Warm Morning

How to enjoy five-star Cantonese dim sum at a fraction of the price in Bangkok with just 200 Baht? Head to Tuang Dim Sum. Founded by Chef Yip, the former head chef of Shangri-La Bangkok, Tuang Dim Sum offers handcrafted dishes that are freshly steamed and sold daily. The restaurant is always bustling with customers, even during the early hours of the morning. It's hard to believe that Thai people, who are not known for being early risers, would wake up at five or six in the morning and drive for thirty to forty minutes just to get their hands on Tuang Dim Sum's breakfast for the whole family.

Tuang Dim Sum's new location is at Charoen Krung Soi 89, a street in Bangkok. This family-owned Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant operates from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, with the kitchen rarely taking a break. Every table is filled with customers, including tourists from Europe and America, as well as Thai-Chinese families bringing their elders to enjoy the authentic flavors. It was quite a coincidence to discover this place while I was on a gap year in Thailand, living in an apartment building nearby. Going downstairs every day to savor the delicious dim sum was the highlight of my morning commute to language school.

The shrimp wrapped in delicate rice rolls, served with rice roll sauce, creates a perfect combination of tender shrimp and soft rice rolls. The flavor of the black bean chicken feet here is slightly different from what you can find elsewhere, with a hint of pepper that keeps you coming back for more.

The custard bun and sesame balls are the top favorites in the restaurant. The creamy and slightly salty custard bursts with flavor, reminiscent of the exploding beef balls in the movie "God of Cookery". Personally, I highly recommend the steamed dishes in the restaurant. Even if you take them to-go and they cool down a bit, the taste remains unaffected.

At Tuang Dim Sum, you can truly sample every dish! With its new location, the restaurant can now accommodate dozens of dine-in customers at a time, and they have even set up a parking lot in front and across the street for the convenience of families and friends gathering for a delightful meal.

Pair your dim sum with the owner's homemade Chinese tea or chrysanthemum tea, and enjoy a delightful and harmonious Hong Kong-style breakfast experience with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

📍Soi Charoen Krung 89, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120

📅8:00 am - 3:00 pm, closed on Mondays

On Lok Yun, located in the bustling old town area of Bangkok, already has a long line forming in front of the shop at 8:30 am for breakfast. The entire shop maintains its original furniture and decoration from decades ago, exuding a strong sense of history. The shop owner, an elderly Chinese, handles everything from taking orders to settling the bill, while most of the other staff only speak Thai. As soon as customers enter the shop, they are immediately served a cup of hot tea.

The menu at this shop is not extensive, but each dish is exquisite in its simplicity. One of the highlights is the toast, which feels like biting into a cloud - fragrant and soft, yet still retaining a slight chewiness. Dip it in the special Thai tea sauce, and on a summer morning in the old town, it becomes a mildly sweet delight. The toast is filled with perfectly cooked bacon and fried egg, complemented by the owner's highly recommended homemade condiments, making it a flavorful experience. The breakfast set, which many customers order, may look a bit Western, but after being carefully refined at On Lok Yun, it has become a favorite among local Thai people.

Despite being just ten years shy of being a century-old shop in the streets of Bangkok, it consistently ranks high in Thailand's most trusted food rankings on the Wongnai website. Its affordable price also makes it a favorite among nearby residents and students. It is common to see groups of Thai students wearing white shirts dining here. If you have the chance to visit the old town area, don't forget to experience the historic and vibrant mornings at On Lok Yun.

📍72 Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

📅6:00 am - 2:30 pm

Ari has always been a place that captivates people, known for its numerous cafes and comfortable art leisure spaces. During a trip in my college years, I stumbled upon Rod Ded Beef Noodles near the BTS station in Ari. As soon as I entered the shop, I could smell the aroma of simmering beef in the pot, and the kitchen was filled with ingredients ready for use, including well-cooked rice noodles, slightly wider noodles, and small pieces of egg noodles, along with a basket of fresh vegetables nearby.

The portion size at Rod Ded Beef Noodles is just right for breakfast. The rice noodles are not overwhelming, and a bowl can easily be finished in three bites. The generous amount of beef and meatballs is carefully arranged, creating a satisfying bowl of noodles. The thick beef soup has a hint of ginger, and the beef is tender. The slightly spicy flavor of the soup base enhances the deliciousness of the beef balls. The taste of the beef noodles has been highly praised by locals and is a favorite among Thai people.

The shop has only a few staff members, mostly family members working together. Therefore, most of the ordering is done self-service. Customers first choose their preferred type of noodles, then select the cuts of beef (such as lean meat, stewed meat, and meatballs), and finally decide whether they want extra portions. They write down their selections on a slip of paper and hand it to the owner. In no time, breakfast is served. The shop also offers takeout, which is very convenient to purchase. Additionally, if you don't like spicy food, you can inform the owner beforehand not to add the "green sauce".

The soup version has a slightly sweet and spicy taste, while the dry version is more savory and fragrant. Both are extremely delicious.

📍1159 Phaholyothin Road, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400

📅9:00 am - 3:30 pm