Baan Maii Chaii Klong

Great eats, superb location.

Inspired by the TV series, "The Trip" my good friend, Awi and I, recently ventured to the edge of Nonthaburi to dine at one of his favourite home district restaurants.

When Awi said the eatery was out of the way, and hard to find, he wasn't kidding. We finally got to Baan Maii Chaii Klong (BCMK) after a 20 minute drive that took us down small side streets and through quiet, leafy neighbourhoods.

Though we were only 35-40 minutes from the centre of Bangkok, this old klong-side family restaurant offers a feel, or a glimpse of life in the capital before skyscrapers, sky trains, expressways, mega malls, whitening creams, soap operas, condos and subways.

Sitting under a big shady sala, surrounded by old trees and huge plants, and nursing an ice cold lime soda, it was a happy Monday. In addition, my accompanying junior food critic daughter enjoyed the river vista watching fish, bathing dogs, boat vendors, a visiting stork and three fat cats.

This was sloooow dining at its best and a perfect counter to the searing midday heat. And the food itself? We kept it pretty simple - prawn cakes, vegetable stir fry, moo dad jiew (pork jerky) and a fire-starting yum tua phu (wing bean salad) - and it was all good, very good.

The selection is massive so we'll have to come back with more people to fully sample their extensive menu. Given its special and serene location, it's a happening spot in the weekend so a booking is a must to enjoy this true 'hidden gem' of a restaurant.

Baan Maii Chaii Klong Facebook page

Besides good food, enjoy a quieter, gentler and more laid back Bangkok.

Rustic, simple and tasty dishes. The rice includes cubes of taro as well as corn.