Not Your Typical Tourist

A Life Between Two Countries, And All In Between

Thailand

On the hunt for kick-ass kimchi in Bangkok

Kimchi is a Korean staple, a feature in almost all Korean meals when I was in South Korean a decade ago. From not liking it, I fell head over hells for it. So in love, so much in love, that Kimchi Fried Rice and Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi stew) are my usual orders at Korean restaurants. Spicy and sour, that’s like Korean version of Thai’s tom yum to me .. and I have kimchi more than I have tom yum. Really.

It’s all about the ingredients
Yummeh!

Friends kept telling me that cooking my fav Korean dishes are as easy as 1 2 3. I have cooked kimchi at home before, but the low-quality kimchi does NOTHING for the dish.

Local kimchis

So, when the local supermarket-bought kimchis failed my Korean tastebuds, the hunt for a good kimchi began. Where else but Korean food marts … that’s where I get my kimchi supply in KL. Abuden.

 

Food Mart at Plaza Sukhmvit, aka Korean Town

Korea Town aka Plaza Sukhumvit
Korean restaurants everywhere

That brought me to Korean Town, or formally known as Plaza Sukhumvit. Korean Town is packed with Korean restaurants, and that’s where you go for Korean bbq. But there are also 2 grocery stores here, selling Korea mari (Imported from Korean) goodies.

Food Mart

The one I went to, this Food Mart is the bigger of the two. There is a lack of price tag at this place – but the lady boss will tell you the price when asked.

Kimchi galore
Kimchi galore

No receipts given too; can’t remember how much I paid for my box of kimchi. Possibly in the range of 100-150 baht. The small pack was selling at 60 baht.

Awesome Lotte melon ice bar!

I bought Lotte melon ice bar at 20 baht, and I was given an additional stick – citing “buy 1 get 1 free”. I gave one to a cleaner doing her things nearby … that lady turned from sulky-face to one happy woman. Ahhh .. the wonder ice cream does to people.

Walked through Times Square
From main entrance, turn left and go straight

I walked to Korean Town via Times Square, as there is a pedestrian bridge linking BTS Asok to Times Square. After you exit from Times Square, turn left and walk straight. Korea Town is just at your left.

 

Sukhumvit Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 12
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Nearest BTS/MRT: Asok/Sukhumvit

 

 

Sannadaeul Hansik Korean BBQ Restaurant, Times Square

Sannadaeul Hansik Restaurant
Kimchi shelves

Walking through Times Square, passed by Sannadaeul Hansik restaurant – the kimchi looks legit here too, selling at 230 baht/1 kg. Since I already bought from the Food Mart at Korean Town, I didn’t buy from them.

 

Times Square Bldg.
246 Sukhumvit Rd. Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Nearest BTS/MRT: Asok/Sukhumvit

 

 

K-Market at Ratchada area

K-Market
K-Market

K-Market was an unexpected find at Ratchada area, walking pass it on my way to The Street Ratchada. They sell lots of things – cosmetics, skincare, etc.

The place is run by local staff, unlike The Food Mart at Korea Town. Service is so-so, but definitely good kimchi here. I couldn’t help it, but bought a pack from here – so, we had kimchi fried rice at home for two consecutive weeks!

Kimchi galore
Kimchi galore

Price: 90 baht/200 gram, 120 baht/500 gram.

 

99/26-28 Ratchadaphisek Rd. Dindaeng Dindaeng, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 62 210 0076
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/korea.market.thailand/
Nearest MRT: Thailand Cultural Centre

 

Not Your Typical Tourist

Travel opens up a whole new world, which is cliche but true. I am a strong advocate for independent and solo travel. I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but now live in Bangkok, Thailand, resulted from a chance encounter in 2009 with my why-are-you-Thai bf. I am now split between two countries. One country for my bf, another for the family, for the occasional weekend together.