Go ‘Mono’ y pollo with plates of fried chicken rapture

By Natalie B. Compton

Feb 16, 2015 | 5:04pm Bangkok time

COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Ever feel like you want to eat at a Korean fried chicken shop from New York that isn’t BonChon? You’re in luck. Mono+Mono has flapped into the Bangkok chicken-wing scene with more style than the ubiquitous mall chain.

Located in a cluster of condos and towering office buildings, the 24th Avenue building isn’t anything to write home about. Despite this, the team from Mono + Mono did a good job of transforming their ground-floor space into something nice. The industrial-chic theme nods to its roots with a wall of white subway tiles and authentic New York metro cards on each table. Staff in crisp white dress shirts and black suspenders bring out dishes as they’re ready from the back of the narrow, 30-ish seat restaurant.

Mono+Mono Bangkok is not an exact replica of the American original. While both spots promote jazz, fried chicken and industrial decor, the Thai outpost is a much more casual iteration of the concept. This isn’t somewhere you’d ideally go for dinner, but it’s perfect for lunch.

Pop down on the plush blue velvet banquet and order a light and fizzy New York Soda (THB65). You’re going to need it to wash down your inevitably fried meal. Much to the dismay of your arteries, the menu is chock full of deep-fried dishes like the Fried Chicken Salad (THB155), Fish and Chips (THB245), and fried Oyster Bun (THB195). Chances are, a visit to Mono+Mono will mean leaving — albeit happily — with grease around your mouth.

The fried chicken is served in sizes ranging from small sets of five wings (THB155) to party sets of 20 wings (THB495). Guests have three flavor options: soy garlic sauce, spicy sauce, and half & half. All of the wings are served with Belgian cut french fries and crunchy, palate cleansing pickled daikon.

While the restaurant is promoted as a fried chicken haven, it also offers a number of satisfying soft-shell crab dishes. The Soft Shell Crab Salad (THB175) is both crispy and cool with a tamarind dressing while the Soft Shell Crab Bun (THB195) features a mammoth crab bursting out of a fluffy, sweet bun that will make you wonder, “how am I supposed to eat this?” However you go about tackling the challenge, you’ll enjoy the process thanks to the flavorful, paprika-dusted crab and tangy coleslaw.

If soft shell crab isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other buns to try in addition to the fried chicken. Like the soft shell crab version, the Shrimp Bun (THB195) is served with coleslaw that cuts the spicy, sweet glazed shrimp.

To complement your bun or wing order, Mono+Mono’s sides include reasonably priced items like pickles (THB60), potato wedges (THB80), and salad (THB80).

The mall setting detracts from Mono+Mono’s trendiness, yet it’s definitely worth visiting. The restaurant is a great, bespoke alternative for Korean fried chicken fans who need a break from BonChon or just an excuse to eat sinfully good fried food.