Thai cuisine is among the most popular in the world, with aromatic spices that take the palette on a culinary adventure from sweet to bitter, sour to salty – all of which combine to give you that distinctive taste of Thailand. With the dining culture in Hong Kong being an integral part of the city’s identity, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Thai restaurants in Hong Kong to satisfy your cravings – some of which offer delivery and take-away services for you to eat in the comfort and safety of your home.
Samsen
Recommended by the Michelin guide in Hong Kong and Macao, Samsen is a Thai street food concept by celebrated chef Adam Cliff aimed at “bringing bold flavors from Thailand to bowls in Hong Kong.” While Wagyu beef is a major feature of their menu, starring in most of their dishes – from stir-fries to their notable Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles – Samsen also offers several vegetarian options as well as vegetarian preparations of their classic dishes.
Samsen’s original branch is in Wan Chai and is best known for their signature boat noodles. Their Sheung Wan branch opened in January and expands on the restaurant’s food and drink options – with Khao Soi, the curried beef with fresh egg noodles, stepping in as their main noodle dish. The restaurants are open for lunch from 12 – 3 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 – 11 p.m. daily, with both dine-in and take-away services.
Mak Mak
Established by award-winning hospitality entrepreneur Yenn Wong, Mak Mak is a 60s Bangkok-inspired eatery which serves classic Thai flavors. With its distinctly convenient location in Landmark, Mak Mak’s storefront offers seamless take-away services while its “Thai residence-style” open dining area allows guests to experience its homespun environment and delicious Central Thai cuisine via authentic curries, soups and noodle dishes.
In addition to authentic meat dishes, Mak Mak provides an extensive vegetarian – and occasionally vegan – selection on their menu, so even those with dietary requirements can enjoy the delicious cuisine. The restaurant also offers dinner set menus packed with “hot and tangy flavors served from the wok to your table” priced at HK$258 (US$33), or HK$350 (US$45) for vegetarian sets, per person. Mak Mak is open for dine-in from 12 – 11 p.m. with delivery and pickup services open until 9:30 p.m. daily.
Soul Food Thai
Soul Food Thai is a neighborhood Thai restaurant inspired by the aromatic culinary traditions of Thailand and its diverse regional cuisines. From North to South, Thailand’s signature dishes are served in a lively yet pleasant atmosphere conveniently located in bustling Soho. The restaurant is open from Monday to Friday from 6 – 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 – 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 – 10 p.m.
Soul Food Thai offers the best of Bangkok cuisine, with dishes such as Gaeng Lang Hay (Pork Belly Curry), Pad Kee Mao (Drunkard’s Noodle), Pad Krapow Gai (Thai Basil Chicken) and Tum Yam Goong featured on the menu. For indecisive eaters, Soul Food Thai also offers a specially curated “Shophouse menu” featuring a selection of “crowd-pleasing dishes for a truly immersive Thai tasting experience” priced at HK$398 (US$51) per person.
Known for its good food and great cocktails, Soul Food Thai provides a list of inventive cocktails inspired by Thailand’s flavorful herbs and fruits, such as the Lycheegrass Collins, a lychee liqueur with lemon grass, and Bun Bang Fai, a Thai basil-infused tequila.
Alongside Soul Food’s signature drinks, guests will also find an approachable list of wines selected for characteristics that pair well with the aromatic flavors and textures of Thai cuisine. Similarly to their famed sister restaurants, Soul Food Mahanakorn and Soul Food 555 in Bangkok, Soul Food Thai guarantees a carefree environment for guests to gather and “enjoy incredible food, refreshing cocktails and the finest in Thai hospitality.”
Chachawan
Another unique restaurant by Yenn Wong, Chachawan offers delicious Thai salads and grilled meats and fish prepared on a charcoal pit and packed with distinctive Issan flavors. Originating from the Issan region located in the northeast of Thailand, this cuisine has a “raw, earthiness” about it that is notable to its region.
Chachawan’s new highlights such as Pok Nim Pad Prik (deep-fried soft-shell crab with chili and garlic) and more Northern Thai delights guarantee to serve you with all sour, salty, sweet and hot flavors. Chachawan opens from 12 – 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. for dinner.
While Chachawan opens for dinner from 6:30 p.m., the bar is open from 5:30 p.m. allowing guests to enjoy refreshing predinner drinks. At the bar, guests will find a great selection of bottled beers and Asian-inspired cocktails to pair perfectly with the Issan cuisine. From October 24 to 31, Chachawan is offering a free draft beer with your meal for guests that follow the restaurant on Instagram. Simply show the staff that you are following them to receive your brewski.
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