Tucked in among nightclubs and bars in the wide alley between Revaler Straße and the tracks of Warschauer, smoke emits from a wood covered hutch on the open patio of Khwan – a gem of a place serving up delicious Northern-Thai inspired dishes. From the first bite — mine was their take on miang kham bursting with the vibrance of coconut, peanut, lime, and chili — to the last — a handheld scoop of sticky rice with fall off the bone honey-glazed lamb shank — our meal at Khwan was incredibly satisfying. With praises being sung from every corner of Berlin’s food scene, my expectations going in were high, and boy were they met. While the service can be a bit slow and apathetic, each dish ended in a passive-aggressive fight between our party for the last bite — a testament to the savory, umami goodness found on each plate. Fermented pork ribs finished over hot coals, whole mackerel charred and fragrant of lemongrass, smoked chicken tangy with tamarind — Khwan is like heaven to any omnivore, and a restaurant that’s well worth your trip through the dusty, glass ridden alley behind Revaler Straße. (Text: Devan Grimsrud / Photos (clockwise from top): Khwan, Freddy Street Photography)

Khwan, Revaler Str.99, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain; map
Thu–Sat 18-22.30h, Sun 11.30-16.30h