In Bangkok, where afternoon tea has taken the city by storm and the multi-tiered platters of Western finger food and miniature pastries have made their way into local people's Instagram more frequently than Thai snacks, searching for a distinctive teatime experience can be quite a challenge.
Still, it is possible, should you head to Erawan Tea Room.
The 50-seat establishment, operated by Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok hotel, was launched in 2005 on the second floor of Erawan Bangkok as a resurrection of the legendary Erawan Tea Room, which was open from 1953-88.
As a restaurant, it has a long list of authentic Thai entrées and personal-portioned dishes, plus an extensive repertoire of Thai desserts.
As a tea room, it offers a wide selection of teas from around the world. Besides the English and Chinese classics are also several Thai herbal selections such as lemon grass, bale fruit and mint tea, as well as a seasonal selection of a local rendition of tipple-time delicacies served on green celadon earthenware from a multi-tiered stand.
Available daily from 2.30-6pm, the Erawan Tea Room afternoon tea set combines local favourite light bites and desserts -- most of them prepared to age-old, homestyle Thai recipes -- to be ideally paired with piping-hot Thai herbal tea.
Of the current set (600 baht per person), guests will find from the 14-item selection the likes of chor muang sai poo, or steamed flower-shaped dumplings with peppery crabmeat filling; sakhoo linchi or tapioca balls stuffed with yellow bean paste and lychee; goong nueng phong karee, or steamed prawn in curry sauce; yum tuna krathong thong, or sour and spicy tuna salad in thin and crispy pie crust; sai krok E-sarn, or grilled sour pork sausage with pickled ginger; and kaphrao gai chicken puff to represent the savoury items.
While sweet dainties are represented by mango sticky rice; khanom khrok, or pan-baked rice puddings; khanom buang, or crispy crepe; Thai-style banana fritters with pistachio; and durian cheesecake with mango cream.
The set also comes with freshly baked scones accompanied by whipped cream and home-made strawberry jam and a selection of hot coffee or tea.
Erawan Tea Room is located on the 2nd floor of Erawan Bangkok shopping mall on Phloen Chit Road. For reservations, call 02-254-6250.
