When people think of Thailand, curries, street food and tropical fruit are usually the first things that come to mind.

But I felt the same way about good chocolate until one day I discovered a chocolate bar in a small, hidden, centuries-old storeroom in the old town. When I walked in, it struck me as a kind of artisan workshop. I was at 32Bar X, just behind the famous Instagram spot “Turtle Car,” a rusty Fiat 600. The drinking chocolate I tried tasted fantastic. I then sampled my way through to the wonderfully intense, creamy, nutty chocolate ice cream. An experience. Ever since, I’ve loved coming back whenever I’m walking through this beautiful, ever-changing part of the old town.

When I once asked more closely where the cocoa used in the drinks came from, I learned that it’s produced locally, from sustainable farming in Thailand. The quantities are still small, but that’s not the aim; the focus is on exceptional quality. I’d compare it to small craft breweries back home, which produce high-quality niche products and hold their own in a difficult market.



The finest cacao beans come from the north and east of the country, for example from around Chaing Mai. This chocolate has a slightly bolder, floral note. Cacao beans from the region around Chantaburi, on the other hand, develop a somewhat milder flavour.



 You can learn all this at the new, sometimes trendy chocolate spots, such as 32 Bar.

Trying different varieties of chocolate after the consultation is an experience like a wine tasting on the Moselle.

There are now more and more small chocolate bars in Thailand dedicated to this subject with genuine passion.

It’s not just about sweets—it’s also about their origins, preparation and flavor.

That brings me to Bangkok.

This city never ceases to surprise me with the unexpected.

And for me, alongside the usual tourist attractions, that’s what gives your Bangkok stay a distinctive feel, away from the beaten tourist track.

That really is the perfect thing to say here.