Helsinki, Finland

Boon Nam

The Nordics • Eat & drink • Boon Nam in Helsinki, Finland

What’s the restaurant in a nutshell?

The name Boon Nam, Thai for ‘one born with good fortune’, could very well be a nickname applied to the founder behind this popular Thai restaurant. Finnish restaurateur Tomi Björck has several of the country’s hottest restaurants and bakeries to his name. Located in Hotel St. George’s basement, this cosy and loud eatery serves up a vibrant and colourful feast for all senses, made from scratch on location by executive chef Serko Rantanen and head chef Kevin Manu.

What are the signature dishes?

Guests can order from an à la carte menu or opt for one of several set menus, which include great vegetarian options. Start with the turmeric satay chicken skewers with nahm jim sauce, pickled green mango and peanuts – they are fiery, sour, salty and sweet is the perfect balance of the four main pillars of Thai cuisine. Also try the tempeh served on cha plu leaves, with lemongrass, peanuts and green chilli.

Drinks, anyone?

Cocktails are the name of the game at Boon Nam. Try the elegant Lek Spritz, which is made of kombucha made by Finnish brewery Smål, pineapple cordial, lemon verbena and aromatized wine. Instead of dessert, go for one of the rich after-dinner cocktails – the decadent Boon Kopitin cocktail includes vodka, Thai coffee, coconut water and orange blossom, while the tropical 555 Daisy cocktail is a mix of Braastad VSOP cognac, Aperol, jackfruit, passionfruit and chamomile.

What’s the neighbourhood like?

The hip downtown Kamppi district was named after the Swedish word ‘kampen’ – the battle – and refers to the military training field in the area. The area showcased some of the oldest wooden buildings in the entire city. The eastern side of the district includes, among other sights, the Amos Rex Museum, Kamppi Mall, the Tennispalatsi building, the Narinkkatori Market and the Tavastia Club. The western side, on the other hand, has the Alexander Theatre and the Hietalahti Square, known for its flea market and for its market hall, which nowadays houses many small restaurants.