During my recent Bangkok trip, I found myself spending more time than expected at the EmQuartier Mall Food Court. The location was conveniently close to my last accommodation, and I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of dining options and attractions.
Following my previous post about the Gai Yang Pratunam Chicken Rice, I’ll introduce you to some delightful meals and desserts I discovered.
EmQuartier Mall Food Court Location
The EmQuartier Mall Food Court is directly connected to the BTS Skytrain Phrom Phong station. Once inside, head down to the basement level 1, where you’ll find a massive food court with numerous restaurants and dining options.
Pro tip: If you plan to pay with cash, visit the counter at the entrance to load money onto a card. Any unused balance can be refunded at the same counter.
Nai Yuan Yen Ta Fo: A Colorful Noodle Experience
First up is Nai Yuan Yen Ta Fo, a renowned noodle shop famous for its distinctive pink-colored noodles. I was initially unfamiliar with this place but was intrigued by the Michelin mark on their storefront.
While their main branch in Bangkok doesn’t have air conditioning, this food court location offers a cool, comfortable dining environment.
The most striking feature of these noodles is the reddish broth, created by the Yen Ta Fo sauce. This sauce, made with fermented tofu and ketchup, offers a unique sweet and tangy flavor profile.
I opted for their most popular menu item, ordering the regular size. The noodles came in a light pink broth, topped with an array of toppings including tofu, fish balls, crispy bits, and pork liver.
The broth was exactly as described – slightly sweet and sour, likely from the ketchup. Despite online mentions of spiciness, I found it mild (though I might have a high spice tolerance).
The combination of wide noodles, diverse toppings, and the tangy broth created an entirely new taste experience. By the end of the meal, I was thoroughly satisfied and impressed.
Kanom Bung Chao Aroy Yao Arat: Traditional Thai Toast
You’ve likely seen this shop during your Bangkok travels – characterized by a lengthy name and a photo of what appears to be a couple running the business. They specialize in thick toast filled with condensed milk or various creams.
Located in the EmQuartier Mall food court, I decided to try their signature milk menu item.
The bread had a homemade quality – dense and without much texture. Toasted to perfection, it was wonderfully aromatic and tasty.
However, the milk cream (or more accurately, condensed milk) was overwhelming. Extremely sticky and sweet, the filling was so abundant that eating neatly was nearly impossible. An Americano would be essential to balance the sweetness. While manageable in the food court with utensils and napkins, this might be challenging to eat on the street.
I’m looking forward to trying a less sweet version on my next visit.
Coconut Ice Cream: A Classic Thai Dessert
No Bangkok trip is complete without trying coconut ice cream, typically found in night markets or Chatuchak Weekend Market. I spotted this dessert after my meal and couldn’t resist.
Expecting a standard ice cream, I was surprised by an authentic Thai dessert. Real coconut meat topped the ice cream, which sat on a bed of sticky rice.
The coconut meat was mild, but perfectly complemented the sweet ice cream. As a fan of mango sticky rice, I found this equally delightful.
Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the diverse culinary offerings at the EmQuartier Mall Food Court. The clean, air-conditioned environment made sampling various Thai dishes a pleasure. If you’re curious about my other dining experiences, check out the links below.
