Following his departure from 80/20, Chef Napol “Joe” Jantraget didn’t wait too long to set up another venture, still with dessert specialist Chef Saki Hoshino. The duo has come up with a 13-course menu called Coalescent (B3,200++) at their new Thai restaurant, offering dishes that reinforce their reputations as two of the city’s most innovative chefs. Call 06 4210 1520 or send a message to LINE (@samlor.bkk) for reservations.

Whether you consider yourself a connoisseur of Thai cuisine or are just beginning to explore its flavours, Samlor is guaranteed to enchant your taste buds. The restaurant, created by the culinary brilliance of Chef Napol “Joe” Jantraget and Saki Hoshino, the masterminds behind the acclaimed 80/20 restaurant that earned a prestigious Michelin star, offers a dining experience that is more laid-back and casual. Samlor’s menu is centered around dishes traditionally enjoyed with beer, but don’t worry, alcohol is entirely optional here.

After departing from 80/20, power couple Napol “Joe” Jantraget and Saki Hoshino moved away from the formalities of fine-dining to open the now revered Samlor, dishing out no-frills comfort food and gap glaem (Thai bar snacks). For those who yearn for Joe’s elevated take on Thai fine-dining, you can still catch occasional chef collaborations and tasting menus in the early weeks of every month. Samlor proves Thai food can be better without all the foams and bubbles from molecular gastronomy.

1076 Charoen Krung Road, Bangrak, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand. Samlor is a casual and playful Thai neo-bistro that specializes in flavorful dishes designed for sharing. Their menu features a variety of dishes, including a savory soufflé-like omelette that pairs well with chili sauce, fried baos with braised mushrooms or pork, and a Thai style shrimp ceviche.

After enjoying the beauty of the park, we continue our journey in a real ‘samlor’ (Thai rickshaw) on a cycling trip through the greenest part of Bangkok. The’ samlors’ make a stop at another temple, the oldest temple in this area, before heading to a riverside restaurant. Our team has prepared a simple Thai lunch overlooking the majestic River of Kings.

Thai culinary power couple Napol “Joe” Jantraget and Saki Hoshino opened Samlor as means to reinvent the cuisine. Their must-try signature is the famed omelette — fluffy, feather-light, and oozes creamy yolk once cut open. Pair that as you share some prawn ceviche (or goong chae nam phla) or the classic stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts.

I usually try to have a good mix of Thai food when I am in Bangkok, be it a casual meal like the one I had at the wildly popular Michelin Bib Gourmand Jeh O Chula (skip the insane queue by booking a slot on Klook) and Nhong Rim Klong, Michelin starred restaurants like Sorn and Baan Tepa, or a mid-range concept like Samlor.

Wed-Mon, 6-10.30pm on weekdays, 11am-1.30pm; 6-10.30pm on weekends. Opened by Thai culinary power couple Napol “Joe” Jantraget and Saki Hoshino, Samlor set out to reinvent the cuisine. The menu at first glance reads as a local street food joint, but each element is upgraded.

Here, we talk to Chef Paper Arisara of Saawaan, Chef Saki Hoshino of Samlor, and Chef Michelle Goh of Mia to dig into their pastry chef journey as well gain some insights into their beloved dessert menus.