Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet Review

Chocolate and cocoa are Bangkok's new craze. Chocolate bars and Chocolate shops are popping out like the Chinese population and believe me, they know what they are doing. First, we were amazed at Kad Kokoa, a chocolate bar where 'beans to bar' comes true, and now this... True chocolate heaven in the middle of Bangkok, a legendary Sukhothai chocolate buffet.

The meaning of the Sukhothai is the dawn of happiness.

Honestly, it deserves all the praise it gets and is worthy of a place on your bucket list. You should trust us when we say that you want to meet the chocolate master, who is better known as Chef Laurent Ganguillet. Read on this Sukhothai chocolate buffet review to see why Ian and I say so.

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Chef Laurent Ganguillet is a star of the Sukhothai chocolate buffet.

The Ambiance at the Sukhothai Bangkok and the Lobby Salon

At the Sukhothai Hotel, you will notice a modern elegance full of clean lines that shine the light on the ancient Sukhothai city. Everywhere we went, we noticed the Sukhothai inspired additions, which are an item of admiration on their own. It’s easy to look around and find yourself staring at the stone masterpiece while fetching a bite. Anyway, walking around is encouraged by the divided buffet setting.

We can say that the Sukhothai hotel is a fortress of tranquillity.

Acoustics in the lobby allows the tunes to travel far.

On one side are all the savory dishes with fresh fruit, while across the spacious hallway are all the sweets. If you choose to sit where the savories are, you’ll get a more zen-like feeling while the buzz is more present in the sweet section. The Sukhothai chocolate buffet is designed with an open space in mind and includes multiple entrances, which deal with the crowd.

On the left side of this hallway are all the savory dishes with fresh fruit, while on the right is where all the sweets are.

Clean lines combine modern and ancient.

Savories at the Sukhothai Bangkok Chocolate Buffet

Before dipping fingers into the chocolate sweets, you should take time to enjoy some savories. On the enormous table, you’ll find an array of local, Japanese, and Western classics. Some of them are light with fruit additions, while others will ease your hunger in no time. The selection of dishes is sufficient enough to prepare your belly for the desserts and chocolate treats. Then again, it’s about the quality of the dishes, and here I must admit some were more to my taste than others.

Vivi couldn't stop eating this Mangosteen salad.

Our Favourites

We suggest you start your Sukhothai chocolate buffet with something light like minced kingfish, seasoned with fresh Thai herbs or puff pastry filled with crab meat and avocado. You also shouldn’t miss on the duck rillette on top of brioche toast, either. That is especially true if you like the creamy and warm flavors of duck combined with slight sweetness coming from the semi-dried figs.

Smoked duck wrap and duck rillette.

Maybe you’ll find yourself going back for seconds like I did when I discovered the juicy mangosteen salad with dried shrimps and spicy Thai herb dressing. This colorful dish sums up the Thai sweet–sour–spicy–salty flavors in one bite.

Not exactly Okura Prestige but still high quality.

Sandwiches at Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet

Abundant fillings in sandwiches kept the moisture locked even if the bread got a little dry after a while. My favorite was the whole wheat toast with Brie Cheese topped with apricot compote. Although the egg sandwich hooked me on the finely chopped egg, including gentle seasonings while a pickle kept things interesting. Both were spot on, next to the skewer salad.

A chocolate buffet could be also called a chocolate afternoon tea buffet.

In addition to the already mentioned sandwiches, there were also two other toasties at the Sukhothai chocolate buffet. First was the marinated salmon sandwich with cream cheese in the middle of the rye bread. While the other was smoked duck roll with fennel and orange for some extra moisture and crunch.

Sukhothai inspired additions are present all around the Sukhothai hotel.

Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet Will Keep the Hunger at the Bay

If you find yourself missing something stronger and not in the spirit of an afternoon tea, then look no further. Young baked potatoes with cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits are a tasty side dish. Not far from them was a platter of BBQ chicken with cherry tomatoes and caramelized pineapple as well.

baked young potato and chicken drumsticks

Baked young potatoes go well with BBQ chicken.

The Highlight of Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet: Chocolate Trolley

There is no point in denying that a real star of the Sukhothai chocolate buffet is a person with many talents. Mr. Laurent Ganguillet is an Executive Pastry Chef at Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel with a burning passion for chocolate. Ok, not just chocolate! All of his desserts were perfect in every way but more about them later. Now it’s 100% chocolate trolley time!

The eye-catching trolley is a mobile working station that holds a number of different chocolate samples.

The eye-catching trolley is a mobile working station that holds a number of different chocolate samples. It’s no secret that different world regions produce different cocoa. You know different soil different characteristics, different procedures different result. That is why we love that Chef Laurent is expanding his chocolate collection by its origins.

We love that Chef Laurent is expanding his chocolate collection by its origins.

With this in mind, no wonder all the guests of the Sukhothai chocolate buffet were buzzing in front of the trolley from delight. As we’ve witnessed and tasted, Chef’s Laurent creations make everybody happy. Just a hint, you will find also Thai cocoa which is getting its place lately. A huge part of this matter goes to Kad Kokoa, who is trying to present the best what Thai Chocolat can offer.

Different soil different characteristics, different procedures different result.

Chocolate Only For you

At the chocolate trolley, you get to share your chocolate preferences with the Executive Pastry Chef Laurent Ganguillet. It’s a joy to talk to him and taste chocolate chips while deciding whether hot chocolate feels better than iced. Maybe you want a chocolate fondu? Do you long for some fruity flavorings? If not, then check the nutty ones if bare chocolate is beneath you. Oh, this is your third cup? Then I’m sorry I misjudged you.

Cacao pods deserve to be in the center of the chocolate-inspired event.

Ok, maybe I got carried away a little. But joking aside, be ready to taste the chocolate mix of your life at Sukhothai chocolate buffet!

Kad Kokoa Chocolate Bar

Author's Lounge High Tea

Cafe Botanica Bangkok High Tea

Erawan High Tea

Sweets at the Sukhothai Bangkok Chocolate Buffet

The Sukhothai chocolate buffet comes with the chocolate mix made uniquely to your taste by the chocolate master himself, but it features some of the unique treats as well. I have mentioned unforgettable ones below, but that doesn’t mean others weren’t delicious. Of course, they were! It included so much more than a few different chocolate truffles, pralines, cakes... I liked how Chef encouraged guests to find our inner child with a few playful elements, like “digging” for the chocolate or cutting marshmallow with golden scissors. Is this new Willy Wonka?

Who wouldn't want to cut a piece of marshmallow when the scissors are that beautiful?

Chocolate belongs in every single part of the Concorde cake.

One and Only Churros

Churros, for example, were absolutely flawless with an insanely tender middle and crisp crust. Also, the taste felt so good that I skipped a few dips into the chocolate fondue and savored it on its own. Later, Chef shared with us that he got the recipe from his friend’s grandmother, which makes them even more special.

Churros and sticky toffee pudding are popular choices but apple chocolate scones are worthy of your attention as well.

Signature chocolate truffles are another must-try!

Exceptional Ice Cream

Ice creams are another treat that is impossible to find anywhere else. Both of us loved all the flavors Chef Laurent made from scratch. The perfect balance between the chocolate and wasabi won Ian over, immediately. The spiciness was just right to warm up the bitterness of the premium dark chocolate. Yes, wasabi kept its sharpness, but it was transformed into the mouthwatering delight that he couldn’t resist.

Chef Laurent's ice creams are another treat that is impossible to find anywhere else.

Nuts are always a nice addition.

I went for more refreshing flavors after my fulfilling chocolate craze. As it turned out, light tamarind and passion fruit were on point for watering down my increasingly heavy belly. Both were more of a sorbet variety with remarkably full taste.

Brownies with cocoa butter ganache.

Rumor has it that a tasty treasure is buried here.

As for the peanut butter ice cream, I can only say it tasted way better than sole peanuts. Does that make any sense? Obviously, the bull’s eye was about the peanuts, but it also delivered the heartwarming creaminess with impeccable sweetness.

If you need a break from the chocolate you can pick a fresh berry tart anytime.

Chocobana skewers

Decadent Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce

It doesn’t matter how full you are, you’ll find some room for the sticky toffee pudding. It’s enriched with dates that make it seductively sweet and creamy. Add to that the rich toffee sauce with a splash of vanilla sauce and whipped cream, and you landed in heaven once more.

No chocolate lover will be unsatisfied after this "Passionate bite"

Sharing is caring.

Drinks at the Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet

On the everyday drinks menu at the Lobby Salon, you can choose between coffee, tea, and light cocktails. We advise you to try some Iced Thai tea or organic Saro Royal Lotus tea, which is made of lotus flowers, herbs, and tea leaves. Some of the teas are caffeine-free, but you’ll also find the boosters as well.

Of course, this hot chocolate formed a heart and now it is stuck in my heart.

This iced chocolate was to die for.

However, you probably came here for the real stuff - chocolate and we encourage it. Just say your preferences to the Chef and he will make you your perfect cold chocolate, which you won't forget easily.

Sukhothai tea smelled of sweet flower nectar that was detectable in the pleasing sweetness and honeyed aftertaste.

Paper straw made us very happy!

Final Thought

The meaning of the Sukhothai is literally “the dawn of happiness,” which Wild and Free Diary can only confirm after visiting the Sukhothai chocolate buffet. Nothing fits a description of happiness more than the full belly of delicious food with a cup of chocolate made especially for you.

Churros tasted so good that I skipped a few dips so I savored it on its own, no point of denying the same thing happened to the chocolate.

Add to that the peaceful surroundings, and you’ll see what is happening at the Sukhothai Bangkok every weekend. To us, the Sukhothai Bangkok is something like a “fortress of tranquillity” and Willy Wonka's threat at the same time. In conclusion, the Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet is a must check in Bangkok. If you are a passionate chocolate lover, then you should check our "The Best Chocolate Bar in Bangkok" list.

We know that you don’t consider the chocolate buffet when planning a trip to Thailand, but you should reconsider that.

Outside the Sukhothai hotel, you'll find a sea of lotus flowers.