Best in Asia: Dining at Gaggan Restaurant Bangkok, Thailand

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Thailand has some of the best food in the world. I’ve had some unforgettable meals in Thailand, but dinner at Gaggan Anand’s restaurant stood out. His tasting menu in Bangkok wasn’t just food—it was theater, chemistry, and a bold love letter to Indian cuisine. I didn’t expect to meet him. But I did. And somehow, that made the experience even more personal.

Table of Contents

• Gaggan Tasting Menu
• Gaggan Restaurant
• Top Honors in Asia
• Indian Food in Bangkok
• What Happened to Our Reservation
• What’s on the Menu?
• Cost of the Meal
• Final Thoughts
• Like it? Pin it!

Gaggan Restaurant 

From my seat, I counted five tables. That’s it. The room felt private, almost secret. I had never done a tasting menu before, so I had no idea what to expect. Each of the 18 courses came out as a small bite, but each one carried intention. Some smoked, others sparkled. I tasted edible flowers, foams, and textures I couldn’t name. Every plate surprised me. Every bite told a different story.

Top Honors in Asia

I hadn’t heard of Gaggan until my husband showed me an interview on his laptop one evening. A few clicks later, we were planning a weekend in Bangkok—built entirely around a dinner reservation. He emailed the restaurant, and just like that, we had a Saturday table. It almost felt too easy.

When we arrived, the taxi turned down a quiet alley and stopped in front of a colonial-style house. I stepped out and took it in. The setting was elegant, but it didn’t feel stiff. It felt like a place that invited you in.

Inside, I met Gaggan. No chef’s coat. No air of importance. Just a kind smile behind thick glasses. When I asked to take his photo for my blog, he waved it off and said, “Let’s take one for us instead.”

That moment said more than a pose ever could. A few minutes later, he stood with his kitchen team—the group he called his “cast of nations.” I felt like I was meeting someone who loved what he did and loved the people he did it with.

Indian Food in Bangkok

Thailand always stirs up certain food memories for me—grilled chicken skewers, the sweetness of mango sticky rice, and the smell of lemongrass drifting through outdoor markets. That night, though, we skipped all of that. We dressed up, called a taxi, and headed to a restaurant I had only just heard about.

The driver looked puzzled. “Why Indian food?” he asked. We smiled. Thai food would still be there tomorrow. Tonight, we wanted something unexpected.

When we arrived, a soft glow lit up the entrance to a colonial-style house tucked into a quiet alley. It was elegant without being flashy. A woman in tailored jodhpurs greeted us at the door. She glanced down at the reservation list, and then—just for a moment—she frowned.

What Happened to Our Reservation

She couldn’t find our names.

We stood there, quiet, not sure what to say. I looked around at the other diners, already sipping wine and enjoying their first courses. I could feel the evening slipping away.

But then, after a brief huddle among the staff, she waved us in. We were shown to a table right in the middle of the restaurant—arguably the best seat in the room.

A man with a calm voice and easy smile approached us. His name was Vladimir. He introduced himself as the sommelier and walked us through the first few dishes. His descriptions were thoughtful and patient, like he knew we were a little off balance but excited to be there.

Not long after, another team member came by to check on us. Everyone called him “Lady Gaga,” and he lived up to the nickname with flair and a little sparkle in his step.

Looking back, I know how lucky we were. Gaggan doesn’t seat walk-ins. If they hadn’t found our names, we would’ve been out of luck—and the next open table wouldn’t have come up for two more weeks.

Throughout the night, the staff floated in and out of our conversations. They laughed, danced, shared stories, and made sure the evening stayed light and full of energy. Their choreography wasn’t polished, but it didn’t matter. The joy felt real. And it set the tone for everything that followed.

What’s on the Gaggan Tasting Menu?

A tasting menu is a curated culinary experience where you don’t just order one meal but are taken through several small courses designed to showcase a chef’s creativity. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to highlight unique ingredients, textures, and techniques, giving you a taste of the chef’s vision.

At Gaggan, the tasting menu was progressive, meaning each course built on the last, evolving in flavor and intensity. Gaggan’s dishes were his reinvention of traditional Indian flavors, using unexpected ingredients and molecular gastronomy to surprise us. The 18-course meal took around two and a half hours, with most dishes being no more than a bite or two. The fun twist? We were encouraged to eat many courses with our hands, ditching utensils altogether.

We started with a pickled plum paired with soda, followed by a curry yogurt explosion served on a spoon, and then an edible “plastic bag” that tasted like nuts, though it wasn’t. The plum’s pit, which we didn’t spit out onto the floor as suggested, had a sharp, tangy bite. The yogurt burst in my mouth with a rush of spices, and the plastic bag melted away like magic, leaving behind a flavor that was hard to pin down. It was surreal to eat something that I’d only ever seen on TV.

Three courses in, I realized this was more than just a meal—it was a playful, inventive experience that kept me on my toes. I wish I had described each course in my own words because, looking back, it wasn’t just the food that made it memorable. It was how it made me feel—curious, delighted, and completely engaged in the moment.

Pork on an Indian Menu?

I had no idea Indian cuisine sometimes included pork. Seeing it on the menu surprised me.

Since we don’t eat pork, they made a substitution, and I’m so glad they did. Instead of the original dish, we were served a sweet potato cake topped with vanilla, chives, and an edible flower. That tiny bite was unforgettable. The flavors were so unexpected, yet they worked together beautifully. I still think about that dish—it was one of those rare, perfect moments in food that stays with you long after the meal is over.

Eel Anyone?

An open-faced eel sandwich on a crispy cracker arrived next. I’m no eel expert, so I can’t say it’s the best eel in the world. But, to be honest, it was the first time I knowingly tried eel. If every eel tasted like this, I definitely wouldn’t have turned it down before.

An Uni Sundae

An uni sundae came next, and I didn’t know what to expect either. For those unfamiliar, uni is sea urchin, and this sundae was made with mango ice cream. My first thought was exactly what you’re thinking—sea urchin and mango ice cream? That’s insane. But to my surprise, it was actually delicious. The rich, buttery uni paired shockingly well with the sweet, tropical mango, creating a strange yet harmonious combination.

Then came the real surprise: the sundae was served with charcoal and smoke, adding an earthy, almost mysterious flavor to the dish. It wasn’t just a dessert—it was a sensory experience that kept us guessing until the last bite.

Fake Forest Mushroom

One of the most memorable amuse-bouches of the evening was a forest mushroom crafted to look like a tiny log, sitting on a bed of edible sand. It was one of those dishes that made you pause for a moment just to appreciate the artistry. The “log” was earthy and rich, while the edible sand added a crunchy texture that played perfectly against the softness of the mushroom.

But what really caught me off guard was the heat. This was, without a doubt, the spiciest thing on the menu. The spice slowly crept up, hitting you just after you’d finished savoring the mushroom’s deep, umami flavor. It was the kind of dish that makes you sweat a little but leaves you wanting another bite. I still think about it—how something so small and unassuming could pack such an intense punch of flavor. It was one of those rare dishes that was not only beautifully presented but also full of surprises.

Tandoori Lamb Chop

Next up was a juicy tandoori lamb chop, resting on a vibrant rangoli-inspired design made from two different sauces. The presentation was stunning, with the sauces forming intricate patterns that almost looked too pretty to touch. Our server joked that many diners find the design so beautiful they hesitate to eat it.

Honestly, that’s crazy to me! As lovely as it was, the lamb chop was too irresistible to let sit. The meat was perfectly tender, with the rich spices of the tandoori marinade seeping into every bite. The sauces not only added to the visual appeal but brought a creamy, flavorful contrast to the bold, smoky lamb. It was one of those dishes where the beauty and taste were equally impressive.

The desserts were flavorful yet understated, allowing the ingredients to shine without overwhelming the palate. The Sandalwood Infusion was a perfect example of this balance. It offered a subtle sweetness, enhanced by the delicate aroma of sandalwood, without being overpowering. Each bite was light, refreshing, and fragrant, offering a soothing close to the meal. The presentation was elegant, and the flavors lingered gently, leaving a sense of calm and satisfaction. It was the kind of dessert that didn’t need boldness to leave a lasting impression—its simplicity was its strength.

Cost of the Gaggan Tasting Menu

I don’t want to spend a lot of time talking about how much these experiences cost, but let’s just say it’s not cheap. The menu at Gaggan starts at 4,000 Baht per person, which is around $125. We also splurged on a bottle of wine for 3,200 Baht and ordered a glass of red each to pair with the lamb for an additional 1,200 Baht. By the time we finished, the total came to roughly $450—definitely one of the most expensive meals we’ve ever had.

But here’s the thing: in hindsight, we’d do it all over again. Every course was more than just food—it was an experience, a story told through flavors, textures, and creativity. It wasn’t just about the meal; it was about the artistry, the surprise, and the way each dish left us thinking, talking, and marveling at what just happened. It was the kind of dinner you don’t get every day, and for that reason alone, it was worth every Baht.

Final Thoughts

The staff was just as playful as the food, with laughter filling the kitchen as we enjoyed each course. Gaggan has the reputation and popularity to charge double and still keep the restaurant packed, but he doesn’t want that kind of crowd, which I respect. The Gaggan tasting menu was incredible, and we had a great time. We left feeling satisfied, though not entirely full.

Would we do it again?

Absolutely—but for a special occasion, like if we find ourselves back in Bangkok. We walked out happy, albeit still a bit hungry. So, naturally, we went out for Thai food afterward!

Address: 68 Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

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