Poomjai Garden: A Cafe in a Century-Old Lychee Orchard in Bangkok
Poomjai Garden is a cafe in an old lychee orchard in the Bang Khun Thian area of Chom Thong, on Bangkok's Thonburi side, a green space so lovely it is hard to believe you are in the city.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Poomjai Garden is at 93 Chom Thong Road, Chom Thong, Bangkok. It is a traditional orchard with lychee trees over 100 years old, recognised by the Ministry of Culture as heritage trees, plus a cafe using produce from the garden. Try the bilimbi soda and miang. Open daily 10:00–18:00.
Key takeaways
- A traditional orchard kept by a mother and son from Bang Khun Thian, Pornthip Thiansap and Andaman Chotsrilueacha
- Lychee trees over 100 years old, selected as national heritage trees
- Many edible plants grow here, such as noni leaves, coral tree leaves and bilimbi
- The cafe uses garden produce; signatures are bilimbi soda and miang with bilimbi and star fruit
- Open daily 10:00–18:00 with parking; the entrance is a little hidden, so driving is easiest
Poomjai Garden: a cafe in a lychee orchard, a green space in Bang Khun Thian
Want to escape the chaos of the capital and relax among the greenery? Today we are taking you to Poomjai Garden, a cafe in a lychee orchard in the Bang Khun Thian area. It is so beautiful you will hardly believe it is in Bangkok.
A garden of pride
Poomjai Garden is the pride and joy of Pornthip Thiansap and Andaman Chotsrilueacha, a mother and son from Bang Khun Thian who want to preserve a traditional orchard and share its beauty with others. It is in Chom Thong district on Bangkok's Thonburi side, an area once known as Bang Khun Thian and full of lush riverside orchards. Locals here called themselves orchard farmers, growing lychees along the canals and many other crops on higher ground. Because the area is close to the Gulf of Thailand, high tides bring salty water in, and plants grown in this brackish water gain a natural advantage. That is why Bang Khun Thian fruit has long been said to be sweeter and tastier than anywhere else.
A century-old lychee orchard
Something special about this land is its old lychee orchard, more than 100 years old. The trees were selected by the Ministry of Culture as heritage trees of the nation, making them important trees for the country. Because of Bangkok's climate, the lychees rarely flower or fruit, but even so they hold great sentimental value, letting owner Khun Aey remember her ancestors.
Besides lychees, Poomjai Garden has a mixed garden of edible plants. Noni leaves go into curries or steamed fish custard (hor mok), coral tree leaves can be used for miang leaf wraps, bilimbi fruit is used in chilli dips, and there are many other plants used in cooking.
The garden cafe
Do not miss the cafe in the garden. Its food and drinks all use ingredients from the garden. Take bilimbi: most people think it is too sour and just let it fall, but Poomjai Garden uses it in its signature drink and its signature dish. The drink is bilimbi juice with soda, refreshing and thirst-quenching. The dish is miang, made with bilimbi and star fruit instead of lime, which cuts the sweetness for a sweet-sour flavour we loved. The bakery here really impressed us too: rich cakes, every one delicious and beautifully presented. We were not disappointed.
Every dish looks so tempting.
Pure comfort.
This place truly is The Eco-Cultural Heritage Garden of Bangkok, a garden of pride and a living museum. The entrance is a little hidden down the lanes, so we recommend driving.
Visitor information
Poomjai Garden
Address: 93 Chom Thong Road, Chom Thong, Chom Thong District, Bangkok 10150
Map: Google Maps
Phone: 085 123 1386
Open daily 10:00–18:00
Parking: available
Website: www.poomjaigardenbkk.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PoomjaiGarden
FAQ
Where is Poomjai Garden?
At 93 Chom Thong Road, Chom Thong, Bangkok 10150. Phone 085 123 1386.
What are the opening hours?
Open every day 10:00–18:00.
What should I order at the cafe?
Bilimbi soda, miang made with bilimbi and star fruit instead of lime, plus the cakes and bakery items.
How do I get there?
The entrance is a little deep in the neighbourhood, so driving is most convenient. Parking is available.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
