BANGKOK RESTAURANT

The Great Kabab Factory

The famous Indian franchise has finally arrived in Bangkok serving some 450 types of kebabs.

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

The famous Indian franchise is now in Bangkok serving some 450 types of kababs (grilled meat or vegetables) as well as curries. Served both as set menus and all-you-can-eat, Indian chef Mahesh Thepa changes his menu daily but sticks to the same herbs and spices as are used in the mother branch. Thanks to a large open kitchen, you'll see the chefs busying themsevles around the tandoor ovens.

 

This Indian franchise offers a fairly new fine-dining experience for Bangkok: the chef creates a daily-rotating set menu comprising mostly Indian kababs, which you can tuck into all-you-can-eat style. You don’t have to order or go get your food from a buffet line; all you have to do is choose between the vegetarian (B1,200) and non-vegetarian (B1,300) options.
 
While the setting, with its shiny tile floors and blue lights, feels like a lonely hotel lobby, the food is very traditional—kababs, dal, naan and biryani—and the service feels warm and personalized. Diners sit at their tables while a small army of waiters carry over tray after tray from the open kitchen.
 
The first course comprises six kinds of kababs, each served in rational portions which leave you enough space to ask for more of your favorites. On our last visit, we particularly liked the interesting texture and flavor of the khatte bharwan aloo (potatoes stuffed with little chunks of cheese and nuts), the firm gulnari paneer tikka (rose petal flavored cottage cheese), mildly flavored murgh tikka kali mirch (black pepper flavored boneless chicken) and kashmiri jheenga (red chili flavored prawns).
 
The galouti kabab (minced lamb patty), on the other hand, is a bit too creamy in texture to really taste of anything. A vegetarian option like the subz galouti kabab (minced yam and lentil patty) is much more exciting. Some other kababs are rather intense: the tandoori mushroom and the lamb ribs are way too salty, while the fried fish and pineapple skewer are so spicy that the four sauces (mint, yogurt, tomato and tamarind) offer little respite. We certainly can’t fault the freshness of these kababs, though, which are served piping hot and don’t seem to have been left standing for too long.
 
After finishing your first course, you get your plate changed, and naan bread and biryani are served with two lentil stews (neither of which were too memorable for us). While we prefer the more balanced spices of the vegetarian biryani over the chicken variety, this course is a bit of a let-down following the full-flavored kababs.
 
The traditional Indian desserts like kala jamun and various kesari kulfi (saffron ice cream) are well-executed, but your enjoyment will be determined by your tolerance for sweetness and how much room you’ve got left. The service is great, the atmosphere surprisingly welcoming and the food plentiful, but ultimately The Great Kabab Factory is an intriguing if not wholly ecstatic experience.
Venue Details
Address: The Great Kabab Factory, L/F, Majestic Grande Hotel, 12 Sukhumvit Soi 2, Bangkok, Thailand
Phone: 02-262-2999
Website: www.facebook.com/TGKFThailand
Area: Nana Asoke
Cuisine: Indian
Price Range: BBB - BBBB
Open since: May, 2014
Opening hours: daily 10am-3pm, 5-10pm
Parking available, Dress requirements
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