When in doubt, order pasta. Restaurants in Bangkok are closed for the time being in an effort to minimize the number of cases in Thailand’s battle against the pandemic. With nowhere to go for the foreseeable future, we thought we’d bring back our delivery recommendations and hopefully inspire your next orders. Enjoy our top picks for pasta to-go spots for every mood and occasion.
For When You’re On A Budget
Black King Bar
It’s nearing the end of the month, and you have to peek through your fingers as you wait for the balance to load on your banking app. You should be saving your money until payday rolls around. You really shouldn’t be ordering in. But it’s been a long week, and you’re tired of eating the same meals in your home-cooking rotation. Enter Black King Bar, the latest venture from the team behind Asia Today and Teens of Thailand. As part of their lockdown promotion, all of their pastas clock in at THB 99, but none of them compromise on flavour. Take your pick from classics like surf clam vongole and spaghetti pomodoro or go for something Thai-influenced with the anchovy and crispy pla salid AOP. Better yet, order them all: the price is right.
Contact info: LINE @blackkingpizzeria
For When You’re Feeling Adventurous
OO Pasta
Though it may seem like an odd confession for the owner of a pasta joint, Mona Teeratada has admitted to wishing that he could remove spaghetti from his restaurant’s menu. The Iron Chef 2019 winner is deeply passionate about encouraging people to explore a world of pasta beyond the classic noodle, and it shows: OO Pasta offers 14 different pasta types made fresh to order, including ox tongue ravioli and little-known but delicious Sardinian lorighittas. Of course, the wide range of sauces provide a perfect accompaniment. The truffle cream and mushroom is a fan favorite, and the squid ink is excellent – both are priced at THB 270.
Contact info: LINE @oopasta / Call 096-719-9689
For When You’re Celebrating
L’Oliva
Many birthdays, anniversaries and promotions at work have happened while we’ve been in quarantine, and although it is certainly a shame that we aren’t able to celebrate these occasions in typical fashion, we certainly don’t have to let them pass by unnoticed, either. For those nights when only the best will do, L’Oliva is a fantastic option for pasta delivery. The food here is rooted in traditions from the Abruzzo region of Italy, and you’ll spot plenty of family recipes scattered throughout the menu. If you’re marking a big occasion at home, look no further than their Truffle Lover special menu, which allows you to choose between fresh winter truffles from Australia and fresh summer truffles from Italy to serve as the crown jewel in each dish — the tagliolini truffle is an indulgent highlight. As part of their Happy at Home Campaign, Chef Gabriele Luna also dreamed up a fresh pasta concept, the L’Oliva Pasta Kits, to help customers put together restaurant-quality dishes in their home kitchens. They come with with made-to-order pasta, fresh sauces and detailed video instructions for cooking featuring Luna himself.
Contact info: LINE @lolivabkk / Call 094-858-9868
For When You’re Feeling Nostalgic
Pan Pan
Bangkok’s restaurant scene can feel like a revolving door of sparkling openings and sudden closures, but amidst all the changes, Pan Pan has remained a staple for over 20 years. There’s something for everyone here, and many a family dinner has been held around its orange-draped tables, making it the perfect place to order from when you’re craving pasta with a side of nostalgia. Anyone who grew up eating at Pan Pan will have their own favourites from the unchanging menu, but the carbonara and bolognese are popular picks. Of course, no matter what main courses you opt for, don’t forget to add a side of melt-in-your-mouth Italian sausage, Pan Pan’s hero dish.
Contact info: Call 02-258-5071
For When You Want Something Authentically Italian
La Dotta
This Thonglor spot gets its name from a long-held nickname for the city of Bologna: in Italian, la dotta translates to “the wise one”, and the expertly composed menu certainly lives up to this title. With a glance at their offerings, you immediately get the sense that La Dotta’s dishes have been created by a team that knows Italian food. Here, carbonara is made the traditional Roman way, as an alchemic blend of Pecorino Romano, egg yolk and imported guanciale that silkily coats their fresh bucatini without relying on cream. The amatriciana is slow-cooked for four hours, and the lamb ragu for eight. This attention to detail does come with a steep price tag, but La Dotta is a great choice if you’re craving a night in with a truly special Italian meal.
Contact info: Call 02-392-8688 / ladotta.co
For When You Want Something Authentically Italian
Tiny Room Homemade Cuisine
Sometimes, you just want to sit down to a bowl of something cozy, and Tiny Room Homemade Cuisine fits the bill. They specialise in homey dishes and family recipes — food that tastes like it was made for you by someone who loves you. During normal times, we recommend calling ahead before you stop by. As the name suggests, the small space only seats 13 people, and it gets booked up very quickly. Luckily, you can now enjoy their signature pastas from the comfort of your own home! The mentaiko spaghetti is particularly beloved, but it’s hard to go wrong here. For THB 250, they’ll also top your pasta with a generous helping of burrata.
Contact info: LINE @tinyroom
Writer: Petch Kingchatchaval
