Wednesday 18 March 2026

Good morning Bangkok. It's Wednesday and we're looking at 27-36°C (81-97°F) with hot conditions and isolated thunderstorms in about 10% of the Bangkok area. PM2.5 is moderate but central Bangkok still has poor ventilation. Heat index at "warning" level between 11 AM and 3 PM. But the weather isn't the biggest story today. Let's get into it.

Bangkok has been named Best City in Asia for the third consecutive year at the DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2026, beating Tokyo (second) and Singapore (third). The award, based on over one million votes from 45,000 readers worldwide across 38 categories, was announced at a ceremony at The St. Regis Bali Resort on March 5. DestinAsian cited four strengths: the blend of tradition and modernity (temples next to skyscrapers), the diverse culinary scene (street food to fine dining), the range of tourism offerings (luxury hotels to nightlife), and the hospitality of the "City of Smiles." Thailand also placed strong across other categories: Capella Bangkok ranked first in Best Boutique City Hotels, Phuket fourth and Ko Samui fifth in Best Islands, Suvarnabhumi Airport third in Best Airports, and Thai Airways fourth in Best Airlines. Deputy government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit said the ranking reinforces Thailand's standing as a leading tourism destination.

Bottom line: This is the kind of recognition that matters for Bangkok's brand. Three years in a row means it's not a fluke. For expats, you already know why Bangkok wins this, and I couldn’t agree more. For the newsletter, this is worth celebrating even as the energy crisis dominates the headlines. The irony: Bangkok just won "Best City in Asia" the same week petrol stations started running out of fuel.

Bangkok's matcha craze has hit a new peak in 2026, and it's not slowing down. The city-wide shortage of premium matcha earlier this year caused a spike in both demand and prices, and now a single cup of ultra-premium ceremonial grade matcha at Deep Tea (Home of Tea) in Ladprao costs ฿3,900. Yes, for one cup of green tea. And customers are paying it; If any of my readers have tried it please let me know if it’s worth it. Meanwhile, CentralWorld just wrapped its "World Taste of Tea 2026" festival (March 11-17), which brought together over 100 tea and matcha brands from Japan, South Korea, China, Sri Lanka, Argentina, and India, drawing up to 200,000 visitors per day. Friday Bangkok's 2026 food trends report called it the "matcha-pocalypse," noting that matcha has evolved from a drink into a full luxury lifestyle ecosystem, with dedicated matcha bars, matcha dessert menus, and matcha-themed pop-ups becoming standard across Thonglor, Ari, and Sukhumvit. The question for 2026: is matcha the new bubble tea, or is it here to stay?

Bottom line: If you've been wondering why every third cafe in Bangkok now has a matcha menu, this is why. The premiumization trend is real. Bangkok's cafe scene moves fast and matcha is the current apex. Whether you think ฿3,900 for a cup of tea is insanity or a legitimate experience, it tells you something about where Bangkok's F&B market is heading: people will pay for ceremony, quality, and the story behind what they're consuming. For cafe owners reading this, the matcha wave isn't over yet.

Sababa is a Mediterranean izakaya housed in a charming 1960s family home on a quiet residential stretch of Thonglor 13. Chef Maxim Baile (Le Cordon Bleu Paris, ex-Alain Ducasse school, former executive chef at 5-star hotels) runs a menu that blends Mediterranean and Japanese small plates meant for sharing. The pistachio carbonara (฿490) with pancetta and asparagus tips is the dish everyone orders, and for good reason. Other highlights: bone marrow with charred eggplant and dukkah, wild Camaron shrimp skewers with kimchi mayo, and the Challans chicken couscous (฿840). The garden seating is the move, especially on a warm evening when the lush greenery and soft lighting make you forget you're in central Bangkok. Desserts include chocolate mousse made with Kad Kokoa chocolate (฿280). Wine and cocktail list leans Mediterranean. Timeout gave it 4 out of 5. Google reviews have it sitting at 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 290 reviews. Free valet parking. Open Mon and Wed-Sun, 5 PM to 11 PM. Closed Tuesdays.

TIP: Book ahead, especially for the garden tables on Friday and Saturday. Parking is limited to 4-5 cars but valet is free. This is a sharing plates spot, so come with a group and order across the menu. The monkfish foie gras duo and the turbot tempura are the dishes regulars swear by that aren't on most review sites.

Address: 53 Soi Torsak, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110 (off Thonglor Soi 13). Tel: 080-280-8787. BTS Thong Lo, then a short taxi down Thonglor to Soi 13.

18 March 1850: American Express was founded in Buffalo, New York as a freight delivery company. 176 years later, their cards are accepted at most of Bangkok's upscale restaurants, but try paying with one at a som tam cart on Sukhumvit and you'll get a look that could curdle coconut milk.

See you tomorrow morning.

— Devon

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