Bangkok is renowned for its varied gastronomic experiences. Seasoned travelers can’t stop raving about the city’s delicious street foods, seemingly unmatchable in taste and flavor. Numerous eateries and street kiosks catering to every budget and taste dot Bangkok’s culinary landscape. However, in recent times a few of Bangkok’s homegrown restaurants have made a distinct mark on the global dining scene.
In fact, the recently declared list of Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2014 sponsored by San Pellegrino and Aqua Panna fine dining waters featured four eateries from Bangkok. Of these four, two Nahm and Gaggan also made it to the list of the World’s 50 best restaurants thereby establishing Bangkok as a leading gourmet capital in the world.
So if you have any interest in good food and are planning a trip to Bangkok sometime soon, do try and fit in a visit to these delightful eateries, if you can manage to secure a highly coveted reservation.
Nahm
Housed within the sleek, stylish Metropolitan Hotel located in Bangkok’s business heavy Sathorn district, Nahm is an elegant eatery headed by well-known, Australian chef, David Thompson. Inspired by the ancient Siam city of Ayuthaya, Thompson offers his diners a wide array of flavorful curries, stir-fries and quintessential Thai relishes crafted with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Thompson’s signature dishes, which display varied influences and uncommon ingredients arouse and intrigue the palate. Nahm is open for lunch and dinner and the restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons keeping in line with its sustainable dining ethos.
Nahm,
G/F, Metropolitan,
Sathorn Tai Bangkok,
Thailand
Gaggan
The innovative Indian restaurant, Gaggan, which bears the moniker of one of its founders, Chef Gaggan Anand is currently wowing food critics and gourmands alike. Housed in a sparsely-adorned, restored Thai wooden home situated within Bangkok’s Central Business District, the 60-cover minimalist Gaggan offers up deconstructed, delicious Indian preparations conceptualized by Chef Gaggan and his team.
Chef Gaggan hails from the bustling Indian city of Kolkata and he arrived in Bangkok in search of new challenges in 2007, after a successful run in the Indian hospitality sector. After initially heading a contemporary Indian restaurant in Bangkok, he went on to become chef de cuisine for Bangkok’s Lebua hotels and resorts group, before founding Gaggan along with three friends.
As the restaurant was being readied, Chef Gaggan got the chance to intern with the research laboratory of the iconic El Bulli. This stint with the famed Ferran Adriàs team had a profound influence on the chef for it led him to invent his version of a molecular interpretation of Indian cuisine. An extraordinarily, innovative fare, which Chef Gaggan has been known to describe as ‘progressive Indian.’
Chef Gaggan uses various common and exotic ingredients to craft his fanciful, but intensely flavorful creations that are often likened to works of art. The restaurant offers both set and a la carte menus, which change often.
The best way to experience Chef Gaggan’s renowned talents is by partaking of the restaurant’s ten-course tasting menu currently on offer for 1600 Thai baht.
Gaggan,
68/1 Soi Langsuan
Ploenchit Road
Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
Issaya Siamese Club
Bangkok’s favorite son, Chef Pongtawat “Ian” Chalermkittichai, showcases his famed culinary skills at the acclaimed Issaya Restaurant. The restaurant whose name translates as ‘rainy season’ in Thai features as number 31 on Asia’s 50 best restaurants 2014 list.
Issaya and its allied space the Siamese club (a hip lounge bar) inhabit a 90-year old Thai mansion, enveloped by lush, herb-filled gardens. Both spaces are beautifully adorned with exquisite Thai artifacts and antiques and present a truly arresting sight.
Chef Ian is an enthusiastic proponent of the farm to table philosophy and this concept is amply illustrated by Issaya ever-changing market menu, which only ever features seasonal ingredients. However, the Chef’s signature dishes like Massaman Curry Lamb Shank (Massuman Gae), Chili-glazed baby back ribs, Jasmin Flower Flan, Larb Gai (minced chicken seasoned with fresh herbs from the gardens) are available year round.
Issaya
4 Soi Sri Aksorn,
Chua Ploeng Road,
Sathorn, Bangkok.
Eat Me
The provocatively named ‘Eat Me’ is a longstanding member of Bangkok’s dining scene. Headed by Chef Tim Butler, a native New Yorker, the edgy but stunning restaurant, also functions as an art gallery. Open every day until late; Eat Me exudes a hip, laid-back vibe that keeps the crowds coming. The menu at Eat Me displays a mélange of international and regional flavors as it puts forth unusual yet incredibly tasty fare. Dishes like Heirloom Tomato Salad with Olive Oil Ice-cream; Grilled Tiger Prawns with Tom Yum spiced Olive oil, Lamb Rack with Harissa Yogurt and Indian Kedgeree with Smoked Cod Rice feature on this delightful restaurant’s menu. Mention must also be made of Eat Me’s wine list which features many fine wines and champagnes from around the world and delicious fig and ginger martinis. Eat Me is listed as the 37th best restaurant in Asia according to the list.
Eat Me
1/6 Soi Pipat 2 (off Soi Convent), Silom,
Bangkok 10500
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