#SundayWellSpent: Exploring the Essentials of Soi Sukhumvit 33
Phrom Phong - Asoke is the type of urban area that never sleeps. Teeming with locals and tourists of all kinds, this bustling part of Bangkok city is filled with great restaurants serving up fancy international dishes to local traditional cuisine. Furthermore, this section of the world-renowned Sukhumvit Road is home to some of the most popular after-work hangout spots for people of all styles. In this episode of #SundayWellSpent, we’ll be taking you to Soi Sukhumvit 33 or also known as “Japanese Town” to see what it’s like to spend a rest day with your friends and family in this part of town.
Let’s step down from Phrom Phong BTS Station through exit 5 and explore the 12 essential spots of Soi Sukhumvit 33 that’ll be sure to make your Sunday a #SundayWellSpent.
Passion Cafe
This colorful cafe is snuggled inside the cozy atmosphere of the Nandha Boutique Hotel located in Soi Sukhumvit 33 at intersection 5. While the indoor area leads into the hotel, the outdoor zone allows you to enjoy the serenity of the alley on a quiet Sunday. The Passion Cafe offers an all-day breakfast menu made from fresh ingredients every day as well as a selection of fine coffee and tea. Other than their signature Nitro Cold Brewed Coffee (120 THB) made especially for all the coffee-lovers, we also recommend the Matcha Lemonade Soda (125 THB), a surprisingly refreshing blend of green tea aroma, sourness of the lemon, and the sweetness of the sugar flakes on the glass rim.
Monogram Asia and Fash on Frame
Just like the Passion Cafe, Monogram Asia and Fash on Frame are also located inside the Nandha Boutique Hotel. The founders of the hotel took their interests in photography, traveling, biking, and vintage item collections and mashed them together, creating this hip hotel with a classic and vintage vibe. The interior is lined up with cool collector’s items like antique cameras, bicycles, and photography.
Monogram Asia is a community for photographers to meet and share their ideas and stories. There’s a corner dedicated for books and magazines about the craft of photography for those who might be interested in joining. Right nearby is Fash on Frame, a clothing and equipment store for cyclists. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your next biking trip including stylish cycling uniforms to cup holders for your bike from multiple brands.
Baan Nam Pik Kao Suay Na Pranakorn
Just 110 meters from the Nandha Hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 33 on intersection 5 is a traditional Thai restaurant that serves original recipes from Chantaburi. As you walk into the vicinity, you’ll be greeted with the all pleasant greenery of the outdoor garden that is lined with low wooden tables and traditional Thai-style pillows while the interior is dressed with antique Thai patterns and design complemented by a warm color tone. If you’re there with your friends or family, be sure to order the traditional Thai chili paste set or “Nam Prik” made from an ancient recipe of over 100 years old and served in hand-crafted plates and potteries. If you’re there alone, we recommend the “Chili and Salt Rice” or “Kaow Klook Prik Gleua” (180 THB), rice served with shrimps and rock lobster meat with asides seafood sauce and crab eggs chili paste.
Crema Gelato & Bombe (Crema Lab)
Just about 100 meters from Soi Sukhumvit 33 towards Soi 31, you’ll find the second branch of Crema Gelato & Bombe right under the Avora condominium. Unlike the Siam Square branch that also serves other types of sweets, this location truly focuses on making the best gelato. You can even watch the process through the looking glass while you enjoy the delightful treat. We highly recommend the Crema, a custard flavored gelato mixed with aromatic lemon zest. You can choose from three sizes including Piccolo (small) 89 THB, Medio (medium) 139 THB, Grande (large) 189 THB. If you’re the type of person who loves to customize your sweets, you can also add toppings for 20 each as well!
JKs stylish Hair Salon & Nail Spa
JKs stylish Hair Salon & Nail Spa is your one-stop shop for all things beauty and its only a 3 minutes walk from the Phrom Phong BTS station. This white and red toned beauty shop is separated into 2 zones, the Salon Lounge, and the Nail Care. The first offers hair washing and trimming services for both men and women, while the latter provides a full nail care service along with face massage, 3D eyebrow tattoos, and eyelash extension. The shop is always offering generous promotions all year, so be sure to call ahead to ask for the latest deals.
Soba Juban
This authentic Japanese restaurant at the end of Sukhumvit 33 Soi 1 run by a Japanese chef is your destination for the perfect soba noodles. Both the interior and exterior are made up of bare mortar and wood, while the walls are decorated with hundreds of colorful sake bottles. The first floor offers bar seating with the perfect view of the chef’s cooking, while the 2nd and 3rd floor houses the private dining rooms. You can find all types of Japanese menus including sashimi, yakiniku, and udon, but the variety of hot and cold soba noodles served with various toppings such as beef and tempura is the highlight of this place. We highly recommend the Seiro Inaka Soba (240 THB), cold soba noodles made from buckwheat and served with a rich soy-based dipping sauce. After you’re done, the chef will serve hot water for you to dilute the remaining soy into a bowl of soup for a warm finish to the meal.
Malaysia Hair Imports
At the end of Soi Sukhumvit 33, you’ll see a shop that stands out among others on the left-hand side. Malaysia Hair Imports offers all kinds of wigs and hair extensions where you can go in and pick the style that fits you best or simply order a custom one. All the wigs at this shop are made with real hair so you can be sure cut, curl, dry, tie, or style it any way you want just like it’s your own. They also provide Hair Pieces, Bulk Hair, Hair Wefts, and all kinds of products from the hair extension industry. If you’re interested in grabbing a fashionable wig or getting an extension, you can give them a call and they’ll be more than happy to give so some advice on the matter.
Custard Nakamura
Custard Nakamura, one of the favorite bakeries among both Thais and Japanese people, is located just 1 minute from the Phrom Phrong BTS station inside the “Japanese Town” or Soi Sukhumvit 33/1. Everything is made fresh every day, and there are over 50 menus to choose from including sandwiches, pies, croissants, danishes, puddings, mochis, cakes, eclairs, and jam rolls, at a friendly price. On every 7th of July, the bakery will celebrate “Tanabata” or Star Festival, giving the customer a chance to wish upon the stars by hanging their written wishes on the bamboo tree outside the shop from the end of June onward.
Key Books
Key Books has a total of 2 branches, which are both inside Soi Sukhumvit 33/1 located only 50 meters apart. They have all kinds of books you need, whether it is cartoons, science, self-help, sports, music, or business, with all of them starting at only 20 THB. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at one branch, you can conveniently ask the staff to check the other branch for you or simply walk down there yourself! If you’re a fan of Japanese books, your day will surely go by in a swift in a place like this.
UFM Fuji Super
If you’re one to shop for groceries on a Sunday, why not drop by one of the original Japanese supermarkets in town? Other than the imported goods from Japan we don’t often see in other supermarkets such as spices, dried food, snacks, home appliances, kitchenware, cleaning goods, and many more. Head down to the UFM Fuji Super for a few hours and you’ll be sure you get hold of some for the best Japanese produce back home.
Hair of the Dog
Hair of the Dog is a themed bar that has attracted people of all kinds to witness its marvel. The bar consists of 2 floors with the first being a craft beer bar rotating up to 13 draughts on tap and the second being a chic cocktail bar. Don’t forget to grab some of their delicious bar bites such as the Classic Canadian Poutine (220 THB), Cheesy Larb Balls (200 THB), and the Buffalo Chicken Tender (220 THB) made with homemade Buffalo sauce served with a savory blue cheese dip. Be sure to grab to Pale Ale from one of their taps while you’re at it!
Dim Dim
Dim Dim currently does not open on Sundays anymore, but our this episode on Soi Sukhumvit 33 would not be complete if we don’t talk about this trending Chinese-style bar.
Inside, you’ll find all kinds of Chinese-inspired decors such as the blinds, teapots, herbs and tea boxes, fortune sticks, and porcelains. During the daytime, Dim Dim is a café that serves quality coffee and tea, but as the clock strikes 18:00, it transforms into a stylish cocktail bar. We asked the bartender to give us a recommendation, and we were served the Club Rosella (320 THB), a Chinese-style ceramic tea glass of Roselle-infused Bombay Sapphire gin blended with Pomegranate syrup, lemon, bitters, and topped with egg white foam and dried Roselle.
Explore the hidden gems in Bangkok’s nooks and crannies next Sunday in your favorite neighborhood. Check out Siam2nite’s articles down below!
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