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Benjarong

Jeeves De Veyra

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769165930863Chef Ja with Menu 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Thai chef de cuisine Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom with the menu. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Benjarong, Dusit Thani Manila’s Michelin-select Thai restaurant, offers diners a taste of its <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/23/bangkok-meets-manila-michelin-starred-potong-teams-up-with-benjarong-for-exclusive-dinner-1750">2025 “Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers” dinners</a> through the latest edition of its Benjarong Experience.Seats to that rare collaboration between 2025 Best Female Chef in the World Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij of Michelin-starred Thai-Chinese restaurant Potong, and Benjarong’s own Thai chef de cuisine Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom sold out as soon as the dinner was announced. Guests were treated to the subtler side of Thai cuisine where balance and flavor was the focus rather than the region&#x27;s signature heat.The fifth edition of Benjarong Experience is a chance for those who weren’t able to score seats to get a taste from those tables. Chef Ja unleashes stronger flavors with the right amount of heat. It is respectful of Chef Ja to avoid using Chef Pam’s dishes as is; instead, she keeps the core ingredient of the Potong dishes and makes that the star of her Northern Thailand dish.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916595842301 - MIENG KHAM 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Mieng Kham. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Mieng Kham - This donut-like dish should be familiar to those who’ve tried the previous editions of the Benjarong Experience. This one is topped with two traditional spicy appetizers: a savory, sweet, spicy shrimp skewered in lemongrass with shallots, ginger, coconut, cha plu and cashew nuts; and a wonton cup with a mix best wrapped in betel leaf for a refreshing slightly fermented sour bite.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916598049202 - YUM PLA TUNA.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Yum Pla Tuna. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Yum Pla Tuna – Think tuna sashimi rolled in cucumber in what looks like sweet chili sauce, only this one is sour and refreshing with just a tad of spice.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916609957302 - TOM KHA HOI SHELL 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Tom Kha Hoi Shell. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Tom Kha Hoi Shell – Chef Pam’s Hokkaido scallop dish was my favorite in that collab dinner because of the unusual pairing with red curry sauce. This one is just as unusual with a creamy ginger coconut Tom Kha soup.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916611181504 - KHAO SOI PU 4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Kao Soy Pu. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Khao Soy Pu – If anything, this khao soy shows that Chef Ja does pay attention to feedback. The first version was so mild that it almost disappeared when mixed up with the rest of the ingredients. As is, the soup is strong and spicy. But when mixed in with the fresh coconut meat with the crab leg, it’s a much better balanced bite.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916614647405 - HUANG LAY NUEA.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Hung Lay Nuea. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Hung Lay Nuea - This wasn’t just any steak course. It’s already tender as this is A5 Wagyu, but cooked with a side of northern curry gravy. It’s a really classy beef curry made even better with pops of acidity from the green peppercorns.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916615623406 - MA NAO.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Ma Nao. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Ma Nao - The first of the desserts, this is unchanged from the one Chef Ja whipped up last year. A lovely tuile on top that conceals the lime sorbet egg with a shell of white chocolate on nest made of shredded sugar coated sweet potato<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916617031307 - - Ma Muang Ma Prao aim 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Ma Muang Ma Prao Aon. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Ma Muang Ma Prao Aon –  This could be called puffy mango rice. Instead of sticky rice in the traditional thai dessert, this has a bed of almond puffed rice topped with coconut, mango compote and sesame needs.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176916618847408 - - PETIT FOUR 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Petit Fours. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Petit Fours - Last but not least, Benjarong finishes off the dinner with sweet and savory bites. The glossy dessert for Thai royalty, Luk Chup (mung bean with coconut milk and jelly), is accompanied by The Khao Tang Na Tang (crispy rice crackers with caramelize palm sugar) , Guay Bua Chee (banana in coconut pudding), and Khanom Tua Peab (glutinous rice flour with mung bean, coconut and brown sugar).Moving forward, the Dusit Thani Manila revealed plans to make “Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers” a regular event with them flying in chefs from the best of Thailand’s restaurants to cook with Chef Ja at Benjarong’s kitchen. For now, the fifth edition of the Benjarong Experience will be part of the restaurant&#x27;s offerings until Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers later this year. <div>The fifth edition of the Benjarong Experience Menu is available as a 5-course menu at P3,500++ per person or an 8-course menu at P5,500++ per person. Optional wine pairings can be curated at an additional cost. Reservations are required at least one day in advance.</div>

After a sold-out collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, Benjarong at Dusit Thani Manila brings the flavors of that celebrated dinner back to the table with the fifth edition of its Benjarong Experience.

After a sold-out collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, Benjarong at Dusit Thani Manila brings the flavors of that celebrated dinner back to the table with the fifth edition of its Benjarong Experience.

Makati eats: After sold-out Michelin collab, Benjarong serves the encore

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Makati eats: After sold-out Michelin collab, Benjarong serves the encore

Jeeves De Veyra

Published January 24, 2026 11:00 AM PHT

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Benjarong

Thai food

Dusit Thani Manila

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