We’ve been to Bangkok, so trust that we know what we’re talking about. As we walked into Bang Bang Bangkok and sat down in a street bus that doubles as their dining room, we were no longer in Brooklyn, but what seemed like a 20-hour flight away. You may not get to enjoy a 10-course in a real Bangkok bus, but this experience sure made us want to book the next flight out.

Prior to becoming the executive chef of Bang Bang Bangkok in Brooklyn, Sorakom Keawsamerta, or Chef Ram, was the finalist of MasterChef Thailand 2019. Later, when he met Jay, the owner of what would be Bang Bang Bangkok, he was asked to “set (the restaurant) up like Bangkok in the old days, like in the ‘50s or ‘60s when we were young.”

Jay was serious when he meant transporting the customer to Bangkok. While New York City has a large Thai food scene, not everyone thinks to recreate the cultural atmosphere by simulating a Bangkok bus as the dining room. Proposed with such an unconventional idea, Chef Ram literally replied, "Are you crazy?" He didn't think it would work because everything seemed so contrasting. "But then Jay and I talked about it and gathered everything we needed until we achieved the final result, which is this restaurant." And they were fully booked opening week. "Isn't that crazy?" Yeah, it is.

Jay grew up in the slums of Bangkok, and the restaurant is a collage of memories that shaped him. “Even though Jay was poor, he was really happy at that time,” Chef Ram shared. “And he wants to share that happiness with everyone.” That joy is woven into every corner of the space: the crowded bus seating, the nostalgic decor, the careful imperfections that make the place feel alive. “Life comes in from everywhere—there’s no need to hide,” he adds.

Chef Ram’s approach to the menu goes far beyond flavor—he’s just as invested in the experience surrounding each dish. When asked which item he’d keep if he could only serve one, he didn’t hesitate: Som Tum. “I don’t make it the normal way”, he says. “When the customer eats it, they have to mix the dish." Chef Ram’s extensive expertise in fine dining is reflected through the way he meticulously crafts these experiences around the food.

The Japanese Katsu Curry is also quite popular among local Thais. "We want customers to come here not only to experience Thai food but the Thai way”, Chef Ram says. From the presentation, flavors, and the etiquette of the food on how it’s eaten, “We want everyone who jumps in here to feel like they're really in Thailand.”

And honestly? They’ve succeeded. Bang Bang Bangkok isn’t just dinner—it’s a trip.

See Chef Ram & Bang Bang Bangkok come to life

Book a reservation to experience Bang Bang Bangkok here and make sure to arrive 15 minutes early so you don’t miss the show! Enjoy!

With compliments to the chef,

Jonathan and Jenn

Co-founders, Shortlist New York