Gaa Unveils A New Menu: Traversing Indian Culinary Heritage in the Heart of Bangkok

Jun 30
4 min read

*Restaurant Gaa Entryway (Photo: Luke Yeung)*

Bangkok, Thailand [23 June 2026] – Gaa, the acclaimed two-Michelin-starred modern Indian restaurant, is thrilled to announce the launch of its much-anticipated new menu, reflecting Chef Garima Arora’s vision of genuine Indian cuisine through a contemporary lens. Nestled in the bustling Thong Lo neighborhood of Bangkok, Gaa celebrates the rich DNA of Indian culinary traditions while embracing the rhythms of its Thai surroundings. This new menu invites diners to experience a flavor explosion of nostalgia, innovation, and playfulness that culminates in a rewriting of Indian fine dining for the world.

A Celebration of Indian Culinary Tradition

Since its inception in 2017, Gaa has become a beacon of contemporary Indian cuisine globally, skillfully reinterpreting traditional flavors and techniques using the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from Thailand. Chef Garima Arora, the first and only Indian female chef to hold two Michelin stars and a recipient of Asia’s 50 Best Female Chef award, leads a kitchen team that emphasizes storytelling through food. With a commitment to showcasing the complexity of Indian cuisine as a civilization, not merely a category, Gaa seeks to engage diners on a deeper level by marrying heritage and innovation.

Introducing the New Menu

The new menu at Gaa is a carefully curated experience that continues the restaurant’s journey of exploration and reimagination of time-honored recipes. Inspired by a recent research trip to Bihar, India, Chef Garima has distilled her findings into a menu consisting of eight thoughtfully designed chapters, each focusing on various aspects of Indian cuisine, from chaat and bread to curries, masala, and kebabs.

Every bite arrives tableside garnished with cultural references, historical tasty tidbits, and personal connections that exemplify the depth of Indian cuisine. Mirroring the ethos of Gaa – original, flavor-forward, yet truly Indian – the 16 courses push the boundaries of contemporary dining while simultaneously honoring the restaurant’s roots.

Signature Plates

Among the standout offerings is Atte Ki Khichdi, a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Bihari dish that epitomizes the essence of resourcefulness and comfort. During the season when rice isn’t readily available in Bihar, the local women use whole wheat flour, rolling it between the thumb and forefinger into an oblong rice shape that tapers slightly to pointed tips at either end. These elongated “dumplings,” known as pithi, customarily form the base of a sweet “rice” pudding, but Chef Garima takes it a step further, marrying it with the pan-Indian comfort dish of khichdi for a savory porridge. Plated alongside nine homemade chutneys, pickles and other condiments, the presentation pays homage to the gastronomic customs of Bihar, where the local community ingeniously adapted their cooking techniques based on seasonal availability.

Step into the buzzing, aromatic bylanes of northern India, where the soul of street food lies in the closely guarded, perfectly balanced spice blends locals affectionately call Total Masala. In the Morel, Malai, Total Masala, Chef Garima honors the legacy of this beloved spice mix, folded into rich malai atop earthy Kashmiri morel mushrooms. Grilled to perfection and seasoned with Gaa’s proprietary Total Masala blend of 16 spices, this dish illustrates the restaurant’s commitment to elevating legacy Indian flavors while masterfully incorporating imaginative techniques. The addition of buffalo-milk brown cheese from Mumbai’s leading artisan cheesemaker results in a fun flavor twist, marrying umami richness with fragrant spice.

For dessert, Gaa presents the Tadka Ice Cream, a whimsical interpretation of the traditional Indian method of tempering spices. This sweet finish draws inspiration from the heartening familiarity of a Kerala Sadhya, a traditional vegetarian feast from the southern Indian state of Kerala typically served atop a banana leaf. Coupled with the excitement of a sizzling, nostalgia-inducing hot tadka poured over cold daal payasam ice cream sheathed by a crispy banana papadum, the juxtaposition of temperatures, textures, and tastes creates a sensory experience that resonates.

Gaurav Dixit (General Manager) making Tadka for Ice Cream

The culinary team at Gaa has meticulously crafted this menu to ensure that every bite tells a story, one that connects diners to the heart of India by evoking memories and emotions that encapsulate the cultural richness and diversity of Indian cuisine.

An Unparalleled Dining Experience

Gaa’s ambiance is as distinctive as its cuisine. Housed in a beautifully restored 1960s Thai wooden house, the restaurant offers an intimate and refined setting that enhances the dining experience. The Baan Ruen Thai Dining Room features curved ceilings adorned with a string installation, symbolizing the connection between diners. In contrast, the Garden Room envelops guests in elegance, creating a private dining cocoon bathed in warm golden hues.

Gaa: A Vision for the Future

Chef Garima’s leadership fosters a culture of growth and creativity, where traditional Indian techniques converge with contemporary culinary practices. Instead of being a fusion-focused restaurant, Gaa is a modern Indian establishment that embodies the spirit of its heritage while spotlighting a myriad of local Thai ingredients.

Gaa makes its mark on Bangkok’s robust dining scene through its playful yet purposeful approach. Each dish is rooted in storytelling, creating a meaningful connection between cuisine and culture. The restaurant’s ambition extends beyond mere culinary excellence; it aims to redefine perceptions of Indian cuisine on a global scale.

About Gaa

Restaurant Gaa, helmed by Chef Garima Arora, is a contemporary Indian fine dining destination in Bangkok, Thailand. At Gaa, guests enjoy a dining experience that brings together tradition with innovation, as classic Indian flavors and techniques are reimagined through delicate, modern interpretations. Since opening in 2017, Gaa has garnered international acclaim, earning its first MICHELIN star in 2018. In 2024, the restaurant was awarded its second MICHELIN star, making Chef Garima Arora the first and only Indian female chef to achieve this prestigious honor.

Address: 46/1 Sukhumvit 53, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok

Tel: +66 63 987 4747

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-3pm, 5:30-11pm.

IG: @restaurant_gaa

Website: www.gaa-bangkok.com.