Friday, October 3, 2008

Cha Cha An Japanese restaurant

This is yet another of a myriad of Japanese restaurants that has opened up in the Sukhumvit zone from Sukhumvit 24-Ekamai.  It makes sense as there are a tremendous amount of Japanese expats and also well-heeled Thais that tend to appreciate Japanese food in this area of Bangkok.  

Cha Cha An opened 5 months ago after renovating an old house On Ekamai soi 10/4 right behind the large Healthland.  I know the place very well as it's in front of my house.  Understandably, it's first few months were very quiet.  I rarely saw a car parked in front.  However, it's really picked up during both lunch and dinner.  So, recently I went for lunch. 

The decor indicates an attempt by Cha Cha An to create a premium atmosphere.  Basically it looks expensive.  However, upon examining the lunch set menu, the prices are down right affordable.  Salmon grill set runs 200 baht with sides, rice, and miso soup.   Most of their lunch items run from 160 THB - 350 THB.  Many choices ensure that Cha Cha An is a great place to lunch at least once a week for locals around Ekamai/TongLor.  

The regular menu did indeed have some premium items like Kobe Beef sukiyaki, and uni-ikura sashimi.  However, it seems that Thailand now has regular suppliers for such items that were until recently only avaialable in the most premium of japanese restaurants here.

I'll be going back as the atmosphere inside is beautiful and serene.  My goal is to try every lunch item by the end of October.  The fact that they have free wi-fi internet access inside is a big plus as I usually lunch alone.

The only negative was that I had to ask them to change out my grilled sawara white fish as it was dried out and had a hint of freezer burn.  It could be that it was frozen solid, and then defrosted in a microwave.  Rather than being light, moist and flaky it was dry and crunchy especially on the edges.  However, they graciously handled the problem and the salmon grill that I chose to replace the fish disaster was suitably good.

to your next great meal!

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