Methavalai Sorndaeng

Methavalai Sorndaeng | One MICHELIN Star | BangkokWhile live '80s Thai music, a classic décor and views of Democracy Monument are what give this restaurant its unique style, the food is what has kept loyal customers coming back for over 60 years. Presentation may look plain, but dishes deliver blasts of flavours and refined complexity. Highlights are crispy rice noodles in sweet and sour sauce, spicy lemongrass salad, and crab meat and acacia red curry.

: One of Bangkok’s original Thai fine dining restaurants, serving authentic local dishes crafted with timeless recipes and traditional cooking techniques for over six decades. Why we love it: Ratchadamnoen is a road in Bangkok with significant historical importance. It is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Grand Palace and Democracy Monument.

For properly old school, refined and regal Thai fine dining, with all the bells, whistles, pomp and ceremony of the Royal courts of The Kingdom as a backdrop to your evening, you can’t do much better than Methavalai Sorndaeng, a Phra Nakhon institution still going strong after six decades. It’s a real special occasion sort of place for Thai folk of a certain age, and you’ll see old married couples, suited, booted and moonlight-silver haired, enjoying timeless preparations of dishes like rich red curry of duck and pineapple, or intricate tartlets of diced potato, carrot and sweetcorn, that still somehow manages to come up tasting decidedly Thai. The gold embroidered furniture and crooner louchely leaning on a grand old piano to serenade the dining room only serve to emphasise the vibe here.

This place is one of the longest-running Thai restaurants that I know of. And it somehow managed to be on Michelin Bangkok Guide, too. No matter what the red books say, I would say that not all Thai people come here for the tastes of the foods (which I found ok, but not that great to be honest) alone, but also for their plush interior, good services and the fact that their foods are not that horrendously expensive.

Methavalai Sorndaeng is an old-school legend that’s been serving classic Thai flavors since the 1950s, right by Democracy Monument. The vibe here is seriously retro – imagine gleaming wood, gleaming brass, live music from a tuxedoed band, and even waiters in crisp uniforms. Their crispy fried river fish with chili sauce is a must, along with the crab meat yellow curry that absolutely bursts with flavor.

Methavalai Sorndaeng has been a venerable institution for over 60 years, captivating a dedicated following with its timeless recipes and culinary traditions. Located on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the restaurant's name, Methavalai Sorndaeng, holds an auspicious meaning, signifying "glass dessert" in Thai. Renowned chef Chumpol Jangprai, a prominent culinary figure and TV personality, leads the kitchen.

78/2 Ratchadamnoen Ave, Khwaeng Wat Bowon Niwet, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand. Methavalai Sorndaeng in Bangkok has been around since the post–World War II era, keeping its retro charm and old-fashioned atmosphere alive. Live Thai singers and a slightly kitschy, cruise-ship-like setting give it a nostalgic appeal for anyone looking for a classic dining experience.

Methavalai Sorndaeng is the adjoining restaurant of the Methavalai Residence hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine in a fine dining setting at this restaurant, with the highlight being their steamed duck and the pineapple fried rice with shrimp. 78/2 Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Methavalai Residence Hotel Bangkok

This recommendation comes from my brother Eddie (the one who got me started on Hot Thai Kitchen actually!). It's a 60-year-old restaurant with one Michelin star, and their longevity is enough reason to visit given the intense competition in Bangkok. View this post on Instagram