Food Diary - Nuer Koo & After You, Bangkok

Dinner on our first evening in Bangkok this Easter trip (posted here) was completely unplanned. We had returned to Siam Paragon so Hubby could make a few inquiries about stuff. Then we kind of wandered around aimlessly, trying to decide what to eat. It was crowded everywhere, and we were feeling a little sian.

We ended up popping into Nuer Koo (เนื้อคู่), a premium beef noodles store in Siam Paragon. We actually decided to eat there without looking into it... thought it would be interesting to see how this modern treatment of a classic Thai street food would turn out.

Nuer Koo, Siam Paragon (IG)

Nuer Koo offers a choice of 6 cuts of beef - sirloin, shoulder, under rib, rib eye, Australian wagyu, and Japanese Kobe - as well as a choice of slim or flat rice noodles, or Japanese rice. We opted for under rib and Kobe, both with flat noodles (also called kway teow (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว) in Thailand).

Under rib and Kobe beef noodles, Nuer Koo, Siam Paragon (Instagram)

Classic kway teow neua but with expensive beef cuts. Both the under rib and the Kobe beef slices were very tender. We enjoyed the Kobe beef noodles - each slice was so tender, we didn't even need to chew, and it made the broth sweet. But Hubby and I preferred the under rib, which (though very tender) had more bite, and more robust meaty flavour (i.e. less sweet). The difference in the flavours of the broths were also easily discernible.

They were delicious beef noodles. But not sure if one could say it is one of the best beef noodles soup in Bangkok. And I'm quite sure I am not alone in this view. In any case, I've not slurped down enough kway teow neua in Bangkok to vouch for that statement. I haven't even tried the 4 that Mark Wiens of Eating Thai Food and Migrationology named, viz Heng Chun Seng (ร้าน เฮ้งชุนเส็ง), Wattana Panich (วัฒนาพานิช), Neua Toon Tha Nam Sathu Pradit (ร้านเนื้อตุ๋นท่าน้ำสาธุประดิษฐ์), and Guay Teow Sen Lek Nuaa.

While wandering around, we found After You! And yes, it was super crowded. After You is reported to be very popular with tourists and locals, teens and working adults.

After You, Siam Paragon

Its popularity can certainly be confirmed in a glance during the peak hours. Hubby and I took a queue number, and as we waited we just drooled at the roast ducks at the Four Seasons takeout counter located opposite After You.

Chocolate banana pancake, After You, Siam Paragon

Hubby got himself the chocolate banana pancakes. From the looks of it, the pancakes look soft and fluffy. And since Hubby wolfed them down without a word, I assume they were yummy and well made. I was hoping he would get the Thai tea kakigori (modernised ice kachang version of cha yen).

Shibuya Honey Toast, After You, Siam Paragon (Instagram)

I chose their bestseller, the Shibuya Honey Toast. It is much blogged about and Instagrammed as "Must Try". But gotta admit, it was worth trying: crispy outside, soft and buttery inside, sweet and savoury, warm and cold. The vanilla ice cream did melt into a stick puddle, so I think they need to reconsider the crockery...a shallow pasta bowl perhaps?