We had dinner reservations at Bo.lan Bangkok – World 50 Best Restaurants.
In downtown Bangkok, getting from point A to point B during dinner time is a nightmare by taxi.
We headed to the nearest BTS station after a shopping spree at Siam Discovery.
It was the after-work rush hour, and the train ride was blurry.
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What is the philosophy behind Bo Lan Bangkok?
Bo.lan Restaurant was founded on the belief that Thailand’s best Thai restaurants should be found.
Herald as one of Bangkok’s top tables since its opening in 2009; the restaurant advocates making every day an ‘Eat Responsibly Day.’
The husband-and-wife team co-chefs Thai chef Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Australian chef Dylan Jones started Bo Lan.
What’s the cuisine like?
The ever-changing degustation menu is based on dishes researched from authentic palace recipes and serves royal Thai-style cuisine.
Coincidentally, this dinner was just two days after lunch at nahm at COMO Metropolitan.
Bo.lan restaurant is No. 10 on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018.
I found out during dinner that both chefs met when they served at David Thompson’s erstwhile London outpost nahm.
Can I take the heat at Bo.lan? Hell, no!
Traditional Thai dishes are neutral in terms of spice. What makes the delicious recipes spicy is often the red hot chili pepper!
From my experience in nahm, I’ve gauged the spiciness level that many find acceptable.
But to me, it’s a case of taking the heat. And I have to admit that I don’t have a cast-iron tongue.
The part of a Thai meal I like most is the explosion of fiery sensations in the mouth. My friends tell me loudly that it shows on my fire hydrant-red face!
Sometimes, tears squirt out as I attempt to maintain some measure of composure.
The other diners continue to eat at the same pace and rate; the burn on their tongue seems to goad them on.
I could not maintain the conversation levels.
My tongue needed an ice bucket challenge to survive the next onslaught.
Something to munch on., a selection of groundnuts, walnuts, and deep-fried silkworm starters for dinners.
Bird’s-eye what?
In Thai cuisine, bird’s-eye chili or chili pepper has a fruity taste and extreme spiciness.
Bo.lan uses the green and ripe red chilis in many Thai salads, curries, and stew dishes served with rice.
Table setting with a napkin wrapped with a pandan leaf
Traditional Thai with fine-dining flair and cocktails blew my mind!
We started with some munchies before they served us solid cocktails.
The instruction was to pop the single appetizer to eat it whole.
I don’t know what they wrapped in the cucumber roll, but it was spicy.
After that, we were told to tip a single shot of Thai whiskey.
After that, we were to use the spray on our burning mouths.
This completely threw off our palettes at the start of the meal.
Thai whiskey shot served with a neutralizer spray. Chew, Drink, Spray. No, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for me!
What’s the rationale for that experience?
It confused me.
Knocking back such stiff drinks at the onset and setting my tongue on fire wasn’t what I wanted to experience.
I wanted a slow build-up, like the walk to the restaurant, the quickening of the crowds, and the more leisurely pace.
We are going single-file through the gate into the courtyard of leafy trees, where we will sit in the cool shade.
I want to taste the sweetness and crispness of shredded unripe papaya.
The thick coconut crème in the curries prep my tongue for battle.
So, it wasn’t what I expected.
Initially, I couldn’t taste Bo Lan’s authentic Thai cooking.
The restaurant is renowned for its flavorful dishes derived from organic, locally sourced products, collaborating with local farmers, artisan producers, and fishermen.
It also emphasizes social responsibility by supporting and engaging with the local community.
Fresh ingredients elevated to refined palace-style cuisine.
Confession: I’m a failure at an exceptional dining experience.
I used to have my meals on the run, and quickly, street food and home cooking are more appealing to me.
Soft-boiled egg with runny yolk dressing for a cucumber, prawns, and cilantro salad.
Bo.lan Bangkok – World 50 Best Restaurants – Tasting Menu
Bo.lan’s tasting menu has an elegant presentation.
There must be an army of chefs in the kitchen to prep, cook, and feed all of us together.
Their signature balanced tasting menu features a succession of small dishes.
Those delightfully minuscule amuse Bouches. I noticed a mix of macro and micronutrients.
It has many other accents of Amuse Bouche’s in-between courses.
There were many exciting tastes; alas, not all to my liking.
The curries had intense, herbaceous, floral Thai flavors.
Strong Flavour vs. Mild
One dish had such a robust, overpowering flavor that I couldn’t eat it.
The experience is bizarre, with a sensory overload as our taste buds fight with distinct taste sensations.
Maybe my experience of eating fine local dining in my tiny hometown differs.
There were about half a dozen main dishes served.
Bo.lan advised us to eat all the dishes together.
As you would at an Asian dinner, alternating between the dishes will mix with the rice.
As I munched through the courses, my tongue settled, and I enjoyed the food.
It’s just the waiting.
So, I wandered around the restaurant.
Individual Menu Items
- Yadong Ma Kratueb Rong is served with local sour fruits
- Bo Lan amuse bouche
- A single plate of the day
- Salad of fresh cucumber and Ao Phang nga banana prawn with orange chili dressing
- Stir-fried pork tender with Andaman shrimp paste and Santol
- Grilled chili relish of Isan-style herbal-fed chicken served with grilled squid
- Sap Nok Style curry of Chachoengsao Duck with ginger and long-yard bean
- Old style Hot and sour soup of market-fresh fish
Pork dish.
Small cooked dished plated to look like a fish.
Bo.lan Bangkok – Tasting Menu
The restaurant has a charming familiarity with traditional Thai elegance.
It feels contemporary, yet the low-lit interiors and garden are reminders of a Thai grandmother’s home.
The interiors are used with plenty of beautiful untreated wood to maintain a traditional Thai ambiance.
It is glamorous, just not the shiny, dazzling.
It was a little dark by the time I excused myself.
I wandered around the luscious grounds, a small vegetable garden, a water filtering system, and waste recycling.
Bo Lan is working towards reducing its environmental impact and achieving a zero-carbon restaurant by 2018.
Photo: Bo Lan Bangkok Facebook Page
Photo: Bo Lan Bangkok Facebook Page
I love the brass fittings and mirrors in the washroom of Bo Lan Bangkok.
Who to dine with?
I recommend taking someone adventurous and sharing a discerning appetite.
They only serve dinner on set menus in a shared family style.
For lunch, Bo.lan serve à la carte.
Thai Desserts at Bo.lan Bangkok
If you’re not a fan of Thai desserts, you’ll scoff at the medley of Thai handmade desserts presented.
There must have been about 10 – 12 items in total. There are Pre-Dessert and Dessert!
The presentation is incredible.
Some dessert items come wrapped in banana leaves.
There are bite-sized items shaped like tropical fruits.
These have a light and subtle flavor.
Some are creamy and very sweet.
There is a different texture to feel on your tongue as you taste it.
But if you asked me, the ones in the morning markets taste better.
It is also a fraction of the price.
Then there’s my preference again; I wouldn’t say I like grainy dessert textures.
Bo.lan Restaurant Bangkok | Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 & 2018
24 Soi Sukhumvit 53, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana Bangkok 10110
Nearest BTS station: Thong-Lo (5-min walk) | Telephone: +66 2 260 2962
Website: www.bolan.co.th
Prices: Balance menu 2660 baht++; Brief menu 2280 baht++
Best Route to get to Bo.lan Restaurant Bangkok
The nearest BTS station is Thong lor.
Take exit one and walk toward Sukhumvit Soi 53.
Turn right into Soi Sukhumvit 53.
Walk down the small road for about 150 meters.
Bo.lan is on the right-hand side. Just turn right into the small pathway.
Blog Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you, Tourism Authority of Thailand, for the media invitation to the Women’s Journey Thailand 2017 Campaign.
