When it comes to the spice and heat that keeps our senses satisfied, southern Thai cuisine will surely hit that spot. Here are some of the best southern Thai restaurants in Bangkok that will keep you coming back for more.
Thai food varies a lot throughout the regions, but the spice is what holds us together. The south of Thailand gets a lot of influences from Malaysia and Indonesia, and the abundance of fresh ingredients grown locally also add another dimension to the dishes. From the rich yellow curry to the heat-filled khua kling, these southern Thai restaurants in Bangkok bring in all the right notes that have our tastebuds dancing.
[Hero and featured image credit: Khua Kling Pak Sod/Instagram]
The best southern Thai restaurants in Bangkok for that kick of spice
Sorn
Sorn is the one and only restaurant in Thailand to boast three Michelin stars. Utilising fresh ingredients from all 14 provinces of southern Thailand, Sorn’s Chef Supaksorn “Ice” Jongsiri presents the best of the south in a refined, carefully-crafted tasting menu. His contemporary perspective towards classic flavours, all while still working with traditional techniques — clay pot cooking, grilling with coal, and the like — results in happy smiles on all diners, as well as making this fine dining restaurant one of the hardest restaurants to book in Bangkok.
More info: Sorn
Opening times: Sun-Fri, 6-10pm
Location: 56 Soi Sukhumvit 26, Klongton Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phrom Phong, BTS
Baan Ice
For those who can’t seem to ever get a table at Sorn, Chef Ice also opened a chain of southern Thai restaurants that features his grandmother’s recipes from Nakhon Si Thammarat province in a more casual setting. The casualness certainly doesn’t mean they compromise on the spice, as the punch of well-balanced flavours is what you need in southern Thai cuisine.
Must-try highlights include the yellow curry with bamboo shoots and black-banded trevally fish, fish stomach curry, southern-style rice salad, and sea bream deep-fried with turmeric.
More info: Baan Ice
Location: Baan Ice has seven locations: Prachaniwet 1, Thonglor, ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon, Central Ladprao, Paradise Park, and Mega Bangna.
Janhom
Over 20 years ago, Surat Thani’s Chef Poonsri opened her own restaurant offering all the flavours of southern Thailand without compromise. That also means the curries and soups are spicy, herbal, salty, and not too sweet — the way the southern culinary gods intended. Be sure to get the gaeng luang (yellow curry) with crab, as the chef makes the curry paste in-house, along with the deep-fried frog with turmeric. It never disappoints.
More info: Janhom
Opening times: Open daily, 10am-9pm
Location: 273/4 Ramkhamhaeng 21 Alley, Phlabphla, Wang Thonglang, Bangkok
Nearest station: Lat Phrao 71, MRT
South Tiger
South Tiger packs southern-style heat with their signature seafood dishes, and they aim to represent the region from appetiser to dessert. It’s perfect for both a get-together with friends, or a power lunch with some workmates.
If you do bring some company, their fried seabass with turmeric is crispy on the outside, and hot and juicy on the inside. Their Yellow Curry with Seafood and Young Coconut Shoots also packs a punch. If you’re comfortable with bitter beans, have them stir-fried with prawns.
More info: South Tiger
Opening times: Open daily, 10.30am-10pm
Location: 999 9, centralwOrld, Floor 7, 999/9 Rama I Rd, Bangkok
Nearest station: Chit Lom, BTS
Khua Kling Pak Sod
With a name like Khua Kling Pak Sod, these guys must be very confident in their khua kling game. Boy, do they deliver. The team takes pride in their spices, and a lot is made in-house daily. The herbs are carefully picked, the kapi is brought from Chumphon (an integral part of the family recipe), and their portions are never not generous.
Of course, the khua kling is a must-order, but the underrated dish not to miss is the Yum Dok Kajon Goong, a spicy salad of prawns and slightly-tangy cowslip creeper flowers.
More info: Khua Kling Pak Sod
Opening times: Open daily, 9am-9pm
Location: 98/1 Pai Di Ma Di Klang Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok
Nearest station: Thonglor, BTS
Phukej
Located inside a quaint shophouse, Phukej offers folks around Chinatown the flavours of the south we know and love, with a contemporary, upscale twist. Inspired by their love of Phuket culture and the culinary diversity of the area, Chef Korn features both a bang-for-your-buck tasting menu, as well as a la carte creations.
Their take on the moo hong (pork belly stew) is certainly special, with the pork belly stewed, fried, and then served with sauce. Certainly ask for their stir-fried pork neck which they cook with prawn chili paste, bitter beans, and eggplant.
More info: Khua Kling Pak Sod
Opening times: Thu-Mon, 11.30am-3pm; 4.30-10pm
Location: 730, 732 Mangkon Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Wat Mangkon, MRT
Prai Raya
Prai Raya on Sukhumvit Soi 8 is a long-standing southern cuisine diner, bringing only the best of Phuket to Bangkok. The old town interior of the venue will help sell the fantasy, all while guests dine on the quintessential classics of the south, packed with authentic flavours.
The Deep-Fried Seabass with Lemongrass and Tamarind Sauce is certainly a crowd favourite, and their Yellow Curry with Pork Belly and Pineapple in Fresh Coconut Milk will give you the full Phuket experience.
More info: Prai Raya
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-10.30pm
Location: 59 Soi Sukhumvit 8, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Nearest station: Nana, BTS
Yoong Khao Hom
Yoong Khao Hom is one of the hidden gems when it comes to southern Thai restaurants in Bangkok. It’s located at I’m Park Chula, welcoming nearby students and others to the wonderful world of southern Thai cuisine, after they’re done queuing for a shabu buffet. With classic dishes done right, it’s best to bring some company to share.
Stir-fried Acacias with Prawns are a must, and they do a very aromatic paste with fish entrails and herbs to enjoy with vegetables. Pick a bunch from the menu — there are no wrong answers.
More info: Yoong Khao Hom
Opening times: Open daily, 10am-10pm
Location: 355 I’m Park Chula, Charoen Mueng Rd., Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest station: Samyan, MRT
Beer Hima
One of the selected few southern Thai restaurants in Bangkok included on the Bib Gourmand list, Beer Hima describes itself as a “seafood kingdom,” and boy, the kingdom is really bountiful. The menu is filled with seafood dishes with recipes from their family in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Expect spices packed to the brim, and great quality seafood.
Order the southern quintessentials and you’ll never be disappointed. The yellow curry with grouper is well-balanced. The stir-fried prawns with bitter beans packs a punch of aroma. Craving crab? Have it stir-fried with black pepper. Be sure to enjoy the dishes with their signature beer in icy cold mugs, true to their name, which is translated to “snow beer.”
More info: Beer Hima
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-11pm
Location: 12/12 Thetsaban Songkhro Rd, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Wat Samian Nari Station, SRT Red Line
Krua Ros Nakhon
Brace your tastebuds, as Krua Ros Nakhon is as spicy as southern Thai food is meant to be. Many follow Chef Toi to the small, yet cosy dining spot after she won Iron Chef Thailand, and her dishes keep guests smiling ear to ear, and asking for more water. From appetiser to dessert, grab some friends so you can enjoy a bit of everything in the menu — recipes Chef Toi brings from her home in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The signature yellow curry uses sea bass and southern mangoes, perfect to enjoy with the stir-fried lotus roots with prawns. The Phuket-style pork stew and curry with fish entrails are also crowd favourites to try. End your meal on a high note with their ice cream, served with sides and egg.
More info: Krua Ros Nakhon
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-9pm
Location: 1, 466/26 Phahonyothin Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok
Nearest station: Saphan Kwai, BTS
Frequently Asked Questions
Southern Thai food is known for its punchy flavours and lack of compromise when it comes to spice, with many ingredients different from the rest of Thailand, including turmeric and stinky beans.
Sorn is definitely the most popular southern Thai restaurant in Bangkok, being the one and only three Michelin-starred restaurant in Thailand. It is also incredibly hard to book, so make your reservation well in advance.
Popular choices of southern Thai dishes include yellow curry, stir-fried prawns with stinky beans, fish entrails curry, and fish deep-fried with turmeric.
Since southern Thai cuisine revolves a lot around seafood, vegetarian options can be hard to find. We recommend contacting the restaurant prior to see if they can accommodate dietary restrictions.
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Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
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