This insect restaurant in Thailand is taking fine-dining to next level

Would you fancy some fresh pasta prepared with cricket flour and sprinkled with deep fried ant eggs? Well that’s what your waiter would ask if you ever visit the ‘Insects in the Backyard’ restaurant in Thailand!
So what’s new in an insect restaurant? There are several restaurants in the world serving a wide-range of dishes prepared using insects. But the Executive Chef Mai Thitiwat of Insects in the Backyard, believes what he makes and serves in the plate is completely eco-friendly and that’s what makes his food different from others. Mai Thitiwat, who is passionate about food, was also a runner-up of Thailand Chef Talent competition in 2012.

The chef’s take on the insect restaurant

Insects have long been a staple diet of countryside people in Bangkok. He says if you see a water beetle alive, you would probably not want to eat it, but the way he serves them, they look absolutely appetising and approachable. Insects that are being used here to prepare dishes are mostly sourced from family-run farms around Thailand. They are actually reared in an eco-friendly environment, free from any harmful chemicals.
According to the chef, insects are super food and people till date, have completely ignored the myriad health benefits of insects and it’s high time that they accept the reality. They are low in fat, rich in protein and have 13 essential amino acids. For example, crickets have 20 percent more calcium than milk, and protein found in them is higher than that of beef!

He says that in next 100 years, there won’t be enough protein left to feed everyone on the planet.

What’s in the menu?


The restaurant offers a perfectly balanced contemporary global cuisine taking inspiration from American, French, Italian and Mediterranean flavours mixed with regional spices to give them a homely taste.

In the menu, you’ll find dishes such as lobster grasshopper bisque risotto, grilled grouper with ant cavier beurre blanc sauce, crab and giant water beetle ravioli and crispy bamboo caterpillars, to name a few. For dessert, you can order some classic Italian tiramisu made with silkworm powder.


These fine dine delicacies might look fancy and beautiful but surely are not everybody’s cup of tea!