Birthday with my friend at Khaan Bangkok

I recently celebrated a friend's birthday at a Thai fine dining restaurant tucked away in Soi Somkid — the one with the striking red interior that's perfect for anyone who loves taking photos. Definitely an Instagram-worthy spot!

There were just the two of us that day. My friend chose the juice pairing, while I went with the tea pairing, which turned out to be a lovely match with the meal.

We started with 5 amuse bouche, each creatively crafted. Two standout bites for me were:

• A grilled squid dish made with SCOBY (from kombucha), which added a unique texture and tang, and
• Marigold flower rice salad, beautifully plated and bursting with balanced Thai flavors — spicy, sour, salty, and aromatic.

Next came the Andaman Tiger Prawn dish, which leaned into bright, sour notes — super refreshing and aromatic. It reminded me of goong chae nam pla (raw shrimp in fish sauce) in a refined, elegant way.

One of my favorite dishes was called “Earth and Sea” — a creative combination of roasted cabbage (representing “Earth”) and caviar (“Sea”), served with a deeply intense sauce. Rich, bold, and beautifully presented.

Then came the most adventurous plate: "Wild", featuring crocodile tongue (though you could opt for other proteins if you're not ready to go that wild). I decided to go all in, and was surprised by how well the dish was composed. It included house-made yogurt, crunchy aloe vera, and even a crispy cracker made from crocodile tendon — this dish is a must-try if you're up for something different!

The main course was Khao Yai duck, served with rice and a mix of 8 different fruits. A complex and satisfying dish, though I was getting quite full by then and couldn’t finish the rice.

For dessert, they served mango sticky rice, and I was genuinely impressed by how they managed to keep the traditional flavors intact while presenting it in a refined way.

The meal ended with a stunning petit four set — five small desserts served in a beautifully designed wooden box with a miniature tree. The “khanom thuay” (Thai coconut pudding) was so good, I honestly wish they sold it by the box!