Vietnamese cuisine is one of my favorite types of food, but I don't get to eat it very often. I think it's a healthy option because it's full of vegetables. However, it can be difficult to find a good Vietnamese restaurant. I recently discovered Thien Duong, a Vietnamese restaurant at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok. Let's check it out!


Date of consumption: Friday, July 29, 2016

Time: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Number: 2 people


The Thien Duong Restaurant is located on the upper lobby level of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok. The hotel is easily accessible by various routes, including Rama IV Road and Silom Road. Guests using the BTS or MRT can walk from either station, as the distance is not far. Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed to the lobby level on the first floor. The restaurant will be visible with the following appearance.



The image above showcases the diverse menu offered at the restaurant's entrance. During my visit, the restaurant was running a special promotion called "Indulge in Healthy Pho (Pho Phenomenal)". This promotion featured a wide variety of pho dishes, each with its own unique appeal. One particularly enticing option was the stir-fried pho with shrimp, fish, and clams, pictured here.


The "Enjoy Delicious and Healthy Pho Festival" will end on August 31, 2016. So, if you're interested, you might want to clear your schedule soon. Otherwise, you might miss out! ^^


The first thing that caught my eye upon entering the dining room was the sight of the lovely female staff dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire. Another detail that immediately drew my attention was…


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The Bangkok Best Restaurant Award 2015 serves as a testament to the exceptional quality of this establishment.


Following the award sign, you will find a small, adorable, and cozy sofa set. I think it looks lovely.



The staff then led me to a table by the window. From my mental calculation of the number of seats, I estimate that this restaurant can accommodate approximately 80 people. The seating area is divided into three simple zones:



  • Private room zone: For those who want to talk business or need high privacy, there is 1 table that can accommodate approximately 8-10 people.

- Round table zone by the window: The same zone where I was seated has 4-5 tables that can accommodate around 40 people. The tables in this area are relatively bright and have natural light coming in, making it convenient for taking pictures.

  • The rectangular table zone: This zone is a bit darker and can accommodate around 30 more people. The restaurant can also create a special section for us in this zone.


As I settled into my seat, the waiter presented me with a warm towel, along with fresh vegetables and side dishes. The aroma immediately transported me to the vibrant culinary scene of Vietnam.


Note: The vegetables look very fresh, clean, and delicious. You can also request additional vegetables at no extra cost. The restaurant offers this service free of charge.


The waiter then presented my wife and me with the menu. This restaurant offers two types of dining experiences:


Option 1: A la carte menu, order dishes individually.

Option 2: Order a set menu, which offers a variety of price options and differs between lunch and dinner.


Oh, I forgot to mention that Thien Dong Restaurant will be open for two sessions per day. The lunch session will be open from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, while the dinner session will be open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.


Let's explore the A la carte menu first. The menu is quite thick and the dishes are categorized into Appetizers & Salads, Soup, Fish & Shellfish, Meat & Poultry, Rice & Noodles & Vegetable, and Dessert. In the lower right corner of the menu, there are explanations of three symbols that may appear in front of some dishes. These three symbols are Chef's Recommendation, Gluten-free, and Vegetarian. I think the latter two are great and show a lot of care for the diners. People with gluten allergies or vegetarians can easily order from the menu without having to ask the staff.



Let's take a look at the set menus. The restaurant has two separate menus, one for lunch and one for dinner. From what I can see, the prices for the set menus are quite reasonable, ranging from 590++ to 1,080++. The more expensive sets include more items. Each set can be shared by multiple people, and all sets include dessert, tea, and coffee.



For this meal, my wife and I will be dining à la carte. The following is a list of all the dishes we will be ordering for this meal.


1. Deep-fried fish with lemongrass (580 THB)

2. Skewered Shrimp with Sugarcane (490 Baht)

3. Nem Nuong (360 Baht)

4. Crispy Vietnamese Rice Pancakes with Pork and Shrimp Filling (380 Baht)

5. Stir-fried dry rice noodles with shrimp roe sauce, served with shrimp, fish, and shellfish (340 baht)

6. Grilled lamb with herbs (1,150 baht)

7. Fried banana served with vanilla ice cream (280 THB)

8. Lychee Sherbet served in a young coconut (280 Baht)


Note: Items 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 are Chef's Recommendation. Let's see if they suit my wife and me. ^^


The first dish we tried was the fried lemongrass fish. The fish used was dory, and the portion size was perfect for 2-3 people. The presentation was beautiful, and the fish was already cut into pieces, making it very easy to eat. As for the taste, I thought it was delicious and flavorful. My wife and I both enjoyed it.



The second dish is the sugarcane-wrapped shrimp, which comes with three pieces and is served with rice noodles. The shrimp is large, about 15cm long, and the dish is very flavorful. The shrimp is firm, bouncy, and delicious.


This dish was incredibly delicious, but it only came with three pieces, which made it difficult for my wife and I to share equally. As a gentleman, I took it upon myself to finish the remaining two pieces.


Item 3: Nem Nuong. This dish is a must-order for anyone visiting a Vietnamese restaurant. It's like going to a Vietnamese restaurant and not ordering Nem Nuong is like not going at all. It's a staple dish that everyone should try.


The pork pieces were generously sized, with two large pieces in total. The flavor of this dish was average, not as impressive as the first two dishes.


Dish 4, Vietnamese crispy pancake stuffed with pork and shrimp, is beautifully presented with minced pork and fried shallots on top. In addition to pork and shrimp, the filling seems to also include shiitake mushrooms. This dish was absolutely delicious, so much so that I wanted to order another serving. It's no wonder it's the Chef's Recommendation.



The fifth dish, perfectly aligned with the ongoing Pho festival, was the stir-fried dried Pho noodles with shrimp paste, served with shrimp, fish, and shellfish. Upon seeing the restaurant's promotional image, I was immediately drawn to try it. The dish's appearance was incredibly enticing, resembling Pad Thai but with a distinct twist. Moreover, I had never experienced dried Pho before.

The dish is highly recommended for those who have the opportunity to try it during this period. The noodles are incredibly fragrant and infused with the rich flavor of shrimp. The ingredients, including shrimp, fish, and shellfish, are of exceptional quality. The shrimp is fresh and sweet, while the fish is perfectly fried, achieving a crispy exterior and tender interior. The only minor drawback is the portion size, which may not be sufficient for those who intend to have it as their sole meal. It is advisable to order additional dishes to ensure satiety.


Note that the overall flavor of this dish is slightly sweet and sour. If you have the opportunity to try it during this period, I highly recommend it! ^^



The sixth and final savory dish was the grilled lamb, served with three pieces per plate. The portion size was perfect, neither too large nor too small. This was my favorite dish of the meal. The lamb was incredibly tender and perfectly seasoned. The dish had a very faint lamb aroma, which did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the meal.



In short, this is the most delicious roasted lamb I have ever tasted! As my wife is not a fan of lamb, I happily devoured all three pieces myself. It was truly a culinary delight.



The Sweet Side: Banana Fritters

Now that we've finished the savory dishes, let's move on to dessert. Our first sweet treat is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, a must-order item at any Vietnamese restaurant, just like "nem nuong" (fermented pork sausage rolls). It's the irresistible banana fritter!

For this dish, some restaurants only serve fried bananas, but here, they also serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


This dish was not to my liking. The vanilla ice cream was delicious, but the fried banana was just okay. Compared to the price per plate, I think this dish was a bit overpriced. This was the only Chef's Recommendation dish on the menu that I didn't enjoy. The other four dishes I had before this one were all excellent. ><



Lychee Sherbet in Young Coconut

Following the slight disappointment of the fried bananas, let's move on to the final dessert of this meal: lychee sherbet served in a young coconut. This sweet treat is priced at 280 baht, the same as the fried bananas we just had.


Upon arrival, the coconut dessert impressed me with its sheer size, offering significantly more value than the previous dish. The lychee sorbet boasted an exceptional flavor that complemented the coconut flesh perfectly. After thoroughly scraping the shell clean, my wife and I unanimously agreed that this dessert deserved a promotion to Chef's Recommendation, surpassing the fried banana.



Okay, now that we've covered both savory and sweet dishes, let's talk about drinks before we get to the conclusion.


The Thien Dong Restaurant offers a variety of beverages, including plain water, lemongrass, chrysanthemum, and fruit juices. Lemongrass and chrysanthemum tea are available as refills and can be served hot or cold.

My wife and I ordered a glass of iced chrysanthemum tea and a glass of iced lemongrass tea. The drinks were served in tall glasses and looked very stylish. The shop provides separate syrup so that we can mix it ourselves. If you like it sweet, you can add more syrup. The taste of both drinks was normal. The good thing is that we can control the sweetness ourselves. Oh, the price of chrysanthemum and lemongrass tea refills is 210 baht.



And now it's time to summarize this meal. Let's take a look at each point one by one.


Food Taste: The food was excellent. Overall, I was very impressed. Out of the 8 dishes I had the opportunity to try, I liked 6 of them. Of the 6 dishes I liked, I really liked 4 of them: the sugarcane-wrapped shrimp, the Vietnamese rice crackers stuffed with pork and shrimp, the grilled lamb with spices, and the lychee sorbet served in a young coconut. The 2 dishes that I felt were just okay, not that great, were the nem nuong and the fried banana, which are national dishes that everyone who comes here should try. T___T However, from eating this meal, I can summarize briefly that anything with a Chef's Recommendation next to it can be ordered and tried. It's quite reliable!!

Food Variety:

The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, categorized into 5-6 sections with multiple options within each. Additionally, gluten-free and vegetarian options are available, making it a suitable choice for large groups with diverse dietary preferences.


**Shop Cleanliness:** This aspect easily passes the test, with no issues observed.


**Employee service:** Friendly, attentive, and prompt service.


Travel Convenience: The Dusit Thani Hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of the city, offering convenient access via multiple routes. Guests can utilize both the MRT and BTS public transportation systems, providing a range of options to navigate rush hour traffic efficiently.

Value for Money:

In recent times, when comparing the value for money of a meal, I have mentally separated the rating and grade. For example, a hotel meal should have a different price range than a regular restaurant. Otherwise, comparing prices becomes confusing, and the hotel meal may seem exorbitantly expensive and not worth the price.

For this meal, I personally found the A la carte menu prices slightly high. The prices shown on the menu do not include the 7% VAT and 10% service charge. However, after trying the dishes, I must say that many of them were delicious and worth the price. The quality of the ingredients and the taste were excellent. Nevertheless, for several items, if the restaurant could increase the portion size slightly, it would significantly improve the value for money perception.

For those on a budget, consider the set menus. They offer a good value proposition with various options to choose from. While you may not have the freedom to select individual dishes, you gain in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Summary:

If you're looking for a high-quality Vietnamese restaurant in a hotel setting, suitable for family gatherings, romantic dinners, or business meetings, and budget isn't a major concern, then Thien Duong Restaurant is definitely worth considering. This is especially true for those seeking to impress clients or important guests. The restaurant boasts delicious food, a convenient location within a 5-star hotel, excellent service, and private rooms for added privacy.

Must-try dishes:

  • Chef's Recommendations
  • Grilled Lamb with Herbs (highly recommended for lamb lovers)

Budget-friendly option:

  • Set menus are a great choice for those with limited budgets or who want to control their spending per meal.


This concludes my review. I apologize for any omissions or errors. Please note that this review is based solely on my personal experience on the day of my visit. Your experience may differ. If you enjoyed my review, please follow me or leave feedback here: https://www.facebook.com/amazingcouples.

Thank you to everyone who has followed this review to the end. We will see you again in the next review. I hope you all have a happy dining experience and don't miss out when you go to a restaurant. See you again in the next review. Goodbye.


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