Get Juiced at the BTS

On our last night in Bangkok back in February we rushed from an excellent dinner at an unlikely spot in the Nang Leong neighborhood (more on that later) to the Chitlom BTS (sky train) station so that we could get to iberry before it closed. Alas, we arrived to find that that particular iberry shop (on Thanon Sukhumvit next to the Sogo/Grand Hyatt) is no more. Talk about disappointment! We were leaving Bangkok early the next morning, so there would be no Horlick's or Thai iced tea ice cream for us that trip.

We did, however, fit in plenty of another particular-to-Bangkok taste sensation while we were in town: Soontra fruit juices, sold from kiosks at quite a few (all?) BTS stations. We're suckers for fresh fruit juices anyway, but Soontra's are really something special - the flavors are punchy and sunny, and even though the juices are packaged they taste fresh-squeezed/pressed.   

Every Soontra is brilliant, but our absolute favorite is the one pictured up top, passion fruit and beet root juice. An unlikely combination, but it really works; passion fruit's tart tropical fruitiness is strangely and wonderfully uber-ized by beet's sweet earthiness.

When we lived in Bangkok a bottle of Soontra cost about 50 cents, an amazing deal. Now it's closer to 70 cents, but that's still a tasty bargain considering that a bottle of fruit juice as fine as this would probably go for something like three bucks in the States.

On this trip we downed a bottle of Soontra (passion fruit and beet or carrot and passion fruit - hey, what can I say, we love passion fruit) at every single opportunity, ie. everytime we entered and exited a BTS station (and sometimes two or three at one go). But on our last afternoon, heading back to our hotel after wrapping up an interview, I flew down the stairs at the Asok BTS station to find the Soontra stall I'd been patronizing every single morning already closed for the day.

Drat! Disappointed again. Next trip to Bangkok we shall have to place Soontra - and iberry - at the top of our agenda.

Comments

[Xander]

I love Soontra! My favorite is the lemongrass and pandanus blend. It's the perfect tropical refreshment on a steamy Bangkok day. -X

[a]

Yeah that's a tasty juice! But more importantly, let's talk about iberry. It's a bit of an obsession. I go crazy for the durian flavor, which sadly has been missing the last couple of times I've been. Maybe I'll go this next weekend after the Songkran craziness has ended. Maybe I'll even have a Horlicks! What a great idea! Thanks.

[Robyn]

Xander - I haven't tried that one, just can't ever tear myself away from passion fruit/beet juice. Next time, next time.

a - I've already made it clear that the fact that iberry has not expanded to Malaysia causes me deep distress. Yes, I know you live within easy reach of an iberry hit. But it's exceedingly unkind of you to rub it in. ;-P

[Serinette]

WOW! I just tried Sontra last week after a coworker came back from her Bangkok trip and brought some samples. I've been looking for where to buy it online and get it shipped to the US. Am a sucker for passion fruit too, especially the yellow one. But tends to be pricey. About $65/lb. I found an online store that sells passion fruit in powder http://www.globalfusion.us/Passion-Fruit-Fiber-p-16216.html and seems to be good and reasonable priced.

Wondering if you guys know where to get good deals for Sontra over there?

Thanks

Serinette

[Kit Marshal]

I do agree with you that these bottled juices at the BTS stations are refreshing however, I am concerned with how much sugar and salt content is added, knowing the Thai love of both substances also concerned about possible MSG injections. Does anyone have any information? If so leave a comment at:
http://restaurantdiningcritiques.com