Bangkok: EmQuartier Mall

The view of EmQuartier in the evening from the BTS. I was there just after the passing of their king, and this was from a vigil on father's day - which is set on the king's birthday.

View from the bottom of Helix quarter.

It seems silly to post a blog entry about a mall - but just like Singapore or Tokyo - the malls in Bangkok are a serious cultural hub.  It's where locals meet up for coffee, go to the movies, and complete their groceries.  I mean, the weather is pretty darn humid, so it makes a lot of sense for so much of the daily lives of those that live in the city to be happening in a mall.

​I spent about a month in Bangkok as my home base, and did end up spending lots of time at EmQuartier since a sorority sister lived nearby.  I stayed near the Thong Lo BTS, so just one stop away from EmQuartier Mall which is at the Phrom Phong BTS.  It's pretty fool proof to get to EmQuartier by BTS, you get off and can see Emporium to the south and EmQuartier to the north of the line.  The station directly connects to the entrances (like many other malls in Bangkok).

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Tonkatsu at Meisen - great view, great food!

Our first stop was food!  If you head up the elevators in Helix Quarter, you'll find a spiraling row of restaurants.  There are lots of Japanese expats in Bangkok especially near Thong Lo, which is just down the street, so the Japanese selection is excellent.  My favorite tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo is Meisen - and they have multiple branches in Bangkok.  The fatty, premium pork here is just around 15USD, as compared to double that in Tokyo.  Totally worth the spurge - even if you can get meals at closer to 3USD in Thailand.  ​There are other higher end restaurants worth trying.  Audrey Cafe des Fleurs is a beautiful (but, girly) setting that has interesting French-Thai fusion.  Audrey also repeated shows up on top desserts in Bangkok (which happens to be a dessert mecca!).  They're famous for their Thail mille crepe dessert.  There are other Audreys in Bangkok, but I think this is the most beautiful one!  Like Meisen, Audrey also has a beautiful view, as do most of the restuarants on the top several floors of Helix Quarter.

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Carrot cake & chocolate cake at Coffee Beans by Dao.

Crispy morning glory & Tom Yum pizza at Audrey des Fleurs.

The beautifully decorated Audrey des Fleurs.

If you love cake, Coffee Beans by Dao is a great mid-shopping stop.  Every cake that I've tried there was delicious.  I heard the meal time food was decent as well.  Beware, despite its name, they are not known for coffee.

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There were also lots of cultural events that happened - many surrounding the passing of the Thai king that occurred just about a month prior to my visit.  But, it seems like there are many events that happen throughout the year regardless.  Traditional dancers in the courtyard between the three quarters and wishes on stars displayed in front of the mall (see photos to the left).  Similar to community centers, parks, and libraries in the US, the mall functions like a public space for Bangkok.

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French toast at Roast, another solid brunch spot in Emquartier.

Ok - obviously there are lots of great, upscale stores to explore.  Also fun nooks and crannies including a section for Thai designers (which is also next to Greyhound - a very happening, local restaurant that's not near any other restaurants and worth checking out (get the sashimi salmon with spicy seafood sauce, they're known for it).  

There is also a hodgepodge shop that reminds me of Urban Outfitters - Another Story.  Another Story has local artwork and lifestyle/home type items from around the world.  Inside the store, there's an Issaya Patisserie (with unique Thai-esque flavored macarons - but they have a better location at Central Embassy).  And there are several coffee shops worth exploring - my fave is Roast, they have fun drinks and delicious brunch.

Jones the Grocer was another decent brunch spot close to the grocery store, Gourmet Market - where you can find most American/UK/Japanese items that you need.  The area is incredibly international.  Of course, there's the usual mall food cour that is quite good - but not quite as good as the one at Central Embassy.

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Food stalls in front of the Gourmet Market (grocery store).

Jones the Grocer, great for brunch.

Yummy drink, sitting in the small, but lovely outside area of Roast.

What to do before/after a trip to EmQuartier?

So, if you're in Bangkok for vacation, you're likely on there a few days, a week if you're lucky.  You could easily pair a morning/brunch trip to EmQuartier with...

• A trip to Thonglor and J ave (BTS Thong Lo - short cab/motorbike ride to J ave)
• A movie at one of the fancy movie theaters (like the one at Emporium on the other side of the BTS station)
• Trip to Siam BTS to visit more malls!  
• A Thai massage at a spot like my fave, Asia Herb Association