Solsot (솔솥): A Deep Dive into Bangkok’s New Korean Pot Rice Craze
Solsot (โซลสท), the celebrated Korean pot rice, has finally arrived in Bangkok, landing on the 6th Floor of CentralWorld’s ATRIUM Zone. With a brand new branch at Dusit Central Park just opened on September 4th, it seems the craze is here to stay. My curiosity was instantly piqued during their opening event at Chuan Kitchen next door – a buzzing affair that definitely made me take notice. As a long-time fan of Malaysian claypot chicken rice, particularly that coveted crispy crust at the bottom, the concept of Korean pot rice immediately appealed to me.
For weeks, Solsot lingered in my mind whenever I found myself at CentralWorld for dinner. I decided I’d give it a try if luck was on my side with the infamous queues. My first attempt, on June 26th, was a bust. At 7:24 PM, as an afterthought while waiting for my husband to leave the office, I snagged queue number A210, only to find a staggering 80 groups ahead. The estimated wait? “2-3 hours.” My immediate thought: “The mall will be closed by then!” An hour later, 59 groups were still waiting, and my number wasn’t called until close to 9 PM. By then, we’d already had our pot rice at PotMaster, a reliable Canton Claypot Rice spot closer to home.
Beating the Queue: A Tale of Two Attempts
Undeterred, on July 7th, I remembered to grab a queue number early. At 6:15 PM, I secured A156 with a much more manageable 36 groups waiting. Their queue system is excellent: you scan a QR code that links to their LINE Official account, allowing you to keep tabs on queue movement. You’ll even get message notifications when it’s your turn, with a 5-minute grace period before your number is canceled.
Just 25 minutes later, our number was already getting close, so I grabbed another queue ticket (A171) just in case my husband was delayed leaving the office! At 7:10 PM, my husband and I decided to wait directly in front of the restaurant, with only 7 groups left. With our turn imminent, I happily passed my later-drawn queue number (A171) to two newly arrived eager girls. Finally, at 7:25 PM, we got our table! And when we left the restaurant just an hour later, they were already calling A194 – a testament to their efficiency once you’re inside.
Diving into the Pot: The Food Experience
The beauty of walking in with minimal prior knowledge is having no expectations. We ordered the ‘must-try’ Beef Steak Pot Rice (420 baht set menu) and Sliced Pork Belly Pot Rice (290 baht set menu). My husband actually preferred the sliced pork belly. We asked for the egg to be separated, mainly for the beef steak, as it’s typically served directly on top. The pork belly’s sauce, however, includes an egg yolk, which lends a lovely creaminess when mixed thoroughly with the rice.
The ritual of eating is a key part of the experience, clearly explained by staff and demonstrated by signs on the table:
- Thoroughly mix the rice with its toppings in the pot.
- Serve a portion onto your plate.
- Crucially, leave some rice clinging to the pot to form a crispy ‘nurungji’ (scorched rice).
- Pour in the hot broth provided, close the lid, and let it steep.
- Enjoy the comforting, flavorful broth from the pot after your meal. (“How much rice should I leave?” my husband mused, a valid question for the perfect rice broth!) So, was I happy with the crust? Not exactly super crusty, but there was definitely a satisfying layer to scrape off.
Of the side dishes in the set, we both particularly liked the small green chilies – a delightful mix of spicy and sour, likely fermented. The broth served with the nurungji was good, though neither of us finished it all. As for me, I was a happy girl because it had been a while since I last had my kimchi, and Solsot offers generous, refillable portions!
Verdict: Quality, Value, and Staff Efficiency
While we thoroughly enjoyed the food, we found the full portions of two pot rice sets to be quite substantial for us, especially since we’ve cut down on our rice intake. Because of this, we’re in no rush to return—not that it wasn’t good, but rather, we’ve tried it, and that’s enough for now.
The staff service was excellent; kudos to Solsot for having ample staff to handle the customer volume efficiently. Our total bill came to 953.37 baht, including two green teas, a 10% service charge, and 7% VAT.
Many people comment that Solsot’s kimchi is “unlike other places.” My take is that it’s simply fresher, with less fermenting time, making it crunchier than typical kimchis. While fermentation time definitely deepens the flavor, I do enjoy both versions, though my heart truly belongs to long-fermented kimchi.
The opening of a second location is great news for fans and newcomers alike, and a testament to Solsot’s success in Bangkok. Have you tried Solsot or another Korean pot rice spot in Bangkok? Or perhaps you have a favorite claypot rice from back home? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Solsot (솔솥) (โซลสท)
- CentralWorld Address: 6th Floor, Room No. A614, ATRIUM Zone, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd.
- New Branch: Dusit Central Park
- Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573794963669
