Introduction
I recently visited the charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant “Ranichi”, located about an 18-minute walk from BTS Thonglor Station. Here’s my review.
About the charcoal-grilled yakiniku restaurant “Ranichi” in Thonglor
About an 18-minute walk from BTS Thonglor Station, there’s a shopping mall called “Nihonmura Mall”. Nihonmura Mall is quite well-known among Japanese residents and those involved in the Japanese food scene in Bangkok, as it houses the Japanese fresh food wholesale market, “Thonglor Japanese Market”. I heard that Fuji Supermarket sources its fish from Thonglor Japanese Market, and the general public can also purchase items there. The fish is mainly air-freighted from Japan (Toyosu). Besides seafood, they also sell Japanese vegetables, seasonings, and meat.
In addition to Thonglor Japanese Market, Nihonmura Mall also features a sushi restaurant, a ramen shop, and a wine bar. The annex building hosts a Japanese bakery and an izakaya. Notable establishments include the upscale izakaya “Umeka” and “Uomura,” another sophisticated izakaya famous for its obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking).
Ranichi is located on the second floor of Nihonmura Mall, in the building with Thonglor Japanese Market, not the annex.
Ranichi Menu (Photos, Prices, Review)
I visited during weekday lunch hours. They offer lunch at affordable prices, exclusively on weekdays.
Judging by the price range, the most popular item is likely the “Thai Beef Set,” priced from 270 THB+ to 300 THB+. You can choose from harami (skirt steak), shoulder loin, chuck flap, or a mix. They also offer special lunch sets like the “Sirloin Yaki-Suki Set” (500 THB+) and “Sirloin Yaki-Shabu Set” (500 THB+). Other options include the “Wagyu Set,” “Beef Tongue Set,” “Pork Set,” and “Sundubu Jjigae Set.”
On this occasion, I ordered the “Chuck Flap Yakiniku Set (Thai Beef)” for 270 THB+. It came with complimentary refills of rice, green tea (hot or iced), salad, namul, kimchi, miso soup, and your choice of ice cream for dessert (vanilla or matcha).
The meat quality is good for the price. There was a decent amount of marbling, though personally, I prefer a bit more. Searching for “Ranichi” brought up an establishment in Chiba Prefecture called “Akami Yakiniku Ranichi,” so I wonder if they are related? It certainly had the impression of lean red meat. The meat was tender, and the sauce was sweet and fruity. The rice was fluffy and delicious; my kids, who love rice, were very satisfied. The namul and kimchi were light, and the salad dressing had a slight hint of lemon. I also tried a bit of the shoulder loin, which was also tasty.
Compared to “Ginzado” in the same Thonglor area, which offers unlimited refills of namul and salad for a similar price, this felt slightly less appealing. However, each restaurant has its own merits, and both are delicious. If you prefer a classic, upscale taste, Ginzado might be the choice. If you’re looking for a casual, neighborhood yakiniku spot, Ranichi fits the bill. The meat at Ranichi was also more tender. “Genpukan,” another neighborhood yakiniku place in Thonglor, is also good, but I personally prefer Ranichi.
Ranichi Recommendation Score
To be helpful, I’ll assign a score based on the Tabelog format. I personally estimate “Ranichi” in Thonglor to be equivalent to around a 3.4 on Tabelog, and I’ll note that here.
Conclusion
“Ranichi” in Thonglor is recommended for those who want to enjoy a cost-effective yakiniku lunch on weekdays! It’s also a great option when shopping at Nihonmura Mall!
| Restaurant Name | “Ranichi” |
| Cuisine Type | Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) |
| Budget | 250–500 THB+ (Weekday Lunch Set) |
| Opening Hours | 11:30–14:30, 17:00–22:00 |
| Access | Approx. 18-minute walk from BTS Thonglor Station |
| Phone Number | 091-429-4649 |
| Address | 87 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok ※2nd Floor, Nihonmura Mall |
| Web |
