Best in Asia: Dining at Gaggan Restaurant Bangkok, Thailand

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Thailand has some of the best food in the world. If you think you’ve tasted the best of Thailand, think again. Gaggan Anand’s restaurant offers a Gaggan tasting menu experience unlike anything you’ve had before. Keep reading to find out why his fusion of Indian flavors and molecular gastronomy has taken Asia by storm—and why meeting the man behind the magic made the meal even more unforgettable.

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 

Gaggan is an intimate restaurant offering a unique Gaggan tasting menu experience. I could only see 4-5 tables from where we were seated. I had never experienced a tasting menu before, so I didn’t know what to expect. We got 18 courses of small plates, many of which were just a bite or two. All of them were unusual, part of the signature Gaggan tasting menu. Some dishes smoked, some had edible flowers, and others featured unconventional textures and combinations. Yet, each course had a story to tell.

Top Honors in Asia

I hadn’t heard of Gaggan until my husband pulled up a CNN interview on his Mac. Gaggan Anand, as I quickly learned, was the man behind one of the most famous restaurants in Asia, simply named Gaggan. It was located in Bangkok, and we planned to go there for a long weekend.

He booked us a table for 6 p.m. on Saturday with a quick email. I didn’t think much about it until the weekend arrived, and we found ourselves hailing a taxi to what turned out to be a charming colonial house tucked away in a small alley. Nothing about the setting felt out of place.

When I met Gaggan, he looked like your average guy, not one of the world’s most celebrated chefs. To be honest, I found him a bit unassuming. When I asked to take his picture for my blog, he smiled and said, “Let’s just take one for us instead.”

I liked him instantly. That’s Gaggan, standing front and center, surrounded by his kitchen staff—his “cast of nations,” as he calls them.

Indian Food in Bangkok

I love Thailand for its street food. From grilled skewers to mango sticky rice, there’s always something new to try. But I don’t usually visit for high-end meals—definitely not my usual scene.

We could’ve walked to the restaurant, but we took a taxi instead. The heat and humidity were unbearable, and I didn’t want to show up drenched in sweat.

During the ride, the taxi driver asked why we were going to an Indian restaurant instead of enjoying Thai cuisine. Fair question. We love Thai food, especially when we’re in Thailand. But we’re also big fans of Indian food, and the Gaggan tasting menu is one of the best.

When we arrived, a well-dressed hostess in jodhpurs greeted us. She flipped through her reservation list and frowned, unable to find our booking.

What Happened to Our Reservation

After a little discussion (amongst themselves) we were seated smack dab in the middle of the restaurant. A minute later Vladimir Kocic, the sommelier from Serbia stopped by the table and started to describe the menu.

A minute later, another guy, everyone called lady Gaga stopped by to say hi too.

Reservations are required. You can’t walk off the street and into Gaggan and be seated. Well, you and I couldn’t… he might make room for President Obama and Michelle. But if they hadn’t found our reservation, we would have been SOL for two weeks until another seat became available.

Over the course of the lengthy meal, Vladimir, Lady Gaga, Molly (our waitress), and Gaggan would regularly stop by to talk about the food and entertain us with a few dance moves. The former was much, much… much better than the latter.

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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