The very best restaurants in Bangkok?

you got a good list already, lemme add a few that fit your categories but from a different angle.

for traditional thai, try Krua Apsorn near the Democracy Monument, it's been around forever and the crab fried rice is the stuff of legend. the place looks like a canteen but the flavors are proper home style, not toned down for tourists. go early for lunch or you'll be waiting.

omakase, if you want something off the beaten path, Sushi Kanda on Soi Sukhumvit 26 is tiny, like 8 seats, and the chef sources fish from Toyosu directly. it's around 3000 baht and you'll get courses you won't see at the bigger names, like smoked bonito or pickled mackerel.

casual sushi, check out the counter at Fuji Super's food court on Thonglor, it's not a restaurant but the nigiri is fresh and cheap, like 30-50 baht a piece. grab a few and eat standing, it's a whole vibe.

hotpot, i'd throw in Onishi in Ekkamai, they do a shabu with a konbu dashi that's way more subtle than the usual sweet soy. the pork belly is the move, not the beef, and you dip it in ponzu with a bit of chili. around 500 baht a head.

steak, go to Smokin' Pug

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for seafood i'd add the crab omelette at Jay Fai but honestly the wait is brutal, better to go to Somboon on Surawong for their famous curry crab, it's a classic for a reason. their fried fish with garlic is also underrated.

omakase wise nobody mentioned Sushi Saito at the Okura, it's the priciest in town but if u want the real deal with proper uni and toro it's the move, just expect to drop like 6000 baht.

for hotpot, check out Suki Siam near Siam Square, it's a local institution since the 70s, the broth is spicy and tangy not the sweet mall version, plus u can get fresh morning glory and pork balls that actually have flavor. cheap too, like 300 baht.

steak, i'd say skip dry aged and hit up Prime at Central Embassy for their tomahawk, it's a splurge but the view over the city is killer and the sides are proper. or if u want casual, the steak sandwich at Bunker in Ari is criminally good.

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honestly for traditional thai i'd skip the tourist spots and hit up Baan Phadthai on Charoen Krung. their pad thai is solid but the real move is the gaeng som or the hor mok, stuff you dont see on every menu. prices are reasonable for the quality, around 300-400 baht a dish.

for omakase, Sushi Masato is the gold standard imo but you need to book way ahead. if you want something easier to get into, Tenichi in Thonglor is great and a bit more relaxed on the wallet.

casual sushi i'd go to Sushi Ryu in Ekkamai, they do a good lunch set for like 600 baht. not mindblowing but consistent and the rice is actually seasoned properly which is rare here.

japanese hotpot, Mo Mo Paradise is fine but if you want something more local, try Shabu Shi on Sukhumvit 24. they have a sukiyaki broth that's better than most chains and you get the raw egg dip.

steak check out Arno's in Ekkamai, they do a dry-aged ribeye that's hard to beat for the price. not cheap but not 5000 baht a steak either.

seafood, skip the tourist traps on the river and go to Wang Lang Market. there's a stall there called Hoy Tod Chao Wang that does a killer oyster omelette and grilled pra

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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