Jirakaan Restaurant

The only Upscale Thai Halal Restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand

By Mr. Amr Kadry from Egypt

Jirakaan: A Timeless Halal Gem in Bangkok's Culinary Landscape

As a traveling businessman, I got to realize that finding Halal food in Thailand is not that easy, and finding an upscale genuinely authentic Halal food, rather than just the regular overly simple food you usually find in Halal Thai food restaurant, is proven to be REALLY hard. Until I stumbled on this Hidden Gem. Jirakaan Restaurant stands out as a beacon of authentic Thai Ratanakosin cuisine, offering an unparalleled 100% Halal experience within a setting of timeless elegance. Jirakaan, which means “Once Upon A Time”, provides a journey through Thailand's royal past, with food crafted for the modern palate.

Stepping into History: The Enchanting Ambiance The moment you arrive at Jirakaan, you are transported. Housed within a beautiful colonial-style building, the restaurant exudes an old-world charm that is rarely found in modern Bangkok. Its exterior hints at the historical elegance within, inviting you into a bygone era. The interiors are tastefully adorned with several authentic antiques, each telling a silent story. High ceilings, polished wooden floors, and elegant furnishings create an atmosphere of refined luxury and tranquility. This unique ambiance makes Jirakaan more than just a place to eat; it's a destination for an immersive cultural experience. Whether it’s a quiet dinner, a celebratory occasion, or a formal business meeting, the setting provides a sophisticated backdrop.

A Culinary Revival: The Art of Ratanakosin Cuisine Jirakaan is not merely serving Thai food; it is resurrecting a significant chapter of Thailand's gastronomic history. The menu is a homage to Ratanakosin Cuisine, focusing on recipes and culinary traditions from the reigns of King Rama I through King Rama V (roughly late 18th to early 20th century). This era was a golden age of Thai culinary evolution, characterized by sophisticated flavors, intricate presentations, and royal influence. At Jirakaan, the owner meticulously collects old Thai cooking books, many of which are over 100 years old. These Ratanakosin recipes are carefully selected, revived, and recreated to be featured on the restaurant's menu. Some of these dishes are so incredibly delicious, it's hard to believe they had disappeared from modern cuisine. The team behind Jirakaan's kitchen is led by chefs with extensive fine-dining backgrounds, who embark on a meticulous journey of historical research to bring these ancient recipes to life. Their dedication ensures that each dish is not only authentic to its historical roots but also refined to appeal to contemporary tastes.

Unforgettable Flavors: Jirakaan's Culinary Offerings

A Taste of History: Unforgettable Dishes You Won't Find Anywhere Else With a menu boasting over 100 exquisite dishes, choosing can be an delightful challenge. To help you embark on your culinary journey, we've curated a list of must-try recommendations that perfectly embody Jirakaan's unique heritage and exceptional taste:

1. Thai Hors d'oeuvre Platter: Begin your culinary adventure with this extraordinary platter, featuring four distinct Ratanakosin appetizers. These rare recipes, some dating back over 200 years, offer a truly unique glimpse into Thailand's rich gastronomic past. It's the perfect way for smaller groups to savor a variety of these exquisite, historical flavors without ordering each dish separately.

2. Miang Kham: An interactive and traditional betel leaf wrap that offers an explosion of fresh, vibrant flavors. Imagine a deconstructed salad where you assemble your own perfect bite: crisp betel leaves cradling a mix of fresh cubed lime, zesty ginger, aromatic shallots, a hint of chili, crunchy peanuts, and succulent shrimp. Drizzle it with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory tamarind sauce for a truly unforgettable taste sensation.

3. Grilled River Prawn with Ancient Dipping Sauces: Prepare for a truly sensational experience with our massive, succulent grilled river prawn, often weighing around 400g. This impressive main course is served alongside a vibrant salad and two ancient, meticulously recreated Ratanakosin dipping sauces that you won't find anywhere else. These unique, "boom-flavor" dips offer an unparalleled taste experience, perfectly complementing the rich sweetness of the prawn, alongside a classic seafood sauce.

4. Kung Chae Nam Pla (Raw Shrimp in Fish Sauce Dressing): This is a personal recommendation from the owner himself, and it's a dish that will truly elevate your Thai food experience. Featuring incredibly fresh shrimp, delivered alive daily, meticulously prepared, and then soaked in a savory fish sauce-based seasoning. Served with crisp, fresh vegetables and a tangy seafood sauce, each bite is a punchy, crunchy delight where you can truly savor the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

5. Neua Manao (Beef in Spicy Fresh Lime Juice): Prepare to have your expectations shattered with this incredible dish. Featuring your choice of tender ribeye or striploin, this beef steak is served with a vibrant, spicy fresh lime juice dressing and crisp vegetables. The explosion of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors perfectly complements the rich beef, creating a harmonious and unforgettable taste sensation that you might never have imagined possible with steak.

6. Kaeng Rawaeng Beef Shank: While Jirakaan offers an array of aromatic green, red, and yellow curries, the one you absolutely cannot miss is the Kaeng Rawaeng Beef Shank. This is a very old and rare type of curry, seldom found elsewhere in Thailand. It delivers a perfectly balanced aroma from the fresh herbs meticulously blended into the chili paste by our chefs, offering a truly unique and unforgettable curry experience.

The Best of Both Worlds: Classic Thai & Fine Dining Beyond these unique historical offerings, Jirakaan also proudly features the "bread and butter" of Thai cuisine that many visitors seek, such as Tom Yum, Tom Kha Gai, Pad Thai, Crab Curry, Crab Omelette, Massaman, and Fried Rice. While our focus is Ratanakosin cuisine, it's important to remember that many of these globally famous Thai dishes were developed and perfected during the Ratanakosin era, making them a natural and authentic part of our menu.

An Unparalleled Ratanakosin Fine Dining Journey For an even deeper dive into Thailand's culinary heritage, Jirakaan offers an exclusive fine dining course. This meticulously crafted experience features more than 10 dishes, each created or recreated from authentic Ratanakosin-era recipes. Throughout your meal, a dedicated staff member will guide you, sharing the fascinating stories and history behind each dish. Priced at just 1980 baht++ per person, this course offers exceptional value compared to other fine dining establishments in Bangkok, and it stands out as potentially the only Halal fine dining experience of its kind in the city.

Notably, 20% of Jirakaan's menu is dedicated to vegetarian dishes, making it an incredibly accommodating choice for groups with diverse dietary preferences.

A Gathering Place for All: Inclusivity & Acclaim One of Jirakaan's most commendable strengths is its ability to foster an environment of inclusivity. The combination of a strictly 100% Halal kitchen and a robust offering of vegetarian dishes makes it an ideal venue for diverse gatherings. It's a place where friends, colleagues, and families of different faiths and dietary needs can comfortably share a meal, transcending potential dining challenges. It’s worth noting the distinct operational setup of the property. While the premise also houses San Marco Osteria, a separate brand serving wine, San Marco Osteria operates as an entirely independent entity with no connection to Jirakaan's kitchen or food preparation. This ensures that Muslim diners can be completely at ease, knowing that alcohol is entirely separate from Jirakaan's operations. Jirakaan maintains its stringent Halal sanctity under dedicated Muslim ownership. This inclusivity, coupled with its culinary excellence and elegant setting, has earned Jirakaan significant recognition, not only from satisfied diners but also from esteemed international visitors. Jirakaan has proudly hosted princes and princesses from Dubai, the Head of Penang State, and numerous Ambassadors and embassy staff from Muslim countries, who consistently choose it for its high-end, amazing food, unique ambiance, and unwavering Halal standards.

• "As an international businessman, and a frequent traveler to Bangkok, finding a restaurant in Bangkok that meets our strict Halal requirements and offers such a high level of sophistication for corporate functions is truly rare. Jirakaan is our top choice for hosting multinational teams." – Ahmed Al-Farsi, CEO of a Dubai-based investment firm.

• "The historical ambiance here is just captivating, and knowing that every dish is genuinely Halal allows me to fully immerse myself in the exquisite Ratanakosin flavors without any concern. A truly memorable experience for a Muslim traveler." – Fatima K., Lifestyle Blogger.

• "We chose Jirakaan for our family gathering, which included both Muslim and vegetarian members. Everyone found incredible dishes they loved, and the beautiful setting made it a truly special occasion. It's rare to find such quality and comfort for diverse groups." – The Lee Family, Singapore. Indeed, Jirakaan has become the preferred choice for many large companies holding multi-national meetings and has been honored to host royals and high officials from Muslim countries and their embassies, who consistently choose it for its high-end, amazing food, unique ambiance, and unwavering Halal standards.

Planning Your Visit to Jirakaan

• Address: 76 Sukhumvit 51 Alley, Klongton Nue, Watthana, Bangkok 10110 (Accessible from Sukhumvit 49 as well). Google Map Location : https://share.google/pXm7XVsODcQ59ynqj

• How to Get There:

  • By BTS Skytrain: The most convenient way is to take the BTS Sukhumvit Line to Thong Lo BTS Station (Exit 1). Jirakaan is approximately 800-850 meters from the station. A short taxi, Grab, or motorcycle taxi ride will take you directly to the restaurant.

  • By Taxi/Grab: Easily accessible by taxi or Grab from anywhere in Bangkok. Simply input 'Jirakaan Restaurant, Sukhumvit 51' into your navigation app.

• Operating Hours: Jirakaan is open every day from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

• Reservations: Highly recommended, especially for groups or during peak dining hours. You can typically make reservations via phone or their official website/social media channels. Reservation Link : https://aroi-restaurants.com/restaurants/-jirakaan-restaurant-bangkok/

• Link to see menus: https://linktr.ee/jirakaanlink

• Call/Whatsapp: +6682 6155664

• Official Line : @jirakaan

• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Jirakaan/

• Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jirakaan_restaurant

The Verdict: A Culinary and Cultural Landmark

Jirakaan offers far more than just a meal; it delivers a complete, sensory experience rooted in Thailand's rich history and profound respect for Halal dietary laws. Its ability to marry authentic Ratanakosin cuisine with uncompromising Halal standards, all within a captivating colonial setting, solidifies its position as one of Bangkok's truly essential dining destinations. Whether you are a Muslim traveler seeking peace of mind, a fine-dining enthusiast, or simply looking for an extraordinary culinary journey, Jirakaan promises an unforgettable experience that embodies elegance, history, and unparalleled Halal excellence.