Third Time's A Charm in The Big Mango

Our third time in Bangkok feels familiar to our last, spending lots of time with my childhood best friend Chanel and her husband Ferran, hopping from one incredible food spot to another. It was a short trip - we spent no more than 72 hours on ground - but it’s does feel like we spent a lot more time; we’re just country people that gets overwhelmed with all the noise, traffic, and pollution. But with that, comes a city full of incredible food, art, spas, and even a newly thriving weed culture: something that is more similar to the coffee shop culture in Amsterdam rather than the luxury shops in the west coast of US.

The first thing we did upon arrival is visit Hua Seng Heng (https://www.huasengheng.com), one of the best vendors for 23k gold on Yaowarat road. When I looked up Hua Seng Heng, I didn't realize that it was the same gold shop we went to in 2017 to buy my very first 23k gold chain -- I only realized that upon standing in line and feeling the familiar vibes in the store. Once I was finally first in line, I felt butterflies as I rushed my eyes through all the jewelry they had. It's intense, you know, trying to decide what to buy in a wholesale environment where you speak not a word of the language. Thanks Google Translate. 

After retrieving our gold souvenirs, we traversed Talat Noi, an artsy cute neighborhood that is now the new up and coming boho-chic spot. I found a vendor that I immediately wanted to add to the Studio Tanah lineup. We visited Mother Roaster (https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/168989017009169/mother-roaster/) and had Calamansi Espresso, which is probably the most unique coffee drink I had in 2024. 

As a treat, we went to Mandarin Oriental and enjoyed their fancy spa treatment. They took us across the river to their separate spa buildings where everything was adorned in natural wood. The masseuse was truly some of the best in the world - their movements flowed with what our bodies needed. It was worth the price, as I cannot even fathom how much that treatment would have costed us in the United States. 

We had dinner at Cento Bangkok, a fantastic Italian spot that our friend Ferran happens to be the head chef. It was dark, romantic, and everything was perfectly cooked. The vibe was luxurious yet unpretentious. The dishes were simple yet had simple flairs - Italian and Bangkok style. We drank wine from Mt. Etna's Nerello Mascalese, which we haven't had since our stint in Sicily. It was divine. 

We had Mango Sticky Rice cocktails at the Bamboo Bar in Mandarin Oriental, where my best friend Chanel curated and created all of the drinks. I'm not much of an alcohol consumer but I can say that this tasted like a luxury dessert. It was all experienced behind lovely live jazz music in a speakeasy-themed bar. 

The next day, Chanel and Ferran joined us for a day of fun. We ate traditional Thai seafood at Ann Tha Din Daeng (https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/bangkok-region/bangkok/restaurant/ann-tha-din-daeng), which was packed with locals in a familiar small shop environment. We had crab, shrimp, fish, I can't quite recall it all, but it was fantastic.

I then got a Sank Yant Tattoo at All Day Tattoo. The lines are so thin that everyone who sees my tattoo today couldn't believe it's real. My tattoo artist wasn't all that instagram famous, nor did he speak English, but the quality of the tattoo I got is unbelievably good. I would HIGHLY recommend this spot if you've thought of getting a Sak Yant tattoo, and don't mind that it isn't performed by a Buddhist monks (Ajarns) using a bamboo stick. This is the good ol' tattoo gun method by a modern Bangkok person. 

We then had dinner at Charm Krung (https://www.instagram.com/charmkrung/?hl=en), the hip spot in Bangkok where all the foodies have to eat. Elavated Thai Food is how I'd describe it. It was modern, funky, and filled with cool young people looking for the best spot in Bangkok to eat. Unsurprisingly, it was a hard place to snatch a reservation - but thanks to my food & Bev besties it didn't become a problem at all.

Finally, we ended up in Opium, a beautiful bar on top of Potong, a Michelin starred establishment that is well known in the industry. I want to come back and eat at Potong next time I come because the place is just so uniquely designed being an old apothecary. Of course, Opium, being an extension of Potong, is a luxurious speakeasy serving high-end cocktails in a luxurious setting. 

Before we leave the next day, we gorge at the charming Frans, seated in their garden outside, where they served me a giant slice of bacon on top of buttery egg and sourdough. As I eat mostly plant-based I have never felt so satisfied about eating so much bacon. It was just beautifully presented and it tasted equally as good. I can't say that this is a local dish by any means, but the presentation of it made it very, very Bangkok. 

Between shopping, eating, and getting tattooed, I think our third time in the Big Mango is starting to make me feel like I'm a solid regular of this city. I can't wait to visit my bestie again.