For three decades, Bussaracum restaurant has defined royal Thai cuisine, always striving to refine its approach not only to the distinctive ingredients, decorations and flavours of royal recipes but also to the many dishes and regional variations comprising Thailand's national cuisine. During the holiday season, the home of royal Thai cuisine likewise is a perfect setting for festive gatherings.
One year ago Bussaracum returned to the part of Bangkokwhere it first opened its doors, in Silom/Sathorn. A homecoming of sorts, and especially so given the charming home-like setting guests enjoy. Therenovated compound's spacious main building features floor-to-ceiling windows giving on to views of surrounding gardens, where in fact grow many of the herbs and spices used by Bussaracum's talented chefs.A separate, dedicated cooking class facility further adds to the notion of a welcoming residence where Thai cuisine traditions are upheld and passed along.
FESTIVE FLAVOURS
Exemplifying Bussaracum's approach to traditional recipes and preparations is its 'Royal Thai Style' mixed appetiser dish featuring chomuang (steamed flower-shaped dumplings filled with minced chicken) rhoom (egg-net wrapped minced pork and shrimp), krathong thong (crispy rice cups filled with blend of fried shrimp, pork, peas and corn kernels), toongngernyuang(minced pork and shrimp wrapped in bean curd, served with sweet and sour sauce) and goong sornglin (marinated shrimp seasoned with lime juice and ginger, wrapped in lettuce leaves). The collection of delicacies is a great way for groups to experience the subtle and complex flavours of longstanding Thai recipes. Similarly, saengwa, old-fashioned grilled prawn salad with fresh herbs and served with fresh vegetables and deep-fried catfish, allows Bussaracum chefs and cooks to re-create court recipes of long ago.
Also on the extensive menu are many salads and soups; piquant dips including numerous namprik variants;spicy curries prepared with hand-made curry pastes; along with diverse saute{aac}ed, fried, steamed and baked dishes representing Thailand's main regions. Bussaracum'sdelicate Thai desserts end meals on a cool and refreshing note.
HOME LEARNING
Bussaracum's 'Royal Thai Tastes of Thailand' cooking classes allow participants to explore with the restaurant's own master chefs the many tastes and diverse preparation methods of Thai cuisine.
And this time of year, anyone struggling to come up with different gift ideas may want to consider giving someone the chance to learn from the best. Classes are professionally presented and good fun as well. And who knows? Back at their own home, the gift giver may just benefit from a student's new-found culinary skills.
Each class includes sections for appetiser, main course and dessert, before finishing with a sumptuous meal featuring some of the same dishes just created.Lessons can be conducted in English, German, Japanese and Thai.Courses are offered mornings, afternoons and evenings. Advance registration is required.
Bussaracum Royal Thai Cuisine is located in downtown Bangkok at 1 SiWiang Road (off Soi Pramuan between Silom and Sathorn Roads). Ample on-site parking is available in addition to facilities for coaches and tour buses.
Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Bussaracum Royal Thai Cuisine
1 Si Wiang Road (off SoiPramuan)
Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: 02 630 2216-8, 02 235 7343
