Diversity Highlighted in the 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand List

Thirty-two restaurants have been awarded the ‘Bib Gourmand’ symbol for the first time in the Michelin Guide Thailand 2024. Now in its seventh edition, this year’s guide has extended its coverage to include Ko Samui and Surat Thani, bringing the total to 196 establishments in the budget-friendly category.

Of the 32 Big Gourmand awarded establishment, 28 are new entries and the rest appeared on the Michelin Selected list last year. Of the newcomers, 12 are from Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, and mainland Surat Thani province.

The Michelin Guide Thailand unveiled the 2024 Bib Gourmand selection prior to the official Michelin Stars announcement due on December 13. It is worth noting that the selected restaurants for the ‘Bib Gourmand’ symbol this year underline the diversity of Thailand’s food and the vibrant ambience of its restaurants where gourmets and gourmands alike can explore a world of delicious high-quality dishes at affordable prices in Bangkok and other regions.

The Bib Gourmand covers 13 cuisine types, namely Chinese, contemporary European, Isaan, Japanese, noodles, Northern Thai, seafood, Southern Thai, street food, Thai, contemporary Thai, Thai-Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisines.

The selected restaurants for the ‘Bib Gourmand’ symbol for the year 2023 include 68 establishments in Bangkok and its suburbs (7 restaurants ranked for the first time), 15 in Ayutthaya (2 restaurants ranked for the first time), 27 in Chiang Mai (3 restaurants ranked for the first time), 38 in the 4 cities representing the Northeastern region or Isaan, including 13 in Khon Kaen (2 restaurants ranked for the first time), 10 in Nakhon Ratchasima (1 restaurant ranked for the first time), 6 in Ubon Ratchathani (all maintaining ‘Bib Gourmand’ status), and 9 in Udon Thani (moved up from the Selected category), 11 in Phang Nga (all maintaining ‘Bib Gourmand’ status), 25 in Phuket (1 restaurant ranked for the first time and moved up from the Selected category).

“Thailand is a country where you can find good quality food at affordable prices. Michelin inspectors are still amazed to discover excellent and diverse quality food at reasonable prices in various regions of Thailand, including Koh Samui and Surat Thani,” said Gwendal Poullennec, director of the Michelin Guide worldwide.

In Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the new entries include Aunglo by Yangrak, a Thai contemporary restaurant presenting modern Thai fare inspired by street food culture, using an ancient Thai charcoal stove (Aunglo) to infuse its savoury dishes with a smoky aroma; Plaew (Nakhon Pathom) , a no-frills outlet popular with locals for its tom yum noodles and homemade pork balls made with premium ingredients and jumbo-size seafood; and Noi Ho Chicken Rai (Khao Man Kai), a street food eatery serving aromatic chicken rice with succulent meat, prepared by Singaporean chef, Ah Ho, to a family recipe.

For entries in the newly covered Ko Samui and Surat Thani, the guide awarded food establishments in Samui including Baan Suan Lung Khai, a restaurant located on the chef-owner’s coconut plantation serving local and Southern Thai cuisine using the freshest ingredients of the day; and Kapi Sator, which serves authentic Southern Thai food like the delectable local squid in sweet coconut milk soup with a hint of lemongrass.

In mainland Surat Thani, the Bib Gourmand awards include family-run eatery outlet serving Thai-Chinese food Lucky Restaurant; Tok Kheang, an eatery serving consummately crafted regional specialties, particularly “Long Tong”, a Surat Thani delicacy that features succulent dry noodles in a pink sweet and sour sauce with tender portions of pig’s blood, skin and meat; and a street food venue specializing in deep-fried Patongko (Chinese dough) called Lean Tai  that has been in the family for more than 5 decades.

By Thai PBS World Feature Desk