Thai Been offers a contemporary take on classic Southern Thai cuisine.

By Deboshree Banerjee

Conveniently located on the bustling road of Sukhumvit Soi 24, Anna El Ghoul’s Thai Been offers an authentic Southern Thai experience. Married to the owner of next-door Lebanese restaurant, Nadimos, Anna named her establishment Thai Been, which translates to ‘delicious’ in Lebanese; a perfect way to describe the enticing variety of food.

The casual eatery began as a pure vegetarian catering service, which has now evolved into a full-fledged restaurant swimming with seafood. The rustic interiors are lit up beautifully with golden lighting, while the walls are adorned with black and white paintings, all of which showcase the culture of Southern Thailand. While being seated, patrons can smell the mouth-watering aroma of curries and herbs from the open kitchen, getting them ready for the tantalising treats they’re about to enjoy.

Food and Drink

Begin your meal with the king of all Thai curries, the classic Yellow curry with shrimps (B340). Consisting of curry paste, bamboo shoots and succulent shrimps, the dish stays true to its roots with its signature sour flavour, a testament to the chefs’ vast experience with southern delicacies. The added Thai spices will leave your taste buds tingling. Another special curry ordered off-the-menu is the Southern curry with beef (B270), a dry dish made from generous amounts of curry paste. The juicy, tender meat merges well with the creamy sauce, which is best enjoyed with warm jasmine rice.

Seafood lovers who crave strong flavours should opt for Prawns stir-fried with stink beans (B320). Its contrasting crunchy and soft textures and sweet-spicy flavours will definitely win you over. A rich follow up would be the King prawns steamed with butter (B260), which features wild prawns exclusively handpicked from the bays of Phatthalung Province and shipped on a daily basis. This crowd-pleasing dish is a must-try, as its soft and juicy texture will leave you wanting more. For a fiery flavour, dip the prawns into a tangy Thai seafood sauce.

However, the house favourite is Steamed sea bass (B550).This exquisitely presented dish comprises of a whole fish fresh from the tank, steamed to perfection and doused in delicious spicy lime sauce. The sea bass is not only beautiful to look at, but also provides an aromatic end to a wonderful meal.

Don’t eat meat? Worry not, as Thai Been also has a special menu that serves strict vegetarian Thai food. Go for the Pad Thai tofu (B240) and enjoy the delightful flavours of stir-fried rice noodles sprinkled with crushed peanuts.

No Thai meal is complete without an order of a refreshing beverage. Diners must try the signature Mint Shake (B110) made from fresh lemon juice, mint leaves and sugar syrup. This pick-me-up goes flawlessly with any dish, and provides a light and cooling finish.

Thai Been

99 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Bangkok, 10110

Tel: 02 261 9861

Open daily from 12pm to 12am

Facebook: @Thaibeensouthernthaicuisine