I searched for a Thai restaurant in Ikebukuro and visited the 18th restaurant. I arrived at the 21st restaurant for an alternative lunch during the Obon holiday. The restaurant specializes in mookata dishes, and although they offer a lunch mookata set, I decided to go with my favorite dish, Gapaow, for 999 yen (excluding tax), along with a Singha beer for 620 yen. When I asked about the availability of beer, the staff reassured me that it was "totally fine." I ordered my lunch set and asked if I could have ice in my beer since it wasn't cold enough yet, to which they replied with a smile. As I enjoyed the combination of foam and ice in my beer, a cute tray arrived with a spring roll salad, fried items, soup, and Gapaow rice. There were no additional condiments provided, so I enjoyed the meal as it was served. The dish included a fried egg and cucumber, and while the composition was traditional, the portion was on the smaller side. The spiciness was mild, unless you avoided the chili peppers. I left a bit of rice to watch my calorie intake and was happy to receive a receipt even when paying with my cashless smartphone. My stay lasted about 20 minutes.

Located along a small alley near the Seibu Ikebukuro Line elevated tracks, about a 10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, is the restaurant "Bangkok Mookata." I visited for lunch in mid-July for the first time. The interior of the restaurant beautifully recreates a Thai local dining atmosphere. The restaurant is run by a Japanese male manager and two female staff members. "Mookata" refers to a Thai-style BBQ and hot pot dish, where meat is grilled in the center and vegetables are cooked in the surrounding broth. Although specializing in Mookata, the restaurant also offers a variety of Thai lunches during lunchtime, including curries, noodles, and rice dishes. I ordered the "Bami Hen" (699 yen) which came with grilled chicken, spicy glass noodle salad, and radish soup. The noodles were medium-thick and curly, topped with char siu, greens, and chopped peanuts. The dish was flavorful and satisfying, even though the portion was modest. Overall, it was a delicious Thai lunch experience.

The meat was well-seasoned and tender, delicious. Vegetables were all-you-can-eat, with three types of sauces ranging from spicy to non-spicy. It was great.