The Thai Meteorological Department has just announced that Thailand was moving into the summer season. Cringe. A moment while we whack our heads against the wall and start putting aside money to pay for our soon-to-become-exorbitant electricity bills. Foodies, however, see this season as the chance to feast on their favorite Thai summer dish, khao chae.
Khao chae is a traditional Thai dish usually served during the hot summer months. Refashioned from a Mon dish a few hundred years ago, khao chae is steamed rice soaked in jasmine-scented water and served with mix-ins such as luk krapi (deep-fried shrimp paste balls), hom daeng yud sai (deep-fried shallots and shredded pork), prik yuak sod sai (egg-wrapped steamed green chili stuffed with minced pork) and moo foi (sweet shredded pork). The more toppings added, the merrier. Khao chae was, in the past, eaten only in the royal court and at the homes of the affluent because it required fine ingredients, culinary craft and a lot of time. Today, however, khao chae has become more common and is offered at many restaurants around town.
What’s special about it? The in-house restaurant of this boutique hotel sells khao chae with three wonderfully-prepared condiments: luk kapi, stuffed shallots and stuffed green chili.
How much is it? B390+ per set
Available from 16 March. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2160 5995.
What’s special about it? The khao chae here is infused with a scented candle, adding more aromatic touches to the chilled jasmine water. The condiments also include steamed banana chili stuffed with minced pork and a choice of crispy pulled pork of beef.
How much is it? B990++ per set
Available until April 30. For reservation and information, contact 0 2095 9999.
What’s special about it? It’s one-Michelin-star khao chae. No further explanation needed.
How much is it? B650++ for eat-in and B790 net for takeaway (excluding delivery fee)
Available from 13 to 15 April. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2659 9000 or mobkk-reservations@mohg.com.
What’s special about it? The seasonal treat is part of the delectable international buffet dinner at the hotel’s riverside restaurant. That means you’ll have so much more to savor aside from the refreshing khao chae.
How much is it? B899 per set.
Available from now onwards. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2659 9000 or mobkk-reservations@mohg.com.
What’s special about it? The long-established Thai chain of restaurants offers a khao chae of sticky rice with marian plum—a special afternoon snack for the summer season.
How much is it? B690++ for eat-in, and B750+ and B1,850+ for takeaway
Available from 1 April onwards. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2613 1658.
What’s special about it? This elegant Thai dining room at Capella sticks to the original recipe with simple yet delectable condiments and a choice of red rice for those who wish to try something different. With sustainability in mind, Phra Nakhon’s take on Khao Chae eschews
the traditional “yi-son” fish side dish, made from endangered stingray, for a
sustainably-caught alternative.
How much is it? B981 net
Available throughout April. For reservation and information, contact 0 2098 3888
What’s special about it? There’s nothing unique about the offering at this restaurant, but it will surely give you an idea of what real khao chae should taste like.
How much is it? B420++ (for khao chae only) and B580++ (including a choice of mango ice cream or mango pudding)
Available until 15 April. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2233 7060.
What’s special about it? Delicacy is injected into every detail offered by this swanky restaurant, including the use of pH 8.8 mineral water for the jasmine water that’s used to soak the rice.
How much is it? B1,200++ per person
Available from 1 March onwards. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2256 6555.
What’s special about it? Jim Thompson offers a fine set of Khao Chae featuring Chiang Rai rice soaked in scented water, pairing eight traditional side dishes, including fried Klong Khone shrimp-paste balls and stuffed bell pepper. Each set comes with mango sticky rice.
How much is it? B792 net
Available from now until 9 May. For more information and reservations, contact 06 5717 3395.
What’s special about it? The khao chae is presented in a traditional manner and comes with a santol granitas as an amuse bouche and watermelon lime juice.
How much is it? B590++ per set
Available from 1 March to 31 May. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2059 5999 or restaurant-reservations.bkkqp@marriotthotels.com.
What’s special about it? Every item in the platter is freshly made, assuring a great afternoon with one of the best khao chae sets in town.
How much is it? B799++ per set for two people
Available from 1 to 30 April. For more information and reservations, contact 0 2126 8866.
What’s special about it? The restaurant on the 12th floor of this elegant Ratchadamri establishment will host a special khao chae set only during Songkran.
How much is it? B799++ for two people
Available from 13 to 16 April (12:00 to 15:00). For more information and reservations, contact 0 2207 7777 or fb.bangkok@stregis.com.
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