Page 14 - Masala Lite Issue 155 November 2023

14 MUNCHING

The Siam Tea Room, at

Asiatique the Riverfront,
showcases rich traditional
Thai cuisine.

BY MAHMOOD HOSSAIN

aking a trip riverside requires a special occasion
or an invitation for this particular city dweller.
I’ve always felt like I’ve ventured outside the borders of
Bangkok and into the bosom of bliss and tranquillity.
To experience this sense of calm near the legendary
Chao Phraya River, it’s always a wise choice to visit
the riverfront in the early afternoon. And when you
have a unique establishment such as the Asiatique the
Riverfront branch of The Siam Tea Room as an option,
you’re closer to a day of splendour than you think.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Opened in April of this year, The Siam
Tea Room’s Asiatique the Riverfront
branch is an amalgamation of a
restaurant, bakery, and café that is
built on the rich culinary traditions
of Thailand. At first glance, The Siam Equally simple, yet a refreshingly palette-cleansing dish, was Grandma’s
Tea Room is reminiscent of a high- recipe of spicy and sour pomelo salad (THB 378), consisting of mango,
end suburban home, with traditional fluffy fried sepat fish, sweet pork, and orange zest. It was the perfect
architectural foundations and pillars transition into our next item, the Stir-fried soft-shell crab (THB 468)
complemented by framed windows accompanied by onions, celery, and egg curry sauce. This became an
and glass walls. The furnishing only ideal soft serve for a dish that provided a much-needed kick to the
drives that point further, delivering tastebuds. The Tom yum goong seafood with spicy chili paste (THB
the comfort and familiarity of a loved 388) was of high quality, and nailed the standard that we all expect
one’s house with its indoor and al with this Thai staple.
fresco seating areas, a private dining
room, and a wonderful view of the We ended our visit to The Siam Tea Room with the sinfully-sweet
river. Pandan custard French toast with coconut (THB 210). It looked
intimidating at first, especially when my colleague and I unabashedly stuffed down
In a line of vibrant riverside settings, this restaurant is an elegant two-story wooden several dishes prior to our bite of this dessert, but it became the perfect finishing
house that provides a warmly-welcoming and slower-paced dining experience. Whether touch to a splendid afternoon meal. We kept going back for more, even though we
you decide to take a seat inside or outside, the ambience remains the same: come were bursting at the seams.
hither and let the water wash away your worries, and feel the breeze caress you into
a lull while you indulge in the finer things in life.
MASALA RECOMMENDS

FOOD AND DRINKS It may be an obvious choice but
the BBQ pork ribs (THB 488), made
of free-range pork and tamarind
Led by Chef Aunkool ‘Aony’ Poolpipat and his talented team of Thai chefs, the glaze with ground roasted rice, was
menu at The Siam Tea Room has been created from traditional Thai cuisine; these as delicious as it looked. The meat
are recipes that were passed down from Chef Aony’s grandmother. The menu is a slid right off the bone and was
genuine homage to the Kingdom’s rich culinary heritage and the magicians in the tender to the bite. The ingredients,
kitchen take pride in working closely with local farmers to provide ingredients that preparation, plating, and cooking
are fresh and sustainably produced. There is no doubt that each dish is authentically were absolutely perfect. In a menu
Thai. However, the menu seems to cater to a wider audience; perfect for those who with an abundance of seafood and
would rather opt out of dishes that may be deemed too spicy or too much of an veggie options, this had a slight edge,
acquired taste. So, if you are seeking something on the sweeter or lighter side, this and made it to the top of our list.
might just be the ideal place for a fulfilling Thai meal.

My colleague and I were eager to try the mouth-watering series of dishes, starting SIAM TEA ROOM, ASIATIQUE
with the restaurant’s take on the classic Khao soi (THB 548). With Northern yellow Asiatique The Riverfront VIEW VIDEO
curry, egg noodles, and soft-shell crab, a bowl of khao soi can bring both a warm 2194 Charoen Krung Road Wat Phraya Krai,
beginning and a sweet ending to a meal. Fortunately, this was only the start of our Bang Kho Laem Bangkok 10120
culinary journey at The Siam Tea Room, as we strolled into a meatier dish with the
Masaman curry (THB 668), a rich and flavourful blend of braised beef cheek, crushed Open daily from 12pm to 12am
peanuts, lotus seeds, and potato dumplings. Vegetarians, worry not, as there was Tel: 02 059 5999
an all-veg option in the form of their Green curry (THB 248), with eggplant and tofu, Instagram and Facebook:
which came close to stealing the show because of its balance of flavours and easily- @thesiamtearoom
digestible bites. www.thesiamtearoom.com/
asiatique-branch
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