Baan Dalaa by Angkana
We almost skipped Baan Dalaa, tucked inside a colonial-style, century-old house in Bangkok. The place was nearly empty when we arrived, and for a moment I wondered if we had made the wrong choice. But the quietness of the dining room, with its hanging flowers and soft lights, set a calm and intimate tone for the evening.
The first dish that wowed us was the Trio Curry Kanom Jeen Set. It arrived in a grand, tiered basket, almost theatrical, and carried the essence of Southern Thai flavours in three different curries. Sharing it felt like opening a box of surprises at the table.
I personally enjoyed the Five Spice Caramel Pork Belly with duck egg. The pork belly was cooked so tender that each piece yielded with the lightest bite, melting slowly with layers of fat and meat blending into one. The five-spice flavour ran deep into the pork, giving it warmth and depth, while the caramel sauce coated everything with a gentle sweetness and glossy richness. Paired with the duck egg, with its slightly firmer white and creamy yolk, the dish became even more special, comforting yet luxurious at the same time. It reminded me of our familiar Chinese lor bak, but more refined, and the duck egg gave it a character we could never quite recreate back home in Singapore.
The fried whole sea bass in sweet chilli sauce was another familiar dish, but perfectly executed, crispy outside, moist inside, and balanced with just the right amount of heat and sweetness. Then there was the wok-fried Malindjo leaves with eggs and crunchy shrimp, a humble home-style dish that was new to me. The flavours were comforting yet distinctive, a Southern Thai staple that became a discovery of this trip.
We left impressed, not only by the food, but also by how the restaurant managed to blend heritage and homeliness in one setting. There was even a basement bar called Philtration right below, which we did not have time to explore, but it looked promising for a return visit.
Sometimes the best dining experiences are the ones you don’t expect. For us, Baan Dalaa was that hidden gem of Bangkok, and I know I’ll be back for both the Southern Thai food and the bar waiting downstairs.
Baan Dalaa by Angkana
ชั้น 1 และ 2 2 Kasem San 3 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
