Bangkok Michelin Guide Journal

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So happy that the opportunity to travel to Thailand is wide open for Indonesian citizens after the pandemic era for more than 2 years. A little information for you, for now, you don't even need to fill out an arrival card when you arrive in Thailand for Indonesian citizens. Various airlines are available, both direct and transit from Jakarta. On this trip, of course, I took advantage of the time to explore Thai culinary delights, which have always been my favorite.

One of the things that travelers pay attention to when visiting Bangkok is the cuisine where the name Michelin Guide, an award event given to culinary entrepreneurs, is one of the extraordinary tourist attractions. Of course, there are many fine Michelin Star restaurants, but don't miss the many food stalls with the Michelin Bib Gourmand award in this city. Let's read further to find out what it is:

1. Somtum Khun Kan

The story begins with a small shop in Mueang Thong Tani, thanks to which winning a som tum dish competition in 1999 made Khun Kan famous among Bangkok locals. Khun Kan is one of the Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended restaurants. The mandatory menu here is of course the very famous som tum, papaya salad with a sour, fresh, and spicy taste that makes you addicted. They also serve a variety of classic Thai dishes, one of which I tried was Roasted Chicken with Herbs. A simple dish but indeed delicious, fragrant aroma, smoky chicken, and just the right taste, quite different from typical Indonesian grilled chicken that normally use soy sauce. For the location which is quite far from the central area of Bangkok, you cannot make a reservation, another option is to order via Grabfood.

Address:

Wachiratham Sathit 23 Alley, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10260, Thailand

Open hours: 10.00-21.30

2. Konchong Konprung

One of the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants with a typical Chinese menu is the family background of the founder of this restaurant. Likewise, with the interior concept, the area is not too large, and the feel of home with classic poster decorations brings us nostalgia for a house. The menu is very much like a family restaurant with Chinese dishes. One of the highlight menus that you must try is Pickled Plum & Garlic Soup with Pork Meatballs. Herbal aroma with fragrant gravy, comfort, and fresh broth taste. Then I tried Shitake Cabbage Pork Ribs Soup, no less interesting. Pork rib soup with a mix of different soup flavors, a thicker color, soft cabbage, and some baby tomatoes that give a fresh sour taste. Don't forget to also try the Fried Prawn with Tamarind Sauce. Shrimp with a portion for two people, tamarind sauce which is quite thick, strong taste really enhances the taste. I went there during lunchtime, not too crowded, no tourists. Service is standard but quite fast. Approximately 900m walk from BTS Saphan Khwai.

Address:

109 Sutthisan Winitchai Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Opening Hours: 11.00-21.00

3. Thai Niyom

This restaurant is located quite a hidden gem in the surrounding building area. One of Michelin Bib Gourmand's recommendations is interesting to try, as seen from the crowds of visitors when I visited at dinner time. Thai Niyom is also a simple restaurant serving various dishes which are family recipes. Uniquely here we can enjoy one of Chiang-Mai Combo's mainstay menus, a platter dish with grilled pork, crispy pork skin, and pork sausage, served with vegetables, and two kinds of delicious and spicy Thai sauce. Apart from Chiang-Mai dishes, there is also a Phuket menu, you know, Stir-fry Pork Belly with Shrimp Paste. Thinly sliced pork belly is cooked with savory, sour, and salty spices, and spicy but adds to the taste. The location of Thai Niyom is around a 120m walk from BTS Phloem Chit.

Address:

888/28-29 Mahatun Plaza, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Opening Hours: 11.00-20.00

4. Go Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam

A Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is full of international tourists. There is no doubt that the strategic location near the shopping center area makes this restaurant always busy from morning to evening. Simple concept and this restaurant has been in business for more than 60 years. A classic chicken rice dish and served with a light soy sauce, vinegar and spicy chilli. For me, the boiled chicken is quite bland, it would be even better if enjoyed with soy sauce. As for the rice, it's ok, not too impressive compared to chicken rice that I've tasted in other countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, or even in Indonesia. For the price, a portion of chicken rice is quite cheap, but maybe according to the price, the chicken rice is not too big. Another dish is soy sauce pork, the meat is tender but the gravy is too runny and doesn't absorb into the meat, once again for me it doesn't beat the soy sauce pork dish which is home cooking, even at home I quite often enjoy the soy sauce pork which is better.

Address:

962 Phetchaburi Rd, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Opening Hours: 06.00-14.00 & 15.30-21.30

5. Bangkok Bold Kitchen

Starting from word of mouth, from a cooking studio, Chef Nhoi opened Bangkok Bold in the downtown area. The concept offered, as the name suggests, is a bold or strong Thai flavor in dishes. The concept of a casual restaurant looks striking with the painting of a rooster on the wall under the name of the restaurant. The mandatory menu here is Stir Fried Pork & Shrimp, a dish from Central Thailand, processed minced pork with a soft, creamy egg, then the distinctive aroma of shrimp paste and a spicy and sour taste that is delicious to be enjoyed with white rice. Then I also tried the recommended menu, Shrimp Paste & Toasted Coconut Fried Rice with Shrimp. Ulala is another spicy but highly addictive dish. The texture of the prawns is also perfectly cooked. The location is inside the Central Embassy building on the ground floor.

Address:

1031 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Opening Hours: 11.00-22.00

6. Embassy Room - Catalan Cuisine

This restaurant, which is included in the Michelin Plate recommendation, is located inside the Park Hyatt Bangkok Hotel. An elegant, luxurious feel is evident from the entire interior of the Embassy Room. An area with quite a lot of seating capacity with an open kitchen where we can see the activities of the chefs. The menu available is a set menu or ala carte with the concept of Catalan dishes. Because when I got there I had already enjoyed dinner, so I only planned to taste of plenty the dishes. One of them, Tomàquets Pepino I aguacate, a salad with a few colorful tomatoes, then cucumber and avocado. The presentation of the dish is beautiful and looks fresh, the citrus flavor is a good choice as a starter, but unfortunately, the aroma and taste of the avocado are strange and smell a bit unpleasant. The dish I tried next, Amanica de Cranc, was no less interesting than its presentation. Chinese-style similar bao served with processed crab and Spanish Ajo Blanco. The bao has a slightly soggy texture, while the blue crab is too smooth to be covered with a dominant Ajo Blanco flavor. The element for the flavors of these two dishes is quite complex, but for me, it's less harmonious and not that spectacular. The taste of the ingredients used is not as outstanding as I expected.

Address:

9th Floor Park Hyatt Bangkok, 88 Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Opening Hours: 12.00-14.30 & 18.00-22.30

7. Guay Tiew Mu Rung Rueang Tung (Rung Rueang Pork Noodles)

Back to the list of Michelin Bib Gourmand which is also quite famous in Bangkok. This time, I only ordered food from the hotel via the Grabfood application, which is more practical than having to go to the outlet, especially in very hot Bangkok weather. Specialist for pork meatball noodles, here you can choose the type of regular broth, tom yum, or dry noodles. Then with various toppings from fish cake to pork intestines. Besides that, recommendations for fish skin snacks. As soon as it was delivered to the hotel, I immediately tasted it because soup is better consumed while it's hot. The texture of the noodles is really good and soft, the pork meatballs and other toppings are also delicious if you're a fan of pork innards, it's just that the tom yum sauce is a little weird for me, with a sour taste that ends in bitterness and spiciness so unpleasant. Fish skin also smells fishy, it's quite ok, but I've eaten better fish skin, of course.

Address:

10/1 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

Opening Hours: 08.00-17.00

8. Nahm

With the choice of restaurants in Bangkok, it is also mandatory to stop by the Michelin Star Restaurant. One of the recommendations is Nahm, which happened to be next door to the hotel where I was staying. Nahm is a Thai restaurant that offers a tasteful Thai culinary experience in a classy style. The interior is quite casual with wood elements and dominant dark colors. There is an outdoor area overlooking the swimming pool of the Como Hotel. However, the pool is only for in-house guests. Several set menu options here depending on the number of dishes. I chose the Kanom Jim set, there are 3 courses starting with canapes, a main course, and dessert. There is no doubt that every dish served is truly delicious with quality ingredients. The complex flavors of citrus, herbs, and strong seasonings blend harmoniously. Kanom Jim itself is a fermented noodle dish that is like vermicelli but thicker. Served with your choice of prawns or crab as a topping and a moderately spicy curry paste.

Address:

โรงแรมโคโม เมโทรโพลิแทน กรุงเทพฯ 27 S Sathon Rd, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Opening Hours: 12.00-14.00 & 18.30-22.00

9. Nai Mong Hoi Tod

One of the most famous culinary delights in Thailand. For clam seafood fans, it's tough to miss this culinary delight. Still, on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, every time you visit Chinatown, Nai Mong Hoi Tod is always a Bangkok culinary destination. Hoi Thod (Fried Mussels) is a mainstay of the menu here for more than 30 years. My favorite menu here is Crispy Oyster Omelette which is available in 4 sizes from S to XL. For a portion of two people, it might fit the size L. The dish already looks tempting when the process is cooked on a large pan, the fragrant aroma matches the texture of the omelet which is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. And so many fresh oysters are really satisfying. But if you are not a fan of oysters, maybe you will smell a little of it.

Address:

539 Phlap Phla Chai Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

Opening Hours: 10.00-19.00

10. Yih Saph Luk (26 Braised Beef)

The meaning of the name Yih Saph Luk is "Easy to Cook" and is of Cantonese origin. Basically, this restaurant serves braised-beef noodles as its flagship menu. However, according to the concept of the Cantonese menu, there are many other dishes that are also quite a highlight, such as rice bowls or bao. Listed on the Michelin Plate recommendation, 26 Braised Beef is also familiar to local Bangkok residents. My visit there was on a hot sunny day, it looked still quiet. Not noodles, but I ordered the Braised Beef Ricepot which is also a recommendation. The portion is quite a lot for 1 person, the aroma is fragrant, and the taste is sweet and savory, very different from Thai cuisine in general. The tender beef is simply delicious and served with green vegetables for balance. Due to the Cantonese concept, bao snacks are also a must, like Hotate Bao which is one of the recommendations. Well, the crunchy and soft texture of the bao is combined, and the unique sauce has a slightly sour, thick, and spicy taste. Also served separately when ordering rice pot.

Address:

9/1-2 Charoen Krung Rd, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Opening Hours: 09.00-15.00 & 16.00-18.30

11. K Panich

Who hasn't tried Mango Sticky Rice when they've been to Thailand? Must have tried before. But have you ever heard of the Mango Sticky Rice, which is recommended by the Michelin Guide and has become a regular order at the Grand Palace in Thailand and has been operating for more than 80 years? Simple shop not far from Bangkok's Chinatown area. The mandatory menu is definitely Mango Sticky Rice, no doubt here I can enjoy super legit mango sticky rice, with a sweet taste, and perfect texture. The mangoes are more or less the same as the others and we know that the quality of the mangoes in Thailand is really good. Eating on the spot is indeed better, it's just that there are a few seats.

Address:

431 433 Thanon Tanao, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Opening Hours: 07.00-18.00

12. Kway Chap Quan Pochana

One of the recommended Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai food stalls, it has been legendary and open for more than 50 years. The location is in the Yaowarat area, Bangkok which is indeed a favorite destination for both tourists and locals. Don't be surprised, the scene of the crowd that is always packed here is normal. Even though the place is very decent and considered quite messy, people come to enjoy kway chap, a Teochew specialty noodle soup with wide sheets of rice, served in soup and various offal, pork belly, and hard-boiled eggs. The taste of the soup is salty, strong pepper is quite unique. Well, if you are an innards lover, you might enjoy this dish, because almost all of the contents of the kway chap topping are full of pork innards.

Address:

408ถ. เยาวราช Chakkrawat, Chakkaphat, Bangkok 10100, Thailand

Opening Hours: 11.00-00.00