COCOCNUTS HOT SPOT – The old adage “for the best food, follow the locals” applies to Thai offerings in Bangkok, but what about other national cuisines? Luckily, Bangkok’s 50,000+ Japanese expat population has clued us in to one of the best ramen places in town. Follow the Japanese businessmen straight to Ramentei, a small and unassuming “resutoran” located amongst the host of Zaibatsu in Silom. It’s marked only by a small bed of bamboo out front; English characters denoting the restaurant’s name are nowhere to be found.
This understated theme continues inside the restaurant where decorations consist of naught but a series of tables, bar countertops for ramen slurping, and an area where patrons sit on floor mats and eat at floor-level tables. Ramentei’s excellence lies in its extreme simplicity – the same Japanese simplicity that makes it incredibly authentic. While sitting and eating a bowl of ramen at lunchtime, you may hear some chatter from salarymen at a table nearby; simple jars of condiments bear import-tax labels hinting that they came straight form the land of the rising sun.
Complimenting the Nipponese vibes is a menu both expansive and consistent. You won’t find any Thai flourishes here, and that’s a good thing. The Tonkatsu Ramen is a must-try, with a broth so rich and hearty it can induce a food coma. Make sure not to order it at lunchtime! Equally sebaceous is the Butakakuni, or braised pork belly, which simply melts in your mouth. For something just as flavorful but a little lighter, diners may choose to opt for any of the ikazaya-style dishes, like Ika Fuwa Fuwa Age (deep fried squid) or the Tori Cheese Age, which are fried morsels of chicken and cheese. Of course, there are also healthy options, like Yofu Reimen, which is a cold salad comprised of lean pork, noodles, egg and cucumber.
Most dishes ring in at around THB250, so it isn’t exactly cheap, but with attentive service, never-ending Japanese tea and the best Japanese comfort food in town, it’s worth every penny. Hai!
FIND IT:
Ramentei
23/8-9 Soi Thaniya, Silom Road
