Soulfully good

By Shaan Bajaj

I don’t know who coined the phrase, “good food, good life,” but I know it’s certainly true for me. Anyone who knows me well can tell you just how much joy I find in a delicious meal. It has the power to completely change my day, and I’m 100 percent guilty of doing a happy dance as I eat. A restaurant that embodies that phrase is Goodsouls Kitchen. After achieving huge success with two Chiang Mai branches, they’ve brought their plant-based menu to Bangkok, to much acclaim.

Daniel Georges and Varee Kanokkhun established Goodsouls Kitchen in 2017, with the aim of providing a decadent, plant-based menu to all food lovers. Their menu is wide-ranging and focuses on serving healthy meals using local ingredients, for everyone to enjoy.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Located on Phetchaburi Road’s Degree Square, the restaurant itself is quaint. When walking up the stairs to the entrance, you feel like you are entering a cottage or a greenhouse, as it rests beside a huge tree with hanging vines. The walls are made from
glass, while the ceiling allows natural light through. The interior is decorated with plants, yellow chairs, wooden furnishings, and vibrant peacocks painted on the walls. I felt quite enchanted by the space. They can accommodate guests inside; or outdoors, under the tree; with different seating arrangements available, for small or large groups. During my visit, we decided to sit inside as the grey clouds signalled a classic Bangkok rainstorm – although might I add that the rain on the windowpanes while we were cosily ensconced indoors only added to the charm of the space.

FOOD AND DRINK
To start, I sampled a dish from their special menu in Chiang Mai, the Avocado & cream cheese crostini (THB 120), which they’re adding to their Bangkok menu soon. The dish consists of homemade cashew cream cheese, buttery smashed avocado, and fresh tomatoes, all sat on a crispy bed of sourdough toast, an appetising dish that is flavoured well with the addition of basil and garlic.

For the main course, I sampled two dishes, the Khao soi (THB 140) and Mushroom steaks (THB 200). My expectations for their khao soi were high, as the dish is a northern delicacy and famous in Chiang Mai, but this iteration definitely met those expectations. The rich yellow broth is slightly spicy and creamy, making it divine, while the crunch of the crispy wheat noodles completes the dish. If you’re looking for a plant-based khao soi in this city, Goodsouls Kitchen is definitely worth checking out. The second main course was served with a side of their country fries and salad. The second main course was served with a side of their country fries and salad. The mushroom steaks themselves had a meaty texture and were rather moreish, and altogether, the dish was a hearty and fulfilling meal. Although we did not have a chance to try more of their dishes, the menu includes pastas, burgers, Thai staples, and a lot more tempting dishes for you to try.

Now for the most important part of every meal, dessert. First, I tasted their Chocolate brownie (THB 120). A guilt-free dessert, it’s made with dates, nuts and cocoa, and is also sugar-free. The brownie has a soft, fudge-like texture, while the nuts really elevate the dessert. Their Tiramisu (THB 135) is also another option worth trying, especially if you are a coffee addict.

From their drink options, I tried their Mango and passion fruit smoothie (THB 110). The mango was luscious and its pleasant sweetness cut through the tart flavour of the passionfruit. Overall, the drink was refreshing and one I would personally order again.
They also serve a range of fresh juices, shakes, lassis, kombucha, coffees, and teas. Their coffee is served with soy, almond or coconut milk.

MASALA RECOMMENDS
The Blue lagoon smoothie bowl (THB 240), which is a bright ocean blue, topped with a range of healthy and nutty toppings, including goji berries, fresh mangoes, bananas, almonds, and coconut sprinkles. The fruits add a layer of natural sweetness, making it a wonderfully healthy dessert, breakfast, or snack. The smoothie bowl receives its unique shade of blue from blue spirulina powder, an ingredient that has recently been gaining traction due to its many benefits. It is anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and can help your immune system. What’s not to love about this smoothie bowl?

GOODSOULS KITCHEN
1980 Petchaburi Rd, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310
Open daily from 10am to 9pm
Tel: 062 328 9669
Facebook and Instagram: @goodsoulskitchen