Tag: things to eat

10 Unique things to do in Bangkok Thailand

1) Visit the Abandoned Airplane Graveyard

When will you ever have a chance to explore an abandoned Boeing airplane ever in your life? Well now you get to have your chance. It is not a place where you have to secretly crawl through a fence or climb over one. It is as simple as giving 200B to the family who lives at the grounds. While 200B may seem like too much for a place that is supposedly abandoned, perhaps you can treat it as a donation to the family.

Address: 13.764812 100.652406, Khwaeng Hua Mak, Khet Bang Kapi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10240, Thailand

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2) Walk around Khlong Toey Market

If you want to get off the tourist path and experience real local life, visit Khlong Toey Market. Immerse yourself in the sights and smells and enjoy every moment of it. Besides selling the usual produce, you can also find eels, turtles, ant eggs, water bugs, silkworms and snails.

Hours: 6 am – 2pm

Address: 1 Kasem Rat Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

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3) Eat insects at Insects in the Backyard

If you are afraid to eat insects, maybe this restaurant will change your mind. Insects in the Backyard transforms your everyday insects such as ants, silkworms, bamboo worms and crickets into fine dining dishes. Every dish is carefully thought out and incorporates the insects in a tasteful way. Not only did they look creepily nice, they tasted great as well. Do not let the idea of insects scare you away from trying them.

Hours: 2pm-11pm , closed on wednesdays

Address:  Chang Chui Market – 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700

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4) See animals at the animal section of Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak market is known for being one of the world’s largest weekend markets. It is easy to get lost in rows and rows of stalls. But, if you manage to make your way to the animal section, you will be rewarded with interesting sights. Snakes, rodents, dogs, cats, tortoises, beavers, lizards, rabbits – you can find almost any animal that they think are capable of being pets.

Hours: Weekends 9 am – 6 pm

Address: Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Khwaeng Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand

5) Try to get in Sathorn Unique Tower

I have always liked going to abandoned places and after watching the show “The Promise”, I really wanted to see the tower. I read online that you could bribe the security guards to go inside but recently however, this practice has stopped. Also, some said that you could try jumping from a nearby building to get in but, I didn’t have the guts to do it. So if you are daring enough to take the plunge, you might be able to get in. If not, you’ll just be like me – admiring from the outside.

Address: 266/14-15, Soi Siam Square 3, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, 10330, Thailand

6) Take a picture at the Abandoned Train Cemetery

Follow the tracks moving north from Bang Sue Station and you will reach the cemetery. To get there, you will have to cross the train tracks and that is an adventure by itself. Make sure to look out for trains coming from either direction and make your way quickly over. Also, climb over the fence if you want to take a closer look but be careful of anyone patrolling the area.

Address:104/35 Soi Liap Thang Rotfai, Bang Sue, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand

7) Eat Goong Ten at Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin

Goong Ten literally translates to “dancing shrimps”. The name is aptly given as the shrimps will move in your mouth because you will be eating them alive. You will be scared at first but the shrimps die pretty quickly after they are taken out of the water – so don’t worry too much about them moving around too much.

Hours: 5pm – 1am , closed on mon and tue

Address: ถนน ศรีนครินทร์ Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand

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8) Feed the catfishes in the Chao Phraya River

I really don’t know how many catfishes there are in the Chao Phraya River but I think they might have an overpopulation problem. It is easy to purchase fish food at the piers and you should be able to feed them anywhere along the river.

9) Eat Wattana Panich the “oldest” soup in Bangkok

This stall is about 60 years old and they have retained their soup in the wok every single night instead of throwing it away. While this may sound strange and maybe unhygienic, it is believed by the Chinese that the longer a wok has not be washed, the tastier and more flavorful the dish will be. We have tasted their beef soup and it tastes delicious.

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm (Closed on the last Monday of every month)

Address: 336-338 Soi Ekkamai 18, Sukumvith 63 Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110

10) Visit the Slums

Khlong Toey Slums

Bang Sue Slums

Khlong Toey is one of the largest slums in the city. On the way to the train cemetery, we also discovered slum-liked settlements near Bang Sue train station,

Many of the people live illegally in these squatter settlements and most don’t own the homes they live in. In the 1950s, cheap labor was in demand and many people relocated to the capital. A rental system was established where the people moving in could settle on land at a low cost. However in the 1970s, landowners favored building condominiums and new developments and ceased to provide low housing costs. They also stopped collecting rent and without a payment system, these illegal squatter settlements continued to grow.

These people live in tin-roofed homes over polluted and stagnant water. The areas have also become more and more populated with houses being crammed right next to each other.

Do visit the slums to experience how some people can still be living in such conditions despite being in a modern and developed city like Bangkok.

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Top 9 things to do in Khao Yai Thailand

Khao Yai is often dubbed as the Switzerland of Thailand. Reasons being the cooler weather and picturesque surroundings. Here are the top 10 things to do in Khao Yai.

1) Khao Yai National Park

Go trekking in the jungles of Khao Yai national park and have an adventure you will never forget. Meet wildlife such as deer, woodlouse, leeches, monkeys and even wild elephants if you are really really lucky. Also, visit Haew Suwat Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the park. This waterfall was used in a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie “The Beach”.

Address: Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand

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2) Ban Mai Chay Nam Restaurant

This is one unique restaurant you will never forget. Besides being a restaurant, it is also a museum that has a collection of antiques, old chinaware, creepy looking dolls, old toys, figurines, statues, arcade machines etc. You can also have a go at playing the pinball machine and air hockey. Besides that, they serve delicious food. So many things to see and so many things to do!

Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Address: 21, Mittaphap Road, Tambon Pak Chong, Amphoe Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130, Thailand

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3) Mawmuek Cafe

If you love cats, you will absolutely love this place. For a small token such as buying a drink or a souvenir, you are allowed entry into the cafe. Besides playing with them, you can also purchase wet cat food to feed them. You will definitely have a great time here!

Hours: Tues – Fri 10:30am – 6pm, Sat – Sun 9:30am – 7pm, closed on Mon

Address: 146/1 ม .4 Palio Khaoyai ถนน ธนะรัชต์ Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

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4) Primo Piazza

Primo Piazza combines stunning elegant Italian architecture with the beautiful backdrop of the mountains of Khao Yai. Get a chance to interact with the sheep and alpacas in this cozy farm by feeding them pandan leaves. While the alpacas are not allowed to roam freely perhaps due to their temperament, the sheep are able to do so. Besides visiting the animals, have a great time using the architecture to take beautiful photos.

Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Address: 861 Moo 6, Thanarat Road Tambol Nong Nam Daeng Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130

5) GranMonte Vineyard and Winery

We booked a tour with GrandMonte Vineyard and it was really fun and educational. Perhaps we went in the month with the highest rainfall thus we were the only participants for the tour and we were pretty happy about it. Our guide spoke English very well and she went though the different types of wine produced and the processes they have to undertake. While wine making isn’t something that is uncommon, what makes this place so special is that they found a way to make wine in a country that does not have a climate that is thought of as being suitable for making wine. Do visit them to learn how they did it.

Address: 52 MOO 9, Payayen, Pansuk-Kudkla Street, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30320, Thailand

6) Midwinter Green

Midwinter Green is a restaurant that looks like a magical castle. You will definitely feel like a prince or princess your own fairy tale once you step foot into the restaurant. Not only is the decor absolutely stunning, the food served was really scrumptious. Get really to be swept away by this amazing restaurant.

Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Address: 10 88/88 Soi Ban Sai Thong Mu 24 Soi 2, Nong Nam Daeng, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

7) Wat Bu Pai

We initially did not plan to go here. But, on out way to Mister Mushroom, we passed by this temple and we were so impressed by the statue that we decided to stop and it was a great decision to do so. Coming here gave us a glimpse of local life. It was not a touristy destination and we did not see any other tourists. Besides visiting the beautiful temple, we walked through a local market that was right next to it. They had various amulets and trinkets, food, produce, clothes and even a blown up bouncy castle. If you want to visit a destination that is off the beaten path, make a trip here.

Address: 105 moo 5 Tambon Wang Nam Khiao, Amphoe Wang Nam Khiao, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30370, Thailand

8)Mister Mushroom

Mister Mushroom is a hidden shopping paradise in Khao Yai. There are just so many mushroom related products that you can easily spend an hour deciding what to buy back. They have spreads, snacks, tea, moisturizers and even ice cream – all made from mushrooms. Even though they do not advertise any tours, if you are interested to see how the mushrooms are grown, just ask the staff if they are available to give you a tour of the farm when you are there.

Hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Address: 155 Moo 2, Sukklao, Tambon Tha Samakkee, Wang Nam Khieo, Nakhon Ratchasima 30370

9) The Chocolate Factory

The Chocolate Factory is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Not only can you buy chocolate products and eat chocolate cakes, you can even dine in their restaurant which serves an array of western and Thai cuisine.

Hours: Mondays – Thurs 9:30 am – 9 pm, Fri – Sun 9:30 am – 10 pm

Address: Pak Chong, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

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Top 10 things to do in Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru

Image Credit: paradigmmall

Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, the largest regional mall in Johor Bahru, has been open for almost a year now and it has never stopped providing avenues for entertainment. It is located at the heart of the Skudai district just about 15.5km from woodlands checkpoint. There are over 500 outlets in the mall and here are the top 10 things you can do in Paradigm Mall.

1) Watch a movie at Golden Screen Cinemas Lot 01&02, Level 7

With 16 halls and a seating capacity of 2107, it is the largest cinema in Johor Bahru. It also is the first cinema to provide 4DX. 4DX employs the use of motion enabled chairs which create strong vibrations and sensations as well as environmental controls for simulation of weather conditions such as lighting, rain, fog and even strong scents.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience at Golden Screen Cinemas!

2) Rock climbing at Camp 5 Lot 08, Level 7

We had never thought about learning rock climbing till we came to paradigm mall; we would always pass by the place on the way to the cinema. However, one day, I just decided hey why don’t we try rock climbing? A quick search on the internet brought me to their website and I found out that in order to rock climb, we had to have at least a certificate in basic wall climbing – we went for the course. At first I was really really scared of falling down but the instructor was very patient and after a while I started to get used to the feeling of being high up. Now that we are more confident, we try to go rock climbing every alternate week!

Visit their website for more info.

https://camp5.com/paradigm-about.php

3) Ice Skating at Blue Ice Skating Rink Lot 30, Level 3

This was only our second time trying the ice skate and the last time we tried ice skating was probably almost 10 years ago. Entry into the ring is 25 Rm, you will need to have a pair of socks and gloves as well, if u don’t, it will be 5 Rm each. Rental of lockers is 2 Rm.

When I first stepped into the ice ring, it was really slippery and I gave up almost instantly. You see the blue seal that we’re holding on? I got it after a mere few seconds. It was really expensive though at 30 Rm per hour, but it helped me tremendously. At first, I thought the seal was just for children, but adults are welcome to use it as well. With the seal, I was able to experience what it was like to be on the ice and it later gave me more confidence to move around without it!

At 25 Rm for unlimited hours, it is a real bargain. I hope you will try it too!

https://www.facebook.com/blueiceskatingrink/

4) Fast Food!

1) Wendys

Lot 45C&45D, Level 4

My favorite fast food restaurant has always been MacDonalds but after trying Wendys, it has changed. The burger was absolutely delicious, extremely juicy and cheesy. The fries were salty and not too oily and the root beer float was really yummy. I am definitely going to eat Wendys again!

2) Liang Sandwich Bar

Lot K13D, Level G

If you are a Singaporean like me, you would know that this Jay Chou-endorsed food chain sells their Taiwanese pancakes between Sgd 2:50-5-50 at VivoCity. But if you head over to Malaysia, the pancakes only cost Rm 3:90 – 9:90.

The pancakes taste like flakier roti pratas and are extremely delicious. I’ve tried a few flavours and so far everything is great. The seasoning is on point and the amount of filling to pancake ratio is perfect.

With the pancakes being a lot more affordable at paradigm mall, you can eat not just one but even three or more pancakes!

5) Restaurants

1) Awa Mee Bar Lot 23A & 25, Level 4

While we’ve been to paradigm mall quite a few times and have always walked past this restaurant, we only decided to try it recently. And boy did we regret not trying it earlier. The noodles were springy and chewy and it tasted so sinful like we were eating instant noodles. The fried enoki mushrooms provided the extra texture that complimented the dish well. Also, with every bowl of noodles, a bowl of soup comes with it. You can choose different soup bases such as seafood or pork and you can either choose either a preset option or add more ingredients into it. You’ve got to try it when you’re there!

2) Kurotomon Hakata Ramen

Lot 33A, Level 4

Second on the list is Kurotomon Hakata Ramen. The broth was thick and salty. The charred pork meat was really fatty and super delicious. And lastly the noodles were cooked perfectly. I really loved the ramen here!

6) Arcade

Main Planet – Lot 09 &10, Level 7, Fun Scape – Lot 63 & 63A, Level 4

There are quite a number of mini arcades there where you can engage with a claw machine, play virtual simulation games and your usual arcade games. I personally like to try my luck at playing the claw machines. Prices for tokens are quite reasonable starting at 10 Rm for 11 tokens. With the claw machines, I know that if you target the toys that are smaller, the chances of you getting them are way higher. And I’m proud to say that on one of my lucky days, I managed to catch 3 of them with just 11 tokens.

7) Shop till you drop at New Market

This shop sells almost everything you need at very affordable prices. You can find whatever you will need in a kitchen, bags, wallets, clothes, gadgets, toys, makeup, jewelry, ornamental pieces, household decorative items etc. You can spend an hour easily just shopping at this shop alone.

8) Get a Massage

Thai Odyssey – Lot 62, Level 3, Rest N Go – At various places

Pamper yourself to either a massage from a human or a chair!

9) Get your groceries Lot 29, Level G

The village Grocer is a relatively big supermarket where you can find almost everything. While prices are not exactly on the cheap side, it makes it up for quality and selection.

10) Shop at familiar shops

If you’re worried that you can’t find shops that you can find in Singapore. Don’t worry, they have plenty. A few notable ones are Harvey Norman, Typo, Watsons, Guardian, Nichii, Toys R Us, Popular, H&M, City Chain, Osim etc.

So here it is, the top 10 things to do in Paradigm Mall. You can easily spend a day here and can even revisit the mall without ever getting bored of it!

Hours: 10am – 10pm

Website: http://www.paradigmmall.com.my/jb/default.aspx

Address: Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru

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Dancing Shrimps “Goong Ten” in Bangkok

I always had a penchant for trying weird foods and on my wish list was Goong ten. Goong ten (กุ้งเต้น) is a Thai dish that literally translates to dancing shrimps.

Although Goong Ten is a street dish that is normally sold by hawkers, it proved to be very difficult to find in Bangkok! And interestingly enough, instead of finding it on the streets, I found it sold at a stall in Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin.

It was interesting to find a group of youngsters selling Goong Ten together, I always had the idea that it would be sold by the older generations.

Look at all the shrimps swimming around. I felt a little bad at that time for the shrimps, they were going to be eaten alive – by me!

If I were a shrimp, I wouldn’t be very happy right now! I’m going to guess from this video what the recipe is and what the ingredients are but if you would like a proper recipe for Goong Ten, please search the internet.

Here it goes!

1) Scoop the shrimp out of the tank and place it into a mixing bowl.

2) Add lime

3) Add fish sauce

4) Add chilli flakes

5) Add peanuts

6) Add salt and pepper

7) Add cilantro, mint leaves and red onions

8) Mix well

Now for the taste test! Eating the shrimps was really hard at first, they kept jumping around and some actually jumped out of the bowl. I was really scared to eat them as I thought their hard shells would poke my mouth. I wanted to get through the first bite fast, so that involved chewing quickly and killing the prawns fast. Surprisingly, the prawns were very soft and easy to chew and they did not jump inside my mouth. The sauce was sour and spicy and eating the prawns with the cilantro and mint leaves was really refreshing. After the first bite, subsequent bites became really easy, the prawns were also losing their vigor and only the strongest were still alive. This was a unique experience and I would definitely try it again. I urge you to try it too!

If you are having a hard time searching for Goong Ten, head over to Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin.

Hours: 5pm – 1am , closed on mon and tue

Address: ถนน ศรีนครินทร์ Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand

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Hokkaido-ya @ Vivocity

Hokkaido-ya is managed and owned by  Japanese restaurant chain, Sushi Tei. The restaurant serves Hokkaido-inspired dishes mainly in three categories : donmono, noodles and salad. 

What makes this restaurant unique is the use of a kiosk to order and pay for food. While this method is not something new, it is not yet common in Singapore. The menu was categorized nicely, instructions given were clear and easy to follow and payment was brisk. It was easy for us to use but there were two older ladies roughly in their 50s or 60s who asked us for help. Maybe it would be helpful if a staff member could be on standby to help those who need it.

Aburi salmon mentai don – $10.99

We loved the generous use of mentaiko sauce in this dish with lightly grilled salmon and the pieces of cucumber provided a good contrast by providing a refreshing bite.

Aburi mentai bara chirashi don – $14.90

Same with the dish above, they were generou with the mentaiko sauce. I was impressed by the use of texture with the addition of tempura bits. The prawn and salmon tasted very fresh and the egg was light and fluffy.

We loved the decor of the place. The food was affordable given the quality. However, we just wished that the portions were bigger!! Perhaps, they could give options of small, medium or large sizes, we wouldn’t mind paying more to get more food.

If you’re passing through Vivocity, do stop by Hokkaido-ya! Have a go at ordering food from a machine!

Hours: 11:30am – 10pm

Website: https://www.facebook.com/hokkaidoyasg/

Contact: 6376 8387

Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-153 VivoCity, Singapore 098585

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Affordable Dim Sum At Chok Dee Dim Sum Hatyai

It all begins with choosing your dim sum! With so many choices to choose from, you won’t have to worry about not getting your fill. 

The prawn crystal dumplings had a chewy skin filled with fresh juicy prawns. The siew mai had a good skin to filling ratio and the meat was cooked to perfection. The chicken feet were seasoned well with a good amount of ginger and dried chili which gives it that little extra kick. And, if you notice, we had three dishes with salted egg yolks in them as we absolutely loved any dim sum that had them. Yummy!

Besides being famous for dim sum, bak ku teh is a must try and it is the signature dish of this restaurant. When we got there, every table had ordered bak ku teh along with dim sum. The soup tasted strongly of herbs and it had a good amount of pork, beancurd skin and enoki mushrooms. It was really delicious.

Lastly, it was time for dessert. But because we were already so full from what we ate, we decided to share one custard bao. We quickly realized how awesome this bao was. The custard was a salty and sweet golden liquid that kept oozing out. One bite of the bao and we knew one wasn’t enough. So, don’t be like us, get one or two custard baos per person at least!

Visit Chok Dee Dim Sum if you want to eat dim sum. Visit Chok Dee Dim Sum if you want to have Bak Ku Teh. Visit Chok Dee Dim Sum if you want to have breakfast, lunch, dinner or even supper. Just Visit Chok Dee dim Sum!

Hours: 6am – 12pm, 5 pm – 10 pm

Address: 58 25 ซอย ละม้ายสงเคราะห์ 1 ตำบล หาดใหญ่ Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand

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Fine dining Bangkok restaurant “Insects in the Backyard” takes eating insects to a whole new level!

As the world’s population grows and food resources decrease, the need to make food production more efficient and the reduction of food waste has never been more evident. A solution to this? Insects!

However, many of us would cringe at the thought of putting an insect into our mouths. Well, I guess it is for obvious reasons. I would assume images like these would come into our head.

But what if I told you these insects could be transformed and integrated seamlessly with our everyday food? Eating insects has never been easier. 

Welcome to fine dining restaurant Insects in the Backyard.

Walking into the restaurant was simply magical. The décor is extremely fitting to the theme of the restaurant.  Wooden furniture,  taxidermized animals and a lush garden outside makes one feel like they have been transported right into a forest. 

The menu presented an array of food. There were dishes that had insects and they were dishes that didn’t.  But of course, we came here for the insects!  

Drinks –   Insects Mhai Thai 

A fruity cocktail with bamboo worms, ant pupae floating on an island made up from the top of a green apple.  The ant pupae was juicy and it was interesting to see that some of the ants were more developed than the others. It was quite strange to see the ants staring back at you as we ate it but we overcame that fear pretty quickly. The bamboo worms were seasoned well and even though some of them fell into the drink, they still maintained their crispiness. This was one of the most unique cocktails we have ever drank. A definite must if you go.

Dish 1 – Fresh house made cricket pasta with black pesto and chorizo

We were really impressed by the use of crickets to make the pasta. The texture was a little chewier than pasta we were used to eating but other than that there was no way we could tell that this pasta was make of crickets if no one had told us. The silkworms were seasoned with salt and had a nutty taste to it. The pasta coupled with the nuttiness of the silkworms and the saltiness of the chorizo all complemented each other well and this was a very successful dish.

Dish 2 – Grilled sea bass with ant ‘caviar’ beurree blanc sauce and blacked corn salsa

The sea bass was cooked to perfection, the skin was crispy and the meat was light and silky. The insects in this dish were incorporated more as a garnish unlike the previous pasta dish were the insects were infused into the dish. What made this dish interesting was the used of the ant eggs in two ways – fried and as is (we were not sure how it was prepared, it could have been steamed or boiled or perhaps nothing was done). The fried version was very crispy perhaps similar to small crispy potato chips? The other version was very juicy, as you bite down on the eggs, the juice would squirt in your mouth – it was pretty satisfying to pop them. All in all, it was a really delicious dish.

For dessert, we had initially wanted to try their tiramisu made with silkworm powder as the use of insects had a bigger role in the dish. Unfortunately that wasn’t on the menu that day and they recommended cheesecake with silkworms instead. The cheesecake had a good creamy texture to it that was almost had a ‘melt in you mouth’ sensation. The silkworms were glazed in honey and the combination of their nuttiness and the sweetness proved to be very yummy. A great way to finish of our meal.

We wished we could try more dishes at Insects in the Backyard. It was truly a remarkable experience. While I am no stranger to eating insects in the past, this restaurant has transformed the way I thought insects could be prepared. If you are visiting Bangkok, do visit Insects in the Backyard, it will definitely be a meal you will never forget!

Hours: 2pm-11pm , closed on Wednesdays

Website: http://insectsinthebackyard.com/index.html

Address: Chang Chui Market – 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700

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