Savoey @ Terminal 21 Asok in Bangkok [Thailand]

Ever since I got acquainted with crab curry from Somboon Seafood Restaurant back in 2024, I had been going back to the same restaurant, albeit different branches, on every visit! 

Knowing myself, I would likely stick with the same restaurant for a long, long time but I was rushing for time on my recent trip and recall watching a reel on Savoey; which also served crab curry, and  happened to have a branch at Terminal 21 Asok Shopping Mall, near my accommodation. 

Craving had stuck in my brain and I earnestly stepped into the restaurant at only noon time. Crowd was surprisingly thin on a Friday lunch but those who knew Terminal 21 @ Asok should be aware there were plenty of eateries and an economically priced food court just one floor above.

As we were already pretty full from breakfast in Chinatown (toast and tea from Tee Yok, cathay fish maw and desserts at old daisy cafe), we ordered sparingly. So little that I questioned if I should have ordered more. 

Stir Fried Thai Vegetable - now, this is a kind of vegetables I don't see in Singapore and just like my affection for Taiwan's guomao vegetables, this plate of Malindjo vegetables tugs my heartstring and entices me to order whenever I see it on the menu.

Sadly, while the texture was just right, the vegetables here at Savoey had a bitter aftertaste that was kind of off-putting, even though the Chinese believes bitter equates healthy. Furthermore, I think the chef was too liberal with the hae bee (dried shrimps); they were much bigger than expected, and could have been a main source of protein! 

Crab Curry - now the main star, and it's a sin not to have a plate of white rice to go with it! Screw the calories intake, especially when I only eat crab curry only when I visit Bangkok! 

Plated similarly like the ones at Somboon, I did notice more chunks of crab meat peeking from the surface of the curry, and that the color seemed a redder, which could mean a spicier kick. 

Took a scoop, mixed with the rice and threw into the mouth. *fireworks* Savoey version was even better; more aromatic, creamier and the spices were more pronounced (thankfully, not that spicy) as the mixture swirled around my taste buds, and ever bite was a chockablock full of delicious seafoodness!

I can't imagine I clean up everything, with a bit of help from Alex.

No wonder I gained two kilograms after this trip. :(

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Address

5th floor, Terminal 21 Asok Shopping Mall,

88 Soi Sukhumvit19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, 

Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Map

As above.

Website

https://www.savoey.co.th/

Pricing

Stir Fried Thai Vegetable - 200 Baht

Crab Curry - 600 Baht

(Subject to Tax and Service Charge)

Michelin Mango Sticky Rice from K. Panich Sticky Rice @ Bangkok in Thailand

I still remember the mango sticky rice on my first trip to Bangkok; incredibly memorable but in the past few years, ever since the pandemic, I am a lot less impressed, even with the mango sticky rice from apparently reputable establishments.

This time round, I finally got to try the mango sticky rice from K. Panich, which opened for business in 1932, uses a recipe passed down for over 80 years, and has been a recipient of Michelin Bib Gourmand award for the past eight years!  

There were other desserts you can consider, but the limited stomach space typical of a middle aged man means I have to be super selective on my choice. And of course, going for the crowd favorite, and the most famous dish of the store.

First thing, order first, take a ticket and wait for your dessert. While there wasn't any seating behind the counter, there were chairs outside where you can indulge the dessert immediately. 

Served on a disposable plate, and looking like any other mango sticky rice served in other places, K. Panich didn't jump on the bandwagon of others by offering aesthetically colored rice, with some additional decorations like flowers to up the plating level.

Excitement as I emptied the small packet of what I assumed to be crispy cooked mung beans; an additions I don't find in Singapore, which I thought was an unassuming yet absolutely necessary complementary to mango sticky rice. 

Digging in! Sweetened warm glutinous rice with coconut milk and diced mangoes that were sufficiently juicy and sweet, without being overly fibrous. A not bad mango sticky rice on days that I am craving for one but I would have expected a lot more for a michelin bib gourmand eatery, where I might even crave to have it when I am back to Singapore.

In addition, the sprinklers I assumed to be mung beans turned out to be some bland tasting stuff with a slightly charred aroma. In all, I was quite disappointed. In fact, I would have been happier forking out a higher price for the mango sticky rice from King Power Duty Free @ Suvarnabhumi Airport.

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Address

431 433 Thanon Tanao, Khwaeng Sao Chingcha, 

Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Map

As above.

Operating Hours

7.00am till 5.00pm

Closed on Sundays. 

Pricing

Mango Sticky Rice - 140 Baht