Viva 8 - Samut Songkhram

On December 19, 2021, I went for a stroll around 4-5 PM, and the place was getting busy with all the shops fully open. Unfortunately, I ended up leaving empty-handed this time as I wasn't sure what to buy. Instead, I ended up getting some clothes from the mall, which might be a bit pricier but the quality is generally better. I was really disappointed that I couldn't find any garlic bread this time. However, I did stumble upon Auntie 2's shop, which helped somewhat. I think I had garlic cheese bread, but I could be mistaken. Now, the standout item was the premium brown sugar milk tea with pearls – it was truly exceptional. I'm a fan of sweet treats, and honestly, I've never tasted anything like it before. It's absolutely delicious, so you should definitely give it a try! Lastly, I found a cute bag near Auntie 2's shop.

The store offers a wide selection of clothing, bags, and shoes at affordable prices, including imported second-hand vintage items. The air conditioning is wonderfully cool, and if you get tired, you can take a break and enjoy a coffee. You can also head up to the sixth floor, where food services are available.

I just visited this restaurant at the end of June 2022. On the weekends, it was quite busy again, just like before. I noticed that it stays open until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but when I asked the vendors around, they mentioned that they start packing up around 9 PM.

It is a showstopper in ChatuChak market mainly because of their head chef who cooks a huge pan of Paella right in front of you. He interacts with the crowd and is ever so cheeky to take pictures with you. The bar has a nice alfresco easy breezy scene but it is always full of caucasians. Grab a seat once it is available else you have to wait pretty long. It can get very hot if you’re sitting towards the front. Paella wise, I’m not a fan. While they cook a huge pan of it at a time, once it is finished, they will leave it to a side to scoop and distribute to customers who want it. You have to approach them to get a plate which cost about 300baht. The paella came cold and it’s not very tasty at the least. Frankly, you’re paying for the showmanship and novelty.

The atmosphere is really nice but the paella was underseasoned and quite average. The pizzas looked good though, made with love by the chef.