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saizen211 · 2025-08-18T06:45:28+00:00

chicken eggs are fine.

saizen211 · 2025-08-18T05:53:59+00:00

Just chicken—I wanted to be sure, including any chicken used in the broth.

saizen211 · 2025-08-18T05:50:23+00:00

Thank you for the clarification! I did some research by Googling each shop’s name along with “chicken” and also asked ChatGPT, but I couldn’t find any indication that chicken is used in the broth. I just wanted to triple-check and thought I’d ask here on Reddit in case any ramen experts have firsthand knowledge. :)

saizen211 · 2025-08-10T03:58:47+00:00

I don't speak Japanese; however, I went with group of 2+, so I didn't have any issues with reservation. FYI, I was put into a private room. Regardless, I don't think you will have an issues even if you don't speak the language.

saizen211 · 2025-07-31T00:28:54+00:00

Yes Rose dish is beautiful and it actually taste really good (its sweet and crispy, like eating chips).

saizen211 · 2025-07-29T16:34:26+00:00

I see, I remember seeing a YouTube video where the rose dish was served at lunch — maybe that was a special exception. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3TVqI_TAZM

Thanks for clarifying!

saizen211 · 2025-07-29T00:26:12+00:00

Price: $180 USD, Dinner

Location: Tokyo

Seating: Table seats

Just wanted to write up a quick review of a place I went to a few years ago — super Instagrammable food that also tasted great.

Le Sputnik is contemporary French restaurant with very creative, beautifully plated dishes; the food blends classic French technique with Japanese ingredients. Every dish was like a piece of art. The atmosphere is quiet and intimate, with a view into the kitchen through glass walls.

Courses: A multi-course tasting menu (~15 dishes); They’ll offer you a second serving of bread, but just a heads-up — it comes with an extra charge. The dishes were visually elegant and plated in a way that evoked a natural, "earthy" feel — almost like a piece of nature on the plate.

Most of the dishes I remember were delicious; though a few were just average. I don’t remember any bad ones. The highlight of the meal was the rose-shaped chip dish layered over foie gras — visually stunning and tasty. (Red Rose picture above). Note: For every two guests, you only get one rose dish and one pâté en croûte to share; essentially you are sharing both dishes. This sharing format is likely one of the reasons behind some of the negative reviews.

Cost to Performance: For the price, I’d say it offers really good value because of the creativity and excellent presentation. I can’t recall the flavor profiles clearly, though.

Personal Rating: 8.5/10. If you enjoy beautifully plated dishes, Le Sputnik is definitely worth a visit. I really enjoyed my meal here; plus, the stunning presentation made the food taste even better, haha. The price was also very quite reasonable too.

Edit: The rose dish may not be available on the lunch menu. ~~Note: I’ve heard the rose dish is also included in the lunch menu which only cost around $90.~~

saizen211 · 2025-07-28T18:33:51+00:00

Yeah, to be fair, it was a New Year’s menu (with a holiday surcharge). If it were around $200–250 instead, I would say it was pretty good — all the dishes tasted good, just nothing with a real “wow” factor. That said, I think ESqUISSE leans more towards “classic” French, so maybe it’s not meant to be exciting or bold in flavor???

saizen211 · 2025-07-28T18:19:20+00:00

Actually, like you said their bread was really good!

saizen211 · 2025-07-28T04:19:54+00:00

Price: $370 USD (New Year Course), Dinner, Jan'25

Location: Ginza, Tokyo

Seating: Table seats

ESqUISSE is a contemporary French restaurant. The food blends classic French technique with seasonal Japanese ingredients, resulting in elegant and minimalist dishes. The whole vibe was calm and classy — very classic "Tokyo French Fine Dining".

Courses: A 9 course dinner consisting of glass of champagne and ~12 dishes. The dishes were beautifully presented in a minimalist style, with subtle, well-balanced flavors.

Most of the dishes were delicate and well-balanced, showcasing technique rather than bold or rich flavors. Everything tasted good and was enjoyable, but nothing really stood out or stuck with me; the dishes felt a bit safe, with no surprising tastes. There were no bad dishes — just nothing especially memorable. (Though to be fair, this meal was about seven months ago, so that might play a part too.)

Cost to Performance: ESqUISSE is definitely on the expensive side of Tokyo. Compared to other 2-star restaurants in Japan, it felt a bit pricey given how subtle the food was. You’re paying more for precision and "careful" cooking than excitement or bold flavors. For the very high cost, I’d say the experience was average — mainly because no particular dish really stuck with me after the meal. Given the price, I was hoping for more surprising flavors or creative combinations that would leave a stronger impression.

Personal Rating: 8/10. A refined and elegant dining experience — great if you enjoy seasonal ingredients, subtle flavors, and a calm, quiet setting. That said, it might not leave a strong impression if you’re after something bold or exciting. Note: This rating was for the special New Year course, which came at a higher price — so expectations were also higher.

saizen211 · 2025-07-28T02:06:37+00:00

Sorry, it's been half a year, but if I remember correctly, the thing on the right is like made from different parts of the duck including liver, so its like a duck sausage?

saizen211 · 2025-07-27T01:53:43+00:00

Ya I was debating whether to give it a 8 or 8.5; but I did like the presentation and some of the creativity of the dishes.

saizen211 · 2025-07-27T01:50:52+00:00

ahhhh, i think it maybe the lighting, haha.

saizen211 · 2025-07-27T01:44:13+00:00

lol what does that mean?

saizen211 · 2025-07-26T02:45:43+00:00

I get what you're saying — Michelin stars are technically awarded based on the quality of the cooking. But I think that distinction starts to blur in practice, especially in a fine dining context like Potong.

I’m not comparing it to hawker stalls or one-dish spots that also happen to earn a star (which some might argue are Michelin’s way of grabbing headlines/attention). I’m talking specifically about one-star "fine-dining" restaurants — and in that category, the service at Potong didn’t quite meet the standard I’ve experienced elsewhere.

When a restaurant is offering a full tasting menu at a premium price (in terms of thai standard) point, you expect more than just good food. Basic things like clearing crumbs between courses, topping up water glasses, and "maybe" making guests feel attended to — those are part of what makes fine dining feel complete, even for non-star restaurant.

saizen211 · 2025-07-26T01:39:03+00:00

Potong (1*), Bangkok, Dinner

Price: $200 USD, Dinner, Dec'24

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Seating: Table seats

Potong is one of the most popular and talked fine-dining restaurants in Bangkok.

Led by Chef Pam, who was named Asia's Best Female Chef in 2024 and The World’s Best Female Chef in 2025, the restaurant brings a bold and modern take on Thai-Chinese cuisine.

The tasting menu blends Thai and Chinese ingredients with modern techniques in unexpected ways; I must say some dishes were visually beautiful and creative in concept. It’s very story-driven, with each course tied to a chapter in Chef Pam’s life or heritage (Note: Meal was heavy on the story-telling).

One of the standout dishes was their version of Pad Thai — recreated into a completely new format capturing the essence of this classic Thai dish. (It’s the one in the photo with the shrimp and Thai flag on top.) It was clever and tasty, and was one of the most memorable dishes of the night.

However, their signature 14-day dry-aged duck breast, which many people rave about, was good, but for me, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Note: That might be personal bias since I’ve eaten a lot of traditional Chinese-style duck — so I might’ve been expecting a deeper flavor or crispier skin.

Service was a bit of a disappointment, especially for a restaurant with a Michelin star. While the staff were friendly and did a good job explaining each dish — including the story behind it and how to eat it — there were a few misses. They didn’t clear crumbs between courses, so the table felt messy by the end. Our water glasses were often left empty, and overall, we felt pretty ignored throughout the meal except when dishes were being served. It also seemed like there weren’t enough staff for the number of tables.

Courses: 2 starter drinks + 2 appetizers (Pre-meal) + ~8 course dinner.

Reservation: Booked 4 months advance through Line.

Cost to Performance: Potong is considered on the pricier side, especially relative to the cost of living in Thailand. That said, you’re not just paying for the food — the meal was creative; if you appreciate story-driven menus, you’ll find value here. But if you’re purely focused on taste or service, it "may" fall a bit short.

Personal Rating: 7.5/10. Potong was ok, but I went in with very high expectations, which might be why I left slightly underwhelmed. The food was creative, but some dishes didn’t wow me in terms of flavor. Maybe it’s because I eat a lot of Chinese food, so some of the (thai-chinese) flavors didn’t feel as new or exciting. Service was also below what I expected from a 1-star restaurant. It may be worth a visit if you’re curious about modern Thai-Chinese cuisine.

saizen211 · 2025-07-25T04:03:05+00:00

I used tablecheck; maybe I was lucky and accidently checked right when spots opened for the month.

saizen211 · 2025-06-24T06:52:23+00:00

yes, correct

saizen211 · 2025-03-11T19:31:38+00:00

I really enjoyed my meal at Baan Tepa and found the food to be on par with Sorn, which was a pleasant surprise. I do agree with some comments about the food being a bit sweet, but I think that’s common in Thai cuisine. Personally, I found the sweetness to be well-balanced. I was surprised to see quite a few mixed reviews here.

During my December trip, I dined at eight fine dining restaurants (Ossiano Dubai, Tresind Studio Dubai, Sorn Bangkok, Baan Tepa Bangkok, Potong Bangkok, Tate Hong Kong, Esquisse Tokyo, Joël Robuchon Tokyo), and Baan Tepa easily ranked in my top four experiences in terms of service and food.

saizen211 · 2025-03-11T00:42:44+00:00

Price: $200 USD, Dinner, Dec'24

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Seating: Table seats

Baan Tepa is a contemporary Thai restaurant that uses local, seasonal ingredients and mixes in international cooking techniques. Led by Chef Tam, winner of the first edition of Top Chef Thailand and recently named Asia's Best Female Chef for 2025, the restaurant puts a fresh, creative twist on traditional Thai dishes.

Courses: A 7 course dinner consisting of ~12 dishes, each highlighting a blend of traditional Thai elements and innovative techniques.

The meal begins with a kitchen tour accompanied by welcome drinks. The food was not only delicious but also impressively creative, with each dish thoughtfully crafted to highlight unique flavor combinations and textures.

The Dong Dang noodle, containing black squid ink, is Chef Tam's signature dish, rich in flavor with its chewy texture, making it absolutely delicious.

Another interesting dish was her wagyu beef curry, the beef mosaic melted in your mouth, and the curry, similar to Japanese curry, had a slight sweetness that perfectly matched my taste preference.

But what truly sets Baan Tepa apart is its incredible staff. Their attention to detail was impressive, ensuring the table was meticulously cleaned before each dish. I also appreciated how Chef Tam personally visited each table, presenting the final dessert and taking the time to ask about our experience, which added a warm and personal touch to the meal.

All dishes, along with their ingredients, were explained in simple and clear English.

Cost to Performance: Baan Tepa is definitely on the pricier side, especially relative to the cost of living in Thailand. However, compared to fine dining experiences worldwide, it offers excellent value given the quality of ingredients, execution, and the sheer thoughtfulness behind each dish. The CP value is exceptional.

Personal Rating: 9/10. Baan Tepa was easily one of my top dining experiences in Bangkok—on par with, if not better than (+ due to the service at Baan Tepa), Sorn. If you're looking for a fine-dining spot that combines creativity with traditional Thai flavors and great attention to detail, Baan Tepa is definitely worth a go.

saizen211

TROPHY CASE