While many dinner cruises and party boats bring the Chao Phraya River to life in the evenings, at docked dinner cruise ship Sirimahannop, a sophisticated dining experience is the main focus.
Sirimahannop pays homage to its locality: Asiatique The Riverfront, between Charoen Krung 74 and 74, which occupies a former dock of the Europe-Asia trade route ran by the East Asiatic Company. So it makes sense that Asiatique serves as a dock to board a sailing ship named Sirimahannop, an impressive replica of the East Asiatic Company's barque that once transported goods to Europe during King Rama V's reign.
Sirimahannop offers dining experiences on the upper and lower decks. My table was set on the starboard side, facing the river and pier. The view was nothing but fun, thanks to the dinner cruises picking up passengers while showcasing their grand arrival with jaw-dropping shows and performances. The bow offers sofa seating with quieter surroundings, while the stern also boasts private sofa booths on the poop deck with a stunning view. I was lucky enough to catch a shimmering riverscape and sunset when all the sails were folded, which is once in a blue moon since they roll up only a few months a year.
If you‘re a group, book a private dining room inside the captain's bridge for an immersive dining experience with a short video story projected onto your table. Insider’s tip: the wheelhouse has a hatch that leads to a hidden rum bar, much like a pirate, with an interior filled with ornate decorations that emphasises the nautical effect.
Descend to the lower deck and you'll find a well-appointed indoor dining area that also acts as a living museum and a ballroom. Countless photographs capturing the milestones of the former port and Thai trading histories adorn the walls, with a QR code on each that tells its history. Details, such as flooring, showcase a curvy silhouette of the Chao Phraya River and Thai-inspired engravings on the pillars, connect you to the roots of the riverfront neighbourhood.
Sirimahannop takes you on an epicurean adventure, offering a shareable menu inspired by the ship’s global trade routes, with latitude and longitude coordinates indicating where the dishes get their inspiration from. I began with Norwegian tea-smoked duck breast (B290), a hearty salad bowl that burst with earthy flavours from salt-baked beetroot slices and roasted hazelnuts. Stuffed tomato and pink shrimp cocktail (B290) gave me mouthfuls of refreshing chunks of tomato and creamy shrimp cocktail.
My favourite unconventional pairing was the Sirimahannop fish & chips (B490). Instead of regular fries, the crispy halibut fillets come with shredded papaya fries alongside a rémoulade and Bengal curry sauce for dipping. The Baked pork chop (B480) is marinated in nam prik phao (chilli jam) before being baked and served with a Danish potato salad.
The succulent braised beef in the Beef cheek green curry (B450) melted in my mouth. Although the curry is quite spicy, the accompanying griddled roti and steamed rice helped turn down the heat. For Asian flavours, try the Spicy seafood with Korean noodles (B430), a Thai-style spicy salad packed with seafood, including daily-caught squid and shrimp. The Korean glass noodles offer an extra chewy texture than the regular glass noodles.
Drinkers can add Sirimahannop to their list of casual hangout spots. Sip a handcrafted cocktails in a laid-back setting by the riverfront, though do ask for the signature cocktail menu, which comes in a small wooden treasure box. The signature cocktails are named after local fruits, which are engraved on wood plates and placed upside down inside the box. The menu is read through the reflection in a mirror on the lid. The wood plates are made from the fruit trees they depict, while emphasising that wood was one of the dominant export commodities in the past.
Sirimahannop is open daily from 4pm to midnight. Call 02-059-5999.
