The Best Vietnamese Food in Bangkok
by Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá, Bangkok, Thailand (Ari)
It's been a while since I've visited Vietnam, so I was very excited to have lunch recently at Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá, a restaurant run by celebrity chef Atchara “Pla” Burarak, who is also behind the upscale Thai eatery Kub Kao' Kub Pla.
If you asked me what my all-time favorite Vietnamese dish is, I would absolutely answer "Bún chả". Bun cha is a dish from Hanoi, consisting of fatty grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a light, slightly sweet and sour dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, palm sugar, garlic, and chili. When I saw it on the menu, I knew that I had to order it.
| bun cha lunch set at Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá |
I also ordered bánh xèo, sometimes called a "Vietnamese crepe", a savory fried pancake made of rice flour, water, and colored yellow with turmeric.
The crispy crepe is stuffed with minced pork, tofu, bean sprouts, green onion, and other aromatics. It's served with pickled carrots and radish and a pile of fresh herbs to add flavor to each bite.
What Vietnamese meal could be complete without a cup of Vietnamese coffee? I truly believe that Vietnamese coffee is among the best, if not THE best, in the world, and the best way to enjoy it is when it is made with a phin.
| Vietnamese crispy turmeric crepes |
What Vietnamese meal could be complete without a cup of Vietnamese coffee? I truly believe that Vietnamese coffee is among the best, if not THE best, in the world, and the best way to enjoy it is when it is made with a phin.
A phin is a small metal brewing cup fitted with a perforated filter at the bottom, filled with finely ground coffee and topped with hot water. The strong hot coffee drips through the filter and onto a layer of condensed milk that gives Vietnamese coffee its iconic rich sweetness. It can be enjoyed hot or iced, but I prefer iced coffee when it's always so hot outside.
Read more: Why is Vietnamese coffee so good?
That was followed by a scoop of strong Vietnamese coffee flavored ice cream served with fried banana fritters.
It can be hard to find really good upscale Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam, but in my opinion, this is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Bangkok. The food was amazing, if a little bit on the pricy side, but all of the ingredients were clearly of high-quality, and a lot of care was put into each dish and its presentation.
| Vietnamese iced coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) |
Then, it was time for dessert. We started with an order of crispy banana crackers.
| crispy banana crackers |
That was followed by a scoop of strong Vietnamese coffee flavored ice cream served with fried banana fritters.
| Vietnamese coffee ice cream with fried banana fritters |
It can be hard to find really good upscale Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam, but in my opinion, this is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Bangkok. The food was amazing, if a little bit on the pricy side, but all of the ingredients were clearly of high-quality, and a lot of care was put into each dish and its presentation.
More of my favorite restaurants in Bangkok's Ari neighborhood
Location
Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá is located at 24 Ari 4 Fang Nua Alley, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400 just a short walk from BTS Ari Station.
Really enjoyed your review of Com Ca Phe — the way you showcase Vietnamese food in Bangkok is super inviting! The banh mi, pho, and coffee pics make it clear how well the flavours translate, and the casual, modern setting looks perfect for a relaxed meal after exploring the city. It’s great to see spots that bring another regional cuisine into Bangkok’s vibrant food scene. Posts like this remind readers that beyond street stalls, the city also offers stylish eateries where you can savour familiar classics with a twist. Experiences like yours highlight upscale casual dining Bangkok — delicious food in a laid‑back yet refined atmosphere. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Bangkok is definitely one of the world's great food cites. Do you represent Birdies on Sukhumvit? It's been on my list for ages, and I've been wanting to visit, eat, and write about it on here! - Michael (The World of Street Food)
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