Food Review: Restaurant Potong, Bangkok | Progressive Thai-Chinese Michelin Starred Restaurant

Posted on February 28, 2024 by theRantingPanda in Food

The Restaurant A visit to Restaurant Potong in Bangkok’s Chinatown district has been on my list for awhile, and I finally managed to secure a table back in December. Potong is definitely one relatively new restaurant to watch out in Bangkok’s culinary scene given the accolades it has amassed in a short time frame – #35 ASIA’s 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards and 1 Michelin Star from Michelin Guide.

Potong (普通) roughly translates as “simple” and is the name of Chef Pam’s family business, representing Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine producer since 1910. The restaurant occupies a five storey building with the distinctive design of SINO-Portuguese where Chef Pam is the family’s 4^th generation.

The main dining space of Potong is located on the second floor, where the building also includes Opium Bar on its fourth and fifth floors.

The Food Progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine takes centrestage at Potong which offers a 20-course Tasting Menu. The food at Potong focuses on five elements – salt, acid, spice, texture and Maillard. As I visited during the festive period, the menu I had was the Festive Menu (THB 8000++ per guest) which includes a complimentary glass of welcome Grand Cru Champagne. The usual price for the Tasing Menu during non-festive period is THB 5500++ per guest.

My dining experience starts on the first floor with a welcome Festive Kombucha drink.

The next part of the meal takes place at the rooftop bar where I took the old-school lift from level one to the rooftop. The good thing is that it is an air-conditioned rooftop bar area which would be lovely in the evening when there is still some light.

I was served my complimentary glass of welcome Grand Cru Champagne to go along with Potong’s Charcuteries.

Up till this point, the experience has been great since it is like a tour of the building for me as well. The next part of the meal proper took place at level two, which exudes a rustic shophouse vibe.

Here is what to expect for the rest of the dinner:

dear | orange & pork bun

born | banana / chicken liver / pepper jam
in love | banana flower / fish garum / dill
details | banana stalk / peanut / lime
An interesting course which showcases bananas in different textures from banana parfait to banana flower and banana filled with sticky rice and honey.

memories | abalone / king oyster / sichuan / caviar
A different take on chawanmushi with a tinge of Sichuan spiciness.

grateful | carabineros / pickle radish / tamarind / rice noodle
alive | carabineros head
We are all familiar with Phad Thai and this course is a tribute to one of the most famous Thai dishes. The rice noodle here comes in the form of the Thai National “flag” and the dish is served with a small cup of luscious prawn soup. One of my favourite courses on the menu!

reincarnated | blue crab / mud crab roe emulsion / black pepper jam / crab butter bread
Another memorable course for me, this course is literally designed for crab lovers. First, there is that delicious mud crab roe emulsion which you can spread on the bread. Secondly, there is the brioche brushed with crab butter. Yes, crab butter.

beautiful | siam redtail catfish / scallop / kapi/ squid ink

sacred | songklha mamuang baw
A palate cleanser before the main course is served.

The next part of the meal is a series of dishes to go with the fried rice which is served table side with a nice aromatic and smoky flavour. There are some pretty dishes ingredients here like duck brain and duck heart which are thankfully, not that gamy.

layers of flavours | salak

history | all about corn
This dessert is all about corn, in a good way. You get the corn husk as the mini bite, paired with the corn, milk and honey ice cream along with popcorn crumble beneath.

legacy | the remake of thai-chinese street desserts
Last but not least, a series of small bites conclude the meal with the likes of longan with taro, sweet potato ginger, tapioca, ginkgo nut with milk and seasonal tangerine orange.

Rants If anything, the service could be less mechanical but I also understand that there is the language barrier sometimes.

Will I Return Again? Overall, it is a good meal at Restaurant Potong where I was very filled at the end of the meal. I like the Thai-Chinese element across the courses where there are a few outstanding dishes for me such as “grateful” and “reincarnated “. It is not easy to secure a table here, so do plan ahead to set reminders to reserve a table once the slot opens.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4.5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Restaurant Potong
422 ถนน วาณิช 1 เขตสัมพันธวงศ์, Samphanthawong, สัมพันธวงศ์, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Tel: +66 82 979 3950

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 4:30pm to 11pm
Closed on Tuesday & Wednesday

Ranted by The Ranter