7 Culinary Happenings Keeping Bangkok’s Food Scene Busy

7 Culinary Happenings Keeping Bangkok’s Food Scene Busy

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Bangkok’s dining scene changes by the minute, so Koktail curated seven food happenings you won’t want to miss. 

Bangkok’s food scene doesn’t sit still for a second. One day it’s here, the next it’s gone, and in between there are new spots, new menus and collaborations happening everywhere. Keeping up? Nearly impossible.

Koktail has rounded up seven food events so you don’t have to play detective. New menus, chef takeovers, fresh openings – it’s all part of the city’s nonstop food rotation. Basically: Bangkok is cooking, and everyone’s invited.

1/7 Charmgang Opens a Limited-Time Pop-Up at Baan Trok Tua Ngork

Charmgang Curry Shop, the much-loved curry specialist from Talat Noi, is back (for a limited time) with a playful pop-up at Baan Trok Tua Ngork, and somehow it feels like a homecoming.

Set inside a beautifully restored century-old building in Chinatown, the pop-up takes over the second floor, where old-world vibes meet modern Bangkok energy. If you’ve followed Charmgang, you’ll know their reputation: strong curries, punchy spice and flavours that lean into both Thai tradition and a more contemporary edge. Here, that same identity gets a new stage – almost like the kitchen just moved house but with all its personality intact. The vibe is relaxed but lively, the kind of place where the food and the setting both demand attention.

On the plate, it’s all about seasonal ingredients and handmade curry pastes, alongside a rotating lineup of dishes inspired by different corners of Thailand. The whole experience fits naturally into Baan Trok’s cultural-meets-culinary setting, where food, drinks and design all blur together. It’s running now through the end of July, so there’s still time to catch it before it disappears again – at least until the next comeback.

2/7 Dao Rung Brings Proper Jungle Isaan Heat to Sathorn

We all know and love Isaan food, but how often do we get to experience “jungle Isaan”? Dao Rung, a new spot in Sathon 12, invites diners on a fiery dive into herbs, heat, and deep, punchy flavours. This isn’t the watered-down, crowd-friendly version of Isaan cooking. There’s no softening the edges here. As the restaurant puts it, it’s all about “grills and jungle thrills,” and that promise shows up in every dish. What sets it apart from many Isaan places in Bangkok is its refusal to dial things back for comfort; everything is designed to hit hard in the best way.

The atmosphere matches the food’s intensity, with a design inspired by Cold War-era Thailand and the rise of Luk Thung music: a mix of nostalgia, grit and unexpected style that feels both retro and chic at the same time. On the menu, expect smoky grilled chicken done in true Isaan spirit, a wide range of som tam variations (including Luang Prabang-style), juicy “crying tiger” beef, spicy yum mama and plenty more dishes that don’t hold back on heat or flavour.

3/7 Iris & Wild Iris Brings Riviera-Inspired Dining to a Bangkok Rooftop

Bangkok offers several Riviera-inspired dining spots, but this newest addition stands out as one of the most distinctive, set on a rooftop with sweeping city views and weaving the night sky into the dining experience itself. Recently launched, the menu is guided by Sicilian-born Chef Enrico Pantorno, who adds a sophisticated touch to the breezy, coastal character of the aperitivo cocktails and spritzes there.

The space is clearly divided into distinct zones. Upon stepping onto the 29th floor, you first enter the glasshouse area, complete with a DJ. For those who want a breath of fresh air, the terrace upstairs offers an open setting with views over Lumphini Park and the surrounding city skyline. Different moods suit different spaces, so it’s worth choosing the one that fits yours best. 

Golden hour is especially striking when experienced from above. The higher, the better. Dining and drinking here can feel almost disorienting in the best way: an oyster in one hand, a cocktail in the other, and suddenly it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of Sathon, as the atmosphere evokes a distant seaside escape – at least for your taste buds, if not your location.

4/7 Chef Vicky Cheng Flies in to Bangkok to Present His Latest Menu

Last month, K by Vicky Cheng, the contemporary Chinese fine-dining spot on the 56th floor of The Empire, celebrated the return of its eponymous chef with a “special homecoming” event from 23-24 April. The award-winning chef personally welcomed Bangkok diners and shared insights into the restaurant’s latest creations introduced toward the end of last year. Staying true to its concept, inspired by Chinese mythology and the theme of harvest, K continues to reinterpret classic flavours with a modern twist.

Highlights include black pepper dried abalone puff, combining the savoury taste of abalone with flaky pastry, signalling the restaurant’s foray into refined pastry work. Barbecue Iberico pork char siu balances sweetness with a smoky undertone, while hot and sour soup with crab meat and fish maw offers a comforting, nostalgic touch. Steamed mantis shrimp glutinous rice is wrapped in lotus leaf, making sure every bite hits the spot.

5/7 Not Your Typical Teppanyaki: LEOKA Opens with a Focus on Premium Ingredients

Bangkok welcomes a new teppanyaki experience with the opening of LEOKA Teppanyaki, where the focus is placed on precision, premium ingredients and a more refined approach to teppanyaki dining. Featuring a leopard as its emblem, the restaurant at Pullman Bangkok King Power brings together precise teppanyaki technique and a curated selection of premium ingredients, including A5 Wagyu, live lobster, Hokkaido scallops, king crab and imported seafood.

Diners can choose from five set menus. The Classic Set is perfect for first-timers, offering a choice of protein from chicken to salmon or beef. The Surf and Turf Set pairs Australian ribeye with tiger prawns from the Andaman Sea for a land-and-sea experience. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Ocean and Flame Set, featuring Hokkaido scallops, sashimi and grilled squid that bring the flavours of the sea to your plate. 

The Wagyu Indulgence Set, the most popular option, combines Japanese wagyu with grilled Canadian lobster. For the full experience, there is the Chef’s Premium Omakase Teppan, LEOKA’s signature seven-course journey. Don’t miss the signature garlic fried rice, a house recipe exclusive to the restaurant.

6/7 Sirocco by lebua Hosts an Italian Dining Collaboration with Chef Alessio Rossetti

Next week, from 19-21 May, Sirocco, the renowned Mediterranean restaurant on the 64th floor of State Tower, will host a night celebrating Italian culinary artistry. The event brings together Executive Chef Brian Rodriguez and Chef Alessio Rossetti from the much-celebrated La Devozione in New York to showcase the skill, precision and passion behind authentic Italian cuisine. 

Chef Rodriguez himself began his journey at Osteria del Parco in Italy, refining his techniques under Chef Samuele Ferri before moving on to Australia, returning to Europe and eventually landing in Bangkok. The nine-course tasting experience promises to be a fascinating and delicious evening as Chef Rodriguez reconnects with his culinary roots, with Caserta-native Chef Rossetti helping bring out the very best of Italian flavours.

7/7 Table 1749 Welcomes Ōre for a Contemporary Greek Dining Takeover

Table 1749, a culinary space known for hosting chef-led takeovers and collaborative dining concepts, is welcoming Ōre with open arms. Normally a six-seat counter focused on refined, artfully plated dishes that are almost too pretty to disturb (and very much camera-ready), Ōre is currently in a period of renovation but continues to push forward with its vision of contemporary Greek cuisine. The concept is guided by Greek chef Dimitrios Moudios, who brings a perspective shaped by experience across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Guests can expect a special Greek-focused evening that reflects both tradition and interpretation, shaped by Ōre’s signature style and the freedom offered by the takeover format. That’s part of the appeal of Table 1749: it gives chefs room to step outside their usual environments and experiment within a fresh setting, often leading to unexpected creativity. For this collaboration, diners can choose between a tasting menu or à la carte options. The idea is simple: arrive with an open mind and let the evening roll by at its own pace.

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