Bangkok Buffet: Thai Buffet by the River at Mandarin Oriental

If you’re in Bangkok and searching for a savory traditional Thai buffet dining right beside the scenic Chao Phraya River, then head to the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Myself posing in the elaborate interior of Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

The Sala Rim Naam Restaurant features an elaborate, traditional Thai-style house with wooden interiors, surround by white colonial-style buildings and a lush tropical garden right beside the Chao Phraya River. In fact, the term ‘Sala Rim Naam’ translates in Thai to ‘Pavilion by the Water’, a fitting name given the restaurant’s lush riverside location.

Sala Rim Naam is located in a traditional Thai house with an elaborate wooden interior, located right beside the Chao Phraya River.

Located right across the Chao Phraya River opposite the main buildings of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Sala Rim Naam offers an excellent view of Bangkok’s prime historical and business districts.

The Sala Rim Naam Restaurant offers excellent views across the Chao Phraya River.

The restaurant features an air-conditioned Thai-style wooden hall, and offers traditional Thai buffets for lunch on a daily basis. Diners are able to enjoy the cool, relaxed atmosphere within the restaurant, combined with the extensive array of Thai foods and sweets being offered.

The Sala Rim Naam Restaurant features an elaborate wooden interior and offers a wide array of traditional Thai food.

During Thailand’s annual ‘hot’ season (March-May) and Songkran (traditional Thai New Year) Festival in mid-April, the restaurant offers a very special traditional Thai treat known as the ‘Khao Chae’, which consists of rice in chilled jasmine-scented water accompanied by an array of savory traditional condiments such as stuffed jalapeno peppers covered with delicate webs of egg omelettes, stuffed shallots, shredded crispy dried sweetened beef or pork, and many more.

Traditional Thai Khao Chae on offer at Sala Rim Naam during the month of May, a special seasonal promotion.

The ‘Khao Chae’ is indeed an all time traditional Thai favorite during the annual ‘hot’ season which typically begins around mid-March and lasts until approximately mid-May when the rainy monsoon finally arrives. Below is a typical ‘Khao Chae’ set consisting of rice in chilled aromatically scented water, accompanied by multiple savory condiments.

A typical Khao Chae set, an all-you-can-eat refillable at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant. The Khao Chae is a special seasonal promotion during Thailand's hot season in the months of March-May.

The restaurant also offers plenty of other traditional Thai dishes and hot entrees such as fried rice, roast duck in tamarind sauce, steamed egg custards, curry stews, grilled satays, spring rolls, spicy Thai fish cakes (“Hor Mok”), ‘tom yum’ soups, and many more.

Traditional Thai foods at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

For more adventurous-minded diners, a wide array of spicy traditional Thai chilli pastes (“nam priks”) are offered along with fresh and steamed vegetables which are typical accompaniments to these aromatic yet spicy pastes. Note: Thais normally enjoy these chili pastes (“nam priks”) along with fresh or steamed/boiled vegetables and rice.

Spicy Thai chili pastes at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

The restaurant also features an extensive dessert station with a special emphasis on traditional Thai treats.

Dessert station at the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Among my favorite Thai desserts are the following selections, all on offer at the restaurant:

1. The “Khao Niew Ma Muang” or mango with sticky rice infused with slightly sweetened coconut cream. This dessert is a big hit among Thais not only during the hot season, but year-round!

Mango with sticky rice infused with coconut cream, or 'khao niew ma muang.'

2. The “Khao Niew Sangkaya” or sweet coconut/egg custards atop sticky rice infused with coconut cream. These savory desserts are among Thailand’s perennial favorites.

Thai-style sweet egg/coconut cream custards over sticky rice infused with coconut milk cream, or 'khao niew sangkaya.'

3. Favorite Thai pancake duo: The “Khanom Krok”, or sweet round moist pancakes made of slightly sweetened coconut milk, coconut cream, and flour, often garnished in the interior with chopped onion greens, corn, or taro tidbits. Another perennial Thai favorite is the “Khanom Buang” or crispy folded pancakes with sweet fillings such as sweetened egg threads and coconut meat.

Thai favorite pancake duos: the 'khanom krok', or moist pancakes made of slightly sweetened coconut cream (left), and the 'khanom buang' , or crispy folded pancakes with sweet fillings (right).

To avoid Bangkok’s heavy traffic, one can reach the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant via the BTS Skytrain. Disembark at the Saphan Taksin station, which is right adjacent to the Sapan Taksin river pier, from where you can ride the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’s free river shuttle system to the restaurant, which is located on the Thonburi (opposite) side of the Chao Phraya River.

River shuttle by the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. You can take this free river shuttle from the Saphan Taksin pier to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's 'Sala Rim Nam' Restaurant, which is located on the opposite side of the river.

During the free river ride to the restaurant, you will be able enjoy great views along the Chao Phraya River, definitely an added treat! Here’s a view of the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant (Thai-style building with green roofing) seem from afar during my river shuttle ride: