Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok recently announced the renovation of their Japanese restaurant Takumi (G/F, 204 Ratchadapisek Rd., Bangkok, 02-694-2222). It now boasts a more modern décor which makes use of spotlights and wood to accompany its contemporary Japanese cuisine. See it for yourself by trying out their lunch and dinner buffets (B655/B777), which feature over a hundred dishes, including signature options like the Red Dragon Roll, tuna tataki and sushi sets.

Japanese-style taverns (izakaya) are sweeping the city, offering up sake, beer and small dishes in homey settings. The latest is Kushitaro Izakaya (274/12 Soi Rewadi, Rama 6 Rd., Bangkok 090-924-2322), which serves up a long list of drinking food like gyoza (B89) and beef steak (B299). For B189, you can get a plate of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and a glass of beer. There’s also happy hour every Tue from 7-9pm—order two big Asahi and get a small one for free.  

Following recent renovations, the popular fish n’ chips restaurant Snapper (1/22 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok, 02-651-1098) just got a whole lot bigger. Fittingly, the menu has also been expanded, with dishes like bluenose fillet (B360) and stir-fried green beans and potato gratin (B80).