We imagine it would be hard to compete with the flavors and authenticity of the street food in Thailand—so when a Thai restaurant in a shopping complex is pronounced by Fortune Magazine as having “the hottest seats in Bangkok,” you’d think it must offer something special.
The name Greyhound first made a mark in Bangkok in 1980, first as a fashion line known for its “Basic with a twist” philosophy. Eighteen years later, it made its way into the food business, opening the first Greyhound Café at the Emporium Shopping Complex in Bangkok. It was an instant hit, thanks to its creative director Bhanu Inikawat and his Corporate Executive Chef Torsit Sarisdiwong-See who took an innovative approach to building the Greyhound menu. Two decades later, the restaurant has 17 branches in Thailand and 18 outlets in other countries, among them Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and now the Philippines.
Brought in by the Viva Group, which has Paper Moon, Botejyu, and Pepi Cubano under its umbrella, Greyhound Café offers a taste of “modern contradictions” served with a healthy sprinkling of chili fish sauce here and there. Its recipes come from far and wide. Some are handed down from grandmothers; some are inspired by Bangkok street food and travel memories.
While Thai at heart, the food is anything but traditional—it’s traditional meets international, East meets West, street meets couture. It’s all a little bit chaotic but the fusions work—why else would the franchise last this long and grow so big? Try the salmon carpaccio with herbed Thai sauce, the muay thai grilled chicken and their light tom yum soup.
Now only open in the Philippines at the ground level or SM Aura Premier, Greyhound Café is expected to also be at Podium Mall and SM Mall of Asia within the year.