Friday, December 12, 2025

Bangkok’s “Bottomless 33” Coffee: A Real Value Review of the New Dusit Central Park Café

Hello, friends! When you’re traveling, you often hear whispers of a must-see sight or a can't-miss meal. In Bangkok, a city that runs on caffeine and good deals, I’d been hearing the legend of "Bottomless 33."

A bottomless cup of coffee for 33 Baht (just over a dollar!) in the heart of the city? It sounded like the ultimate find for our 'Real Value SG' blog. The rumor placed it in the gleaming new Dusit Central Park, a massive new landmark on the Bangkok skyline.

So, as your man on the ground, I went to investigate. And what I found was... well, it was a classic, wonderful "lost in translation" traveler's tale.

Let me save you the confusion. The "Bottomless 33" isn't a deal; it's a place. It’s the nickname for the original, famous branch of Bottomless Coffee Roasters on Sukhumvit Soi 33.

But the great news? This world-class coffee brand has opened a brand-new, spectacular branch right here in Dusit Central Park. So, while you won’t find 33-Baht coffee, you will find one of the best cups in Bangkok. We went in to see if it’s worth your time and money.


Thailand Bottomless 33

Thursday, December 11, 2025

After You at ICONSIAM: Is This Bangkok’s Sweetest Must-Do?

Friends, let's talk about Bangkok. When we travel, we’re often on a mission: find the best tom yum, the perfect pad thai, the spiciest som tum. But I've learned that on any good trip, you must save room—and budget—for dessert.

In a city glittering with culinary gems, one name is whispered among travelers and locals with a kind of sweet reverence: After You.

You’ll find this dessert heaven in many spots, but today, we’re visiting the branch in the spectacular, futuristic mall that is ICONSIAM. Tucked away on the Ground Floor in the incredible SOOKSIAM zone (an entire indoor floating market!), it feels like finding an exclusive club. You’ll almost always spot it by the queue, a digital ticket machine humming patiently out front.

The big question, especially for us folks who value our time and travel budget, is simple: Is it worth the wait? Is it really that good?

I grabbed a ticket, settled in, and did the delicious research for you. Here’s the scoop.

After You Shibuya Toast Bangkok


The Legend: The Shibuya Honey Toast

If After You had a flag, the Shibuya Honey Toast would be on it. This is the dish that built the brand, and let me tell you, it's an architectural marvel.

It’s not just "toast." This is a thick, golden cube of brioche, perfectly scored and toasted so the outside is a crisp, buttery shell. But the inside? It’s a wonderland of soft, fluffy, steamy bread that has been completely soaked in butter.

It arrives warm, crowned with two perfect scoops of vanilla ice cream and a tiny pitcher of honey or maple syrup.

The First Bite

This is where you understand the hype. You get the crunch of the crust, the cool creaminess of the ice cream, and the impossibly rich, pillowy bread all in one spoonful. It’s sweet, yes, but also a little salty from the butter. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a warm, comforting, and utterly decadent experience. My advice? Share it. This is a glorious, wonderful monster of a dessert, and it's best enjoyed with a friend (or two).

The Surprise Star: Thai Tea Kakigori

I came for the toast, but I’d come back for the Kakigori.

This isn’t your grand-auntie's ice kachang. This is a Japanese-style shaved ice, and After You has turned it into a Thai masterpiece. We went for the Thai Tea Kakigori, and it arrived looking like a perfect, velvety orange mountain, drizzled with a thick, creamy foam.

A Mountain of Flavor

The ice itself is shaved so impossibly fine it’s more like snow—not a crunchy crystal in sight. It’s deeply infused with the unmistakable, fragrant flavor of cha yen (Thai milk tea). It’s light, refreshing, and melts in your mouth instantly.

The Hidden Treasure

But here’s the magic, the part that made me grin like a local. As you tunnel your way to the center, you discover "hidden treasures." Tucked inside that mountain of tea-flavored snow are two secrets: chewy, dark grass jelly (our beloved cincau) and soft, sweet cubes of bread that have soaked up all the delicious, melted goodness. It’s this surprise, this wonderful combination of textures, that elevates it from a good dessert to a great one.


The Final Verdict: Is After You at ICONSIAM Worth It?

Let's circle back to our 'Real Value' question. After You isn't the cheapest dessert you’ll find in Bangkok—you’re paying cafe prices, not street-stall prices.

But here’s my take: Absolutely, yes.

This isn't just about a sugar rush. It’s a wonderful, memorable part of the modern Bangkok experience. It’s a place to sit down in the air-conditioned comfort of a beautiful mall, rest your feet after exploring, and share something truly delicious.

It's the kind of place you'll tell your friends about back home. You won't just say, "I had dessert." You'll say, "Oh, you have to go to After You." And that, my friends, is the mark of a journey well-spent.


Your Questions Answered (FAQ)

What is After You's most famous dessert?

Without a doubt, it's the Shibuya Honey Toast. It's a thick, buttery block of toast served with vanilla ice cream and honey. However, their Kakigori (shaved ice), especially the Thai Tea flavor, is just as popular and a must-try.

Is there always a long queue at the ICONSIAM branch?

It's very popular, so you can expect a wait, especially during peak weekend hours. Go to the front and take a number from the digital queue machine. The turnover is quite fast, so it's usually not as long a wait as it looks.

Is After You expensive?

It's more expensive than street food, but it’s a great value for the quality, portion size, and experience. Prices are similar to a specialty dessert cafe in Singapore (e.g., $10-15 SGD for a large dessert). The portions are very generous and easily shareable between two or three people, making it a very reasonable treat.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

A Bangkok Hotel Room Dispatch: Is OMU’s Japanese Omurice a 'Real Value' GrabFood Find?

Hello, fellow travelers! There’s a unique kind of hunger that hits you after a long day of navigating Bangkok’s magnificent chaos. You’re back in the hotel room, your feet are tired, but your appetite is ready for another adventure. Braving the traffic again feels like a quest too many. This is where the modern traveler’s best friend comes in: the GrabFood app.

It’s a digital street market, and on this particular evening, my sights were set on a legend of Japanese comfort food: OMU Japanese Omurice, broadcasting from its popular kitchen in CentralWorld.

Omurice—that beautiful, simple masterpiece of fried rice wrapped in a delicate omelet and drizzled with a rich sauce—is a dish that lives or dies by its execution. It’s a hug in a bowl. But the big question, the 'Real Value' question, is twofold: Does this celebrated dish survive the journey in the back of a delivery bike? And is it truly worth your baht?

I tapped "order," and the culinary quest began.

Navigating the Digital Soi: The GrabFood Experience

Ordering from OMU via the Grab app was a breeze. Their menu is clear, with plenty of photos (a must for us visual eaters!). I opted for their classic: the Omurice with Demi-Glace Sauce and, just to be thorough, a side of fried chicken karaage.

The CentralWorld location means it's central (as the name implies!), so the delivery time was impressively quick. The app’s tracker showed my driver navigating the streets with precision, and soon enough, a polite "kop khun krap" at my hotel door signaled the arrival of dinner.

First test passed: Convenience is 10/10.

The Unveiling: How Does Premium Omurice Travel?

This is the moment of truth. A bad delivery can turn a fluffy omelet into a sad, rubbery pancake.

OMU clearly understands the logistics of travel. The packaging was stellar. The main omurice was in a sturdy, sealed bowl, and the hot karaage was packed separately to maintain its crispness. No spills, no sad sights.

Upon opening the main container, a cloud of savory steam escaped. The egg, a vibrant, sunny yellow, was still glistening. It hadn’t deflated. The demi-glace sauce was packed neatly in its own container, ready for me to pour. This is a crucial step—it prevents the rice from getting soggy. OMU, you get an A+ for thoughtful packing.

Tucking In: A Bite-by-Bite Breakdown

I poured the dark, glossy sauce over the top, and it cascaded beautifully over the omelet. It was time.

The Egg: A Silken Blanket

This is the star of the show. The omelet wasn't the "lava-style" that splits open (which frankly, would never survive delivery), but rather a perfectly cooked, impossibly thin, and "silken-crepe" style omelet. It was creamy, delicate, and wrapped the rice like a gift. It had that subtle, rich eggy-ness that is the soul of the dish.

The Rice & Sauce: A Savory Foundation

Cutting through the egg revealed perfectly cooked ketchup fried rice beneath. It wasn't overly sweet or acidic, which is a common pitfall. It was savory, with little bits of chicken and vegetables, providing a fantastic base.

But the demi-glace... oh, the demi-glace. This was not some packet mix. It was a proper, deep, beefy, and slightly peppery sauce that tasted like it had been simmering for hours. It brought the whole dish together, transforming it from "good" to "exceptionally good."

The Support Act: Chicken Karaage

The side of chicken karaage was still impressively crunchy, thanks to that separate packing. The chicken was juicy, well-seasoned with a hint of ginger and soy, and proved to be the perfect companion. A-tier fried chicken.

The Final Verdict: The 'Real Value' Calculation

So, let's get down to the numbers. A dish from OMU on GrabFood isn't the cheapest street-side meal you’ll find in Bangkok. But this isn't street food; this is premium restaurant dining, delivered.

When you factor in the quality of the ingredients, the expert cooking, the phenomenal (and smart) packaging, and the sheer convenience of having this culinary delight brought directly to your hotel door, the value proposition is fantastic.

You are paying for consistency. You are paying to avoid a 30-minute taxi ride in traffic. You are paying for a piping-hot, deeply satisfying meal that feels like a splurge but at a cost that is still incredibly reasonable by Singaporean standards.

It’s the smart traveler’s choice. Instead of a gamble on a random kitchen, you’re getting a guaranteed win from a celebrated specialist. For the tired traveler, the solo diner, or a family wanting a quiet night in, OMU is a resounding 'yes'. It’s a taste of Tokyo, delivered with Bangkok efficiency.

I’d call that real value, any day of the week.


Your Questions, Answered (FAQ)

What is the price of an OMU Omurice on GrabFood?

Expect to pay between 200-300 THB (approximately $8-$12 SGD) for a main dish. While this is more than street food, it's excellent value for a restaurant-quality meal of this caliber, especially considering the convenience and packaging.

Is it better to dine-in at CentralWorld or order for delivery?

If you're already at CentralWorld, dining in is a great experience. However, OMU has perfected their delivery. If you are tired or staying further away, you lose almost nothing in quality by ordering in. The dish is constructed and packed specifically to travel well.

What is the best dish to order from OMU for a first-timer?

You cannot go wrong with their signature Omurice with Demi-Glace Sauce. It’s the classic for a reason. If you like a bit of spice, their Curry Sauce Omurice is also a fan favorite. And definitely, add a side of the Chicken Karaage.