• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  bangkok • Restaurant Reviews • thailand  >  Thinking About Gaggan, Returning to Bangkok
bangkokRestaurant Reviewsthailand

Thinking About Gaggan, Returning to Bangkok

Kyle Stewart Posted onMay 3, 2020September 13, 2021 14 Comments
My dear readers, some links on this site pay us referral fees for sending business and sales. We value your time and money and will not waste it. For our complete advertising policy, click here. The content on this page is not provided by any companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone.

Quarantine during the coronavirus crisis has made most travellers long for the return to favorite places. For me, I’d love to return to Bangkok, Thailand and try Gaggan’s new restaurant. Here is a revisit of my experience at the two Michelin-starred, top restaurant in Asia. 


If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com.


If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today.

Getting A Reservation

In a previous post, I outlined the tremendous difficulty in securing a reservation due to my own lack of foresight. For those interested, I’d recommend reaching out at least six weeks prior to the desired day or being very flexible. As the restaurant’s closure nears, patrons would be advised to reach out with as much notice as possible.

Address: 68/1 Phloen Chit Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

Email: reservation@eatatgaggan.com

Phone: +66 2 652 1700

The staff also encourage finding a way to stand out, I’d suggest Instagram as a possible connection as it is more personal and responses more immediate.

Arrival

The address took our taxi driver to the street outside the restaurant. It’s tucked back on an alleyway. The white building filled with glass atriums greeted us and reminded me of something between old Bangkok (you can still find houses like that around the city dotted beneath the shadow of skyscrapers) and countryside England.

Gaggan sign (from the street)
Gaggan sign (from the street)
Gaggan Exterior
Gaggan Exterior

As we checked in, Chef Gaggan was at the host stand and milling around with guests and staff before disappearing. He was affable and approachable, and we should have asked him for a photo. We thought we would see him again that evening but we did not and regret not asking for a quick photo.

We were taken to our table, a four-top between the patisserie atrium and underneath a mezzanine level where larger parties were dining. Though the seatings are timed (we had a 9:30 pm slot), the tables around us ate their meals asynchronously giving us clues to the next course.

Menu

The menu presented is a vertical line of 25 emojis, some a play on words for the course, others indicative of the experience. The second course, for example, was an emoji of an explosion and the dish was a chilled thin membrane akin to an egg yolk that burst once in your mouth. Our favorite listing was the “lemon” course in which we were served a lollipop of lamb. Our server loved quipping that this course is the “lamb one” and pointing to the lemon. It was clear that the menu was as much as a creative guide as Gaggan and his team playing with the guests.

Emoji menu
Emoji menu

Meal

We were quietly dreading one aspect of the experience. Our daughter, who can only be described as a trooper, was looking forward to the fancy part of the night, getting dressed up, being generally decadent. But her five-year-old palette simply wouldn’t have enjoyed the meal. She has always abided by our “we try everything” policy whereby, as a family, we will try any food presented to us even if we are fairly certain that we won’t like it. We don’t have to finish it, but we have to at least try it once. As a result, her favorite food in the world is not chicken fingers or pizza but xiao long bao (soup dumplings.)

Concierge staff at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit secured the reservation for three people. Our daughter is, of course, a person, though we were hoping she’d be able to just eat off of our plates. The dinner consists of 25 courses, some just one bite, some many bites, and we could have made that work. The price, however, is rather high ($220 before service and tip per person) and paying for a cover when we knew it wouldn’t have been our daughter’s cup of tea, gave me indigestion.

Without batting an eye, Lucy was offered pasta (cream or tomato sauce) or the menu. She chose a tomato sauce pasta but they still brought a portion for her to enjoy the first few courses and the desserts. We were terribly relieved and the pasta was as one might have expected, excellent.

Red sauce pasta for Lucy
Red sauce pasta for Lucy

Much of the meal was eaten with our hands only, wet towels brought at intervals throughout the service. Where appropriate, a musical accompaniment would join the course. Gaggan, a rock and roll enthusiast, combined the menu with his musical preferences, playful nature with the emojis, and humorous play on words. Some courses would be served with a portable speaker and iPod Nano on the table, such as Lick it Up by KISS for a course by the same name where guests lick sauce from a plate beautifully decorated.

3 - Lick it Up
3 – Lick it Up

Due to the complexity of the dishes, my inability to deliver an accurate culinary description and the desire to publish a post under 45,000 words, I will simply include the images of the course with our best guess as to the order in which they were presented.

3 - Lick it Up
3 – Lick it Up

Favorites

My personal favorite dishes were the lamb and prawn courses. The meat was high quality, perfectly seasoned and these were some of the only dishes that could be considered a main course (by design.) The dessert courses also stood out as particular favorites and I was surprised by how much I liked #5 an Indian rice breakfast dish, #6 a take on a grilled ham and cheese,  and #10 a warmed, smoked cheese-filled dumpling.

Carly’s favorite dish was the charcoal dish. She also enjoyed the cheese ball and particularly the final dessert, a crunchy, frozen, sweet bite that also blew smoke when you ate it, accompanied with edible rainbow splatters and sounds by Money from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon epic album. The course was beautiful, tasty, fun and, as the bill comes next, rather funny and lighthearted.

Service

The food was great. There were really interesting dishes, it was well-executed, a cool concept without a doubt. But the service – wow! Everyone that works in that restaurant will get to call their shot when the restaurant closes the doors forever in the middle of 2020 and not just get a job anywhere but be the absolute shining stars at their new gig. A clever, high-powered chef should take over the building when Gaggan leaves and retain every one of the staff members.

The service is highly coordinated, difficult to execute and requires a working knowledge of the gastronomy involved coupled with the cleverness with which it was meant to be delivered. The staff truly cared about their job, they seemed like band members that were all over the moon to be able to play together every night which makes it more enjoyable for the guest.

One of the manager’s spent a lot of time at our table. In addition to being personable, removing dirty dishes and making small chat, he saw that our five-year-old daughter was fading fast. She snuggled up next to a cushion on her chair and made a little bed for herself. He took it to the next step, gathering another chair, a few pillows, and a shawl to use as a blanket.

Lucy sleeping
Lucy sleeping

Final Thoughts

We loved the experience of Gaggan as much as we enjoyed the food. The thrill of getting the (nearly) impossible reservation, the relief as Lucy was able to participate in a limited fashion but was also graciously accommodated, the food, the music, the humor, and the service – it was worth every bit of the price we paid.

I highly recommend a visit if you have the time, the magic concierge (or forethought) and the means.

Have you eaten at Gaggan? How was your experience? Where do you long to return?

Previous Article Expecting To Travel This Summer? Your U.S. Passport May Be A Big Problem
Next Article Feeling Restless, Wishing I Was in Laos

About Author

Kyle Stewart

Kyle is a freelance travel writer with contributions to Time, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, Huffington Post, MapHappy, Live And Lets Fly and many other media outlets. He is also co-founder of Scottandthomas.com, a travel agency that delivers "Travel Personalized." He focuses on using miles and points to provide a premium experience for his wife and daughter. Email: sherpa@thetripsherpa.com

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

Related Posts

  • zanzibar

    2023: Destinations, Trips, Experiences I Am Excited About

    January 1, 2023
  • Yerevan Armenia republic square

    Don’t Sleep On Yerevan, Armenia

    January 9, 2022
  • myanmar tourism

    Myanmar Set To Reopen To Tourism

    November 14, 2021

14 Comments

  1. Rowyourboat Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 9:02 am

    > For those interested, I’d recommend reaching out at least six weeks prior to the desired day or being very flexible. As the restaurant’s closure nears, patrons would be advised to reach out with as much notice as possible.

    Gaggan has already closed. He’s opened a new restaurant which you can find at https://gaggananand.com/request-a-table/.

  2. Paolo Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 10:02 am

    Looks awful: painfully expensive + ridiculously drawn out. I’m not surprised it has closed down. Paul Bocuse is dead and most people don’t want to wait hours for enormous glittered plates with something like a snow pea , a scallop and 2 raspeberries , shrouded in the ubiquitous dry ice mist ( repeated x20).
    Lucy got the better of the deal.

  3. Alan Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    Why would you bring a 5 year old to a restaurant like this??? Hotel babysitting… Better for you and wife…

    • Kyle Stewart Reply
      May 3, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      We take our daughter everywhere. For the courses, before she had succumbed to exhaustion from jet leg, she loved the use of music, the concept of eating food that produced “smoke” while we ate it.

    • Santastico Reply
      May 3, 2020 at 11:43 pm

      I would never ever leave my kids with a hotel babysitter. If we travel together we do everything together.

  4. Mike Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    Kyle, many thanks for writing about this experience and for your excellent photos.

    Readers seem to forget that travel is about experiences and the impressions that live on after them. You and your family are kind enough to share with your readers the experience you and your lovely family have had and that in itself is to be commended. The fact that other may not see value, or wish to go to a restaurant like this is really something I hope you ignore as it’s not relevant. They also seem to not know that Lucy is a world traveler used to venues such as this. I’m sure she is on her what – forth or fifth passport?

    Thanks again for your talented writing and sharing with us where you go. I hope we are all out there soon!

  5. KH Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    Gaggan permanently closed in August 2019, more than 9 months back.

    • Kyle Stewart Reply
      May 3, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      Yes, I can’t wait to try his new spot.

  6. christ Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    agree 100% with your review. gaggan was an amazing experience … as much to do with the food as with the orchestrated service, music, ambience, etc. and it was surprisingly filling considering how small each course was. i went to another restaurant recently that kind of reminded me of gaggan but in a more low-key way: cuisine de garden in chiang mai

  7. MeanMeosh Reply
    May 3, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    I have to admit, this doesn’t look like my cup of tea. This kind of gastronomical choreography always strikes me as too cute by half. Then again, restaurants were allowed to open at 25% capacity in Texas on Friday, and a hole-in-the-wall Italian meal in a restaurant with two working tables served in to-go containers with plastic cutlery felt like the best experience ever, so clearly my standards have fallen even further these days…

    • Matthew Reply
      May 4, 2020 at 1:06 am

      We need stuff to re-open so we can finally have that BBQ dinner we keep putting off.

      • MeanMeosh Reply
        May 4, 2020 at 11:22 am

        If you can figure out a way to make it to Dallas, the fantastic BBQ joint I frequent here in Plano is back open now…

  8. John F Reply
    May 4, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    Looks like pretentious nonsense for people with too much money…..glad you enjoyed it and can spend that much on dinner, but not my cup of tea.

  9. Teresa Patrick Reply
    October 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    I almost made it to Gaggan in March this year had to postpone due to no tourism allowed in the country. Later had to postpone again due to my then my boyfriend being stuck at work longer than expected and then total cancel due to us breaking up, ha. I guess experiencing Gaggan was just not in the cards as every possible thing that could have happened actually happened. Not giving up tho, I will have a new better boyfriend soon and will schedule the trip for 2021.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger
    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines February 4, 2023
  • Woman Pants Miami Airport
    “Why Would I Need Pants On?” (Woman Strides Through Miami Airport) February 4, 2023
  • Catfight Over Window Seat Leads To Massive Brawl, With 15 People Thrown Off Flight February 4, 2023
  • United Airlines Newark Collision
    United Airlines 787-9 Collides With 757-200 At Newark Airport February 3, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • British Airways 787-10 Business Class Review
    Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class (Club Suite) January 10, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.