There are restaurants that serve a meal, and then there are those that tell a story. At BANNG, the newly anointed CN Traveller favourite, you don’t just dine—you time travel, street-hop, and slip into Bangkok’s night pulse without ever leaving Gurgaon.
Tucked into the dynamic gastronomic map of Delhi NCR, BANNG is Chef Garima Arora’s evocative homecoming. With two Michelin stars in her toque and the soul of Sukhumvit in her stride, Arora brings Thai cuisine back to its emotional core. But this isn’t nostalgia, this is Bangkok reimagined. The grit, elegance, and raw texture of the street mingle with fine dining finesse. And trust us, it’s not your regular gourmet fusion. It’s a masterclass in reverence!
First Course: A Flavour Bomb to the Senses
We began with the Tom Kha Pani Puri, a Socio Martini favourite in the making. Crisp semolina shells filled with a silken coconut galangal broth—Thai aromatics colliding with Indian playfulness. It’s a challenge at the table: How many can you pop before the flavour explosion renders you speechless? We lost count. Happily.
Then came the Namtok Spare Ribs, whispering lemongrass, chili, and umami in all the right places. The meat fell off the bone, marinated in complexity, with a zing that sat on our taste buds long after the last bite. Banngin’ Red Curry followed—a dish that, dare we say, would make the Michelin darlings of Bangkok raise a brow. Rich, velvety, dangerously addictive. One bowl wasn’t enough.
Fingers were used. Dignity, briefly suspended.
Craft, Not Gimmick
What sets BANNG apart isn’t just the punchy profiles or Instagrammable plating. It’s the integrity of ingredients—imported weekly from Thailand—and the obsessive precision of its culinary philosophy. Chef Manav, the young firestarter trained under Arora, is as much sculptor as chef. Every curry paste is handmade. Every herb sings in harmony. This isn’t replication. This is resurrection. Take the Banngin’ Thai Omelette, for instance—a puffed, cloud-like golden disc that crunches, melts, and comforts all at once. Or the Yum Seabass—Thailand’s fiery ceviche answer—balancing citrus, heat, and that sharp echo of street market thrill.
Sweet Closure with a Whisper of Phuket
Dessert arrives as an interactive ritual. Coconut Ice Cream with Waffle Shells—a DIY dream of textures and temperatures. There’s toasted coconut, chewy bits of nata, floral jellies, and crisp shards that mimic the layered delight of eating a young Thai coconut under the sun. But cooler, creamier, and curiously nostalgic. We tried to stuff in equal proportions of all the toppings, and with every bite, we craved for more of that gluttonous floral jelly.
Sips with Swagger
BANNG’s cocktail program is another story. Curated by Attapon De-Silva, Bangkok’s bar luminary, the menu is a Muay Thai metaphor—each drink lands with calculated force. From Flyweight (light, zesty) to Heavyweight (bold, brooding), the drinks range from cheeky to contemplative.
Start with the Guā-Wow—pink guava meets salted plum in a glass that smacks of Bangkok’s roadside carts. Or sip the Buakaw Bua Loi—a creamy twist of coconut, passion fruit and white chocolate that’s equal parts dessert and daydream. The Muay Thai Margarita—with aged tequila and pandan—is a knockout!
Even the zero-proof (no alcohol) “cocktails” hold their own. These aren’t afterthoughts—they’re meditations on balance and botanical clarity. Among the sober offerings, Samui steals the show. A sensuous blend of white chocolate and tangy passion fruit, this drink doesn’t just taste good, it evokes! It’s creamy yet sharp, indulgent yet refreshing, and perhaps the most luxurious non-alcoholic beverage you’ll sip this year. It’s Phuket in a glass, minus the flight.
Dokmai, another stunner from the zero-proof list, is a floral composition that whispers of Thai gardens in full bloom. Fragrant, delicate, and beautifully constructed, it’s a gentle pause between the bold, flavourful bites.
Design That Dances Between Day and Night
The interiors are a tactile translation of Bangkok itself—layered, unpredictable, deeply sensual. Daylight reveals tiled textures, bold patterns, and sculptural elements that flirt with street-style chaos. As evening deepens, the space dims and reflects. Metallic glints echo the city’s famed nightlife—glamorous, seductive, slightly dangerous. The open kitchen adds theatre, the sculptural bar a touch of irreverent luxury.
Final Thoughts: A Thai Reckoning, Not a Reinvention
BANNG doesn’t pander to global palates. It doesn’t soften the spice or mute the ferment. It serves Thai food as it’s meant to be eaten—bold, communal, and layered with memory. For those who’ve had the real deal in Bangkok’s sois and alleyways, BANNG feels familiar yet elevated. For the uninitiated, it’s a masterfully guided tour.
It’s not just one of the best Thai dining experiences in India. It might just be one of the best meals you’ll have this year.
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