Delicious Thailand
Six restaurants shine bright in a kingdom famed for sensational flavours and stunning culinary diversity
Words: Kankanit Vichiantanon
Foodies like to describe Thailand as a heaven on Earth, blessed with a vast variety of delicious fruit and veg plus countless restaurants from every corner of the globe.
Along with the flavour bombs delivered by Thai cuisine’s spicy curry pastes, delicious dips, fish sauce and the like, you can treat your tastebuds to far-flung cuisines from Georgia, Yemen, Ethiopia or Brazil, or more familiar favourites like Italian, French and Japanese.
Bangkok is the bubbling heart of this melting pot, boasting the country’s finest fresh markets and food stalls serving street classics like boat noodles, Pad Thai, barbecued meat, luscious coconut ice cream and, of course, deep fried insects.
If you crave something different, stop off at Asoke or Phrom Phong for authentic Italian, or head to Nana for a sizzling bazaar-full of Middle Eastern fare. Want to find out what trendsetters are eating? Head to Ari, where cutting-edge choices range from an “everything-avocado” café to a sourdough bakery and a speakeasy-themed bar.
Bangkok also teems with Japanese eateries if your passion is sushi, sashimi or soba, while the craze for Korean culture makes delicious Bibimbap, Jajangmyeon, Kimchi Jjigae easy to find.
For something lighter, Thailand’s café culture is a phenomenon in its own right, offering quality brews and baked goods on practically every corner.
The vibrant food scene extends beyond bustling Bangkok, with everything from Chinese to Russian to Mexican spicing up the southern paradises of Samui, Phuket and Krabi, as well as northern tourist centres like Chiang Mai.
So, without further ado, let Fah Thai host you on a journey to some of Thailand’s gastronomic high points.
Bucha Gallery and Restaurant
Temple of Thai Flavours
Meaning “Worship” in Thai, this restaurant pays homage to Nakhon Si Thammarat’s unique culinary blend of Thai, Indonesian, Malay and Chinese influences.
Udom and Earl Dechsakda and Chef Wina Sriyaphong, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, are the talented trio behind Bucha. Chef Wina heads down a culinary memory lane, infusing every item on the menu with the authentic flavours of her childhood.
Early each morning, she and her team visit local markets to handpick the freshest-looking seasonal ingredients. Top recommendations include her Khao Yum or Herbal Rice Salad, a local delicacy of fragrant herbs, spices and rice tossed in a zesty dressing of Nam Bu Du (southern fish sauce) and yellow curry paste.
Other must-try dishes are the Instagram-worthy Lotus Flower Salad, the lip-smacking Gangsom Catfish Curry, a Lamb Massaman slow-cooked for over 24 hours, the Khao Man Bucha (Bucha Rice Curry), Grandmother’s Red Sauce Chicken Thighs, and Nam Prik Lakhum or shrimp paste dip.
The restaurant is decorated with ancient artefacts from Udom’s collection, making for a perfect aperitif of Thai history, beliefs and traditions.
ADDRESS: 26/156 Chao Fah Tawan Ok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
TEL: +66 (0) 61 176 5562 www.facebook.com/bucharestaurant
Fish Tales
Tide-To-Table Excellence in Samui
Fairytale seafood feasts become a reality at Fish Tales – a beachfront restaurant in the lap of the secluded Garraya Tongsai Bay Samui wellness resort.
Led by Chef Thanawut “Eak” Chaiwanwut, the kitchen serves up ocean-to-plate dishes that will dazzle any devotee of seafood. Whether you want your selection prepared Thai or Western style, or in front of your eyes, Chef Eak and his team are ready to please.
Located on a quiet beach, the restaurant offers a stunning seascape vista and serene atmosphere for you and your loved ones. The simple yet sophisticated design with earthy tones of sand, stone and wood gives off a natural and relaxing ambiance.
Must-tries here are the barbecued Samui squid, and Mediterranean Ceviche and Fish Tales Ceasar Salad prepared at the table. For a blowout, try the Seafood Extravaganza – a symphony of mixed seafood grilled and elegantly plated on a metre-long wooden board. Land lovers have plenty to choose from too, with Tan Khun Chicken, grilled pork chop, and other prime meats sourced from sustainable farms.
Fish Tales reels in more fun with weekly theme nights like the Beach BBQ where you can groove to live music, indulge in scrumptious fare from live-cooking stations and be enchanted by Samui’s very own fire dancers.
ADDRESS: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui 84 Moo 5, Bophut, Koh Samui,
Surat Thani
TEL: +66 (0) 77 913 750 www.garrya.com, www.facebook.com/Garryatongsaibaysamui, www.instagram.com/garryatongsaibaysamui
Hummus Chiang Mai
Dip into Heaven
Nestled in the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hummus Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hummus Chiang Mai stands out as a beacon of culinary excellence, offering a delightful fusion of Middle Eastern flavours with a Thai twist. This unique restaurant has carved a niche for itself in the vibrant food scene of the city, captivating locals and tourists alike with its innovative dishes and warm ambiance.
Hummus Chiang Mai takes pride in offering an authentic dining experience, meticulously crafting each dish with the finest ingredients and a dash of creativity. As the name suggests, hummus takes centre stage on the menu, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to traditional recipes while infusing them with local flair. From classic hummus variations to inventive renditions like curry shakshuka, there’s something to tantalise every palate.
One of the standout features of Hummus Chiang Mai is its dedication to using fresh, locally sourced produce. The restaurant sources its ingredients from nearby markets, ensuring the highest quality and supporting the community. This emphasis on sustainability not only enhances the flavours of the dishes but also reflects the restaurant’s ethos of responsible dining.
While hummus is undoubtedly the star of the show, Hummus Chiang Mai offers a diverse menu that caters to all preferences. Diners can indulge in a mouthwatering selection of small starters, fresh salads, shakshuka, and traditional desserts, each bursting with distinctive flavours and artfully presented. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or meat enthusiast, there’s a delectable option to suit every taste.
Beyond food, the ambiance at Hummus Chiang Mai is inviting and cozy, providing the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. The rustic decor, including the open kitchen adorned with colourful tapestries and ambient lighting, great music selection, exudes warmth and hospitality, making guests feel at home from the moment they step inside. The friendly staff adds to the welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every is met with impeccable service and genuine smiles.
As Chiang Mai continues to establish itself as a culinary hotspot, Hummus Chiang Mai remains a shining gem, offering a culinary journey that celebrates the intersection of cultures and flavours. Whether you’re a food enthusiast looking to explore new tastes or a traveller seeking an authentic dining experience, a visit to Hummus Chiang Mai promises to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression.
Essentially, Hummus Chiang Mai is more than just a restaurant; it’s a culinary destination where tradition meets innovation, and every bite tells a story of passion and creativity. So, if you find yourself in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, be sure to reserve a table at Hummus Chiang Mai and embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other.
ADDRESS: 109, 1 Mun Mueang Road, Si Phum Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
TEL: +66 (0) 99 298 5222 www.hummuscm.com
Paste Bangkok
Trailblazer for Thai Fine Dining
Hunting for authentic Thai fine dining? Paste Bangkok is the place to visit.
The husband-and-wife team of Chef Bongkoch “Bee” Satongun and Australian Chef Jason Bailey, conjure historied Thai recipes from the depths of royal and long-forgotten cookbooks. The duo breathe new life into lost or underappreciated classics, using traditional culinary techniques melded with modern presentational flair to create a sensational and unique menu.
Drawing on a childhood spent helping her mother make and sell food at a market stall, Chef Bee operated Thai restaurants in Australia before launching Paste Bangkok in Gaysorn Village with her husband Jason in 2015. Marked by all-round excellence and sophisticated service, Paste quickly soared to fame, earning prestigious awards and acclaim from international media. Bee was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2018, while the restaurant has been a fixture in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for several years.
Fah Thai recently tried out the impeccable crafted Lunch Tasting Menu and discovered a delightful homage to seasonal produce and Chef Bee’s precious moments cooking with her mother. Echoing the mesmerising centrepiece of the restaurant – a swirling sculpture crafted from hundreds of white silk cocoons – each dish sang with a symphony of delicate flavours.
Highlights among the starters served in the luncheon extravaganza were Rice Cracker dressed with a jewel of Roast Duck in fragrant curry paste and the unexpected but utterly delicious Watermelon Rind and Fish Roe Soup with Sea Bass. Moreish mains included Grilled Iberia Pork Pluma generously bathed in a luscious umami-packed sauce, and velvety Southern Yellow Curry with Blue Swimmer Crab and Thai Samphire. The lunch was brought to a spectacular end with a Blood Orange Sorbet followed by a petit-fours reinterpretation of a Thai dessert classic.
Take it from us: Paste delivers an unparalleled journey with age-old recipes and top quality ingredients transformed into cutting-edge culinary creations.
ADDRESS: Gaysorn Centre (Gaysorn Village), 999 Phloenchit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok TEL: +66 (0) 2 656 1003 www.pastebangkok.com
Phensiri
A Treat for Your Tastebuds and Your Health
Led by the visionary Chef Santi “Aor” Wongsawat, Phensiri stands as a Samui icon celebrating the rich heritage of Southern Thai cuisine. This culinary institution crafts delectable dishes by skilfully blending hyperlocal and seasonal ingredients.
The result is a menu brimming with beloved Southern classics enhanced by nutrient-rich produce and prized Samui culinary treasures such as Kapi (shrimp paste) and fish sauce. These ingredients encapsulate the essence of local cuisine – fresh, wholesome, and unprocessed.
In Phensiri’s kitchen, ingredients shine in their natural state, with emphasis placed on grilling, steaming, and fermenting to preserve their integrity.
With a commitment to quality techniques and ingredients, diners can trust that additives and preservatives have no place at Phensiri. Instead, Chef Aor is dedicated to ensuring each bite offers a holistic journey towards health and well-being.
Let’s explore some of the star ingredients at Phensiri. Given the pristine and bountiful waters surrounding Samui, it’s no wonder that high-quality seafood takes centre stage on the menu. Not only are these marine delights delicious, but they also provide a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a superb choice for both flavour and nutrition.
Seafood not only serves as a local staple promoting health and well-being but also delivers succulent pleasures that captivate the senses.
Complementing the island’s ocean bounty are a vibrant array of locally grown vegetables, freshly harvested from Samui’s nutrient-rich soil. Bursting with vitamins and antioxidants, these colourful veggies offer diners a delectable defence against chronic ailments.
Additionally, the rich fermented paste of shrimp, salt, and fragrant herbs known as Kapi acts as a digestive aid and adds depth to every dish it touches. Its counterpart, fish sauce, is not only renowned for its robust aroma and flavour but also serves as a treasure trove of minerals and vitamins derived from the fermentation process. Every drop enhances your meal with both taste and nutrition.
In summary, dining at Phensiri is not merely a feast for your taste buds but also a boost for your overall well-being.
Address: 80/30-34 Moo 3 Chaweng Beach Rd., Chaweng, Bophut, Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 77 945 151, +66 (0) 81 753 6767 www.phensiri.com, facebook.com/PhensiriKohSamui
Tree Tops Signature Dining
Succulence Blended with Sustainability
The island dining experience is lifted to extraordinary heights at Tree Tops Signature Dining within Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, a perfect getaway for romantic occasions with private salas where gourmet delights are served in eight exclusive salas nestled under the canopy of a 120-year-old tree.
The kitchen operations of Tree Tops Signature Dining is guided by a commitment to seasonal cooking with sustainable food practices.
Their 6-course Tow Than menu showcases pristine ingredients sourced locally from sustainable producers – think Surat Thani oysters, saltwater, dry-aged Klong Phai Farm duck and Buriram beef.
For diners who perfer a plant-based diet, the Shades of Green menu bursts with green goodness.
Meanwhile, those seeking sensational seafood can head to Crab Shack down by the beach and dive into delights like the signature Seafood Bucket, with a vibrant mala sauce and luscious coconut milk, or the irresistible Lobster Rolls, the Chef’s Special Surf & Turf Burger, Surat Thani Oysters, as well as an array of crab-crammed dishes.
For a caffeine fix, the Palette-Café & Studio has you covered with brews from beans grown in the North of Thailand served in a setting inspired by the South’s Manora dance and adorned with local artwork.
ADDRESS: Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, 92/1 Moo 2, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
TEL: +66 (0) 77 960 333
www.treetopsrestaurantsamui.com, www.anantara.com/en/lawana-koh-samui/restaurants/crab-shack, www.instagram.com/palettecafesamui