Samrub Samrub Thai

Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant Samrub Samrub Thai in Bangkok:

1. Intimate, Home-like Dining Experience in a Renovated House
Samrub Samrub Thai is located in a white, four-storey renovated house in the Silom area, creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere that feels more like dining with family than a typical restaurant. Chef Prin Polsuk and his wife Mint live upstairs, adding to the personal and cozy vibe of the place.

2. Culinary Exploration of Nearly Forgotten Thai Ingredients and Recipes
Chef Prin Polsuk extensively researches indigenous ingredients and ancient Thai recipes, some dating back to the Rama VI era. The menu features neoclassical Thai dishes inspired by these historic texts and forgotten culinary traditions, offering a progressive yet familiar taste of Thai cuisine. This focus on archival recipes and rare ingredients makes the dining experience educational and unique.

3. Dynamic, Hyper-Seasonal Menus with Regional and Historical Influences
The menu changes bi-monthly or even daily, reflecting hyper-seasonal southern Thai favorites and culinary traditions from various Thai regions and peoples, such as the Srivaijaya Kingdom, Urak Lawoi people, and fishing villages in Satun. The dishes include unusual ingredients like spongy bee larvae and housemade spirits, and the experience includes fermentation projects and unlabeled sauce bottles, making the meal adventurous and unconventional.

The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred Samrub Samrub Thai in Bangkok reflect a deep reverence for authentic and nearly forgotten Thai flavors, often sourced from indigenous and traditional recipes. Key ingredients include:

• Shrimp Paste and Turmeric: Used notably in the dish of great white sheatfish stuffed with shrimp paste and turmeric, these ingredients provide a distinctive umami and earthy flavor that is central to many Thai curries and pastes, highlighting the chef's commitment to traditional seasoning.

• Rice Field Crab: Featured in a deep-fried starter with garlic, this ingredient showcases local freshwater seafood and is celebrated for its sweet, delicate meat, often used in dishes that emphasize texture and bold garlic flavors.

• Tiger Prawn and Yellow Eggplant: Combined in a laab (a type of Thai salad), these ingredients balance the rich, succulent seafood with the mild bitterness and texture of eggplant, illustrating the chef’s skill in harmonizing complex flavors.

• Smoked Chili Relish: This condiment adds smoky heat and depth to dishes, reflecting the chef’s use of traditional Thai flavor profiles that elevate the overall dining experience.

• Bambara Ground Nuts: Served as a simple snack seasoned with salt and white pepper, these nuts set a tone of authentic, rustic flavors and connect diners to the regional palate.

These ingredients are integral to Chef Prin Polsuk's approach of reviving ancient Thai recipes and indigenous ingredients, creating a neoclassical Thai cuisine that honors the country’s culinary heritage in an intimate, family-style setting.