Thep Black Pochana: TAAN and Chiang Mai’s Blackitch Artisan Kitchen Team Up to Reimagine Khao Gaeng

May 2022 — TAAN welcomes back Chef Phanuphon “Black” Bulsuwan (this time, for real) for a fun-filled collaborative dinner dedicated to reimagining khao gaeng, the everyday Thai street-food staple of curry over rice. Together with Chef Monthep “Thep” Kamolsilp, he’ll present a special dining experience on 16th, 17th and 18th May 2022.

The very special event, which was postponed due to the Covid situation last year, is playfully dubbed Thep Black Pochana: Khao Gaeng Remixed, and will see Chef Thep and Chef Black explore the classic dishes of many regions across Thailand while experimenting with form and presentation. 

Chef Black is the maestro behind Chiang Mai’s Blackitch Artisan Kitchen. He’s widely acclaimed as a pioneer of fermentation, sustainable dining and Thai food that’s not afraid to break the rules. 

On these fronts, Chef Thep and Chef Black are kindred spirits, and the duo have foraged and cooked together on several occasions. Both share a love of classic khao gaeng (curry on rice), which can be found at street stalls all over the country. This dinner will spotlight their own take on this diverse and delicious form of dining.

“Khao gaeng is already fun because it’s something that’s not fixed. You can mix any toppings together. So, we see khao gaeng as something that can be transformed into anything. You can mix it with new influences and styles,” explains Chef Black. 

Chef Thep chimes in, “Khao gaeng culture is a big, big deal in this country. The dishes are determined by the people who make them. Khao gaeng is all about people migrating from one place to another. These cooks leave their mark on the food and it gradually changes the city’s palate.” 

“When I think of Chef Black, I think of unlimited possibilities. In that sense, khao gaeng is a really great match for his personality. He’s fun, sharp and quick. As a restaurant devoted to modern Thai cuisine, we can play with anything. People will see the naughty side of us in these courses.” 

But do not expect the two chefs to ladle big spoonfuls of vibrant curry onto your plate. Rather, they will present delicate creations that defy expectations — whether it’s Chef Thep’s French cooking background coming to the fore in a surprising twist on choux cream or Chef Black’s  reimagining of gui chai (Chinese chives dumplings) 

THEP BLACK POCHANA (FULL MENU)

Prepare to have your expectations of khao gaeng blown away, for three nights only. The 12-course dinner is priced at THB 3,500++ / person.