Somboon Seafood (Bang Rak)

The story

Somboon Seafood (Bang Rak), Bangkok – Original Fried Curry Crab Since 1969

The Original Fried Curry Crab

Somboon Seafood has been a fixture on Bangkok’s dining scene since 1969, when it first opened in a shophouse near Chulalongkorn University. The dish that put it on the map — and keeps it there — is the Fried Curry Crab: fresh whole crab fried in a fragrant curry sauce with scallions and cayenne pepper. It is the restaurant’s defining creation, and the reason many visitors make the trip to its Surawong branch in Bang Rak.

The recipe was developed by founders Khun Pichai and Khun Chitra, who insisted on the finest crabs from Thai waters and a curry powder blend exclusive to the restaurant. Over the decades, this dish has become synonymous with Thai seafood cuisine, earning a mention in CNN’s “World’s Greatest City” feature as the “Best crab curry in Asia.”

A Michelin-Recognized Classic

Somboon Seafood has been listed in the Michelin Guide Bangkok every year since 2018, and continues to hold a recommendation in the 2026 edition. The guide highlights not only the Fried Curry Crab but also the Roasted Fresh Water Prawns with Glass Noodles — fresh prawns and glass noodles seasoned and roasted in a hot pot, a dish that has been recognized since the restaurant’s first Michelin mention.

The Surawong branch, opened in 1990, helped introduce the restaurant to international travelers. It remains one of the most popular of the eight exclusively Bangkok-based locations, each serving the same time-honored recipes.

A Menu Built on Freshness

Beyond the signature curry crab, the menu covers a wide range of Thai Chinese seafood dishes. The Fried Crab with Black Pepper offers a bold, peppery alternative, while the Tom Yum Goong — awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as an unmissable Bangkok dish — delivers the classic hot and sour profile. For those who prefer something lighter, the Deep-fried Seabass with sweet fish sauce is crisp outside and tender within.

Every dish reflects the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients and the original flavors that have been passed down through generations. The atmosphere is straightforward and welcoming, with a focus on the food itself. For over half a century, Somboon Seafood has remained a destination for great taste — and the Surawong branch is where that legacy continues.