In an obscure corner of the hipster haven that is Thonglor, sits a glasshouse almost hidden by lush foliage. This oasis in urban Bangkok is Patom Organic Living, a cafe that also features a retail corner selling certified organic produce and body care products.
As the name suggests, all the organic ingredients used in the food, snacks and retail products are sourced from a network of local organic farmers as well as Patom’s own organic farm.
The cafe itself is a feast for the eyes. Decked in a mix of white-washed and rustic furnishings, the space beckons with curved walls and large floor-to-ceiling windows that soften the otherwise angular structure.
There’s also a mezzanine floor where you can really take in the whole vibe of the cafe. The ambience offered a reprieve from busy Bangkok and was very calming for the senses.
After exploring the space, my eyes were drawn to a long table of colourful desserts and tiffin carriers.
This is a self-service cafe so all you have to do is pick your desired dishes, head to the cashier to order your drinks, pay and the staff will heat up the food for you.
I started at the tiffin box section. Inside the Organic Pinto Lunch Boxes (THB 130 – THB 180), as they are called, are one-dish meals that looked pretty commonplace but were packed with flavour.
I went for two pork dishes; one with noodles and one with rice.
The Stir-Fried Noodles with Pork and Egg (THB 130) is flat rice noodles (kway teow) stir-fried with minced pork in an aromatic sauce comprising cilantro root, pepper and garlic.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the dish, which also came with a hardboiled egg and a medley of raw vegetables for added crunch. Everything was very fresh and it was comforting eating out of the tiffin tins.
The Pork with Steamed Riceberry Rice (THB 120) was wrapped in a banana leaf instead and came with a shrimp chilli paste that gave a spicy kick to the dish. The pork neck slices looked dry and tough but were surprisingly juicy with a nice bite.
After trying the two pork dishes, I was more than ready for dessert. Most Thai desserts are made up of coconut milk, glutinous rice and/or a carbohydrate component, which often makes it too jelak to try more than a couple at once.
Here at Patom Organic Living however, desserts come in bite-sized portions and at only THB 10 apiece, it’s really affordable to sample a selection. What I liked the most about the traditional offerings was that the sweetness level was just right.
I had to try the coffee as well since the organic Arabica beans are handpicked from the Chiang Dao district in Northern Thailand. The Latte (THB 110) was bold in flavour with a good amount of milk and froth – an ideal end to a hearty meal.
If you’re looking for a drink that can double-up as dessert, go for the Affogato with Coconut Ice Cream (THB 100), which is sprinkled with toasted coconut flesh. I loved the idea of using coconut ice cream, since it really matched the Thai flavours of my meal that day. The overall combination was velvety smooth, with caramel notes.
Fancy tea instead? The Organic Lemongrass Tea (THB 100, Hot; THB 110, Cold) was uplifting and paired well with the desserts. It was very fragrant and served as a great palate cleanser.
When you visit, you must be sure to check out the retail side of the cafe as well. You’ll find a variety of snacks to take home, alongside organic body and skincare products made with natural and locally sourced ingredients.
Testers are available for most products and there’s even a sink so you can rinse off after. How thoughtful is that!
Keeping in line with eco-conscious living, there’s also a refillery corner to encourage consumers to bring their own containers for the products.
After some food and retail therapy, I decided to take a walk in the garden despite having to share the serenity with the mozzies. It was a lovely area, offering even more photo opportunities.
The owners here really aim to promote sustainability and raise ecological awareness. It was evident in everything; from the food, to the retail side, and the curation of the space. Safe to say that I will be returning, this time with my own containers.
Expected damage: THB 250 – THB 500 per person
Price: $
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Patom Organic Living
9, Phrom Phak Soi 2, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Patom Organic Living
9, Phrom Phak Soi 2, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110