There’s no doubt Indian food in Bangkok is growing in popularity among Thais. It is easier than ever for lovers of sub-continental delights to get their fix in high-end food courts like Central Chidlom's Loft or trendy contemporary Indian restaurants like Red.

But where do Indians go for their traditional cuisine?

As part of Mumbai Week here on CNNGo, we put together a list of some of the more popular Indian restaurants in Bangkok frequented by Indians -- both expat and Thai. 

Indus is a large Indian restaurant and bar in a California-style bungalow.

High end Indian restaurants

Most Indian restaurants within the city center are pricey, but of an incredibly high quality. Take Rang Mahal. This classy restaurant on the top floor of the Rembrandt Hotel is an old hit and often frequented by Indian travelers who come to Bangkok from around the globe. The sophisticated interiors and a classical live band all add up to a very grand experience.

Rang Mahal's menu is typical Northern Indian cuisine. You’ll find everything from meats off the Indian tandoor to curries like lamb rogan josh and traditional desserts like gulab jamun.

Another high-end eatery only a few sois down is Indus Bar and Restaurant. This happening joint has both an indoor and outdoor section and serves Moghulite dishes that are both light and healthy.

“I enjoy going to Indus because I never come out feeling like I have just eaten for 10 people!” says Bangkok bred Indian Reena Butani. “The food there is light and caters to the Thai palate really well. They have a great selection of tandoori items; a must try is the chicken kalami kebab and the fish tikka -- it’s marinated perfectly and simply melts in your mouth.”

Mrigaa Sethi, a foodie by nature and a food writer by profession moved to Bangkok from her hometown New Delhi in 1993.

“Because we always eat Indian food at home, the standards for Indian restaurants are a bit different,” she says. “We go out for specialty stuff, like tandoori kebabs and rotis [Indian breads]. I really like Indus's attention to quality meats.”

Mrs Balbir's has been operating in Bangkok for over 35 years, though the owner recently moved to a bigger location.

A celebrity Indian chef and the new kid

Some restaurants serve up similar cuisines in a classy ambience without leaving your pockets too much lighter, like the evergreen Mrs Balbir’s, owned, operated and run by the TV personality/cooking teacher/master chef herself.

“Northern Indian food will always do better here in Bangkok,” she says. “Bangkok has a very small population of South Indians, unlike our neighbors Singapore and Malaysia.”

Mrs Balbir’s restaurant has been a Sukhumvit staple for decades but every so often you’ll come across a special item that’s not on the menu, a result of her experiments in the kitchen.

“Local Thai-Indians don’t like to eat Indian food outside their house because they get it at home. But expats are thrilled! You see, Indians are very attached to their cuisine. We can’t help it; our palates are so accustomed to the spices. You’ll notice that when Indians travel abroad, they will have to scout out an Indian restaurant without fail,” she says.

Indian Host, a newer kid on the block, has gone out of its way to incorporate a few out-of-the-norm dishes into their menu. Thai-Indians thrive on the local Mumbai and Delhi roadside snacks and savories, commonly referred to as Chaat.

Owner Ravi Bhatia, a food-loving Delhite, has made it a point to bring these items straight from his hometown and into his menu. So when you pay a visit, make sure you ask for their “chaat list” where you’ll find authentic specialties like pani puri, paadi chaat and aloo tikki chaat.

Mr Rapal has been selling samosas in Bangkok for over 30 years.

Cheap Indian eats

For something scrumptious yet super cheap, venture out of the city’s comfort zone into Bangkok’s very own little India, also known as Pahurat, where you’ll find both canteen-style restaurants as well as street-side stalls.

This includes Mr Rapal, the infamous samosa guy, just at the corner of the Indian Emporium shopping mall. Rajpal and his family have been selling samosas served alongside their secret-recipe chutney, at that very same corner for over 30 years. Today, he even caters.

“Thailand is one of the only countries in the world where other cuisines are mimicked to the tee, Indian being one of the best in terms of taste, authenticity and variety,” says local Thai Indian Neha Gulati. “Cheap Indian eats in Bangkok, specifically in the Pahurat area, out-do the cheap eats in India in regards to taste, quality and not to mention, cleanliness! We’re lucky to have it all!”

the restaurants

Red
124 Sukhumvit Soi 53 (Thonglor Soi 9), BTS: Thonglor
+66 (0)2 259 7590

Rang Mahal

Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 18, BTS: Asok
tel +66 (0)2 261 7100
www.rembrandtbkk.com

Indus
71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, BTS: Phromphong
tel +66 (0)2 258-4900

Mrs. Balbir's

155/1-2 Sukhumvit Soi 11/1 , BTS: Nana
+66 (0)2 651 0498

Indian Host
30 Sukhumvit Soi 22, BTS: Asok or Phromphong
tel +66 (0)2 260 1115