"One Michelin star on Charoen Krung, Laotian-Thai tasting from ฿2,500 — book 80/20 for an adventurous anniversary in Bangkok."
About 80/20
80/20 sits in a converted shophouse at 1054 Charoen Krung Soi 26, on the Talat Noi edge of Bang Rak where the old Portuguese-Chinese quarter meets the river. The name is the method: 80 percent local Thai ingredients, 20 percent the kitchen's own invention. Founded in 2016 by chef Napol “Joe” Jantraget and pastry chef Saki Hoshino — who have since opened Samlor — it now runs a seasonal tasting menu under head chef Thav Phouthavong, whose Laotian-Belgian background pushes the cooking toward ferments, chillies and herbs you will not see on a hotel Thai menu.
The Kitchen
The kitchen works almost entirely from Thai farms and foragers, then bends the produce with technique learned abroad — fermentation, pickling, controlled char. Head chef Thav Phouthavong, UK-raised to a Laotian family, leads a tasting that has carried courses such as Stormy Sea (squid, mangosteen and chilli) and Gai Krajan (chicken with sweet chilli and cashew). The five-course menu is ฿1,900, ten courses ฿2,500, and the fourteen-course signature tasting ฿4,500++, so a full dinner runs roughly ฿2,000–5,000 a head before pairings. 80/20 holds one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Thailand and was named to Time's World's 100 Greatest Places; it also appears on the World's 50 Best Discovery list. For the wider field see our best Thai restaurants worldwide guide.
The Room
The shophouse room is small and warm, around thirty seats over two floors, with a counter for those who want to watch the pass and tables for couples below. Sound sits at an easy hum, lighting is dim and candle-warm against bare brick, and spacing is close without being cramped. Dress is smart-casual; Bangkok heat means no one expects a jacket. The team explains each course in English, and the pace is unhurried — plan well over two hours.
Best for an Anniversary
Book 80/20 for an anniversary if your table likes to be surprised: the tasting leads you somewhere most Bangkok Thai kitchens will not go, the candle-lit shophouse is romantic without trying, and the price is gentle for a starred room. Take the ten-course menu, add the pairing, and let the kitchen run. For a riverside contrast compare Baan Tepa; for nose-to-tail Isaan cooking try 100 Mahaseth.
Not for
Not for spice-averse diners or anyone in a hurry — the tasting leans hot and fermented, and a full menu runs well past two hours.
Frequently Asked
Is 80/20 worth it?
Yes, for diners who want modern Thai cooking that takes risks. 80/20 holds a 2026 Michelin star for a tasting built on 80 percent local produce and 20 percent invention, with strong Laotian accents under chef Thav Phouthavong. At ฿1,900–4,500 it is one of the better-value starred tables in Bangkok, especially the ten-course menu.
How hard is it to book 80/20?
Moderately. Reservations open through TableCheck roughly 30 days out and weekend tables go quickly, but weekday evenings often have same-week space. The room is small, so book the moment the window opens for a Friday or Saturday. Lunch and the shorter five-course menu are the easiest entries.
What is the dress code at 80/20?
Smart-casual. This is a converted shophouse, not a hotel dining room, and Bangkok's climate makes jackets impractical, so a shirt or a nice top is right. The mood is relaxed and conversational; come comfortable rather than formal and you will match the room.
Is 80/20 good for a first date?
Yes — the small, candle-lit shophouse and the guided tasting give a first date plenty to talk about, and the staff pace the night well. Flag any chilli limits when you book, since the kitchen leans hot. The ten-course menu at ฿2,500 is a confident but not reckless choice for an early date.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at 80/20
Books about 30 days out; weekday evenings are easier than weekends.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address1054 Charoen Krung Soi 26, Talat Noi
NeighbourhoodTalat Noi, Charoenkrung
CuisineModern Thai
Price5-course ฿1,900; 10-course ฿2,500; 14-course signature ฿4,500++
Dress CodeSmart-casual
Seating~30, counter + tables
ReservationTableCheck
