Tofu and soy are often considered bland and repetitive, even by vegetarians and vegans. Options like soy milk, daohua (soybean pudding), and stir-fried tofu can become dull. Natchaya Muangdaendee is a soy and tofu lover who decided that she and her brother should start a business. They first opened a cloud soy milk and daohua shop but sold the company due to her busy study schedule. Still passionate about soy, she decided to try it again as she is no longer a student. This time, it's not a cloud business but a full-fledged café in Bangkok offering a range of drinks, daohua, soft-serve and more. She and her brother named it Beanila, located on Phahonyothin Road, next to Phahonyothin 59 BTS Station.
At first, the cafe served only coffee and tea with soy milk and daohua but later expanded to soft-serve, bingsu, and savoury dishes. The soy milk, daohua, and tofu are made in-house. The shop doesn't make the main ingredient but also the toppings such as boba, warabi mochi, black sesame dumplings, etc. Making most of the ingredients in-house guarantees consistency and quality.
Despite focusing on soy-based offerings, Beanila doesn't position itself as a vegan or vegetarian café. It provides healthy, non-vegan and non-vegetarian dishes. However, the café also offers vegan and vegetarian versions that are prepared from scratch without any meat contamination.
One of the café's standout dishes is the Yuba and Udon Set, which features chewy udon noodles in a bowl of house-made umami broth with enoki mushrooms, sliced onion, a generous serving of sliced pork, and chives. The dish comes with aburi yuba and made-in-house yuzu sauce on the side, adding a range of flavours, aromas and textures.
Pork and Tofu Wontons Soup is a wholesome dish that is sure to please. It features plump wontons generously filled with ground pork, tofu, ginger and chives, gently nestled in a fragrant, cloudy broth crafted from soy milk and bone-based stock, subtly infused with aromatic sesame oil. The broth's savoury notes are harmoniously balanced with a delicate natural sweetness derived from its flavourful base.
Beanila's take on classic Fish Khao Tom is Sea Bass and Tofu Khao Tom, a comforting and flavourful Thai soupy rice bowl with tender sea bass and tofu chunks. The dish is enhanced with aromatic garlic oil, rich sesame oil, and fragrant chives, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.
Low-sugar soft serve and dessert aficionados are in for a treat with the diverse selection available on the menu. The Matchagato, a unique take on the classic Affogato, swaps out the traditional espresso shot for a shot of high-quality matcha. Diners can indulge in the velvety smoothness of the soy soft serve, complemented by the deep, earthy notes of ceremonial matcha, accented with a subtle hint of seaweed. This delightful treat is accompanied by a ball of sesame dumpling and topped off with a generous dollop of azuki.
Soya Thai Tea Bingsu is another treat worth trying. It features a generous bowl of finely shaved soya Thai tea ice adorned by boba for added texture and flavour. The top of the bingsu is topped with velvety soy whipped cream and delightful house-made crumbles that add a satisfying crunch. To elevate the experience, it is served with a rich soya Thai tea shot, warabi mochi, and an additional serving of more delightful crumbles on the side.
Beanila's Float is the showstopper of the menu. This delightful treat features a two-toned soft serve made with plain soy milk and Thai tea, creating a unique and flavorful experience. The soft serve is beautifully garnished with taro balls, yam balls, purple yam balls, warabi mochi, and a sprinkling of kinako flour. The soy milk is served on the side, allowing customers to pour it into the cup for an immersive experience.
Beanila is a health-focused café in Bangkok that specialises in providing a wide range of mouthwatering dishes and desserts made from tofu and soy. The café prides itself on offering a diverse menu that caters to individuals seeking healthy and delicious options. Its innovative approach to preparing tofu and soy-based foods ensures that customers can enjoy elevated, flavorful creations while maintaining their focus on wellness.
Beanila
Hours: Daily, 09:00 - 20:00 Hours
Tel: +6692 532 4659
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beanila.th/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanila.th/
Location: 16 Phahonyothin Rd, Anusawari, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220
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