A new Thai restaurant right below Le Meridien on Bourke Street, a constant queue from the start of dinner time. So I joined in the queue.
Thong Thai is a new Thai restaurant nestled in vibrant Thai Town on Bourke Street’s west end, specialising in the art of sizzling Thai cuisine. Located a stone’s throw from Parliament, Thong Thai offers diners a broadly Central Thai selection of street food style dishes. Walk past the open kitchen into the dining room, and you’ll feel the energy of the kitchen, with fresh ingredients and house made sauces hitting the woks as tall flames and wonderful smells of wok hei eminate.
While much on the menu will remind those who have been to Bangkok of delicious meals enjoyed on the street in that city, there’s more to it than just that. There’s several delicious, sizzling things from other parts of Thailand.
Sizzling hotplate Pad Thai, a classic Thai dish that was expertly prepared with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savoury notes served on a hot, sizzling hotplate. Although it was a bit too tangy for my preference.
When I ordered the papaya salad, the waiter asked me how spicy I wanted. I said “normal” as a Thai would take it, he gave a wink and asked, “Are you sure?” I regretted immediately. It was the most spicy salad I ever had, and had to leave half the plate untouched.
And I had to wash it down with the Thai lemon tea, which was very thick, very sour and very sweet.
OK, it will not become my favourite Thai restaurant in Melbourne. I felt that they tried too hard to accentuate the funky Thai flavours that it became abusive. Not sure if I would return given that it was not something I was used (and I had a lot of Thai meals).
Thong Thai
18 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000
Tel : +61 (03) 9191 8222
Visited Apr 2024
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