Bram Ruay Pochana — Review by Luke Martin
Bangkok, Thailand — Thai
Luke Martin visits Bram Ruay Pochana in Bangkok to experience their famous duck guitar, a unique dish that differs from traditional Peking duck by keeping the meat attached to the skin. The duck is prepared through an intricate butchering process, blanched, coated in a secret red sauce, dried, and then deep-fried. The reviewer was extremely impressed with the crispy duck skin, calling it the best they've ever had.
What was great: The duck guitar dish with meat still attached to the skin, the crispy duck skin which the reviewer called the best they've ever had, the intricate butchering technique, the secret red sauce coating, and the deep-fried preparation
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The main focus of this review is the duck guitar, Bram Ruay Pochana's signature dish that sets itself apart from traditional Peking duck in a fundamental way. While Peking duck involves removing all meat from the skin to serve just the crispy exterior, the duck guitar maintains the meat attached to the skin throughout the cooking process. The restaurant prepares this dish through a meticulous procedure involving an air compressor to separate the skin from the meat before butchering, allowing the chef to carefully remove the legs and wings while keeping the skin intact. The ducks are quickly blanched to tighten the skin, then coated entirely in a secret red sauce before being hung to dry. When cooking, the duck guitar is deep-fried at a higher temperature and fully submerged in oil, unlike the Peking-style preparation which uses lower heat and partial submersion. The dish is served with wraps, hoisin sauce, and fresh green onion scallions for assembling bites. The reviewer particularly praised the duck skin, calling it the best they have ever tasted.
The Experience
The experience at Bram Ruay Pochana centers around witnessing the skilled preparation and butchering of the duck. The kitchen work is presented as an art form, with the reviewer noting how difficult and intricate the butchering process is, requiring careful precision to remove the right amount of meat without puncturing the delicate skin. The interactive nature of watching the ducks being prepared and then enjoying the final product immediately after cooking creates an engaging dining experience.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the transcript.
Notable Moments
This is by far the best duck skin I've ever had.
The reason you don't see this dish anywhere else is because of how difficult this butchering process is.
The Verdict
Bram Ruay Pochana offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience with their duck guitar, a dish that showcases exceptional skill and technique. The restaurant is best for diners seeking authentic Thai cuisine and willing to appreciate the artistry and complexity behind traditional duck preparation. This is a must-visit destination for duck enthusiasts and those curious about unique culinary techniques in Bangkok.