Siam Paradise Entertainment Complex

Run by the same family for over 20 years, this restaurant is something of a hidden gem for spice-lovers. Their signature dish, jungle curry soup with hand-minced fish, provides suitably lip-smacking flavours using ingredients like red chilli, fingerroot and turkey berry. An outdoor area embraces nature, with curved tree trunk tables and an arboretum. Herbs and spices from the forest are used as seasoning, often with game meats – the succulent stir-fried deer with cumin leaves is a must.

"Krua Sa Ros Jad" combines the owner's mother's name and a Thai phrase meaning "intense flavour" – an apt description of the boldly seasoned food made with fresh ingredients. Try the deep-fried fish in Choo Chee sauce, the robust, well-spiced flavour of which pairs well with the hot Tom Yum chicken soup with young tamarind leaves. The restaurant boasts a unique collection of Buddha statues and antique European ceramics, as the owner is an avid collector.

Spacious and well-organised, this lively spot handles groups with ease, offering both air-conditioned and open-air seating. Even at peak times, service remains swift, and the atmosphere relaxed. The extensive menu focuses on local seafood in tasty, well-crafted Thai dishes. In the rich, bold stir-fried crab curry, the egg is cooked to perfection – a highlight. Spicy seafood soups are plentiful too, making this a reliable option for fresh, satisfying cooking.

Banya, or ‘Grandma’s house’ in Thai, embodies this maternal spirit. The menu, conceived by acclaimed culinary teacher Rachadapa Amatayakul, comprises typical Thai fare, some rarer recipes and their famous homely signature – Khao Chae. Also popular is the homemade spotted knifefish with green curry; the tender fish is an umami pleasure in an intense mix of herbs broiled in rich Thai curry. No wonder this place is always crowded with locals and foreigners.

Head to this unassuming yet charming restaurant for Thai home-style cooking in Bang Sue district. For over 40 years, diners have been relishing the cosy ambience and a Thai menu that favours seafood over meat. The crispy pork pairs up with a distinctive apple sauce; the tom yum coconut soup is enriched by the flesh of young coconut for a flavour that is a delightful deviation from the norm. Call ahead to nab a table at this neighbourhood gem.

Fast food