Cuisine: Indian, Molecular
Location: 68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Bangkok
Date of visit: 8th January 2015
Reservation: A few weeks in advance.
Recommended Dishes:
Set Menu: 16-18 Course Tasting Menu THB 1,800 / THB 2,800 / THB 4,000
Service: Average
Notable Awards: 17# San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna World's Best 50 Restaurants
Overall: 7/10
Location: 68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Bangkok
Date of visit: 8th January 2015
Reservation: A few weeks in advance.
Recommended Dishes:
Set Menu: 16-18 Course Tasting Menu THB 1,800 / THB 2,800 / THB 4,000
Service: Average
Notable Awards: 17# San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna World's Best 50 Restaurants
Overall: 7/10
Summary
We have known the place for quite some time due to it being one of the very few full molecular restaurants in Thailand, and to find out that it has been placed 17th in the S.Pellegrino guide, we did not hesitate to drop by. This is a dinner review as Gaggan doesn't do lunch. When we arrived, none of us were very hungry so we opted for the 16 course Taste of Gaggan. Overall, some of the dishes were fantastic while a few were too "molecular-focused" and over powering. The experience was fun and intriguing, however one possible area of improvement for a restaurant of such caliber would be the service.
Chocolate Pani Puri, Yoghurt Explosion, Edible Plastic Spiced Nuts
The edible plastic nuts were fine, something expected from a student of El Bulli's. However we did not like the chocolate pani puri and the yoghurt explosion. The white chocolate balls were filled with an overpowering runny sauce which we don't think went so well with the chocolate. The yoghurt was flavoured with some kind of spices which was again way to strong to go with the sour yoghurt, there was also a hint of an eggy flavour which I don't think fits. The portion was also too large, leaving a lot of algenate (spherification) membrane behind, which was not very pleasant to eat.
3/10
The edible plastic nuts were fine, something expected from a student of El Bulli's. However we did not like the chocolate pani puri and the yoghurt explosion. The white chocolate balls were filled with an overpowering runny sauce which we don't think went so well with the chocolate. The yoghurt was flavoured with some kind of spices which was again way to strong to go with the sour yoghurt, there was also a hint of an eggy flavour which I don't think fits. The portion was also too large, leaving a lot of algenate (spherification) membrane behind, which was not very pleasant to eat.
3/10
Burnt Mango Panna
A very nice and refreshing sorbet with a spicy kick (either spices or ginger, we weren't sure).
6.5/10
A very nice and refreshing sorbet with a spicy kick (either spices or ginger, we weren't sure).
6.5/10
Potato 2-Some-Curry and a Liquid
Fortunately this dish was very nice, very crispy potato strands topped with some curry and a sauce.
7.5/10
Fortunately this dish was very nice, very crispy potato strands topped with some curry and a sauce.
7.5/10
Bengali Mustard and Noori Pakoda
I did not really know what the dish was, but it tasted a bit like soft cheese and a very strong mustard.
5/10
I did not really know what the dish was, but it tasted a bit like soft cheese and a very strong mustard.
5/10
Papadam and Tomato Chutney
Nice and simple.
6.5/10
Nice and simple.
6.5/10
Keema Pao
Ham's favourite dish of the night, this dish is simply a mini burger with brioche buns, spiced lamb patty and tomato. A great balance between sweet and spicy.
9/10
Ham's favourite dish of the night, this dish is simply a mini burger with brioche buns, spiced lamb patty and tomato. A great balance between sweet and spicy.
9/10
Say Cheese
This is a warm 4 cheese souffle, green chilli oil and crispy rice cereals. We thought the goat cheese was too overpowering, and the creaminess of the souffle did not go well with the spicy chilly oil. We also thought that for a cheese souffle this rich and strong, the portion is slightly too big. Not our favourite dish unfortunately.
4/10
This is a warm 4 cheese souffle, green chilli oil and crispy rice cereals. We thought the goat cheese was too overpowering, and the creaminess of the souffle did not go well with the spicy chilly oil. We also thought that for a cheese souffle this rich and strong, the portion is slightly too big. Not our favourite dish unfortunately.
4/10
Sandwich- Foie Gras Mousse and Onion Water Baguette
The onion water baguette has a very unfamiliar texture; as soon as you take a bite, they seem to absorb water and shrink, creating a more intense onion flavour. The foie gras mousse with hazelnut candy was good.
6/10
The onion water baguette has a very unfamiliar texture; as soon as you take a bite, they seem to absorb water and shrink, creating a more intense onion flavour. The foie gras mousse with hazelnut candy was good.
6/10
Down to Earth
This dish comprises of mixed vegetables (artichoke, asparagus and mushrooms) foam, with slow cooked egg yolk and a hint of truffle. A warm and comforting course served in a pleasantly unusual bowl, a rock.
7/10
This dish comprises of mixed vegetables (artichoke, asparagus and mushrooms) foam, with slow cooked egg yolk and a hint of truffle. A warm and comforting course served in a pleasantly unusual bowl, a rock.
7/10
Charcoal
This dish was served without us being told what it was. It was covered in smoke, and once the jars were lifted up, a grey substance looking like charcoal pieces became visible. We had a taste and thought it was some minced meat cooked in spices, quite spicy this one. We were then told that the dish was minced fish (I couldn't remember which) and the hint was already on the plate. Overall a very playful dish.
7.5/10
This dish was served without us being told what it was. It was covered in smoke, and once the jars were lifted up, a grey substance looking like charcoal pieces became visible. We had a taste and thought it was some minced meat cooked in spices, quite spicy this one. We were then told that the dish was minced fish (I couldn't remember which) and the hint was already on the plate. Overall a very playful dish.
7.5/10
River King
The king of the Thai river is no other than the King prawn. The prawn was grilled in a tandoor and finished off with mango chutney. A rather pleasant dish.
7/10
The king of the Thai river is no other than the King prawn. The prawn was grilled in a tandoor and finished off with mango chutney. A rather pleasant dish.
7/10
Angry Bird
Yes that is really the name of the dish. The dish is simply slow cooked chicken in a spiced Chettinad curry served with crispy rice idiyappam and steamed rice. The chicken was tender and spicy, finally a dish we are familiar with.
9/10
Yes that is really the name of the dish. The dish is simply slow cooked chicken in a spiced Chettinad curry served with crispy rice idiyappam and steamed rice. The chicken was tender and spicy, finally a dish we are familiar with.
9/10
Made in Japan
Our first dessert, a matcha tea cake with vanilla salt, mascarpone and wasabi. We did not really taste any wasabi though. The dessert was good, but not really what I was expecting at an Indian eatery.
8/10
Our first dessert, a matcha tea cake with vanilla salt, mascarpone and wasabi. We did not really taste any wasabi though. The dessert was good, but not really what I was expecting at an Indian eatery.
8/10
Magnum
Chocolate ice cream with crunchy exterior and popping candy. A sweet end to our meal.
8/10
Chocolate ice cream with crunchy exterior and popping candy. A sweet end to our meal.
8/10