Aeisah Rotdee @ Bangkok – Thai-Muslim Coffee Shop with Superb Oxtail Soup

[BANGKOK, THAILAND] Just across the street from Wat Bowonniwet and a stone’s throw away from the over-populated touristy Khao San Road lies this hidden coffee shop, which houses a few hawkers who serve Thai-Muslim food. It’s actually very wonderful to see people coming from different ethnic backgrounds and of different races, living together in the same neighbourhood in Bang Lamphu and bonding with each other. Promoting racial harmony is of major importance in a community. Aeisah Rotdee has been a longstanding coffee shop since Bang Lamphu neighbourhood was labeled, “Hollywood of the Past”.

Upon entering this coffee shop, your stomachs will start growling from the tantalizing smells coming from the first hawker stall. This stall serves mouthwatering Sup Haang Wua (Oxtail soup) which arrived on our tables piping hot. Don’t be deceived by its appearance – although it doesn’t look spicy, it actually packs a fiery punch! You’ll be first hit by a sourish taste, followed by a hint of saltiness. The Thai spices used in this soup perfectly enhanced its flavours. This would be a very ideal meal on rainy days.

Besides serving their super popular Oxtail soup that’s always sold out, this hawker stall also offers Khao Mok (Thai-style briyani). We tried Khao Mok Neua (Thai-style beef briyani) and Khao Mok Gai (Thai-style chicken briyani). The rice was well-prepared, with a good consistency as each grain is individually glazed with just enough chicken stock. Both the beef and chicken were well-marinated with their respective secret sauce and cooked till fork-tender. Don’t forget to try the greenish Thai sauce that accompanies your briyani. It consists of a tinge of herbal taste, with a tangy finish, and completes each mouthful of briyani.

There are a couple of other hawker stalls which sold Satay, Achar, Spring Rolls and Meatballs. Our favourite was the chewy meatball skewers, which look spicy but don’t taste spicy. They cost only 10 baht (40sgd cents) per stick.

Thank you Thai Airways, (Amazing Thailand) Tourism Authority of Thailand and the World Tourism Organization for organizing the ASEAN Bloggers Media Trip to Bangkok this year.