Benjarong in Makati: An Award-winning Restaurant Serving Modern Thai Cuisine
As Benjarong continues to bring the taste of Thai cuisine on the tables here in the Philippines, exquisite techniques and traditional flavor profiles are produced through contemporary dishes that are distinctly Thai at heart. Benjarong restaurant is located at the luxurious Dusit Thani Manila in Makati.
Main Dining Room / IMAGE from Dusit Thani Manila
Simply put, Benjarong offers authentic Thai food all year round. Combining the four flavors: salty, sweet, spicy and sour that produce rich aroma and scrumptious Thai dishes, the restaurant deserves its praise. The interior of the restaurant is very elegant with a combination of gold, white and black shades around the room. Benjarong also has two private dining rooms, perfect for intimate celebrations, each with a consumable rate of Php 20,000.
Private Dining Area / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
Benjarong features Thai royal palace cuisine fine dining, meaning they only use the best ingredients and their staff members are hospitable and well-trained for fine dining.
Benjarong sources premium imported ingredients and is led by Chef Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom, or Miss Ja to regulars, a native Thai chef with over a decade of culinary experience. Known for her appearance on Iron Chef Thailand and her leadership at Benjarong since 2015, Chef Ja reimagines traditional Thai dishes with modern techniques, earning the restaurant recognition from CNN Travel as one of the world’s hottest new dining destinations in 2019. Most recently, Benjarong Manila was proudly recognized as one of Tatler Philippines’ Top 20 and Best-in-Class awardees for 2025, reaffirming its position as a premier destination for refined Thai dining in the country.
Thai Chef Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom / IMAGE from Dusit Thani Manila
They have a 8-course tasting menu (Php 5,500++) showcases Thailand’s rich flavor spectrum. Diners start with Tab Haan, foie gras in tamarind and crispy basil, then enjoy Gulng Salong or crisp prawn filo rolls, the crowd-fave Tom Yum soup, and Hoi Shell Golek, seared scallop salad with Golek sauce. The experience continues with Pla Yang with Nam Prik Ma Kuea Thed, roasted fish in northern-style tomato dip and the bold curry beef dish, Gaeng Singhol Nuea. A refreshing dessert of pandan, coconut lime, and lychee sorbet follows, topped off with traditional Thai petit fours: Khanom Piak Poon (Purple yam pudding with coconut and sesame seeds), Thong Ek (traditional sweet golden cake) Khanom Fak Thong (steamed pumpkin cake), and Tang Mo Pla Hang (watermelon topped with sweet and salty fish flakes).
Tab Haan
Gaeng Singhol Nuea
Petit Four / IMAGE from Dusit Thani Manila
Despite Benjarong being inside a 5-star hotel restaurant, the menu here is reasonably priced with dishes which are good for sharing. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to taste authentic Thai Royal Cuisine here in Benjarong. Anyone can have a taste of Thailand. After all, Benjarong, as it turns out, is not just a name of a restaurant. It is a rich cultural experience all by itself.
As a bonus, they play beautiful melodies to create a relaxing atmosphere for their customers during dinner dates or business meetings.
Bai Toey / IMAGE from Dusit Thani Manila
With Chef Watcharaphon, at the helm and other Thai nationals as key people of the restaurant, Benjarong continues to serve creative and world-class dishes. Their uses of different flavors in one plate come out as an art in itself just like their namesake, benjarong which means five colors and is a painted ceramic porcelain.
The Benjarong Bar / IMAGE from Dusit Thani Manila
For art and authentic Thai cuisine, come over to Benjarong on the ground floor of the Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City.
