It’s been over 12-months since Beaumont St was graced with the divine foodie flavours of Bangkok Nights, so we dropped in to chat with owner Darase to hear all about the craziness that was last year and what this unique eatery has planned moving into the warmer months.

“By June and July last year, we were completely packed every night. It was such a surprise, and I was taken totally off guard; it was very crazy,” Darase said.

From the whirlwind that was 2021, the expansion of the food and drinks menu, the revamp of the inviting outdoor area, and live music scheduled for summer, you’ve got to listen on in…

With Darase Kraykaew still at the helm, Bangkok Nights is still as much of a Thai Food haven as it is a perfect spot to explore new flavours and catch up with friends and family.

In addition to the already overflowing number of dishes available, Darase and the Bangkok Nights team have just launched a dedicated snack menu that features ten different share-style dishes perfect for an afternoon out in the beer garden.

“The food will be finger food but with a Thai influence. Aussies love those simple nibbles and snacks, so we’ve done that with a Thai influence. Like the Chicken Popcorn but with Thai Spicy sauce.”

With ten distinctly different offerings, our favourites would have to be the Bangkok Night Sliders, Duck on Crack, and the Larb Popcorn.

Moving into their larger dish offerings, there’s a little special something on the menu that is for those looking to try something truly unique. Whilst it’s a trending offering in Thailand, it’s almost impossible to find here in Australia, let alone Newcastle, the Bangkok Nights Jim Jum – a Thai street hot pot dish.

“I wanted to introduce something that’s very popular and trendy in Thailand at the moment. It’s more of a hot pot, and you cook it at the table yourself. Basically, I give you raw seafood, beef, pork, and vegetables. You put these into the boiling chicken broth which is filled with Thai herbs, and you can cook to your liking.

“It’s fun to play around with, some people like to put both vegetables and meat in and wait until it’s boiling before eating it with some of the broth and spicy sauce. Or some people just like dipping in one piece at a time; use your imagination!”

Whilst it might look a little intimidating at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be wanting to book a table to come back time and time again.

“The Thai people will get so excited because they can’t find it anywhere else, but the Aussies are a little more reluctant and unsure of how to cook, but it’s nothing to be scared of and it can be a lot of fun.”

The incredibly expansive menu has a great selection of Thai street food dishes mixed with a great selection of western favourites. Our picks would have to be the Gang Keaw Neu Toon, a 6-hr slow-cooks beef brisket in green curry; the Moo Ping, a BBQ pork skewer served with steamed sticky rice; and the Khao Soi which has just been listed as one of the top 50 best street dishes in Asia!

“A staple in Northern Thailand, Khao Soi – curry noodle soup topped with deep-fried egg noodles – hits the spot. Vendors ladle gorgeously golden bowls of hearty, creamy, chilli-laced coconut broth over a bed of egg noodles with chicken legs or beef. On the side, you will often find mustard greens, freshly chopped shallots, lime wedges, and chilli paste.”  

In addition to their expansive food offering, Bangkok Nights has also recently curated a delicious cocktail list as well as their iconic Thai beer tower offering.

“We have twelve cocktails to choose from. For our beer towers, we use beers that are imported from Thailand, Singha Beer which is really good. We also have the Asahi Black which is really smooth with Thai food.”

Moving into the beer garden, you can see that this will be the place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the company of others this summer. With the large open space with cosy nooks for seating and overgrown greenery keeping the space cool; add some live music, food, and drink into the scene and it’s a top-notch experience.

“With Spring and Summer coming, the courtyard is going to be a great beer garden vibe. I miss the traditional Thai beer gardens where you can be outside, hang out with your friends, drink beer, eat snacks, and enjoy live music. I want to bring that feel and atmosphere to life here.”

Book your spot at Hamilton’s Bangkok Nights this summer and be sure to experience the many delightful offerings and experiences available at this truly one-of-a-kind foodie haven.