Today we’re excited to introduce you to a rare find tucked away in Frankfurt Bockenheim district– a Thai restaurant that offers authentic flavors and stunning presentation. The dishes are as colorful as they are delicious, with bold, local Thai spices adding a real kick. If you’re not a fan of spicy food —there are also plenty of milder options that are just as tasty.
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: Ban Thai Restaurant (incl. menu)
- Adress: Leipziger Str. 26, 60487 Frankfurt am Main
- Style: Thai Food – salad, wok, rice dishes, noodles, curry, vegetarian
- Price: around 20 – 35 EUR per Person (incl. Drinks and Tips)
The restaurant itself is cozy and welcoming. Inside, the traditional Thai wooden décor creates a serene connection to nature, bathed in soft, soothing light. On a nice day, the courtyard really comes to life, with its vibrant, colorful setting reflecting the diversity and beauty of the dishes served.
It’s no exaggeration to say that every dish here is a work of art. The food presentation is dazzling and full of life, with colors that pop from the plate. In Thai cuisine, it is common to pair main and side ingredients with contrasting colors, making the main elements stand out with distinct layers. This creates a visual feast and effortlessly builds up your anticipation for that first magical bite.
184 Gung Chae Nam Pla is enticing Thai appetizer full of refreshing and bold flavors. This salad dish features eight plump, fresh raw shrimps soaked in a savory Thai fish sauce and served alongside a medley of raw ingredients – bitter melon, crunchy cabbage, crisp carrots and zesty onions.
Dipping the juicy shrimp into the dark, fiery seafood sauce completely levels up the game, as the spicy, tangy notes perfectly complement the shrimp’s natural, fresh sweetness. The heat from the sauce is intense, awakening the palate and bringing an exciting kick.
Eating it with the crisp bitter melon will introduce a refreshing contrast in taste. The zesty onions add sharpness to the mouth, while the raw garlic leaves a pungent aroma that lingers. With all elements combined, it’s intensely invigorating and deeply satisfying, especially for those who crave adventurous, exotic flavors.
If you love shrimp flavors but prefer to avoid intense spices, 107 Thod Man Pla is a good choice. It’s a traditional Thai appetizer/snack of homemade pancakes crafted from minced shrimp and fish. They’re lightly fried to achieve a crispy golden-brown exterior, encasing tender, flavorful interior mixed with fresh herbs and veggies like green onions.
It’s served with a sweet-sour sauce topped with crushed peanuts, cucumbers and soft red bell peppers. As you dip the shrimp cake into the sauce, the initial sweetness envelops your palate, quickly followed by a refreshing tang. The chopped cucumber and bell pepper contribute a fresh crunch, while the peanuts lend a hint of nuttiness, rounding out the umami and slightly spicy notes from the shrimp cake.
The side of fresh cabbage and carrots helps cool the palate between the richness of the pancakes, creating a balanced blend of tastes and textures.
81 Khao Pad Sapparot, or pineapple fried rice, is a well-known Thai dish, served in a hollowed-out pineapple for a striking presentation. Mixed with the golden fried rice is an exciting medley of ingredients – chicken, shrimp, egg, juicy pineapple, tomatoes, raisins, onions and crunchy cashews. The rice is fried with turmeric powder, creating a warm, slightly spiced base.
The diced pineapple gives it a sweet burst of juiciness, wonderfully enriching the peppery, smoky, and caramelized flavors that come through in every bite. When you scoop it up with succulent shrimps, tender chicken, fluffy egg, and crunchy cashews, you’ll have an extravaganza of flavors that blossoms on your palate, while cilantro and green onions add a fresh herbal touch.
With a generous layer of pineapple at the bottom, the dish balances sweet, sour, and savory richness, leaving you both satisfied and refreshed. Khao Pad Sapparot is a great example of Thailand’s mastery in harmonizing flavors while showcasing its tropical bounty.
182 Nam Tok Moo (for pork) or Nua (for beef) is a popular spicy Thai dish that embodies the bold flavors of Thai cuisine. This dish consists of grilled pork or beef, tossed in a special dressing made from a blend of fish sauce, lime juice, and roasted rice powder. Opting for beef leans more into authenticity and tradition.
The dish is packed with heat, thanks to the chilies, and is balanced by the refreshing burst of mint and the crisp pungency of fresh onions. The roasted rice powder offers a crunchy, nutty taste that complements the fiery spiciness of this dish.
This dish also includes slices of oranges. When paired with the savory beef, their juicy, citrusy sweetness effectively sooth the heat, leaving a bright, lingering aftertaste with a depth of umami. Altogether, Nam Tok Moo or Nua is an explosion of flavors – spicy, tangy and savory – making it a must-try for those seeking an authentic taste of Thailand.
For the spicy Thai food, the Green Thai Iced Tea with Milk makes a perfect paring. The smooth, earthy green tea has a slightly grassy taste, with a touch of sweetness that cleanses the palate. The creamy milk adds a luscious texture, softening any bitterness while mellowing the spice.
For us, a glass of milk tea is an essential addition to a richly spiced Thai meal. It elevates the dining experience by letting us savor the bold flavors without worry, while effortlessly cooling down the heat.
Ban Thai offers a lunch menu with a wide selection for around 10 EUR, with bases like rice, glass noodles, or rice noodles, paired with veggies such as broccoli, carrots, and beans. You can choose from proteins like duck, chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, or tofu, and have it seasoned with soy sauce or red or green curry etc. The regular menu offers even more variety, including salads, curries, stir-fried wok dishes, noodles, and rice options.
An entire page is dedicated to authentic Thai dishes, featuring today’s highlighted dishes along with other specialties like fried salmon, whole dorado, and Thai coconut curries etc. Don’t miss this section, if you long for a true taste of colorful Thailand!
Many traditional Thai dishes are known for their vivid hues, often achieved through natural ingredients rather than artificial dyes. Turmeric, pumpkin, beetroot, hibiscus, and pandan leaves are just a few examples of natural colorings used, adding not only visual appeal but also flavor and health benefits.
As each beautifully plated dish arrives, the artistry and care in every detail reflect the chef’s dedication, igniting your appetite—how could you not want to savor each bite to the fullest?
