Dining at Terminal21

[Evil Penevil]

Love it or hate it, Terminal21 has bolstered the Pattaya food scene with new dining options, some which didn't exist before or had been difficult to find. 

The brand-spanking new mall boasts an impressive 95 food and beverage outlets spread across five of its six levels.  About two-thirds of them offer Asian food (Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean), while one-third are farang-oriented. 

Nearly all the food outlets, Western and Asian, are branches of international chains.

However, the farang places are mostly fast food, pizza, coffee or dessert outlets, with only a handful of full-menu Western restaurants.

Terminal21 also has a food court on the San Francisco level.

 

It's truly Asian, with displays of plastic food.

I haven't tried the food court yet because other food outlets tempted me more.

I was happy to see Marugame Seimen Udon & Tempura had a branch in Terminal21.

It's a big Japanese chain with 1,100 branches worldwide.  

I had a big bowl the niku udon pork for 139 baht, which included three fried gyoza as a special offer.  I also took a piece of prawn tempura and a tempura corn fritter, 39 baht each.  

The entire  meal, with a bottle of water, cost 236 baht.

The udon soup was tasty and filling, with a lot of pork.  I'll definitely be back to try more of Marugame Seimen's menu.

I have also eaten at Jiao Zi Guan, a 20-seat restaurant centered on Chinese-style dumplings.  The name Jiao Zi Guan means "dumpling place" in Chinese.  Jiaozi have long been a personal favorite of mine, but they have been difficult to find in Pattaya other than frozen.  There's no lack of  gyoza, the Japanese equivalent, but they are not the same thing.

I had the Shanghai beef noodle soup for 89 baht and ...

 

pork and leek dumplings for 109 baht.  The meal, with a bottle of water, cost 218 baht.  

The beef noodles had a real Chinese taste, which is a rarity in Pattaya.  Most of what is called Chinese food on menus is actually Thai-style Chinese.  That's not a bad thing and I eat a lot of it, but there are differences in flavor compared to traditional Chinese cuisine.

The dumplings were freshly steamed and had the proper taste and texture, again hard to find in Pattaya.

 

Jiao Zi Guan also offers xiaolongbao, another specialty from the Shanghai region.  They are small, pinched buns that have been filled with meat aspic that melts into soup during the steaming process.  That will be my next meal at Jiao Zi Guan.

On my third outing to Terminal21 I tried the pig's trotter noodles (99 baht) at Hong Kong Noodle,

which has a number of noodle dishes and dim sum on its menu. 

 I also had a Golden Bun (45 baht), which I hadn't eaten in 20 years.

The noodles had a generous amount of braised meat with vegetables in a great broth.  I had a glass of roselle drink for 19 baht.

The Golden Bun was filled with a rich and thick duck-egg custard, but was too sweet for my taste.

The restaurant is well-lit and decorated in bright colors, especially red which symbolizes good fortune, success and happiness in Chinese culture.

 

I'm impressed so far by the meals I've had at Terminal21 and will be back again and again to try more. Whether you want a hamburger, pizza, a cup of coffee or Tai, Chinese and Japanese specialties, you'll find what you want on one of the floors at Terminal21.  Durian pizza, anyone?

Now that's what I call fusion!  And there are also reminders of how you might end up if you indulge too heavily in culinary delights, particularly the sweet stuff that abounds at Terminal21.

Still more food reviews and comments to come.  I have barely scratched the surface of dining at Terminal21.  

Evil

Edited November 16, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[Gibsons1]

Looks like there's a lot of choice... is it that empty or did you go when the doors just opened?

[Evil Penevil]

Before I continue with the reviews, here's a note of explanation on the set-up at Terminal21.  

It has six levels, five named after cities (Paris, London, Tokyo, San Francisco and Hollywood) and one named Italy.  

All but Hollywood (the cinema level) have food or beverage outlets. 

The Pier21 Food Court and many restaurants are concentrated on the 3rd Floor San Franciso level.

 

 

There is also a "food hall" on the M(ezzanie) London level, which includes the 24-hour Foodland supermarket.  

It's ironic, but I don't think you'll find fish and chips on the menu of any outlet on the London level, except maybe Foodland's Took Lae Dee.

I wonder if Hawker Chan will succeed in attracting more customers than it did on Beach Road?  The Hawker Chan branch at Terminal21 is said to be very popular, even crowded at times.

More reminders of London:

 

The restaurants aren't always tied to the level's national cuisine, but are spread hodge-podge throughout Terminal21.

The girl below asked me to take her photo and therein lies the start of a story, but not one for a food thread on this level.  This is Pattaya and anything can happen any time, anywhere.

 

 

I do think, though, that a lot of women in Pattaya are burdened with excess baggage.

The reviews and comments will continue.

Evil

 

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by Evil Penevil
duplicate photos

[Ludhamlad]

1 hour ago, Gibsons1 said:

Looks like there's a lot of choice... is it that empty or did you go when the doors just opened?

The masses would be eating in the food court, it's like the Feeding of the Five Thousand every day.....in the Bangkok one, will have a look at this one later this month.

[Petesie]

Good man! 

[briguy]

First off, great report!

It occurred to me that unlike stores in the U.S. and Europe that make much of their money during the Christmas/Chanukah season, Buddhist countries don't have a holiday associated with gift giving and therefore must make money by selling things people actually need on a year-around basis. Add to that the smaller change in temperature between winter and summer and thus less need for seasonal wear and it's no wonder Terminal 21 and other malls use lowered subsidized food prices to increase their visitor count!

[Madzar]

Great review it has given me all the more reason to explore and taste what terminal 21 has to offer next time I am in town. @chirockr we must check this out and have a look

[dan2016]

I Was very disappointed with the lack of choices in the western food scene compare to Bangkok's Terminal 21, No Mexican, No Tony Romas, No western catered  seafood restaurants, No Cinebun. If you don't like Japanese and other Asian food your choice is very limited there.

Edited November 16, 2018 by dan2016

[Mr Wombat]

Do yourself a favour - after you have eaten go to the toilets on the tokyo level. They are done like a japanese bathhouse. Very cool

[Amon_Amarth]

That mall looks better than than malls in a lot of industrialized countries. Definitely worth a visit.

[Evil Penevil]

 

6 hours ago, Gibsons1 said:

Looks like there's a lot of choice... is it that empty or did you go when the doors just opened?

I took the pics at times it was relatively empty, weekdays mid-afternoon or late evening.  Around noon the eating places have more customers, at least some of them.  The day I ate at Jiao Zi Guan, it had 12 customers at 1.00 p.m. (four Thais, 7 Chinese and me). That's more than half-full, as it seats only 20.

Well-known places like MK and Fuiji were also half-full.  At Central Festival, there are often waiting lines for both.  I've never been to Terminal21 on a weekend, but I have been told there are a lot more customers then.

Here's what happens when you try to take photos when a lot of people are in motion:

4 hours ago, briguy said:

It occurred to me that unlike stores in the U.S. and Europe that make much of their money during the Christmas/Chanukah season, Buddhist countries don't have a holiday associated with gift giving and therefore must make money by selling things people actually need on a year-around basis. Add to that the smaller change in temperature between winter and summer and thus less need for seasonal wear and it's no wonder Terminal 21 and other malls use lowered subsidized food prices to increase their visitor count!

You're right.  Much of the retail sector in the U.S. is dependent on holidays for sales and profit.  My sister used to manage a toy store and said 75% of the store's sales came from Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day.  U.S. retailers commercialized those days very heavily, while the modern version of Thanksgiving is largely attributable to advertising by grocery stores.  In the famous "Franksgiving" incident, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt changed the date of Thanksgiving Day to the fourth Thursday in November from the last Thursday.  He did so to bolster Christmas sales, as Thanksgiving had traditionally marked the beginning of the Christmas season.

The Hollywood cinema floor and arcade games may also bolster visitor numbers to food outlets, especially the Food Court.

 

Evil

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[charlesyu]

Very nice review sir, great work. Obviously, this is added in my visit list when I am in town next time.

[Evil Penevil]

4 hours ago, briguy said:

First off, great report!

 

2 hours ago, Madzar said:

Great review it has given me all the more reason to explore and taste what terminal 21 has to offer next time I am in town. @chirockr we must check this out and have a look

1 hour ago, dan2016 said:

I Was very disappointed with the lack of choices in the western food scene compare to Bangkok's Terminal 21, No Mexican, No Tony Romas, No western catered  seafood restaurants, No Cinebun. If you don't like Japanese and other Asian food your choice is very limited there.

The Western food options are mostly fast food, hamburgers, pizza and desserts/coffee.  You have KFC, Carl's, Chester's, Arno's, A & W, Häagen-Dazs, Swensen's, Cold Stone, Starbucks, Dairy Queen, etc.  There's Pan Pan for Italian and Sizzler for steak and salad. But beyobd that, there isn't much.

  If you've never tried Kono Pizza, it's good for a snack.

 

1 hour ago, Mr Wombat said:

Do yourself a favour - after you have eaten go to the toilets on the Tokyo level. They are done like a japanese bathhouse. Very cool

Yes, it's very cool.  The toilets at all levels are equipped with bum washing technology.

Evil

[sadisfied]

Did Pala Pizza make it to T21 Pattaya?

[dan2016]

That konos Pizza tastes like Mccaines frozen pizza pockets

 

[Evil Penevil]

20 minutes ago, charlesyu said:

Very nice review sir, great work. Obviously, this is added in my visit list when I am in town next time.

    Kind words are always appreciated.

Evil

[Evil Penevil]

1 hour ago, sadisfied said:

Did Pala Pizza make it to T21 Pattaya?

No, I don't think so, not as far as I can see.

Evil

[geezerrb]

Blimey EP if you  try to sample all the food it would months of research!

Fantastic job you do with all your reviews. 

[Kreggerz]

2 hours ago, sadisfied said:

Did Pala Pizza make it to T21 Pattaya?

Yes.

Later at night they were offering 2 for 1 slices takeaway only.

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by Kreggerz

[h.harris]

Thanks for the excellent report ! Have been to all of Central Festival's restaurants, I am exciting to try new T21 restaurants when I come in January. Love Asian food (Thai, Korean, Japanese, Chinese...) so this just great news for me.

[j_d66]

They did a really nice job with this place.

it will be a major hit.

 

Give Arnos a try

 

Great burgers there

[Evil Penevil]

 
Give Arnos a try

  Great burgers there

Yes, Arno's is noted for its burgers .

Evil


Sent from my Sunny2 Plus using Tapatalk

[jiz]

13 hours ago, sadisfied said:

Did Pala Pizza make it to T21 Pattaya?

Yes, on the top floor. Eaten there 3 times. Same same menu. Same delicious meter long pizzas.

Buy 3 slices and get one free was the offer at lunchtime. Eat 2 and take 2 home for dinner. Nice.

Some of the Bangkok staff is stationed there. The lady I recognized informed me the shop is operated by the PanPan management. 

Funny, an Italian Restaurant on the floor below Pala  is also serving the meter long pizzas. 

 

 

[jiz]

Enjoyed some excellent Japanese food there.

Shakariki432 on 2nd floor.

Must be a chain since I've seen them in Bangkok too. Nice atmosphere, great service and food.

Much more interesting & fun than the old reliable Fuji. 

Thumbs up.

Edited November 17, 2018 by jiz

[jiz]

FIN Sushi on the 3rd floor is a premium sushi bar. Traditional favorites and some fusion dishes offered.

Stick to the promotional menu if you want to escape under 1,000Bt.