Explore the unique flavours of Thailand at this new Mumbai eatery

For over a month now our feeds are filled with friends and family of the brand posting delicious photos of Banng in Bandra as our girl twoMichelinstarred Chef Garima Arora returns home yes she is a Mumbai girl with flavours of Bangkok in partnership with restaurateur Riyaaz Amlanirsquos Impresario Entertainment amp Hospitality Pvt LtdEarlier this year we visited Banngrsquos Gurugram outlet at Horizon Center and while it was a stellar experience wersquoll be honest at the risk of sounding partial mdash the Mumbai outlet feels even more flavourpacked and buzzing with energy like a lively Bangkok night market where sanuk good time is guaranteedChef Garima Arora amp Riyaaz AmlaniOn the ground floor of the Mumbai outlet the vibe is casual and welcoming and styled like a highenergy Thai cocktail bar The kind of place you can walk into any day for a drink and a bite Itrsquos a terracottatoned escape with artisanal metalwork muted lighting and lively murals that echo the warmth of a Bangkok hawker lane The menu matches the mood Thai dishes that are vibrant playful soulful and full of energyUpstairs the tempo slows for kin khao Thai phrase for letrsquos eat mdash Thaistyle dining meant for sharing Here deep reds bold textures origamiinspired lights and sculptural installations bring together the flamboyance of Bangkokrsquos nightlife with a playful nod to Indian artistry The setting feels theatrical yet inviting perfect for long indulgent meals with family and friends of all ages Plates are elevated and refined designed to be shared and savoured making every meal feel celebratoryManav Khanna head chef Banng with sous chefs from Thailand Chaiya l and Athit PintaBoth experiences are tied together by Studio Renesa led by Principal Architect Sanchit Arora who has created a space that flows effortlessly from intimate dining to highenergy cocktailfuelled nights ldquoThe space itself really shaped what we could dordquo says Amlani adding ldquoDownstairs is relaxed while upstairs is polished and slightly more formal This twolevel layout also gave us the freedom to play with different vibes and kitchens mdash something that wasnrsquot possible in our Gurugram space Bangkok too is like that mdash a mix of refined elegance and vibrant street energy Mumbai is different of course but a similar duality exists here a refined side alongside a raw lively underbelly The design mirrors this contrastrdquoFor Amlani it quickly became clear that Thai cuisine was the missing piece in the local dining landscape There is curiosity about Thai cuisine Bold spicy and layered it is a cuisine that like Indian food speaks the language of flavour Having already explored Mexican with Mezcalita Thai felt like the natural next stepOnce the direction was set Arora dived straight in training intensively with 12ndash14hour cooking sessions in Chiang Mai with Thai master Hanuman Aspler a guardian of centuriesold recipes and techniques The journey from concept to execution took seven to eight months She built her knowledge from the ground up mdash mastering foundational flavour profiles to iconic dishes like the crab omelette By the time she returned Arora carried with her a razorsharp vision for the menu mdash its flavour balance and intent Since then Banng has continued to evolve expanding its repertoire with new dishes and a deeper emphasis on vegetarian offerings The bar downstairs adds another dimension to the experience mdash casual playful and perfect for returning to again and again with something fresh to discover each timeSeafood White CurryWhen Banng launched in Gurugram last year Garima Arora mdash then seven months pregnant mdash shared over a Zoom call how Mumbai had always been the first choice though Delhi became the location almost by chance Today with fourmonthold Asmi and toddler Aham she greets us with the same warmth and easy familiarity that make her conversations feel like catching up with an old friend Between exchanges of motherhood notes one canrsquot help but marvel at her pace in just eight months Arora has opened her first Indian restaurant welcomed her second child and continued steering Gaa her twoMichelinstarred Bangkok restaurant with unwavering strength She humbly credits her family and team for her successWith Banng she makes a deliberate creative shift from the precision of fine dining to embrace a bold highenergy restaurant rooted in flavour and fun Itrsquos also deeply personal for someone who built her career and life in Bangkok and is now bringing a taste of her adopted city back to IndialdquoMumbai is where my journey began so bringing Banng here is homecoming in the truest sense The city is electric layered and endlessly inspiring mdash just like Bangkokrdquo she saysA perfectionist at heart Arora focuses on every detail mdash from pounding curry pastes by hand each week to sourcing only the freshest ingredients Nothing comes out of a can Carrying that vision forward is Executive Chef Manav Khanna who trained under Arora at Gaa in BangkokCrushed Cucumber amp Watermelon SaladIn Mumbai he applies the same fireforward techniques and freshly pounded pastes to a menu that spans Thailandrsquos diverse culinary map Seafood takes centre stage from cevichestyle seabass to a Phuket seafood bucket brimming with prawns clams squid and sweet potatoWe start with Tom Kha Pani Puri Rs 350 mdash crisp puris filled with chilled coconut broth soup herbs and white oyster mushrooms Every bite was an adventure in Thai flavours anchored by the signature mala sensation mdash numbing spicy and utterly addictive We had the Crushed Cucumber amp Watermelon Salad R280 a crisp refreshing opener that balanced the heat beautifully The Kanom Krok Rs 320 crispy coconut pancakes paired with grilled broccoli and sweet corn offered a playful slightly sweet contrastBloody BangThe Gaeng Grob a red okra curry with pineapple atop a crispy potato nest delivered a surprising mix of textures tang and gentle spice The Pattaya Nachos Rs 380 smashed crispy rice wontons with a spicy avocado kick were bold crunchy and perfectly addictiveSeafood lovers were treated to the Yum Seabass R710 a ceviche with a lively spicy seafood sauce crispy onions and garlic that made each bite zing The Duck Salad Rs 610 was tropical and refreshing with juicy fruits and a cooling coconut dressing that tempered the heatLod Chong Bingsu right Tom Kha Pani PuriThe Yum Ma Kua Yao Rs 450 smoky grilled eggplant with minced chicken and prawns in a seafood sauce was rich layered and mouthtingling Even the simple vegetablesmdashthe StirFried Morning Glory Rs 380 and StirFried Cabbage R350 mdashcarried hints of spice and aromatic charmThe curries were next Royal Green Curry Rs 850 traditional and comforting and our absolute favourite the Seafood White Curry Rs 1250 subtle yet fragrant accented by grilled tomatoes Dessert Lod Chong Bingsu Rs 650 was a gentle finish milk snow with whipped coconut cream pandan noodles and sweet coconut sauce cooling the palate after the fiery mala journeyAt the helm of the bar is Bangkokrsquos own Attapon DeSilva one of Asiarsquos most celebrated bartenders better known as The Potion Master With acclaimed spots like Teens of Thailand Asiarsquos 50 Best Bars Asia Today Tax and Independence to his name he now brings his magic to MumbaiHis menu is designed like a journey through sensations mdash fresh and fizzy moody and boozy and umami and yummy mdash because as he puts it a Bangkok night is never just one flavour Highlights include the White Lotus Martini a delicate mix of gin white turmericndashinfused Lillet Blanc and garlic brine and The Andaman a lsquosea in a glassrsquo creation with dry squidndashinfused vodka guava Nam Prik Nam Pla coconut vinegar and squid inkAnd for those skipping the spirits therersquos zeroproof cocktails like the Kung Fu Pandan mdash pandan makrut lime cucumber coconut jelly and fizz that prove the joy isnrsquot always in the boozeThe bar menu leans playful with bites like Kanom Buang waffles a DIY pulled jackfruit salad with coconut dressing latenight Banng Cup Noodles gooey cheeseandham cigar rolls inspired by Thailandrsquos 711 sandwiches and crisp Banngstyle crab cakes served with tangy plum sauceAt the Ping Bar the spirit of Bangkokrsquos skewer culture takes centre stage For the adventurous therersquos also Sabai 711 Chaknas mdash authentic Thai packaged snacks flown in from Bangkokrsquos convenience stores perfect to munch alongside a drinkBy the end of the meal and shoot Arora has paid a quick visit to her infant her toddler is back from play and is perched on her hip and she has finished our shoot mdash all with a smile While Bangkok may be home Arora slips into routine in Gurugram and Mumbai with equal ease So will she pause and take a break now that Banng is in her city Nah Next up Banng Bengaluru mdash because two cities just isnrsquot enoughBanng Dining RoomWhere 12 pm to 4 pm 7 pm to 1 am Banng Bar 12 pm to 1 am Opening soonAddress 15th Road KharCALL 9152084411