Introduction
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, a country known for its unique cuisine. The city itself is a melting pot for cultures from all over the world, so it’s no surprise that there are so many fun eateries to try on any given day. But one restaurant stands out from the rest: Mai Thai, which has been awarded a Michelin star and even hosts cooking classes taught by its own chef!
Mai Thai is Thailand’s only Michelin-star restaurant.
Mai Thai is Thailand’s only Michelin-star restaurant. Located in Bangkok, it’s a fine dining establishment that serves traditional Thai cuisine and specializes in seafood dishes. The chef behind Mai Thai is Ian Kittichai, who opened the restaurant after spending time working in Japan and France.
Ian Kittichai was born in Bangkok but raised in Australia; he moved back to Thailand when he was 25 years old. After graduating from culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, he worked under chefs such as Paul Bocuse (a three-star Michelin chef) and Joel Robuchon (another three-star Michelin). While working there he earned several awards for his cooking skills including Best Chef Thailand 2008 by Gault Millau Guidebook and Best Restaurant Award by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/2016
All of the vegetables and fruits are grown in their own garden.
All of the vegetables and fruits are grown in their own garden. The chef grows all his produce organically, and it’s a source of pride for him because he was able to create an environment where everything thrives.
This means that Mai Thai is able to use ingredients that are fresher than any other restaurant in town–and you can taste the difference!
The menu changes daily due to the availability of ingredients.
- The menu changes daily due to the availability of ingredients.
- Mai Thai is a family-run restaurant, and they grow their own vegetables in their garden in the back. This is why you’ll often see fresh herbs and spices on your plate at this place!
- The chef is from Thailand, so you can expect authentic Thai food with a twist here.
Each dish is served with a glass of water from the nearby river.
In Thailand, water is a symbol of life and purity. It’s also believed that drinking water from the river can help cleanse the mind and heart, as well as provide spiritual cleansing.
When you order your meal at Mai Thai, it comes with a glass of water from nearby Mae Klong River. This is not just any old tap water; it’s been blessed by monks who live near the restaurant (and sometimes even appear in person). When they’re not blessing the food or serving customers themselves, these monks can be found meditating on their boats along with their pets–which include cats and dogs!
The chef invites locals to his kitchen and teaches them how to cook dishes from his native country.
The chef invites locals to his kitchen and teaches them how to cook dishes from his native country.
The chef is from Thailand, but the restaurant is in the UK.
The restaurant offers workshops on Thai culture, including a cooking class where visitors can learn how to make their own curry paste and spring rolls with ingredients grown in their own gardens.
The restaurant’s chandeliers are hand-made with silver coins from around the world.
There’s no shortage of things to see at Mai Thai. The restaurant’s chandeliers are hand-made with silver coins from around the world, and they hang from the ceiling as a symbol of owner Chai Sirisute’s travels. The coins were collected during his time living abroad in places like Australia and New Zealand, where he learned about many different currencies. The chandelier has over 100 different currencies on it–including Australian dollars, Canadian loonies, British pounds sterling and even Thai baht!
The fact that these chandeliers aren’t hung with wires but rather string shows just how much effort went into their creation–and makes them even more impressive than they already are!
Mai Thai also serves up some crazy cocktails.
Mai Thai is also known for its cocktails. The drink menu is a mix of classics and innovative creations, all made with local ingredients like Thai basil and lemongrass. The bartenders pride themselves on their ability to serve each cocktail in an eco-friendly glass that’s been crafted by the chef’s brother, who works at a glassblowing studio in Chiang Mai. The cocktails are named after members of the chef’s family: try the “Mom,” which comes served with mint leaves on top for an added freshness! If you’re looking for something different but still familiar (and delicious), try one of their signature cocktails including flavors like mango or lychee.
The food menu at Mai Thai features both traditional staples as well as modern twists on classic dishes from across Thailand’s regions–you’ll find everything from curries to noodles here!
It’s one thing to eat local food, but it’s another thing altogether when you can talk about where it came from and how it was made in such depth as well as eating it!
It’s one thing to eat local food, but it’s another thing altogether when you can talk about where it came from and how it was made in such depth as well as eating it!
Thai food is an experience of both taste and culture. The Thai people are known for their hospitality, so no matter where you go in Thailand you’ll be welcomed with open arms (and mouths).
Conclusion
So if you’re looking for a cultural experience and want to learn more about the food of Thailand, then this is the place for you. The chef is willing to teach anyone who wants to learn how to cook!
More Stories
Asian Culture Blog: So Much More Than Chopsticks & Kung-Fu
India’s Bhangra Music Festivals Are An Experience Not To Be Missed
What I’ve Learned About Finding A Taste For New Food