Gaggan — Restaurant in Khlong Tan Nuea Subdistrict

In case you don’t want to read the entirety of this review, let’s just start off by saying I left halfway through the meal the experience was so poor. In my life, I’ve never considered leaving any meal, much less a $400/person meal because the experience was so terrible. I didn’t see one person in the room of 14 smile a single time during the hour and a half I stayed. I know other people have to share my sentiments, but they must be too afraid to state how they really feel because this is supposed to be a “Top 50 Restaurant” in the world. I actually own a restaurant chain in the States and always appreciate the efforts any restaurant team makes to try and provide the customer a great experience. However, Gaggan can’t charge $400/person and not get hammered for the type of experience he is providing.

I ate at Gaggan’s original restaurant 8 years ago and it was not only one of the three best meals of my life, but incredibly fun. I was with a group of eight that night and although many of them aren’t usually that willing to try new foods, everyone agreed it was an amazing meal and experience. Gaggan even came out of the kitchen to take photos with us and he was incredibly humble and authentic. I was so excited to experience what I experienced eight years ago and booked Gaggan Anand.

The restaurant I ate at eight years is completely gone. What it’s been replaced with is a celebrity chef that apparently doesn’t have anyone on his team to tell him when his concept has gone adrift. He must be surrounded by yes men too afraid to question his authority.

One of the first things Gaggan tells everyone before the meal starts is that the meal shouldn’t be pretentious. He makes sure to constantly tell everyone his food is rebellious and even has props to drive this home. The irony was what followed was without a doubt the most pretentious food experience of my life.

Being told by Gaggan to not talk while the staff drones on and on explaining the food along choreographed music isn’t rebellious, it’s plain silly. The chefs helping describe the food are chefs, they aren’t entertainers and they shouldn’t be asked by the owner to present these meals because they are embarrassingly bad at it. I had to laugh out loud when they blasted Metallica’s Master of Puppets to introduce a course. Really? You are going to have audacity to take that amazing song and ruin it with what followed?

Gaggan must have mentioned on three occasions that’s he’s visited Tokyo 106 times and how much he loved the city and the food. Gaggan, we got it the first time. It just makes you come off as so braggadocios and an unrelatable person. The entire meal felt like a tribute to you and your life. Which by the way would be fine, if it’s done with some humility and shows your true passion for food, not selling us on why you are so great. I cringed every time you had the staff have to act like sycophants explaining your greatness for each course after you left the restaurant. I promise if you ask your staff if they want to be doing this, they don’t. It’s awkward and not why they became chefs and wanted to learn under you.

On top of all this, the meal comes with a wine pairing that you must pay for. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to wine and simply asked for some other cocktails instead that I would be happy to pay for. I was told my only option would be a selection of mocktails instead. Who wants to go to dinner and spend $400 and not be able to have a cocktail or beer? It’s just bad business and arrogant.

I can’t stress enough to anyone that has heard this is one of the best restaurants in Asia and number eight in the world not to go. I didn’t even care it was a waste of my money, it was a waste of my time. Bangkok might be the greatest food city in the world and there is no need to spend 3 hours of your life putting up with this experience when you can eat at thousands of restaurants that actually care about the customer and serve...

In Bangkok’s fine-dining scene, Gaggan transcends being just a restaurant — it is a living, breathing performance. From the moment you step in, you sense you are not merely a diner, but a participant in a story woven from culinary art, music, memory, and cultural fusion.

A Journey Across India, Japan & Thailand (and Beyond)

Gaggan describes its “soul” as Indian, even while its inspiration spans the globe—particularly drawing on Japanese precision and Thai sensibility.  Throughout your 22-course tasting journey, flavors surprise and pivot: an Indian base—curries, spices, fermented chutneys—reimagined through modern technique, contrasted by airy Japanese touches (umami, subtlety, immaculate plating) and occasional nods to local Thai freshness. One dish might hint of quail grilled over sandalwood, while another brings a fusion of aged basmati rice, spinach, and Japanese sea bream capped with a chili sauce—melding East Asia’s lightness with India’s depth. 

With each successive dish, you float between familiarity and wonder. At times, flavors feel “new” yet deeply resonant—comforting as if you’ve known them all along.

Atmosphere, Storytelling & The Magic of Song

Gaggan’s ambience pulses with intentional dramatics. Lighting, sound, and pacing are all part of the choreography, creating a theatrical stage for your meal.  More than once, the kitchen staff join in the spectacle: the entire cast of servers and chefs will break into music at pivotal moments, choosing just the right song to stir emotion, connect with the diners, and magnify the experience. 

One dish is dubbed “Curry-aoke,” where music and dining blend: as the dish is prepared, the staff and guests sing along, turning the act of cooking into a collective performance.  It’s not background entertainment — it is integral to the storytelling, elevating each bite to an immersive moment.

Meanwhile, servers present each dish not simply with technique but with narrative—inviting you to travel through places, memories, and sensations. The staff aren’t conveyors of food — they are narrators, performers, conductors. 

My Experience & Verdict

From the first course to the last, I found myself repeatedly saying, “This is my favorite.” Across 25 glimpses of flavor, none felt redundant — each was bold, expressive, and thoughtfully composed. The pacing never lagged; even as one extraordinary flavor faded, the next would arrive to astonish. The staff’s enthusiasm felt genuine, their song-interludes never gimmicky — always perfectly timed and heartfelt.

This is one of those rare dinners that lingers — not just on the palate, but in memory. A restaurant that dares to intertwine India’s soul, Japan’s discipline, and Thailand’s vibrant spirit — all amplified by the voices of those who serve you.

If you seek a dining experience that is at once deeply human and boldly imaginative, Gaggan surpasses any expectation. It is not just a meal — it...

A very special experience! Visited on June 20, 2012. I've known Gaggan since 2012, when he wasn't yet famous. Today at lunch I visited his new restaurant in Soi 31, as it was reopened after the virus crisis. The food is world class, really great in terms of taste, quality and creativity. Also, the table culture with the creative ways to serve is unique. You must experience this once and you will never forget it! Unfortunately, the hospitality is not so nice. For reservation you need to pay 100% in advance (as if a credit card guarantee is not enough). You get a lot of e-mails and phone calls. Once you arrive, there is a valet parking, which is nice. But they park your car in the sun and you get a mobile sauna back. At the entrance you are welcomed by an investigating committee regarding the virus, which is overemphasized here, much more than in all other restaurants. Then there is a loud question if one should not go to the toilet before going to the table. I found that very unpleasant. What is the idea behind this? If I go to the toilet now, does my partner stand at the entrance? The whole reception is a guest bullying, which has taken the fun out of my visit right at the beginning. The restaurant itself is in post-industrial design, cheap and unattractive, certainly not luxurious, and not in line with the price level. I get a chair where the armrest is exactly 0 cm away from a concrete column. I cannot eat like this. Then the table is moved around until I can at least move my right arm a little. The tablecloths are black but washed too often. Looks like they are to cover up the stains of the previous guests. The service is excellent, fast and attentive, but also very obtrusive. We are instructed from front to back what they serve, how to eat, partly the waitress stops beside the table in order to check if we eat properly. There is no consideration at all if the guests are talking. They rudely interrupt, as the guest seems to play only a subordinated role in collecting money. The friendliness offered by the service seems extremely contrived, as if by theatre actors. I did not feel welcome at all. There is a funny wine list, limited to producers who are friends of the restaurant. The prices are extremely high. A glass of Austrian white wine of average quality 600 Baht++, no bottle of wine below 3000 Baht++. There is only one surprise menu served. It does not reveal what is on offer and unlike in the past, you do not get a printout after the meal to explain what you have eaten. The 8-course menu is extraordinarily rich, and we felt quite full afterwards. We cannot imagine coming here in the evening where there are only menus with 15 or more courses. In the end, do not even accept Amex credit card, apparently the greed is too big. It is a great experience in total, but it is a pity that it is not really guest friendly and does not offer an ambience that corresponds to the...