Bangkok’s best: Gaggan the great
Any food lover would know Gaggan Anand. The multi-awarded Indian chef is known worldwide for his creativity and his difficult-to-book restaurants.
He opened Gaggan, a progressive Indian restaurant in Bangkok from 2010 to 2019. It ranked number one among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants from 2015 to 2018 and ranked fifth in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
In 2018, it was voted the fourth best in the world and is the only Indian restaurant to rank in the top 50 worldwide in 2019. The restaurant also earned two Michelin stars in the first edition of the Thailand Michelin Guide.
Gaggan opened his own separate restaurant in Bangkok named ‘Gaggan Anand’ in November 2019. His new venture debuted on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants at No.5 and also earned the restaurant the Highest New Entry Award 2021.
The 14-seater counter restaurant is pretty difficult to get into. Advanced booking is required and the menu is not given until the end of the meal. It is not only a great dinner but a memorable performance. Think of theatrical fine dining with a concert. Gaggan is the ultimate storyteller. He not only explains the dish but comes up with stories linked to a dish. At one point in the dinner, he asked what ingredients are used in baking cookies. The usual flour, sugar, eggs, and butter were mentioned by the diners. He replied that none of those ingredients were used when he presented his uncooked okra cookies.
The meal is usually 20 courses in small plates but he prepared 22 courses for us divided into four acts. Each act had four dishes with the fifth being dessert. The four acts were India, Japan, Thailand, and Communal Cooking, followed by two more desserts.
Chefs presented food while loud (usually rock) music played in the background with lights constantly changing color and occasionally dimming. Gaggan and his team of chefs constantly had interaction with the diners who really enjoyed his uniquely prepared dishes. His “goat brain satay cream” dish did look like a brain and even glowed in the dark. Gaggam jokingly said “eat the brain and all your troubles will disappear.” He never explained what the dish was made of so we will never know if it was actually brain or not.
The meal and performance is not something I would easily forget. Gaggan Anand is definitely a place to try in Bangkok.
On top of Gaggan Anand is another concept by the great Gaggan. Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh is a restaurant based on a fictional love story between Ms. Maria, a Mexican, and Mr. Singh, an Indian. It is a marriage of Mexican and Indian cuisines and was ranked 33 on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023.
The place is beautifully decorated with an eclectic mix of Indian and Mexican accents with the colorful Mexican look. Indian chef Roshan Kumar and Mexican chef Hernan Villalva prepare dishes mixing both Indian and Mexican ingredients and techniques that definitely make a statement. Think churros with Indian spices or a taco with chana masala (tomato based chickpea curry).
The food perfectly fuses two cuisines and is good for sharing. The vibrant place and friendly staff make this place to visit when in Bangkok.
Gaggan also currently has his Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, the maison’s first restaurant in Southeast Asia. It also features a seasonal Thai menu with that Louis Vuitton touch. Desserts are too pretty to eat but tastes as good as they look. This is also worth checking out at LV The Place Bangkok at Gaysorn Amarin.
(Gaggan Anand is open for dinner daily except Mondays and Tuesday. Check out gaggananand.comfor reservations. Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh is open for dinner daily except on Mondays. They offer lunch on Saturdays and Sundays only. Check bistrochat.com for reservations.)
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