Ootoya Washoku

Ok, usually I try NOT to write about chain, corporate restaurants.  However, I have to give Ootoya a nod.  This Washoku style (everday japanese cuisine) restaurant chain is so consistent, and good that I feel it important to promote them here.  I personally eat there 3-4 times a week and it would be immensely hypocritical of me to not mention them.  Ootoyas singular focus is to deliver great quality at low prices-VALUE!

You'll see japanese businessmen, japanese families, and many many middle-upper class thais eat here.

They have curry udon, great hot/cold soba, awesome grilled fish bentos, tonkatsu, japanese fried chicken, and marinated tuna sashimi among many other sets.

The prices are unbelievably affordable as well.  You can eat lunch or dinner there for under 200 baht.  So, short and sweet you can't go wrong here and whether you are visiting or living in Bangkok you will love the quality at Ootoya.  

Ootoya is at most malls, and shopping centers throughout central Bangkok.  J-Avenue Tong lor; Emporium 5th Fl, Paragon ground floor are some specific locations.

The Marie Royal Korean Cuisine

Nice!  

I say this because it's the first word that popped to mind when I saw the decor of this fairly new restaurant.  I've bemoaned that Korean restaurants are hopelessly designed when you compare them with most Japanese counterparts.  It makes No sense either, as Koreans have tremendous sense of personal style and are very artistic.  However, I see pathologically ugly interiors that really give a sense that style is always an afterthought.  The Marie is alternatively tasteful and beautifully designed.  It looks like something out of the set of the hit movie "Winter Sonata".  It makes sense as the husband and wife proprietors are university and professionally trained artists and graphic designers.  So how's the food you might ask?

They offer traditional and fusion Korean dishes sans the BBQ table and thus no smoky garlicky hair and clothing when you leave.  It's much more in the style of Korean restaurant cafes in Japan, but the great thing is that the food is actually cooked by Mrs. Marie so the food has "seoul"!  Excusing the pun, Marie also has a pedigree in traditional chinese herbal medicines (A long practiced art by Koreans as well) from her grandfather, and incorporates healthy cooking ingredients and methods.

The food is delicious and the lunch sets are very affordable at around 150 baht.  Very nice, stylish place to have a lunch or dinner.

The Marie on Tong Lor soi 13, Bangkok inside the Home Place Building 1st floor