14 non-mainstream cuisines to help broaden your food horizons in Bangkok

Thailand shares a long border with Myanmar yet, for unknown reasons, Burmese food is quite rare in Bangkok. If you’re curious about what our neighbors eat, check out Feel Myanmar Thailand. This Burmese restaurant chain has over 40 outposts in its motherland and one in Thailand on Soi Ratchadamri 1. Now you can enjoy real-deal Burmese fare, such as mok hin khar (noodle soup with fish) and la phat thote (fermented tea salad) without having to cross the border.

Everyone thinks of pyramids and Sphinxes when Egypt comes up. It’s time, however, to explore other aspects of this Arabic nation; it’s food for, for one. In Bangkok, you can sample tasty Egyptian fare at Arabesque, which serves dishes like foul medammes (stewed fava beans), fatir (stuffed baked bread) and Egyptian-style barbeque.

Food from this East African country is a relatively rare find in Bangkok’s vibrant food scene. Thank heavens for Taye Ethiopian Restaurant. Because of this Nana restaurant, we get to indulge in authentic, generously portioned plates such as Ethiopian Meat Combo, which includes chicken and minced beef stew, a selection of grilled meats and Ethiopian flatbread.

Visit Bei Otto and your understanding of German cuisine will go beyond the likes of sausages and pork knuckles. For four decades in Bangkok, the restaurant has become a household name for those craving German staples like pork liver pâté, pork jelly, and tarte flambée (German pizza). Bei Otto is also stylized as Schwarzwaldstube, which means the “black forest parlor”.

Bei Otto is temporarily closed in preparation for relocation to an unannounced location in Sukhumvit.

It’s about time we learn to appreciate Georgia, which boasts stunning natural scenery and hearty fare. Of all the countries in the Caucasus, it is probably Georgia that uses the most spices and herbs (perfect for Thai gourmands) in its cuisine. Think European comfort food, but with a hint of spice to warm you up. We highly recommend Argo on Soi Sukhumvit 8 if you want a true taste of signature Georgian fare.

Argo is temporarily closed.

Most of us probably make a beeline for Italian when a hankering for Mediterranean fare comes up. But for those who are getting tired of the usual tomato pasta, we turn the spotlight on the food from Greece. Signature Greek dishes may not look too different from those produced by its Mediterranean peers, but some recipes use ingredients that make creations like gyro (Greek kebab), horiatiki (Greek salad), or arnaki kleftiko (slow-cooked roasted lamb) more unique and worth trying. Bangkok has a handful of brilliant Greek restaurants like AVRA (if you like homey vibes) or Aesop’s (if dish-smashing fun is more of your quirk).

Compared to other Middle Eastern cuisines, Lebanese food is heavy on the use of lime juice and herbs, as sampled in baba ganouj (smoked eggplant dip) and Lebanese-style hummus. Al Saray, led by Lebanese chef, Mahdi Zehri, champions the cuisine. Chef Mahdi’s line-up includes dishes that stay true to his heritage, such as succulent grilled meats and Lebanese panna cotta mohalabieh.

Himalaya Restaurant probably serves the most authentic Nepalese fare you’ll find in Bangkok. Start off your culinary adventure with chicken momos before delving into more flavorful fare such as fragrant chicken curry with roti. Don’t forget to order a lassi (yogurt smoothie) to balance out the taste of all the exotic spices they use. The restaurant also offers tour services in Nepal and around the Himalayas, and sells Nepalese clothing and home accessories.

While New Zealand lamb is nothing to scoff at, there’s more to Kiwi cuisine than this meaty favorite. Let Kai introduce you to more of New Zealand’s food culture. Apart from grilled meats and steaks, the casual-dining restaurant highlights a fare share of seafood dishes (the country is home to kilometers of coastline, after all) that use mussels, fish and scallops.

Peruvian food is largely influenced by many cultures, including Japanese, due to a widespread migration to the South American country over a hundred years ago. Peruvian cuisine is also loved by health-conscious eaters for its abundant use of grain-based ingredients like quinoa, beans, and exotic yams and tubers. Above Eleven is one to try for Japanese-influenced or Nikkei dishes, while a relatively new restaurant called Machu Picchu & Pisco promises authentic Peruvian tastes.

Machu Picchu & Pisco is temporarily closed.

Russia is a ginormous country, which means its food culture is completely diversified, taking influences from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Staples include bread, soup, porridge and stuffed dough. You can get a sense of what Russians eat at The Moon Under Water where Chef Alesha Voronin dedicates himself to serving classic dishes from his homeland, including vareniki (potato dumplings) and borscht (beetroot soup).

The food from the “pearl of the Indian Ocean” stands out from those of its South Asian neighbors for its focus on dried fish, coconut and seafood. Intrigued? Then satisfy your curiosity at Manel Lanka. Since 2011, the restaurant has been serving authentic Sri Lankan staples like pol sambol (a condiment made from coconut and chili), steamed pittu (ground rice with coconut) and isso baduma (stir-fried deviled prawns). Notable patrons include Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksha, who came to the restaurant during his diplomatic visit to Thailand in 2012.

Switzerland boasts more than just exquisite natural scenery and some of the best chocolates in the world. The European country also has pretty amazing savory food, many of which you can try at at Swiss Corner, a restaurant situated in Sammakon Village. It’s  run by Chef Daniel Limacher, who brings traditional Swiss dishes like meat fondue and various cheeses to the table. The restaurant has been open since 2000, which is enough of a testament of how good the food is.

Tibetan food is heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures, resulting in dishes like momo (dumplings stuffed with meat, veggies and Indian cheese paneer). Some of Bangkok’s tastiest momos can be had at Tibet Kitchen, where they’re served steamed, pan-fried or deep-fried. The menu also includes fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), all of which are not too far from Chinese food, making them less of a risk for captious eaters.