Aromkwan Bangkok – Extreme Malaysian Food! (Smoked Curry + Biryani Mountain)

Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน) is a one of a kind food experience in Bangkok!
Chef Bank serves what could tamely be called Extreme Malaysian Food, where he mainly uses his traditional family recipes, but goes a step further to smoke everything, and then serves you a mountain of food on a banana leaf.
Do not wear a belt or jeans, but come ready to feast and have the time of your life.

The backyard Asian smokery!
Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน)
What is Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน)?
Chef Bank explained to me that in Thai, arom means emotion, and kwan means smoke, and romkwan is the process of smoking. As Chef Bank explained, the idea behind Aromkwan is the process of smoking that requires a high level of emotion and understanding fire.
You’ll realize it’s a perfect name for what they do and they food they serve.
As a quick back story, Chef Bank started Aromkwan as a BBQ smoking food truck.
Later on, especially during Thailand’s lockdown period, they started to deliver orders, mainly their famous smoked pork knuckle biryani. Now, they have opened a sit down single table per night, Chef’s Table restaurant – right at the bottom of their home in Bangkok.
Reservations are required. You can also still get delivery (+66884958213, Facebook page, Instagram page)
Aromkwan video
If you have a few minutes, you can watch the video to see our entire meal experience at Aromkwan.

Family recipes, with Chef Banks own personal smoking touches!
Where are the recipes from?
“My Father is Malaysian Indian, my Mother is Thai Chinese.”
This is literally a combination of 4 of my favorite food groups in the world.
I asked Chef Bank where most of the recipes came from and he mentioned his Grandmother in Malaysia. He grew up eating her curry, and over the years as he grew up, he never really found anything that compared.
So he started learning his Grandmother’s recipes, while testing and testing.
Additionally, Chef Bank has always loved BBQ and smoke. And so he thought why not take these long braised curries and take the next step by smoking them in a clay pot for another 10 or 12 hours?
And that’s what they do at Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน).
Chef Bank is extremely friendly – so when you’re there you can ask him all about his story and ideas.
But now, let’s get into the food now.

Starting off with Bakkwa + Ginger Fizz
Bakkwa + Ginger Fizz
First thing we had was a welcome bite and drink, Singapore style bakkwa, and a homemade ginger fizz. The bakkwa is quite sweet, but the fire really caramelized the sugars to create an amazing smokiness, and it paired well with the taste of ginger.

Ox tongue skewers are. out of this world
Ox tongue skewers
Next up, ox tongue skewers, which were ridiculously tender, melt in your mouth tender. Guaranteed to get the mouth juices flowing.
Didn’t get a photo, but there was also a snack bowl of crunchy nuts and fried beans, with onions and tomatoes. Reminded me a little of jhal muri in Kolkata.
- A light meal for 2, please.
- The Aromkwan spread for my wife and I!
Setting the table
Setting the table is both thrilling and a part of your experience when you eat at Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน). Chef Bank really emphasized the importance of an interactive meal, where you don’t just eat, but feel the food, you know where it’s coming from, and you share with the people in your group at your table.
In the grandest table setting of all time, Chef Bank starts with a base of biryani, and then proceeds to pile on everything from quail egg sambal to smoked bok choy to an entire smoked goat leg and curried pork knuckle until a mountain is before you.
Here are all the dishes we had:
- Biryani
- Asian slaw – salad
- Quail egg sambal
- South dried shrimp
- Portabello smoked mushrooms
- Charred bok choy
- Smoked goat leg curry
- Smoked pork knuckle curry
- House curd
- Ikan bakar
- Smoked chicken wings
- Crispy pork lard, curry leaves to garnish

Chef Bank’s ikan bakar
Ikan bakar
Whenever I go to Malaysia, ikan bakar, or grilled fish with sambal, is something I can never get enough of.
At Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน) restaurant Bangkok, they smoke King Mackerel, then coat it in a combination of lard, and dry shrimp sambal, before wrapping it again and chucking it into the fire. It’s awesome.

The giant pork knuckle curry, showstopper
Smoked pork knuckle curry
One of the signature, most famous dishes is the smoked pork knuckle curry.
Braised pork knuckle is a popular Thai Chinese street food, but Chef Bank combined this concept into a curry, and then smoked it. The cooking process takes over 30 hours, so you can imagine the way it melts in your mouth.
The layer upon layer of flavor and smokiness and harmony of spices was mesmerizing.

Probably my favorite dish of the meal
Smoked goat leg curry
If I could choose just one dish, I think it would have to be the smoked goat leg curry.
I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve been a goat kind of guy since I was a kid.

Goat leg flavor overdose
The curry sauce is unbelievably rich and full bodied, and literally, you can see the pink smoky rings evident in the meat all the way to the bone – and then it’s oozing in curry sauce if things couldn’t get better…
and I don’t think things could get better.

Again, DO NOT wear a belt or jeans!
I think another thing to mention is that part of the joy of eating this extreme Malaysian food smoked curry meal, is mixing dishes with your fingers.
Every dish stands out on its own, and yet at the same time is enhanced when mixed and matched with other dishes in your meal.
The food itself is outstanding, and the hospitality and friendliness of Chef Bank and the entire team at Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน) is what makes your meal even more memorable.
An outstanding meal, with so much love, passion, and dedication in what they do and in every bite of food you taste.
Aromkwan (อารมณ์ควัน) Asian Smokery – Bangkok, Thailand
Reservations required: +66884958213, Facebook page, Instagram page
Address: 297, 2 Klang Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110 (Phrom Phong area of Bangkok, Google Maps)
Open hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 5 pm – 12 midnight
Prices: Approximately 1,850 THB per person
Sudeer Nagessur
2 years ago
Hi Chef Vishnu. I just saw your documentary by Mark Wiener. That Biryani dish looked amazing. I’m a South African Indian, Sudeer Nagessur – 47 living in Cape Town – South Africa. I pray I get to meet my brother soon and taste your fine cuisine.
You can get me on WhatsApp
0832758818
Just look up the South African code.
I want to visit you and explore Thailand.
That is my wish.
Mumu
2 years ago
Pls ask chef Bank to come back to Msia to open a branch in KL. I’m salivating looking at this
Zachary
2 years ago
Badass recipe Mark! One day I will eat my way through Bangkok. Meanwhile, I am up in Chiang Mai writing a book about edible wild fungi of Northern Thailand. If you are ever up in CM during the rainy season, I would love to connect.
Phillip
2 years ago
Hey Mark! I am living in bangkok, a Fellow Arizonan! Any chance I can buy a shirt and get a selfie some time? I’ll make all my Bangkok farang friends jealous
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hey Phillip, glad you’re living in Bangkok. Yah let’s meet up sometime!
Raviraj Birajdar
2 years ago
Mark I love your food videos and you are inspiration for me to start my own YouTube journey. I loved the goat leg curry, would definitely visit the restaurant when in BKK. Love from India.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Great to hear from you, thank you very much Raviraj!
Pavan
2 years ago
Came here after watching Mark’s video. I love everything you made, I would definitely visit you where ever I come to bangkok if I ever but I would love to try ‘Smoked goat leg curry’. If you can please share the recipe with me that would be epitome of my food eating experience. Thank you once again, good luck, god bless you. please email me if you dont want to shar eit in public. [email protected]
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thank you very much Pavan, hope you can visit Bangkok to eat at Aromkwan. No idea about the recipe, that’s something unique that Chef Bank has created!
Martin ALMAREZ
2 years ago
I seen you on marks video… I want to eat there in the end of July… Do you have a menu?? I know we don’t need to eat all that food… But it looks so so good
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hi Martin, send a message to them direct by Instagram or Facebook and you can make a reservation!
Avranil Sarkar
2 years ago
That Biriyani was some crazy stuff…..I have my mouth watering like anything…..Wish Chef Bank wld come 2 Kolkata (India) someday…..🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thanks Avranil, glad you enjoyed it!
Dilhan De Alwis
2 years ago
Mouth watering food
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thanks to Chef Bank!
Shalaka
2 years ago
Hi Mark!!
Lots of love from Mumbai, India. So I discovered your channel while I was pregnant last year during the covid lockdown. And believe me, every video of yours made me drool. I also started having goat meat, before that I used to only have chicken and fish. I would tease my husband saying that our baby will recognise Mark’s voice once he is out hahaha because that’s how much I watched your videos!!!. I love the way you explain the dish and your love for food is genuine. I wish I could travel to most of the places you have been to try out the delicious food. I love Ying as she seems to be so supportive and patient. In a few videos I saw her in the background taking care of your son and mean while you were eating and recording videos. Lots of love to all three of you… Hope you get all the deserved success. God bless
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hi Shalaka, amazing to hear from you, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. That’s awesome you started enjoying goat during pregnancy! Wishing you and your family safety during this time and good health!
Shalaka
2 years ago
Thank you Mark. Next time if you visit India, I would love to come visit my humble home for some authentic Maharashtrian spicy food made with my mother’s recipe’s. FYI, my mother lives watching you as well :) Hope we meet someday! Take care.
Bonny Benny
2 years ago
This Video just made my mouth water like crazy. I had to ask my wife to make me a Biriyani asap
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Awesome, thank you Bonny!
Juan Fernández
2 years ago
This has to be the best video yet! Mark, watching this video was an experience. That’s probably how kings ate. I wish I was there eating what you ate. Keep doing what you do mark.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thank you very much for watching Juan!
Sameer Pathak
2 years ago
Loved it ! Will definitely eat here in next trip
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thanks Sameer, an amazing restaurant!
thiviru hapanagama
2 years ago
WOW! no word can express the feeling when Mark tries the food….I’m from Sri Lanka and I’m looking forward to meet Mmmark one day
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thank you so much Thiviru!
eric
2 years ago
thanks for the video mark. anyway, how do we order for the delivery? i’m from malaysia who’s staying in thailand for nearly 15 years. i missed malaysia food.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hey Eric, thank you for watching! Just contact them direct, +66884958213 or on Facebook or Instagram, both are link at the bottom of this post. Delivery is a great way to go at this time.
Susil
2 years ago
Great Mark, Please make home cooking video
Jorge L Martinez
2 years ago
Another five star find! We watch every single place you visit and love it all. My wife is from a village near Payo and we have property there. Due to travel restrictions we haven’t been there for two years but you keep us yearning to anxiously get back.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hi Jorge, nice to hear from you, thank you very much. Really hope you can come back again soon!
Jordan Andrew
2 years ago
What kind of sauce was on the grilled portobello mushrooms? They looked delicious!
Victoria
2 years ago
Mark what a joy to see you in every video with your family enjoying what you really love . Not just the food but the cultures the richness and your positive emotions with the food you eat . What a beautiful joy to see you your wife and your son- this is what its all about to share these moments May God continue to Bless you keep you protect you and your loved ones and thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing joy to many with the Light that you shine !
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hi Victoria, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Chatchai Natakuatong
2 years ago
I am Thai ( born and raised). Unfortunately, I am living in the US now. Hope some day would like to go back and live in my hometown one day.. Thanks Mark for you inspiration and for the love of mixed cuisines..
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hi Chatchai, nice to hear from you, thank you for your support. Hope you can come back to Thailand sometime soon!
Paul
2 years ago
Great review. I’m sure Por was especially happy to see it on her birthday.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thank you Paul! Chef Bank had just told me it was Por’s birthday last night, very cool. Such an incredible meal and experience!
Adam
2 years ago
My goodness me. I have never seen a biryani like that before.
Mark Rode
2 years ago
That buriyani and that goat meat just did the thing for me. Me and my gf have put this place to our bucket list, Definitely gonna do this. Find more gold like this Mark. Well Done!
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Cool to hear that Mark, hope you can visit soon.
Sandra
2 years ago
Thank you so much for this great discovery. So excited to have banana leaf soon. I miss home and especially Malaysian Indian food. You have no idea how happy I was when I saw that it is in Bangkok…and even better, so close to where I live.
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Awesome to hear that Sandra, the food is amazing!
Heidi
2 years ago
That photo of all the food piled in the banana leaf…it sparks joy. I’ve never been to Thailand, but after watching your blogs and reading your blog, I want to take my family there and eat street food all day!
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Thank you very much Heidi, and hope you and your family can visit Thailand soon!
Lisa
2 years ago
What was the dessert fruit?
pavan
2 years ago
chiku
Mark Wiens
2 years ago
Hey Lisa, the fruit was Sapodilla.