 |  |
New health-focused food outlet – a joint venture between Dusit Foods and South Africa’s biggest healthy, fast-casual restaurant group, Real Foods – offers delicious food and drinks with an emphasis on responsibly sourced natural produce carefully combined for maximum health benefits.
Dusit Foods Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, and South Africa’s Real Foods Group, have joined forces to bring its popular healthy fast-casual restaurant concept, Kauai, to Southeast Asia, under the Thai brand name, Real Foods – with its first store opening recently at Virgin Active Fitness Club 101 The Third Place, within True Digital Park, a short walk from Punnawithi and Udomsuk BTS stations, in Bangkok.
Following Dusit Foods’ vision to offer food products that reflect four key pillars of sustainable production – healthy, natural, organic and supporting local communities – and raise awareness of healthy eating to help prevent nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease – the new outlet brings Real Foods’ 23 years of healthy-eating knowledge to Bangkok and offers an inspired range of smoothies, salads, wraps and warm bowls – all made with a commitment to sustainable sourcing and combining fresh ingredients for maximum taste and health benefits. The outlet is open for non-club members to enjoy too.
Passionate about offering affordable and convenient access to healthy, natural food options which not only taste great, but which are good for the body too, Real Foods’ team of experienced chefs follow five core principles to ensure their food is as fresh and wholesome as it gets. This includes: 1. No compromise on taste, 2. As close to natural as possible, 3. Nutrient-dense, 4. Responsibly sourced and made, and 5. Customisable to different dietary preferences.
Over 100 superfoods are represented on the menu, including chia seeds, quinoa, whey powder, blueberries, broccoli, etc., and as many nutrients as possible are layered into each dish or smoothie to ensure they offer a range of different vitamins and minerals.
Natural sweeteners like honey, fruit and dates are used instead of processed sugars, GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are avoided where possible, and all dressings and sauces are made from scratch in-store, using whole natural ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, honey, yoghurt, etc.
Where and how ingredients are grown is as important as which ingredients are used. Only the freshest, high-quality ingredients from farms (not factories) are used in Real Foods’ meals and drinks, including, amongst others, cage-free eggs, 100% natural chicken that is free from antibiotics and growth hormones, and organic Thai coffee, which is farmed using no chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Every menu item is made to fresh to order, ensuring that the final product is fresh, high-quality and bursting with flavour and nutrition.
The first Real Foods store in Thailand offers much of the same menu items as the Kauai concept in South Africa. New items such as soba noodle salad, iced matcha smoothie, Thai red milk tea and iced coffee drinks, have also been added to suit Thai tastes.
Following Dusit Foods’ vision to offer food products that reflect four key pillars of sustainable production – healthy, natural, organic and supporting local communities – and raise awareness of healthy eating to help prevent nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease – the new outlet brings Real Foods’ 23 years of healthy-eating knowledge to Bangkok and offers an inspired range of smoothies, salads, wraps and warm bowls – all made with a commitment to sustainable sourcing and combining fresh ingredients for maximum taste and health benefits. The outlet is open for non-club members to enjoy too.
Passionate about offering affordable and convenient access to healthy, natural food options which not only taste great, but which are good for the body too, Real Foods’ team of experienced chefs follow five core principles to ensure their food is as fresh and wholesome as it gets. This includes: 1. No compromise on taste, 2. As close to natural as possible, 3. Nutrient-dense, 4. Responsibly sourced and made, and 5. Customisable to different dietary preferences.
Over 100 superfoods are represented on the menu, including chia seeds, quinoa, whey powder, blueberries, broccoli, etc., and as many nutrients as possible are layered into each dish or smoothie to ensure they offer a range of different vitamins and minerals.
Natural sweeteners like honey, fruit and dates are used instead of processed sugars, GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are avoided where possible, and all dressings and sauces are made from scratch in-store, using whole natural ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, honey, yoghurt, etc.
Where and how ingredients are grown is as important as which ingredients are used. Only the freshest, high-quality ingredients from farms (not factories) are used in Real Foods’ meals and drinks, including, amongst others, cage-free eggs, 100% natural chicken that is free from antibiotics and growth hormones, and organic Thai coffee, which is farmed using no chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Every menu item is made to fresh to order, ensuring that the final product is fresh, high-quality and bursting with flavour and nutrition.
The first Real Foods store in Thailand offers much of the same menu items as the Kauai concept in South Africa. New items such as soba noodle salad, iced matcha smoothie, Thai red milk tea and iced coffee drinks, have also been added to suit Thai tastes.
Signature items include the Princess Wrap (free range chicken, avocado, feta cheese, Rosa tomato, carrot, greens, celery and onion mayo – THB 250 net); Spicy Burrito Wrap (free range chicken, salsa, jalapeno, chipotle chili, red peppers, cream cheese, rocket, coriander – THB 230 net); and Thai Crunch Bowl (free range chicken, cashews, carrot, red cabbage, mint, sesame seeds, spring onion, greens, coriander, Thai peanut dressing – THB 220 net).
Healthy ways to start the day include popular choices such as the Breakfast bowl (yoghurt, pineapple, strawberry, banana, sliced almonds, honey, and chia seeds – THB 160 net); and Tropical Yoghurt Pot (yoghurt, coconut chia pudding, pineapple, gluten-free granola, citrus spiced honey, toasted coconut – THB 110).
Smoothies and juices range in price from THB 115 net for a small (350 ml) to THB 200 net for a large (500 ml), and include highlights such as the Peanut Butter Bomb Smoothie (whey protein powder, sugar-free peanut butter, banana, cacao, yoghurt, milk), Daily Greens (apple, kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, chia seeds), and Floo Shot (ginger, honey, lemon, Cayenne pepper).
The menu is suitable for many different dietary preferences – including keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb and paleo – and all meals and drinks can also be customised to suit individual needs.
“Globally, there is a major shift taking place as consumers seek out healthier, natural food options which are both affordable and convenient,” said Mr Jate Sopitpongstorn, MD of Dusit Foods Co. Ltd. “This coincides with greater awareness about the rise of lifestyle-related diseases worldwide. According to the International Diabetes Federation Atlas Ninth edition 2019, for example, approximately 463 million adults are living with diabetes globally; and this is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045. Another report, by WHO, says that Cardiovascular disease, the leading global cause of death, currently claims an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, and this figure is also on the rise.
“Evidence shows, however, that a healthy diet can go a long way to preventing diseases such as these, and people are actively seeking healthier ways to eat. Recent research by global market intelligence agency Mintel found that as many as four in five (79%) metro Thai consumers would like to have a healthier diet, and they are actively seeking ways to better themselves. With the introduction of Real Foods, we are delighted to offer convenient and affordable access to healthy eating here in Bangkok and help to meet this demand. We now look forward to opening more outlets throughout the city so more people can benefit from the nutritious and delicious dishes on offer.”
The first Real Foods store in Thailand follows the design template set by Kauai in South Africa and showcases its colourful food and fresh ingredients against a neutral palette of concrete tiles and cool white marble counters, complemented by warm oaks and crisp black and white graphics.
Within the coming months, Real Foods’ healthy meals and drinks will also be available at six other Virgin Active health clubs throughout the city, ensuring Bangkok residents have convenient, grab-and-go access to wholesome and healthy food. The brand also has plans for expanding its Thai store footprint into the retail space, and is actively seeking exciting new retail locations.
The Real Foods outlet at Virgin Active Fitness Club 101 The Third Place is open Monday-Friday 6:30 – 21:30; Saturday-Sunday (and public holidays) 8:00 – 20:30.
For more information, please visit facebook.com/RealFoodsThailand.
Healthy ways to start the day include popular choices such as the Breakfast bowl (yoghurt, pineapple, strawberry, banana, sliced almonds, honey, and chia seeds – THB 160 net); and Tropical Yoghurt Pot (yoghurt, coconut chia pudding, pineapple, gluten-free granola, citrus spiced honey, toasted coconut – THB 110).
Smoothies and juices range in price from THB 115 net for a small (350 ml) to THB 200 net for a large (500 ml), and include highlights such as the Peanut Butter Bomb Smoothie (whey protein powder, sugar-free peanut butter, banana, cacao, yoghurt, milk), Daily Greens (apple, kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, chia seeds), and Floo Shot (ginger, honey, lemon, Cayenne pepper).
The menu is suitable for many different dietary preferences – including keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb and paleo – and all meals and drinks can also be customised to suit individual needs.
“Globally, there is a major shift taking place as consumers seek out healthier, natural food options which are both affordable and convenient,” said Mr Jate Sopitpongstorn, MD of Dusit Foods Co. Ltd. “This coincides with greater awareness about the rise of lifestyle-related diseases worldwide. According to the International Diabetes Federation Atlas Ninth edition 2019, for example, approximately 463 million adults are living with diabetes globally; and this is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045. Another report, by WHO, says that Cardiovascular disease, the leading global cause of death, currently claims an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, and this figure is also on the rise.
“Evidence shows, however, that a healthy diet can go a long way to preventing diseases such as these, and people are actively seeking healthier ways to eat. Recent research by global market intelligence agency Mintel found that as many as four in five (79%) metro Thai consumers would like to have a healthier diet, and they are actively seeking ways to better themselves. With the introduction of Real Foods, we are delighted to offer convenient and affordable access to healthy eating here in Bangkok and help to meet this demand. We now look forward to opening more outlets throughout the city so more people can benefit from the nutritious and delicious dishes on offer.”
The first Real Foods store in Thailand follows the design template set by Kauai in South Africa and showcases its colourful food and fresh ingredients against a neutral palette of concrete tiles and cool white marble counters, complemented by warm oaks and crisp black and white graphics.
Within the coming months, Real Foods’ healthy meals and drinks will also be available at six other Virgin Active health clubs throughout the city, ensuring Bangkok residents have convenient, grab-and-go access to wholesome and healthy food. The brand also has plans for expanding its Thai store footprint into the retail space, and is actively seeking exciting new retail locations.
The Real Foods outlet at Virgin Active Fitness Club 101 The Third Place is open Monday-Friday 6:30 – 21:30; Saturday-Sunday (and public holidays) 8:00 – 20:30.
For more information, please visit facebook.com/RealFoodsThailand.
