Bangkok, Thailand, January 2, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / The LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar will serve one of the most innovative dishes in contemporary gastronomy, created by a leading figure in sustainable seafood who is committed to alternative food sources to reduce dependence on conventional seafood and avoid harming fragile ecosystems.

“Plankton Rice”, a creation of the world-famous Spanish chef Ángel León, known as “El Chef del Mar” (The Chef of the Sea), will be offered exclusively at LUZ, which crowns the 33rd and 34th floors of the INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit, for a limited period of one month, from December 30, 2025 to January 31, 2026.

Chef León's pioneering work at his restaurant Aponiente in Cádiz, Spain, has been recognized with three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star for his commitment to sustainability by discovering new seafood ingredients, cultivating sea plants, and using previously neglected seafood.

He has gained recognition for translating marine research into haute cuisine, particularly through his innovative use of pure marine phytoplankton, an extremely nutritious and sustainable ingredient rich in protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as through the development of the cultivation of “sea rice” from seagrass in ocean waters.

In a bold reinterpretation of the possibilities of marine ingredients, Chef León presents a rice dish enhanced with pure marine phytoplankton, the microscopic algae that form the base of the ocean's food chain. This gives the dish a vibrant emerald-green color and an aroma reminiscent of the open sea. After years of research, he was the first chef in the world to receive approval to use 100% natural, food-grade phytoplankton in his cooking.

The plankton rice dish, prepared according to the techniques of chef León and made from the same top-quality phytoplankton as in Aponiente, is offered daily in limited quantities at LUZ, which is known for its authentic Spanish tapas and stunning views of the Bangkok skyline.

“Chef León’s culinary work is incredibly inspiring, and we are honored to offer our guests here in Bangkok a phenomenal glimpse into a future where part of our food supply could shift from land to sea,” said Tarek Beheiry, General Manager of INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit. “Plankton Rice demonstrates how innovation and creativity merge with gastronomy and sustainability to reveal new possibilities for global food security.”

The 208-room urban lifestyle hotel LUZ, named one of the four best hotels in Thailand's capital by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025, will offer plankton rice on the evening of December 29th following the culinary journey "Stars of the Sea: A World-Class Journey." The event will be hosted by Chef León and Juan Ignacio García Racionero, also known as "Chef Nacho," the LUZ's head chef. Organized by Melia Hotels International, the culinary journey will showcase Chef León's maritime philosophy and Chef Nacho's "Spanish tapas with soul." The event is open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required.

Chef León's groundbreaking research also focuses on extracting small, edible seeds from seagrass, a lush marine plant that grows naturally in coastal waters. These seeds behave similarly to rice or quinoa but are cultivated entirely underwater. The "grains" absorb the flavor of the sea and, much like pure marine phytoplankton, offer potential as a new model for sustainable food production. Saltwater seagrass meadows require neither freshwater irrigation nor pesticides or arable land—resources heavily utilized in conventional rice and grain farming. Seagrass also sequesters large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

LUZ is open daily from 4:00 PM to midnight. For further information, please call +66 2 340 5499.

Plankton rice costs THB 890++ (USD 27.60++).

About Melia Hotels International

Melia Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and operates over 400 hotels in more than 40 countries, either already open or in the process of opening. Its portfolio comprises nine brands: Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, ME by Melia, The Melia Collection, Paradisus by Melia, Melia Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Melia, Sol by Melia, and Affiliated by Melia. The company is one of the world's leading leisure hotel chains and has successfully established itself in the growing market of leisure-oriented city hotels thanks to its long-standing experience in this sector. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led to Melia being recognized as the most sustainable European hotel company worldwide (honored as a "Sustainability Yearbook Member" by S&P Global in 2024) and as one of the "Top Employers 2024" in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, and Vietnam.

INNSiDE is a collection of unique city and beach hotels designed for curious people with a flexible lifestyle. Always true to their destination, they offer their guests the freedom to connect in an independent community of like-minded travelers or simply to unwind.

INNSiDE offers guests all the amenities of daily life and special touches to make their stay a unique experience. From the comfort of the rooms to the inspiring Big Idea Space and open-plan living lounges, right down to the fitness centers – we ensure our guests feel right at home.

Sustainability is reflected in even the smallest details: Every room is equipped with paper- and plastic-free packaging and complimentary organic toiletries. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each location with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by showcasing the work of local artists on hotel walls, merchandise, and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Melia hotels worldwide, and the brand is continuously expanding. All hotels are located in prime lifestyle districts in popular travel destinations. These include Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), the UK (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), the USA (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg), the Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milan), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam).