reader Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 From Travel and Leisure "A lot has changed in recent years," says Roots founder Varatt Vichit-Vadakan. "Thailand is probably the only country in the world that has a well-developed consumer market — loads of specialty coffee shops in its big cities — while also being a coffee-producing country." When Han Wang moved to Bangkok eight years ago, one of the first things he noticed was the coffee. Unlike the delicate light roasts and well-balanced flat whites Wang learned to appreciate while attending college in Australia, everything seemed “too sweet or bitter to even consider swallowing.” Starbucks had been a major player since opening its first shops in the country in 1998; its robust dark roasts and cloying Frappuccinos were as ubiquitous as the equally strong, sugary iced coffee (a.k.a. oliang) that had long been a staple of Thailand’s shophouses and market stalls. Wang wasn’t about to give up on finding a truly great cup, though. Having recently witnessed the rise of third-wave coffee in Taiwan — Wang did a stint in Taipei before relocating to Bangkok — the Malaysian-born entrepreneur was convinced he could spark a similar movement in one of Southeast Asia’s most progressive cities. So he set his psychology degree aside and launched Phil Coffee Co. in an industrial neighborhood, with the help of his father and two sisters. Wang didn't rush into running a cafe, instead focusing on his roasting techniques and wholesale accounts for the first three years. Eventually, the team set up Phil's flagship shop in Bangkok's fashionable Ekkamai neighborhood. He wasn’t alone. Around the same time, other influential Bangkok outposts like One Ounce For Onion, Rocket Coffeebar, and Casa Lapin began attracting hip locals with elaborate pour-over setups, Western-style small plates, and bottles of cold brew for beating the heat and humidity. One leading figure during these early days was Roots, a heavyweight roaster that also happens to run one of the hottest brunch spots in town, Roast. "A lot has changed in recent years," says Roots founder Varatt Vichit-Vadakan. "Thailand is probably the only country in the world that has a well-developed consumer market — loads of specialty coffee shops in its big cities — while also being a coffee-producing country." Continues with pics and video https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/craft-coffee-cafes-bangkok-thailand paborn 1 Quote
paborn Posted January 7, 2019 Posted January 7, 2019 Thank you. I, for one, hate Starbucks - over roasted and bitter. It's damn hard to find a good cup when traveling. I'll read through these. But, if you know of a place close to or in Silom-Suriwongse please let us know. Quote
Guest Posted January 8, 2019 Posted January 8, 2019 Companies like Costa do a nicer coffee than Starbucks. However, Starbucks have some nice premises and even if the coffee is bitter, it is possible to do FAR worse. A coffee I recently had from an independent in Sukhumvit must have been made from the nastiest Robusta beans available. I noticed a couple of independent shops just up from The Red Planet in Silom, but wasn't going to try them in the evening. Quote
PeterRS Posted January 10, 2019 Posted January 10, 2019 This thread from last year has some interesting and inspiring info re excellent coffee from north of Chiang Mai. Quote
ceejay Posted January 10, 2019 Posted January 10, 2019 Thank you, Peter RS. This guy Han Wang is typical of guys in Bangkok - until they have done it there, it hasn't happened. There are several chains and many shops in Chiang Mai that could, 8 years ago, have saved him a trip to Taiwan. Quote
PeterRS Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 It was Reader whose post mentioned Han Wang. I think Lee Ayu Chuepa from the tiny village in the far north mentioned in my post above is exceptional. This is an excerpt from a media interview he did last year. He talks about the young people in the villages who in the past would have had little future - Quote Most young people from the village are now not only fighting for an education but they are fighting to come back home. That, in itself, is amazing. Especially in a community where the quality of education was at a one-time low. Now most of them are bilingual if not tri-lingual. They study Thai, English, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. They are now connected to the world. They have realised a world where there are no borders and they don't only have to speak with Akha or Thai people. They have become global citizens. https://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/interview/1445578/the-5th-wave-of-coffee Lee's priorities are less commercial than they are social, although both more or less go together. His is such an extraordinary and lovely story. ceejay, reader and vinapu 3 Quote
Guest Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 I'm all for good coffee, but if I am staying in Silom (for example), then travelling out to Ekamai for a coffee isn't going to happen. And I'm not going to Thonglor either. Well not for a cup of coffee. A lot of the chains do perfectly acceptable coffee. Starbucks, Au Bon Pan, Mezzo, True etc. Although you do need to beware of staff substituting the "brewed" coffee in place of an Americano and send it back if necessary. Stewed would be a better term than brewed. I've never had an acceptable coffee from Tom Tom, either to bitter or too weak and will choose to avoid them. Hopefully capitalism will see them off to where they belong. Pattaya has s couple of independent shops with nice strong flavoured coffee -Gafae and Benjamit. Then, the upstairs lounge in Starbucks Tuk Com is just such a nice spacious place to chill out. A good coffee is no fun if it is consumed in an uncomfortable chair. An average coffee in a nice setting is OK. In Silom, the main streets seem to be dominated by the big chains and a few small stands catering to office workers. There are some independent shops down some side streets, so I will try some of them this year. Quote
ceejay Posted January 14, 2019 Posted January 14, 2019 On 1/12/2019 at 1:57 PM, PeterRS said: It was Reader whose post mentioned Han Wang. Apologies Peter. I can see it might read as if I was attributing this to you when all I was trying to do was avoid attributing it to Spoon personally! There are other exceptional places in Chiang Mai: The Doi Chaang coffee chain, which is a co-operative dedicated to the improvement of the lives of the people of Baan Doi Chaang: https://doichaangcoffee.co.th/en/about-us/ Doi Tung Coffee, similarly part of a Royal Project to improve the lives of the people of Doi Tung: http://www.doitung.org/cafe_journey.php And, the best established coffee chain in Chiang Mai, Wawee Coffee http://www.waweecoffee.com/aboutus-2?lang=en There are others. I would suggest that Bangkok, far from being the "craft coffee capital of Asia" isn't even the craft coffee capital of Thailand. Quote
ceejay Posted January 15, 2019 Posted January 15, 2019 23 hours ago, ceejay said: Apologies Peter. I can see it might read as if I was attributing this to you when all I was trying to do was avoid attributing it to Spoon personally! You get older, you get madder. I meant, of course, "reader" not "spoon" spoon 1 Quote
PeterRS Posted January 15, 2019 Posted January 15, 2019 Lol x 2! Kind of you even to mention it ceejay. Quote
reader Posted January 15, 2019 Author Posted January 15, 2019 From Conde Naste Traveler 11 Best Places For Coffee in Bangkok Bangkok gets a bad rap for its very sweet drinks (I’m looking at you, Thai iced tea), and their coffee drinks are no exception. But that hardly encompasses the city's entire coffee culture; the coffee shop scene in Thailand overall is nothing to scoff at. Whether you like your blends light or medium, pour over or espresso, even the most uppity coffee snobs jonesing for a good cup can find a perfectly brewed blend in the city, whether from a hipster chic spot or mom and pop cafe. Read on for our picks of Bangkok's best coffee shops and cafes, and plan where to get caffeinated while you're in town. https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-for-coffee-in-bangkok From Perfect Daily Grind Top 5 Specialty Coffee Shops to Visit in Thailand https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2015/12/top-5-specialty-coffee-shops-to-visit-in-thailand/ From Fousquare The 15 Best Places for Coffee in Bangkok https://foursquare.com/top-places/bangkok/best-places-coffee DivineMadman 1 Quote
vinapu Posted January 15, 2019 Posted January 15, 2019 1 hour ago, reader said: The 15 Best Places for Coffee in Bangkok https://foursquare.com/top-places/bangkok/best-places-coffee I'm surprised they did't mention Foodland, Patpong , specially before 9 when breakfast is at discount. Before anybody jumps , I'm not saying their coffee is one of best but heading is "best places for coffee" Quote
reader Posted January 15, 2019 Author Posted January 15, 2019 Actually, I consider Foodland restaurant's coffee pretty good stuff. And when you consider that it comes with egg, meat, toast and juice for a price most of the specialty shops will charge you for just the joe, what's not to like? I'm not a Starbuck's fan except for their "light" roast blend: Veranda. It also comes in Starbuck's instant form ("Via") which I find indistinguishable from the real thing. Before traveling, I pickup up a few packs ($9.95 for a dozen individuals packets) and tote them along. Beats the Nescafe in the room. vinapu 1 Quote
Popular Post witty Posted January 23, 2019 Popular Post Posted January 23, 2019 The best place for coffee is in the kitchen with someone special on a hot afternoon. TotallyOz, 1moRussian, vinapu and 2 others 4 1 Quote
anddy Posted February 4, 2019 Posted February 4, 2019 I see small independent coffee shops everywhere these days, too many to remember. Some have their own roasteries as well. Since I make my morning coffee myself using a very old fashioned, simple drip coffee machine, I am always looking for good beans. Among others, I have bought from these, where you can of course also get a coffee to drink: Blackberry Coffee shop on Saladaeng, about 50m in on the left hand side (it's basically a whole in the wall, no seating, just take away)https://goo.gl/maps/Q8CRZ32tWck Roastology Coffee Roasters on Saladaeng Soi 1https://goo.gl/maps/nD8L8tsBuuT2https://www.facebook.com/roastologybkk/ Wawee Coffee (already mentioned by ceejay) from their BigC Ratchadamri branch, opposite Central World, easily accessible directly from the skywalk. Accidentlally stumbled on this a few weeks ago.https://goo.gl/maps/mcypDbKAs852 currently drinking a nice arabica from Chiang Rai from Alto Coffee Roasters, bought from their small coffee bar inside Zen department store (4th floor) in Central World http://www.alto-coffee.com DivineMadman 1 Quote
