Potong, located in the vibrant heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, stands as a testament to progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine, earning significant acclaim since its opening in 2021. The restaurant, housed in a historic five-storey building, offers diners a unique gastronomic experience that blends tradition with innovation. [ read the full champagne story ]
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Potong: A Culinary Journey of Heritage and Innovation in Bangkok’s Chinatown
The Visionary Chef: Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij
At the helm of Potong is the acclaimed Chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, often referred to as one of Asia’s hottest chefs. Chef Pam brings a rich and diverse background to her culinary creations, having Thai, Australian, and Chinese heritage. She grew up in Bangkok before moving to the United States, where she honed her skills at the legendary Jean-Georges restaurant.
Upon returning to her hometown, Chef Pam quickly established herself as one of the most influential chefs in Thailand and beyond. Her achievements include winning multiple awards, becoming a judge on Top Chef Thailand, and being recognized with the Asia’s Best Female Chef Award 2024 and The World’s Best Female Chef Award 2025. Beyond Potong, Chef Pam also manages other culinary ventures: the Texas barbecue-inspired Smoked and the beef omakase restaurant The Table by Chef Pam.
Gastronomic Profile and Philosophy: The Five Elements and Storytelling
Potong’s cuisine is defined as progressive Thai-Chinese fine-dining. The restaurant offers a tasting menu that is infused with storytelling, designed to take diners through Chef Pam’s culinary memories and emotions.
The core of Potong’s culinary philosophy revolves around five key elements:
- Salt
- Acid
- Spice
- Texture
- Maillard reaction (the chemical process of reducing sugars that brings distinctive flavor)
The degustation experience begins with house-made charcuterie and a collaboration wine. Notable courses on the menu include:
- Historical Stories – featuring crab roe, blue crab, and brioche.
- Bold – highlighting 14-day aged duck, which is described as hitting its peak.
- Heritage – a dessert course combining pandan, a peanut bon bon, and tamarind.
The Michelin Guide describes Potong’s cooking as “High quality cooking”.
The pod cast – The wine list
episode 13.0
Potong
Bangkok – Thailand
The Art
An Extra Deep Dive: The Wine Program
The wine program at Potong is an integral part of the dining experience, designed to enhance the spiritual connection between cuisine, wine, service, and ambiance. Chef Pam works closely with her sommelier to meticulously select each bottle of wine. This process is deeply personal, with Chef Pam viewing wine and travel as identical, believing that “every bottle tells a different story and kept a different memory”.
Potong boasts a remarkable cellar containing over 200 labels. The selection emphasizes:
- Uncommon, “little creation,” and distinctive wines.
- Wineries from across 15 different countries globally.
- A strong accentuation on sustainable, biodynamic, and natural wines. This focus is visually supported by imagery of USDA Organic, Made with Organic Super 100%, and Demeter Biodynamic logos in the beverage menu.
The goal of the wine program is to be adventurous while carefully ensuring that each wine perfectly complements the dining experience. The philosophy prioritizes the “delightful piece of wine” as what’s in the bottle, not just its label.
A personal anecdote from the beverage menu highlights this philosophy, recounting a transformative experience in France in 2016 that changed the perspective on sparkling wine and Champagne. The menu also illustrates concepts related to Champagne production, including grape varietals like Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, and the fermentation process. The beverage program also explores other fermented options, such as Kombucha, described as “another new world of fermentation”.
Guests are encouraged to ask the sommelier for wine pairings to elevate their meal. The restaurant also features an “interesting wine list”.
The Historic and Atmospheric Setting
Potong is situated in a generations-old five-storey Sino-Portuguese building that once housed Chef Pam’s family’s Chinese herbal medicine business starting in 1910. The building underwent a significant architectural restoration project lasting two and a half years.
Today, the restored site features a blend of rustic and modern décor:
- The main dining room is located on the second floor.
- The third floor houses an original room filled with hand-painted tiger drawings.
- The fourth and fifth floors are home to Opium Bar, a late-night cocktail haven.
- Soon, the former first-floor apothecary will transform into Sino House, a “funky Thai-Chinese” restaurant with live music.
- The building also includes a rooftop chill space.
Awards and Recognition
Potong has garnered a constant stream of awards since its opening in 2021. In 2025, it made an impressive debut on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, ranking No. 13, and was awarded the Highest New Entry Award 2025. Potong is also recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, holding a One Star rating for “High quality cooking”.
Practical Information
Potong is located at 422 Vanich Rd. Samphanthawong Bangkok, 10100, Thailand. Reservations are not available directly through the Michelin Guide website. The restaurant’s contact number is +66 82 979 3950. Potong operates during the following hours:
- Monday: 16:30-23:00
- Tuesday: 16:30-23:00
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 16:30-23:00
- Friday: 16:30-23:00
- Saturday: 16:30-23:00
- Sunday: 16:30-23:00
The restaurant accepts credit cards and features air conditioning.
