We’re back with an all-new Bangkok City Guide featuring Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, the culinary powerhouse who reshapes Thai cuisine while celebrating its heritage worldwide.
Thailand’s capital has firmly established itself as a world-class food destination, where Michelin-starred restaurants stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legendary street food stalls. At the heart of this movement, Chef Ton shines for his unique ability to marry tradition with innovation, earning global acclaim along the way.
His progressive Thai fine-dining restaurant Le Du topped Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 (#1) and secured #15 on The World’s 50 Best list in the same year. In 2025, Nusara claimed #6 on Asia’s 50 Best, further cementing Chef Ton’s influence. Alongside these, he leads a family of beloved restaurants across the country, from the warm, homestyle Baan to the wine-focused Mayrai, seafood-driven Samut Phuket, and his latest rooftop gem Le Du Kaan.
Beyond the kitchen, Chef Ton has become a household name, appearing as a judge on Top Chef Thailand and Kitchen War Thailand. His sharp palate and signature charm have made him a familiar face not just on television but even in supermarkets thanks to collaborations with some of Thailand’s staple food brands.
We caught up with him between services and flights to hear his freshly updated #RadarList, from must-dine restaurants and must-do Bangkok experiences to the must-follow profiles shaping the city right now.
– Featured image credit: Le Du Kaan –
Why Bangkok Should Be on Everyone’s RADARLIST?
“Everyone in the world knows that Bangkok has the best street food, but more than that, it’s the dynamic of the city. It’s the people who live here. They are very kind, very genuine, and you always see a lot of smiles from them. I think it’s one of the best cities in the world.”
Must-Dine Spots
“My favorite lunch spot, it’s street food, super casual, and literally on the street. It’s called Yellow Bridge Duck Noodles, near Rama 4. They’ve been selling for many years, and we love it so much we always go there for lunch, it’s amazing. So if you come, it’s a hidden gem, no tourists, never on any guides, I don’t think. Come try it! (laugh)”
“Now, the place I actually eat at a lot, technically it’s not my restaurant, it’s my wife’s. It’s called LAWOI’. She’s following her passion with a sake bar and local seafood, elevating local fish by aging it for different durations. But it’s still casual, and you can come and enjoy sake.”
Must-Do Activities
“My favorite activity is golf. I love golf so much and I think Bangkok is a golfing paradise for everyone since we have so many amazing golf courses. People who love golf from all over Asia actually come to Bangkok to play. I have many favorite golf courses here and the best one is almost like a private course; it’s called Stonehill, one of the most luxurious courses we have.”
“Another one is Navatanee Golf Course, which is not too far from Bangkok. It’s very beautiful. These are my two favorites. I’ve also been discovering a new neighborhood in Bangkok called Songwat. I think it’s becoming very popular and for good reason. It has a unique mix of old and new and I love that area so much. It’s all about fashion, coffee shops, and lots of great places to eat, so you definitely have to check it out.”
Must-Follow Profiles
“The first person I really admire is Khun Lek Nai Lert, the owner of Nai Lert Park. She’s a very cool, hardworking, and stylish woman. More than that, I really respect her work in the family business, building many beautiful projects, the latest of which is, of course, Aman Bangkok.”
“Also, I love golf, so I’m always following golfers (laugh). One of the most famous Thai golfers is the sibling duo, Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn. They are on the world stage when it comes to golf, so I always follow them to see their stories, their travels, and the matches they play around the world representing Thailand.”