If you’re a frequent visitor to Japan, you’ve probably heard of or tasted nama chocolate. Rich, smooth and intense, it’s made of fresh cream and dark chocolate, presenting itself cut into cubes and dusted with fine cocoa powder. One of the most popular gifts from Japan, nama, which means raw or fresh in Japanese, refers to the plentiful use of rich, fresh cream in the chocolate in this context. With its silky and smooth texture, it literally melts in your mouth and once you start indulging, it’s impossible to stop at just one piece. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of shops where you can order some of the best nama chocolate Bangkok has to offer. Get some for yourself or gift it like the Japanese do!

A homemade bakery, Smiley Day BKK offers two recipes for nama chocolate: Original (230 baht) and Pure Dark (250 baht). Original highlights Belgium chocolate, whereas Pure Dark combines both Belgium and French chocolate. Both are only slightly sweet, which makes it an ideal choice for people who are more on the bitter side.

fb.com/smileydaybkk, 065-894-4777

Sugar free with no artificial ingredients added, Choco Mine offers three editions of nama choco: Nama Original Chocolate, made with 57.7% fresh chocolate; Super Dark Nama Chocolate, made with 70.4% rich chocolate; and Matcha Nama, which highlights high quality, imported matcha from Japan and white chocolate. Choco Mine sells their nama chocolates in boxes of seven or 15 pieces, except for the Matcha Nama, which is offered in a box of eight pieces for 65 baht. Prices range from 45-55 baht per box of seven pieces or 80-90 baht for 15 pieces.

fb.com/chocomine.coco, 081-947-8246

Selecting only the best chocolate for its connoisseur-status customers, the homemade nama chocolates from Nama Sung are not to be missed. Order a box of Nama Chocolate or Matcha Nama, or even a combo of both. Prices range from 160 baht to 200 baht a box.

@nama.sung

Last but not least, the Rolls-Royce of Japanese nama chocolate comes from Japan itself. Available at Siam Paragon and Emporium (RIP Isetan), Royce’s artisan nama chocolate goes for 495 baht per box of 20 pieces. Made with bitter, dark chocolate and fresh cream from Hokkaido, and infused with cognac, you can’t go wrong with Royce’.

fb.com/royce.chocolate.thai, 02 610 7585