Following the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Phang-Nga 2022 in December last year, our restaurant inspectors has gone back out on the road searching for more new eateries worthy of a place in the MICHELIN Guide selection.
The distinctions – Stars, Bib Gourmands and Green Stars – will be unveiled at an annual launch ceremony as usual. However, once a month, from now until then, the MICHELIN inspectors will freshly reveal some of their favourite new additions to the Thailand restaurant selection.
Published on the last Wednesday of every month, the restaurants will be featured both on the website and the MICHELIN Guide application. How will you spot the new additions? They will be highlighted with a ‘New’ symbol. Some of these newly recommended establishments will go on to earn distinctions at the MICHELIN Star Revelation ceremony, so why not give them a try and see which ones you would add to your shortlist?
And here are 7 of the Inspectors' favourite new additions for March 2022 for Thailand!
Krua Boonlert Bangpu, Samut Prakan
Almost as vast as nearby Ancient Siam, this canal-side restaurant has several dining areas, including a wedding-ready dining room, high-ceilinged pavilion and large terrace. The food is mostly central Thai, with some Thai-Chinese and Isan dishes thrown in. The chef selects quality ingredients and prepares them well, in dishes like fried shrimp with tamarind sauce and Chinese-banquet favourites like stewed duck with brown gravy. Live music spices things up at dinner.
Rabiang Talay, Samut Prakan
Opened in 1992, this restaurant serves flavourful seafood in a Lanna-style pavilion with relaxing views of mangroves and the sea, especially at sunset. There are three dining areas: one with AC, one open-air under high ceilings and hanging Northern Thai lamps, and one on the terrace. The food is prepared in an open kitchen and made with fresh ingredients, including some from onsite seafood tanks; the signature stir-fried crab with salted egg is recommended.
Pae Pochana, Pathum Thani
This hidden gem in 100-year-old Rahaeng Market has been serving old-school Thai-Chinese dishes for over 50 years. The menu focuses on quality over quantity and ingredients are mainly sourced from the market. Some, like the minced featherback fish and minced pork in tofu sheets, are made in-house. These, plus spicy stir-fried featherback fish with herbs and fried sun-dried snakehead fish, are recommended. As the food often sells out before closing, arrive early.
Somchai Ped Palo (Go Tae) Bang Len, Nakhon Pathom
Go Tae, the owner of this Thai-Chinese restaurant, got his start almost 80 years ago selling stewed duck noodle soup on a boat, before heading to dry land to open this place. Inside the three-storey building (topped with a giant rooftop duck statue), the simple dining room has high ceilings and a roasting and stewing station. The menu features old-school Thai-Chinese fare, including the recommended stewed duck and spicy climbing perch with Chu Chee curry.
Kin Kub Koi, Bangkok
The chef-owner here knows seafood. Not only does her family run a wholesale seafood business, but she also ran the previous incarnation of this place in Samut Sakhon for years before moving it here. The results are skilfully cooked dishes made from choice seafood, like standouts grilled river prawns and stir-fried crab with bitter beans and shrimp paste. Two dining zones (with and without AC) are available; both face a leafy courtyard.
Krua Jay Sim, Nakhon Pathom
Four times in a decade, this Thai restaurant changed locations before finally opening on the chef-owner’s land in Nakhon Pathom. Each time, regulars followed along for its flavoursome local dishes, including some, like stir-fried sesbania with shrimp paste, that cannot be found elsewhere. The current digs are in an open-air pavilion on a country lane with tranquil lotus pond views. Try the roasted pork neck with Jaew and the spicy mackerel soup with madan fruit.
Hong Seng Pochana, Nonthaburi
On the Chao Praya by the Rama IV Bridge, this renowned Thai-Chinese spot has been known for reasonably priced flavoursome fare since 1957. Its open-air dining room and wooden terrace set the stage for relaxed meals featuring highlights like grilled giant river prawns with spicy sauce and mini deep-fried crab meat wrapped in tofu skin. Open for lunch, the place extends its hours on weekends. Reach it by boat, or if driving, park in the public space under the bridge.
Stay up-to-date with the latest MICHELIN-recommended restaurants and news on MICHELIN Guide Thailand Facebook page, MICHELIN Guide website and on the MICHELIN Guide mobile app (iOS and Android), which enables you to find every restaurant and hotel in the world selected by the MICHELIN Guide.
CONTINUE READING: The 2022 MICHELIN Guide Thailand Features 6 New One MICHELIN Star Restaurants
Hero image: © Somchai Ped Palo (Go Tae) Bang Len, Krua Jay Sim, Krua Boonlert Bangpu, Kin Kub Koi
