FreshBox Meal Kits: Three Weeks In
Rating: 3 out of 5. Posted by Arisa K., Bangkok

I signed up for FreshBox after a colleague raved about it, hoping it would stop me ordering takeaway five nights a week. Three weeks later, I'm cooking more than I have in years, but I'm not sure I'll keep my subscription.

First, the good news. The recipes are genuinely easy to follow. Each card has large photos for every step, and even my teenage son, who has never cooked anything more complicated than instant noodles, managed the green curry without help. The ingredients arrive pre-measured, so nothing goes to waste, and the vegetables have been fresh every time.

The packaging is another matter. Every ingredient comes in its own plastic bag, even a single clove of garlic. The company says its ice packs are "fully recyclable", but the instructions explain that they can only be recycled at special collection points, and the nearest one to my flat is forty minutes away. For a brand that advertises itself as "kind to the planet", this seems hard to justify.

Then there is the price. At 1,650 baht for three meals for two people, FreshBox costs more than the takeaway it was supposed to replace. To be fair, the portions are generous: we usually had leftovers for lunch the next day, which brings the real cost down a little.

Delivery has been mostly reliable. Two boxes arrived on time; the third came a day late, although customer service apologised quickly and added a free dessert to my next order.

Would I recommend it? For beginners who want to learn to cook, yes, without hesitation. For anyone watching their budget or their plastic use, I'd suggest waiting until the company sorts out its packaging and offers a cheaper plan.