Tucked away in Hoi An’s lantern-lit quarter, Hidden Thaiger has emerged as a benchmark for refined Thai dining in Vietnam. Winner of Best Thai Restaurant at the Gourmet Vietnam Awards 2025, the restaurant channels authenticity, balance, and restraint through a collaboration rooted in memory, technique, and cultural respect.
In a town celebrated for nostalgia and romance, Hidden Thaiger takes a more discreet path. The entrance is understated, almost secretive, inviting diners into a space where the noise of the street fades and attention shifts entirely to the table. Warm timber, subdued lighting, and tactile textures create an atmosphere that feels intimate rather than performative designed for unhurried meals and thoughtful conversation.
At the heart of Hidden Thaiger is a partnership shaped by lived experience. Maew, a Bangkok native whose cooking is guided by instinct and memory, works alongside Alessio Rasom, whose professional discipline and international training bring precision to the kitchen. Alessio’s deep appreciation for Thai cuisine was honed under Chef William Ledeuil at Ze Kitchen Galerie in Paris, where the complexity of Southeast Asian flavours is treated with French clarity. At Hidden Thaiger, that philosophy translates into food that is expressive yet composed.
The menu reads like a journey across Thailand, interpreted through a contemporary lens. Bright, herbaceous salads arrive layered with citrus, chilli heat, and aromatic freshness, while soups balance sharpness and depth with remarkable control. Curries are a highlight slow-cooked, fragrant, and unapologetically bold, yet never overwhelming.
Each dish is built on contrast: sweet against sour, richness offset by herbs, heat tempered by texture. Even familiar classics feel newly articulated, shaped by careful sourcing and restraint.
What distinguishes Hidden Thaiger is not reinvention, but respect. Authenticity here is not theatrical; it is felt in the rhythm of the meal, the confidence of the seasoning, and the way each plate arrives with quiet assurance. The wine and beverage selections are curated to complement rather than dominate, allowing Thai flavours to remain the focal point.
Awarded Best Thai Restaurant at the Gourmet Vietnam Awards 2025, Hidden Thaiger stands as a testament to collaboration, cultural fidelity, and the enduring power of well-balanced cuisine—proof that sometimes, the most memorable dining experiences are the ones that speak softly, yet leave a lasting impression.