-hailing competitors. Points go to the addition of salted egg to the filling.
Verdict: Ugly face, good heart.
Price: B21
Taste: A lesson in “don’t judge a book by its cover,” these unappealing-looking dumplings smacked us with a flavor that beat many of their restaurant-hailing competitors. Points go to the addition of salted egg to the filling.
Verdict: Ugly face, good heart.
Hua Seng Hong
The brand: This legendary restaurant was born on Yaowarat Road in 1967 and now boasts 15 outlets nationwide.
Taste: Though presented attractively, these flavorless dumplings come with an unappealing crunchy filling that fails to satisfy.
Verdict: Crunch time.
Price: B49
Various locations. Try 371-373 Yaowarat Rd., 02-222-7053
MK Restaurant
The brand: This popular Thai suki chain also serves an impressive array of dim sum.
Taste: These look like the real deal but taste dry and salty. The strange flavored sauce added to the filling doesn't help.
Verdict: Pinch of salt.
Price: B53
Various locations. Try Siam Square 1, 02-248-5555
Chokdee Dim Sum YIKES!
The brand: This 24/7 dim sum joint opened its first branch in 2000 and now has outlets across Bangkok.
Taste: These dumplings look too colorful to eat—and we almost wish we hadn’t. They do not taste fresh at all and the salty flavor is overpowering.
Verdict: Reheat offender.
Price: B33
Various locations. Try 1239 Phahonyothin Rd., 02-278-2145
BK’s Taste Tests are conducted blind by a panel and are intended as entertainment, not rigorous scientific analysis.
Read more of BK’s Taste Tests
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