For me, I would describe EmSphere as a “modern Bangkokian lifestyle complex”. This is a place which compiles every element Bangkokian people love into one place from food to shops. You may think this is another boring shopping mall in Bangkok for a tourist like me, but trust me this place has more interesting things to see and even a tourist like you can also enjoy. I really recommend visiting here to experience the highlights for once and let me know if you agree with me or not.
One of a Kind Dining Experience
Once you enter EmSphere from the Ground floor (G floor), you will see no shops but only restaurants occupy the entire floor space as well as the upper floor (LG floor) where you can access from BTS skytrain. There are numerous choices of restaurants for you to choose from, ranging from the restaurant of an internationally famous chef to local, and of course comes with various cuisine options as well, ranging from Thai, Japanese, Korean, Italian and Western, etc.
What I like about eating here is the format of eating. Apart from the proper restaurants where you just go in and dine, there is an “Em Market” zone which gives you a bit of a vibe of a walking street. Here you can find multiple small food shops, offering mostly Thai food or a quick Asian meal like ramen or noodles. The shops in this area reminds me of a dining experience in a local food shop along the streets of Bangkok where many great street foods are made at the front part of a row house. When you go inside to dine, tables are close to each other and you have to squeeze yourself a bit when eating, especially when it is crowded at lunch time. Sometimes, you can also buy food from one shop and ask someone to serve you in the shop next to it. This is quite a common experience from the old days when you wanted to eat one thing but your friend preferred the food next door. I believe it is not possible to do such a thing in Emsphere but you can try asking if they allow you to grab your meal and join your friend at the food court next door.
Here’s the list of great food stalls in this zone as well as the restaurants inside EmSphere: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3kSrwHXBzBYtfhaB6
Speaking of the food court, it is located next to the zone with the walking street vibe. The food court here does not feel like a food court at all because there is no proper boundary and you do not have to exchange any cash card to buy food here, some shops also do accept credit cards. Here you can buy food from any stalls in the shopping mall and dine in this area.
Another dining experience I found unique at EmSphere is at the Butterbear cafe. A simple bakery shop here offers an experience to cheer up yourself with the “Butterbear” or “Mee Noey” in Thai language. “Mee Noey” is the mascot of this bakery shop. She will come to visit her store every weekend and do some dance as well as offering a fan meet session where you can play with her for a short moment. From my personal experience, as a fan of Mee Noey, the experience I got from their bakery goes beyond the tastes, but it becomes a good feeling that you experience with this mascot from various channels. If you have a chance to be at EmSphere when she performs, find some spot and watch her performance, so you will feel good for the entire day!
There is also an entertainment venue called “Em Wonder” on the 5th Floor where you can enjoy drinking and dancing with your friends after dark as well.
Experience Shops of Premium Thai Brand
While other shopping malls in the area like Emporium and EmQuartier offer luxury and upscaled brands, EmSphere instead focuses on premium Thai brands and local products, which completes the shopping experiences of the Prompong district. The pavilion-like structure on the Ground floor, right in the middle from the entrance gate at Em Market zone, not only hosts food events, but also to showcase upscale local products or handcrafts from OTOP around Thailand from time to time.
Shopping layout at EmSphere is simple and mostly offers shops of local brands. On M floor, you will find Beauty Hall which consists of many cosmetic brands and premium Thai aromatherapy product brands such as Erb, Divanna and Panpuri. On the other side of the M floor, there are also many local fashion brands such as United Arrows, Barbour, etc.
On the 1st floor, there is “THAI THAI” shop which offers high quality Thai-design souvenirs where you can give it to your friends and family or consider using it. I have to say the design of souvenirs at this shop is very Thai, which is colorful, creative and you will not get bored. On this floor, there are also local fashion brands on the 1st floor such as Gentle Woman, Pomelo, etc. as well as many international sport brands such as New Balance and Adidas.
The 2nd floor is about technology, gadgets and mobile service providers. I feel very impressed that there are shops which offer very futuristic devices such as VR devices. You can also find several shops which offer items for your mobile phone decoration such as smart phone cases, screen protector films. For mobile service providers, there are both AIS and True shops here if you need some help on your network experience.
For the 3rd-4th floor, it is not a premium Thai brand, but just for your information about the shops at EmSphere – it is IKEA. Usually, this IKEA is located in the sub-urban area of the city, but IKEA at EmSphere is the first branch that is located in the inner city of Bangkok.
Opening hours
The EmSphere opens everyday from 10:00 until 22:00. There is an entertainment venue on the 5th floor, filled with bars and nightclubs, which opens until very late, like 1:00 in the morning.
Entrance fee
No entrance fee.
How to get there?
- BTS
This is the most convenient way to come to the EmSphere. Get off the BTS skytrain at
Skywalk to EmSphere from BTS Prompong station.
- MRT
If you stay in another location where MRT is more convenient for you, you can take MRT to Sukhumvit station. From here you can take the BTS skytrain from Asok to Prompong station, which is only 1 station and the cost should be 17 THB (~0.5 USD) per single ride per person.
