Blue isn’t a color that’s usually associated with food, simply because it’s not one of the more appetizing shades (honors go to red, yellow and orange). Or at least, that was before we get to know Raan Keng, a small restaurant in Saphan Kwai that is trying to reverse the stigma by injecting different shades of blue into casual Japanese and Thai gastropub-style grub. The result? A selection of photogenic (probably debatable) dishes that will certainly liven up your Instagram feed.
The restaurant is named after owner Pruttiporn “Ka-nom-keng” Sintawanon, who is also a partner in Kaze Fresh, the minimalist sushi institution in Thonglor. Even the two-story wooden house where Raan Keng is set is mostly painted in blue, obviously to match the the food.
The crispy tempura (recently a big deal on social media) is covered in a blue batter that’s been infused with butterfly pea before being fried (B189), while the glass noodles in Thai comfort dish yum woon sen (glass noodle spicy salad) is the same color as the Facebook logo. Both dishes go well with the (you guessed it) blue sticky rice (B139).
If fancy, blue edibles aren’t your thing, Raan Keng also churns out izakaya-style bites that have been spared aesthetic enhancement, including a selection of yakitori (B79/two items) that’s best eaten with your choice of craft beer.
