Thailand is a country known for its exceptional gastronomy. Benjarong, located in Dusit Thani Manila, is a fine example of it. The restaurant’s name has two meanings: it literally means “five colours” and is also the name for a unique type of Thai porcelain, the kind that royalty dines on—consequently, as you enter the establishment; you are greeted by a variety of this porcelain beautifully hung on a wall. The elegance continues in the restaurant’s strong black pillars and impressive chandeliers.
The restaurant serves some of the most titillating Thai dishes outside of Bangkok. The classic phad thai gung features soft stir-fried noodles, succulent prawns, bean curd and bean sprouts. The crisp peanuts and flavoursome coriander come alive amidst the generous serving of rice noodles. This is best complemented with the savoury gai hor bai toey, or marinated boneless chicken carefully cooked in pandan leaves. The fragrance and flavour of the leaves permeates the tender meat.
For seafood lovers, the andaman ob phrik gleua is a steamed variety of fresh seafood in an exquisite fusion of garlic, coriander and chilli sauce. With each bite you are transported to the floating markets of Bangkok with the plethora of spices or the behemoth elephants of Chiang Mai. The deep-fried shrimp cake is also notably worthwhile, offering a pleasantly light curry flavour, but if you seek a spicy Thai dish the tom yam gung, or hot and sour prawn soup, is exceptional. Cap off the meal with a traditional Thai dessert of soothing ripe mango with sticky rice.
Benjarong
Mezzanine Level, Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Centre, Makati City
Tel: +632.867.3333
