#SundayWellSpent Exploring the Essentials of Soi Sukhumvit 49
Bangkok has officially entered the rainy season, and the weather has become nothing but unpredictable. Don’t be fooled by the warm afternoon sun, because it can turn into a heavy evening shower at any moment. Nevertheless, just a little bit of drizzle shouldn't keep you snuggled up in your bedroom during the weekends. Just put on your waterproof shoes, grab your umbrella, and you’re good to head out and explore Bangkok city like you always do.
In this edition of #SundayWellSpent we’re going to take you to another downtown area where the people never really sleeps. Soi Sukhumvit 49 lies within the Thonglor-Phrom Phong area most of us are familiar with due to its bustling nightlife and cluster of towering shopping centers. The alley itself, however, is quite lengthy and consists of many smaller alleys within its system. This makes it the perfect location for all the restaurants, cafes, and recreation that you can enjoy all day long.
Our list of 11 essentials includes everything from an antique shop all the way to a Japanese “Onsen” spa. Pick up on a few of them first, because if you were to enjoy every one of them fully, it’d definitely take more than a day to experience.
Broccoli Revolution
Right at the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 49 from Sukhumvit Road, you’ll find an industrial-looking restaurant decorated with green colored wood and plants. They’re called Broccoli Revolution, one of the most popular vegetarian spot in Bangkok, and they’re all about health and sustainability. Start your Sunday right with a variety of health-conscious breakfast and brunch items made from fresh fruits and vegetables. The restaurant offers a substantial meat-free menu of Mediterranean, Western, and Southeast Asian fare, as well as a substitute to those juicy burgers that meat-lovers often can’t resist. The Broccoli Quinoa Burger made with a cranberry charcoal bun, a broccoli quinoa patty, and mango tomato salsa is definitely one of our favorites. Also, be sure to test out their drinks menu of cold-pressed juices, organic tea, and fruity smoothies while going green with their arsenal of reusable straws made from glass, bamboo, and metal.
Kashikiri Onsen and Spa
An “Onsen”, or Japanese hot spring, is all about relaxing the mind and body from all the stress we build up on a daily basis. At Kashikiri Onsen and Spa on Soi Sukhumvit 49, you’ll find a traditional Japanese spa experience among the peaceful natural ambiance. There are multiple types of rooms where you can use by yourself, with friends, or with your partner and all kinds of spa packages that include facial treatment, massage, body scrub, body mask, and minutes in the Onsen itself. Regular prices range between 550 - 2,900 THB, but keep an eye out on their monthly promotions for a special deal that might have you drop by this coming weekend.
Peace Oriental Teahouse
If we were to talk about a traditional tea house that truly focuses on the ancient art of tea making, then Peace Oriental Teahouse would be on top of the list. Their mission is simple, to make the sophisticated tea culture accessible for everyone to experience and understand. The interior is decorated just like a Japanese tea house, with minimal wooden furniture, clean white surfaces, and all the tea making equipment and products at the far back. The seating is separated into 3 zones, the counter bar, the elevated floor, or the counter facing out the window. You can choose from over 10 different types of tea including Sencha, Genmaicha, Houjicha, Matcha, and Gyokuro that all differ in origin and preparation procedure. We tried out the iced Pastel Matcha (140 THB) and we can say that it’s aroma and richness is on a whole different level. There’s also many other non-tea beverages and sweets like the homemade ice cream Matcha Extremist (240 THB) that you must also try.
D'ARK by Phillip Di Bella
Many of us are familiar with the name D'ARK by Phillip Di Bella from its Emquartier branch but don’t be tempted to count them off as juts other cafes in the city just yet. This original location in the Piman 49 complex offers an unparalleled experience for any occasion with its unique blend of gourmet gastronomy, comfort food, and artisan coffee. The simple interior design features spacious high ceilings, luxurious white color tone, and all sorts of seating selections including a cozy sofa corner on the 2nd floor overlooking the main cafe area. D'ARK offers an irresistible selection of coffee blends all created by renowned Australian coffee roaster Phillip Di Bella. Whether its a cup of Cappucino or Flat White you’re after, you can be sure that you’ll be getting that rich and smooth flavor from the best bean sources in the world such as Nicaragua, Cuba, and India. The food menu consists of everyday favorites like salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, steaks that will keep you happy during both lunch and dinner hours. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can satisfy those cravings with a nice portion of cheesecake, chocolate lava cake, pudding, or ice cream.
The Hive
Some of us like to spend our Sundays catching up on work or school to be prepared for the upcoming Monday, and that’s co-working spaces are often packed during the weekends. Whether you’re looking for a simple work desk, a private office, a private meeting room, or just a quiet place to work, The Hive has it all for you. Other than the standard office amenities, the massive 5-story building located in the Piman 49 complex also comes equipped with a lounge, a rooftop garden, a cafe, and a spa. The Hive also provides it space for all kinds of social events and workshops such as rooftop yoga, Paint & Wine, free movie screenings, Beats & Brew, and business talks from guest speakers of multiple professions. If you’re interested, head over to their website to explore a number of membership options and pick one that suits your lifestyle most.
Paintbar Bangkok
If you’ve always dreamt of being a painter, then you can now make that dream come true at Paintbar Bangkok on the 6th floor of the Piman 49 complex. Simply visit their website or Facebook page and choose the picture you want to paint from their online calendar. You'll find the available dates along with the sample picture, just find the combination that works for you and contact them through Facebook, telephone, or email. A class goes for 799 THB, inclusive of equipment like the canvas, paint, and apron. In class, you'll have about 2-3 hours to create your masterpiece with the help of the friendly instructors and your peers. You can also grab a glass of beer, wine, or cocktail from the bar if you need help turning on that artistic mode. If things start to get a little too serious, don't forget to order some snacks from the kitchen to chow on during your break!
Golden Tortoise
Just about 140 meters from D'ARK is an inviting furniture and antique gallery worth exploring. Most of the items on display originate from Asian countries likes Korea, Japan, and China and can be dated as far back as the 1900s. All of them have either been renovated or remade to be more modern and fitting with the everyday uses of today. You can basically spend hours sifting through the gallery to admire that beauty of it all. If you're interested, you can also order your own personalized furniture. Golden Tortoise specializes in using materials like wood and yellow gold, and methods like casting and sculpting.
Poteri Clay Workshop
Hiding on the 2nd floor of the popular sports club in Soi Sukhumvit 49/9 like The Racquet Club is a pottery studio that will teach you all you need to know about sculpting ceramics and clay potteries. No matter if you're an elderly person or a small child, the classes taught here are good for all types of people to enjoy. You'll learn the 4 essential techniques in pottery that includes Coiling, Pinching, Slabbing, and Wheelthrowing taught by well-trained ceramic professionals. A course will set you back around 9,000 - 45,900 THB, but the experience you'll get, the friends you'll make, and the one-of-a-kind pottery you'll get to take home just makes everything all worth it.
Dog Park 49
Dog Park 49 is a full-on community for dog lovers and their beloved four-legged buddies. Inside, you'll find a shaded lawn to run around, swimming pools for dogs of all sizes, a shower room for both the dog and their owners, an air-conditioned nap room, treadmills, grooming services, and even a dog hotel. Hygiene and security are the top priorities of this place, that is why the complex and its services and rules had been specially designed to reflect these values. There's also a cafe & restaurant called Hungry Pack that is connected to the lawn where you can take a break and have a nice meal while watching your dog having a good time with its new friends.
The Hass Bistro
Just 40 meters from the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 49 is a cafe made especially for lovers of avocado. At The Hass Bistro, you'll notice that every menu item is made with Hass avocados, including burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and salads as well as dessert items like cheesecakes, waffles, and pancakes. The 2-story restaurant is designed with a warm color tone that is easy on the eye and decorated with a variety of plants that give off a natural vibe all around. At the corner, you'll find a huge fruit bar by Hippie Gori Cafe that'll serve up all kinds of juices and fruit tea as well as fresh fruits for everyone to enjoy.
Pizza Massilia
Right next to The Hass Bistro you'll find a blue pizza parlor decorated in a distinguished contemporary Baroque style. This is the 2nd branch of the popular Pizza Massilia (1st branch in Soi Ruamrudee) has opened since mid-2017 and had been serving only traditional Italian cuisine made from quality ingredients imported from Italy and France since. Inside, you'll find an open kitchen equipped with a noticeable yellow-colored firewood oven that gives the pizzas here its signature aroma. Other than the outdoor garden seating, the seats inside are partitioned into two zones, one a little more private with 1-2 seats per table and the other made for large crowds up to 8-12 people. If you can make it all the way to Soi Sukhumvit 49, the restaurant also offers an all-day delivery service.
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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