Vegetarian Pad Thai from Thipsamai in Gourmet Eats Food Court @ Siam Paragon [Bangkok, Thailand]

Gourmet Eats Food Court, also known as Paragon Food Hall, at Siam Paragon is no stranger to Singaporeans who love visiting the capital of Thailand, given its unbeatable location next to Siam BTS interchange station! 

I didn't visit as often in the past but now that Thipsamai has set up a branch in the food court, I found myself automatically visiting it every single time I visit Bangkok!

For this most recent trip, I went twice although for the second time; I didn't go for the original prawn pad thai as I was supposed to be off prawns, shellfish, crabs and alcohol for a month. Hence, I did something unconventional on an overseas trip; I went vegetarian and that's big for an absolute meat lover that I honestly am. 

Pager beeped in less than 10 minutes and above, people, would be the padthai siam royal (vegetarian). Visually unappetising with the noodles hidden under the bed of cabbages that didn't look well cooked. Hope the taste would be better than its appearance. 

Sadly, it doesn't. Noodles were saucy with sprinklers of spiciness, sans the irresistible shrimp aromatic sweetness from the original non-vegetarian option. Cabbages were as expected; raw tasting and the pieces of fried tofu had a touch of sourness.

If not for the small bowl of peanuts that I used to enhance the flavour, I would have deemed this simply edible, and no worth the reduction of 20 baht (less than one Singapore dollar) from the shrimp version. 

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Address

991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, 

Gourmet Eats Food Court, Siam Paragon

Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Padthai Siam Royal (Vegetarian) - 149 Baht

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

The Interesting Sections 2 and 3 of Chatuchak Weekend Market @ Bangkok in Thailand

Having been to Chatuchak Weekend Market numerous times over the past decade, I can understand why repeat tourists would purposely give it a miss as things sold were roughly about the same and there's only so much clothes and bags that one can buy. 

Today, however, I am going to talk about sections 2 and 3 of the market, as shaded red in the above Google Map of Chatuchak Weekend Market. Going there wouldn't be difficult as it's super near the exit of Kamphaeng Phet MRT station.

This Magma signboard had been there for a long time. 

Enter as per red arrow in the above photograph.

Above might be one of the many similar signs within the weekend market but just forge on as the upcoming stretch would be different from the rest of the market, despite being categorized as ceramic and silk.  

Unlike the typically hot and stuffy sheltered passages within Chatuchak, it was surprisingly airy, unsheltered while shaded with the leafy crowns of trees dotting the stretch, flanked with retail shops.

Wasn't this refreshing!? 

And it made shopping so relaxing! 

Even though I wonder if it's a smart move to cover up the roots with concrete, given that nature's strength can be much stronger, and it wouldn't be long before the concrete and tiles start to break. 

Maybe prayers might help.

I can understand the offerings for elephant statues, soft drinks and milk; however, why were there statues of horses / zebras? The explanation on AI overview on Google was actually fascinating with four key reasons; Symbol of Safe Passage, Wordplay and Symbolism,Exotic Appeal, and Auspicious Significance.

First time for both sisters! For me, it was actually my third time and I managed to chance upon this stretch because of my visit to the Pizza & Hamburger eatery at Soi 47/3! 

Just a few photographs of the shops along the stretch; some were independent brands which also mean prices are less likely to be discounted even with bargaining, although you do get some unique designs and also quality materials. 

Trust me; I almost got the above! 

Alex was so impressed with the quality of the shorts that I think he got like a dozen. That's how crazy Alex can be when he likes something. 

The above brand can be found in many shopping malls too and prices are about the same. Guess they find it important to have a stake within the biggest market in Thailand! p.s. their balm insect repellent is the best! 

I had a hard time finding the above back in May 2025 but even in Singapore now, the anti-theft handphone straps can be found everywhere, and at prices that are drop-dead cheap! 

You still get some brands that are for the tourists; like the souvenirs from 3 Brothers. My recommendation, as always, is to shop around as prices differ and some products could be cheap in one store, and expensive in another. 

Do take a breather if time permits! 

Sip a coffee, bite a croissant. 

Sections 2 and 3 of Chatuchak Weekend Market are must-visits, especially if you are repeat visitors and thought you have "seen them all". Of course, the pet sections are also recommended for pet lovers, although conditions for some shops might be quite disturbing. 

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Address

587, 10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, 

Khwaeng Chatuchak, Chatuchak, 

Bangkok 10900, Thailand