Inner Theatre by the River: Sala Lakorn at Anantara Riverside Bangkok

Inner theatre has a long history, with origins tracing back to the Renaissance period. But these days, going to a jazz bar and having dinner while the saxophone and a husky voice serenade you seems to be the modern equivalent.

Anantara Riverside Resort Bangkok, in collaboration with Manop Meejamrat (Kru Nai), has brought back the immersive dining experience with their new restaurant, Sala Lakorn, against the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

While the selection of food from the various dining stations certainly catches the eye (and captures the stomach), they serve to enhance the real attraction of Sala Lakorn: the performance.

Created exclusively for Sala Lakorn, this spectacle provides a beautiful and musical insight into Thai culture. As you walk to Sala Lakorn, you are greeted at the entrance by performers adorned in silk and flowers.

There is a choice between outdoor and indoor seating. We recommend the outdoor seating for an unobstructed view of the performance, which begins at 7 PM.

Rattan chairs and earthy tones in beige and seafoam green dominate the seating space. The buffet is housed to the left of the outdoor seating, contrasted beautifully in shades of rich mahogany and designed in the style of a traditional Thai pavilion, or a sala, from which I am sure Sala Lakorn gets its name.

We were lucky enough to attend Sala Lakorn during a time when Bangkok’s weather had a crisp and cool quality, so we sat outside to admire the serene waters of the Chao Phraya and the setting sun.

As the performance time inched closer, Sala Lakorn grew buzzier and busier. The stage was now lit with four pillars, fire blazing at various heights to help illuminate the performers and to give the setting an old-world sort of charm.

In fact, the seating brings to mind an ancient Greek amphitheatre. The khlong that sits centre stage signalled the beginning of the show.

For the next hour, we were transported through time. Beginning with a performance from the goddess Mae Khongka, whose beautiful voice can be heard through the din as she sets the stage.

What follows this visually striking display of song and dance is the shadow puppet performance of the Ramakien, and the folk tale of Thailand’s national animal, the elephant.

Sala Lakorn boasts of an impressive dining spread with their International Dinner Buffet by the river. Priced at THB 2,900 per person, it includes the buffet and a free flow of soft drinks.

Sala Lakorn has something for everyone with dinner stations scattered both indoors and outdoors. Take a stroll through Asia with the Thai station serving up classic favourites like Som tum, Tom yum koong, and Pla plad pak preaw wan.

Experience the hawker centres of Hong Kong with their Dim Sum station and have some Pork dumplings fresh out of the bamboo basket.

Missing the streets of New Delhi? Sala Lakorn also has an Indian corner for familiar meals like the decadent Murgh makhan wala and the heartwarming Dal tarka.

Looking for something with a little more Western flair? Sala Lakorn caters to cheese enthusiasts with varieties ranging from Goat cheese and Brie cheese to Manchego truffle.

Adorn your plate with their selection of cold cuts, including a Dry-cured acorn-fed Iberico salami.

Haven’t had your fill yet? Tucked away in the corner, against the banks of the restaurant, is the BBQ station. The team at Sala Lakorn can grill just about anything for you, from the classic Angus flank steak to seafood delights like River prawns and seabass.

Having packed our plates full from our culinary expedition, we returned to our seats. The vast array of options had seemed overwhelming at first glance, but once set on the table, it proved to be the perfect feast for plate sharing.

Realising there was still time before the show, we made our way to the dessert station where delicate and delectable bites like Red velvet cake and Chocolate mousse glittered in wait.

There is even a chocolate fountain for all your fondue needs. For those wishing to experience a more local taste, Sala Lakorn also has a station dedicated to Thai desserts, including the Pandan custard and Khanom kleeb lamduan.

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to choose a favourite—especially when it comes to the unlimited options that Sala Lakorn offers.

Is the best choice the meal you return to for seconds, or is it simply your favourite dish? Whatever metric you use, be sure to check out the Pasta station.

With three different styles of pasta and four different types of pasta sauce to choose from, watch the chefs whip up a fresh plate of pasta, curated perfectly to your palate.

SALA LAKORN AT ANANTARA RIVERSIDE BANGKOK RESORT

257/1–3 Charoennakorn Road,
Thonburi, Bangkok 10600

Tel.: +66 (0)2 431 9486
Email: riversidedining@anantara.com

Facebook: @SalaLakorn | Instagram: @SalaLakorn