The best way to see a city is to walk. That is especially the case with Bangkok where one risks spending most of the day in stuck in traffic. But when it is hot, neighbourhoods, even charming ones, loose their shine. This is why Bangkok’s tuktuk’s are so fantastic. They are everywhere, easy to stop and not expensive. They zig zag their way through traffic and get you to your destination in a flash. We, unfortunately, had decided against the tuk tuk, instead committed to exploring the area between Talat Noi and Kad Kokoa’s Sathon location by foot. I wouldn’t recommend it, walking there that is, but I would highly recommend you do visit.
Kad Kakao is a bean to bar chocolate maker with several locations around the city. We wanted to visit this one in particular because it is where they make their chocolate, amazingly in a tiny, incredibly well organised section right at the front of their store which you can observe while enjoying their products. All of their chocolates, each made from beans sourced from different regions of Thailand, are available for tasting. Choose your favourite and they will turn it into a hot or cold chocolate for you. To accompany your drink, they offer a wide selection of cakes, bonbons and ice creams as well. The cafe space is lovely…and air-conditioned so we lingered for a long time, using it as an excuse to order more and more, trying a bit of this, and then a bit of that. Their cacao pulp ice cream is a very nice chaser to their hot chocolate which was, as expected, very enjoyable. I loved how they also give you a few pieces of the chocolate you chose for your drink, so that you can taste it “pure” as well.
When you finish, make sure you ask where the bathrooms are and follow their instructions. Along the way you will pass large windows where you can view the creation of their different products. Although I don’t’ recommend walking from Talat Noi to Kad Kokoa, you can walk from here easily to Lumphini Park. In the middle of the park there are paddleboat available to hire for free. This is also not far from The Sukhothai which has a very famous chocolate buffet on certain days of the week (not today unfortunately).
Kad Kokoa, 1076 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 17, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand. Several other locations across the city. Open everyday 9am – 6pm.
