Kurasu Bangkok: a story of coincidence and resilience
Thailand is our second global location after Singapore, and the behind-the-scenes story just might be our most interesting and inspiring. In this article, we would like to tell you about our Bangkok adventure through the eyes of Aum, manager of Kurasu Bangkok since day one.
Aum’s First Kurasu Encounter
Aum’s first encounter with Kurasu can be summarized in one word – fate. He came to us first and foremost as a Kurasu fan, following our developments and updates through our Instagram account. When we announced that we were opening in Bangkok, Aum didn’t hesitate to send a job application to the head office. As luck would have it, around the time Yozo replied to the application, Aum happened to be in Kyoto. The two ended up meeting for the very first time at Kurasu’s old roastery in Fushimi Inari. And now, six years later, Aum has stayed with Kurasu as Bangkok’s one and only branch manager.
The first step: Kurasu Bangkok Rama4 (Bambini Villa)
Kurasu Bangkok opened its doors for the first time in August 2019 at Bambini Villa. Run by the amazing local Kurasu Bangkok team. It had all of the characteristics that made Kurasu unique: specialty coffee freshly roasted in Kyoto, accompanied by Kyoto’s well-known matcha, along with a variety of brewing equipment from Japanese brands, and thoughtful service. Kurasu Bangkok also embraced Thailand’s coffee culture by incorporating Thai coffee into the shop's standard espresso blend. They also teamed up with a local bakery to bring some traditional Kyoto sweets like Anko toast - red bean paste and butter spread on freshly toasted bread.
Everything went well for the first few months, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard.Soon after, local circumstances would force the first shop to close, with no physical sales of food or beverage being permitted during the lockdown; we could only sell coffee equipment online. It was a very difficult situation for the Bangkok team, especially for Aum. Even after the pandemic ended, things were never quite the same. The team used this time to rethink what Kurasu could be doing in Bangkok, and decided to close the Bambini branch and search for a new approach.
For Aum, it was very difficult to tell the team about the decision, although they had known for quite some time before the branch's closure. It was overwhelming to say goodbye to everyone that had been with him through thick and thin. In spite of this, Aum still held on to the hope that one day the team could come back together again, stronger than ever.
In the end, Aum took this as a moment to learn and accept that sometimes there is no choice but to say good bye, and that if the shop was going to be the best it could be in the long run, closing would be the only option. He described this experience as enlightenment and a chance to focus on what was in front of him much better.
Kurasu Bangkok Stand
Kurasu Bangkok Stand officially opened on February 21st, 2022, and, at the time of writing this article, is the one and only Kurasu store in Bangkok. It is a small coffee stand located in the heart of Thonglor Soi 13, an area full of restaurants, cafes, hotels, and offices. It is a central place for many people, both locals and tourists, as well as office workers in the area.
Although it is a relatively small space, it still retains everything that we stand for in Kurasu. A delicious coffee lineup that is roasted in Kyoto, an amazing tea selection that is also produced in Kyoto, and a wide array of coffee brewing tools from many various brands, Japanese or overseas alike.
Even with its small size, Kurasu Bangkok Stand has become an important community pillar, welcoming a wide variety of regulars who have come to love the service that Aum and his small team provide every single day. Likewise, the shop has been an outlet for Aum to refine his approach to serving his community. Appreciating every cup of coffee brewed for every visitor received.
The exciting announcement: Kurasu Thonglor
Kurasu Thonglor will be our flagship store in Bangkok, and we are opening in the beginning of March 2025. The concept of the new branch is to create a place where everyone can reconnect again. With a very convenient location next to the BTS Thonglor station exit on Sukhumvit Road, this will be a place where people can meet and build relationships through our coffee.
The design concept is Gami, a Japanese translucent paper. Through its design, the shop will convey the foundation of Kurasu - the charm of Japan and Japanese coffee, through transparent filter paper. The design of the shop and the selection of various materials refer to the color and the texture of the filter coffee.
This new project is about much more than just opening a shop. It’s about creating new memories, building new relationships, and growing alongside the Bangkok coffee community—stronger and more committed than ever.
What’s next for Kurasu Bangkok?
We are here to stay; that’s why we are sure we can be a part of Bangkok’s coffee scene, through thick and thin. More than that, we are here to share the experience and quality of Kurasu Kyoto the best we can so that our guests will be satisfied every time they visit Kurasu here in Bangkok. ~Aum
