Hold The Fries: 5 Bar Bites That You Must Try in Bangkok!
Every time you find yourself having a good night with your friends at a bar, it’s almost inevitable to order a few light bites for everyone to snack on through the night. Some say it’s because they get hungry for staying up later than usual, while others just love how the food compliments their favorite drinks.
When it comes to bar foods, what often comes to mind are the same old menus like french fries, sandwiches, and fried chicken, nothing special. We forgive them because we feel that we cannot expect to be treated with good food at a bar when most of these places have to focus on providing us with a variety of tasty beverages. The truth is, there are actually quite a number of bars that got creative with their food menu, adding creative twists to ordinary dishes we see every day. We know that good drinks and great company is enough for a good night out, but awesome food can also make things merrier as well.
Here we have created a list of 5 must-try bar bites from 5 bars in Bangkok that we think everyone should get their hands on at least once. After reading this article, be sure to head over to the one nearest to you and try it out for yourself!
Crab and Crab Roe Rolls at Nineteens Up
Kicking things off with the Crab and Crab Roe Rolls (6 for 195 THB) from Nineteens Up located inside the Baan Silom complex next to Soi Silom 19. This homemade dish is made from Tofu skin stuffed with a generous serving of crab meat and crab roe that are shipped in all the way from one of the best sources in Surat Thani province. The filling is then mixed with a touch of ground pork and deep-fried until golden brown, then served with a special sweet and sour Plum sauce that goes perfectly well with the savory rolls. While you crack the rolls open and wait for it to cool down a bit, be sure to order a pint of ice-cold craft beer to enjoy with the dish. If you can’t make it to the place, you can order these rolls online through a mobile application to enjoy at home as well!
Keeping things rolling with the ocean theme, the Fried Seafood (420 THB) offers a mixture of perfectly battered and fried fish, crab, shrimps, and squid served with crispy fries and tartar sauce that is definitely worth every penny. A classic like the Salt and Pepper Calamari (190 THB) and its side of wasabi mayonnaise is also great for sharing with your friends.
Cubano Sandwich at Havana Social
Havana Social in Soi Sukhumvit 11 takes you back in time to Cuba in the 1950’s with unique interior design and concept. It only fits for them to serve authentic Cuban favorites such as the Cubano Sandwich (280 THB) that features well-marinated pulled pork, top-quality Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard all layered between a perfectly toasted baguette. The sandwich comes wrapped up in the newspaper with Spanish headlines and is served alongside ketchup, mayonnaise, and hot sauce. Add a glass of wine or cocktail to this, and you’ll completely become immersed in the full Cuban bar experience.
There’s only two other light bites other than the Cubano Sandwich served here, the Beef Empanada (120 THB) and the Spinach Empanada (120 THB). These savory stuffed pastries filled with either beef stew or spinach will surely fill you and your friends up if the Cubano Sandwich just isn’t enough.
Cheese Nachos with Ground Beef at Ekamai Beer House
If you’re hankering for Mexican food and a pint of ice-cold beer, then Ekkamai Beer House is the place you’d want to be. The Cheese Nachos with Ground Beef (295 THB) here are made with fresh tortilla baked to the perfect temperature with cheese. The nachos are beautifully topped with salsa, sour cream, jalapenos, seasoned ground beef, and guacamole made in-house from the owner’s special recipe. The savoriness of the beef and cheese perfectly compliments the tanginess of the salsa and guacamole, creating uniquely balanced flavor, unlike any other places. Order this with a pint of your favorite draft beer and you’be got yourself a good night.
If you’re not a beef person, there also other options for you to pair up with the chips and cheesy goodness such as Bacon (295 THB), Pork, and Chicken (265 THB). If you’ve still got some room leftover, try out the Vegetable Spring Rolls (170 THB) and Cheesy Hash Browns (120 THB). Now that’s just for starters, and the beer house also has a variety of main dishes like burgers, pasta, Thai food, steaks, and pizzas that are all worth exploring.
Buffalo Chicken Tender at Hair of the Dog (Phrom Phong)
Craft beer bars are always worth exploring, but Hair of the Dog serves up more than just a rotation of rare and exciting brews. The bar uses high-quality gourmet chicken breasts for its Buffalo Chicken Tenders (5 for 220 THB) that a perfectly battered and deep-fried until golden brown. The crispy tenders are then tossed in a homemade Buffalo sauce to give every bite the ideal tang. If you can’t handle the heat, the tenders are served with a side of blue cheese sauce if you want to switch things up. Be sure try it with a pint of Pale Ale or IPA from the bar for the best experience.
Another interesting item made from the kitchen’s special recipe is the Cheesy Larb Balls (200 THB) that features a unique blend of spicy Thai-style pork balls, creamy cheese fillings, and a side of refreshing coleslaw. You can also go for the Classic Canadian Poutine (220 THB), cheesy golden fries topped with a generous portion of luscious gravy.
Mini Empanada Platter at Above Eleven
Other than being a rooftop bar at the heart of Sukhumvit with an exquisite atmosphere and stunning city views, Above Eleven has also always been known for serving up excellent Peruvian-Japanese cuisine. One of the items that we highly recommend is the Mini Empanada Platter (6 for 300 THB), savory stuffed pastries that feature beef stew, spicy creamed chicken, and spinach for fillings. The empanadas are topped with a touch of sugar and served alongside Peruvian sauces, perfect for sharing and best experienced with a side of Peruvian-Japanese inspired cocktail and the phenomenal Bangkok evening skyline.
Other dishes that are definitely worth a try include the Causas King Crab (900 THB), Peruvian seasoned mashed potatoes with Alaskan king crab and Japanese spice blend, and the Tuna Tartare Tacos (590 THB), lightly-seasoned yellowtail tuna and avocados served in hard taco shells. As Above Eleven has claimed to be the first Peruvian-Japanese dining in South East Asia, don’t be afraid to treat your taste buds with all the other amazing ‘Nikkei’ cuisine on the menu as well!