PETALING JAYA, Sept 19 — Thai cuisine is firmly entwined into our local dining scene, popping up in almost every neighbourhood, a familiar face to everyone like your local kopitiam.
Who can blame them as that balance of spice, sugar and everything nice, just pulls you back every time, whether it’s a super casual joint or an elegant setting where dishes echo the same flavours but are refined to the eye.
In this sea of Thai restaurants, Zaap Thai stands out as it’s the sibling venue of Thai Street Food Stall, a cult-favourite of PJ folks since 2014, located inside Mayang Oasis Food Court.
The family-run eatery by a Thai and Malaysian husband-and-wife team has adjusted some of their food to suit local tastes and wallets.
Overheard from this lady who sat behind me was her chanting to the waitress non-stop “less spicy, less spicy” when her order was taken.
You do find some dishes aren’t fiery but the spiciness does creep up on you silently for some dishes, making my eyes water and wishing I had also chanted the “less spicy, less spicy” magic words.
The space here is unpretentious but most importantly, it offers air-conditioned comfort to stave off the heat.
On the menu, there are plenty of nods to its sibling with family-style dishes like Steamed Sea Bass with Lime and Chilli plus those quick solo meals.
Office workers out for their limited time break will love this place as dishes fly out of the kitchen at supersonic speed, especially when you’re first in line for lunch.
They’re serious about their lunch sets, as seen by four pages of dishes that offer rice and noodles choices, that includes a free drink of your choice of Thai iced lemon tea, iced black coffee or lemongrass with ginger.
Not just limited to weekdays, the lunch set menu runs from 10.30am to 4pm, a boon for those who like late lunches.
Stewed Pork Leg with Rice from the lunch set for RM17.90 is no stranger to us anymore, as Khao Kao Moo can be found in almost every Thai joint in town.
This version delivered melting soft skin with pull apart meat lightly braised in spices, enjoyed with preserved mustard greens and a dose of greens, making it a hearty meal with a whole braised egg.
On the side, there’s the sauce with vinegar, garlic and chillies, perking up the spoon-tender meat with a zingy mild heat.
This restaurant is on a mission to ensure we eat our greens, whether it’s a small add-on with your meal or go full throttle with the Stir Fried Kailan with Rice and Roast Pork (RM14.90).
It’s a dish often found at home but this version uses fresh kailan that is perfectly wok fried with the slices of roast pork, where the greens remain crunchy.
Beware though as under the pile of greens, you get a bruised red chilli that may look innocent but it packs a potent spiciness that stung my lips.
For punchier heat, Stir Fried Petai with Prawns (RM25.90) is the dish to order with crunchy stink beans accompanying fresh, bouncy prawns in a red curry sauce.
In the mood for noodles? Go for the Tom Yum Mama Noodles with Shrimp (RM17.90) with its fiery red colour that won’t zap you to a spicy death as it’s creamy rather than chilli forward.
Served in a tiny enamel pot, the instant noodles are heaped with prawns, each one succulent and fresh to enhance the whole dish eaten with a raw egg yolk.
Don’t leave without trying their Grilled Pork Skewers (RM12.90) or Moo Ping where each skewer served straight from the grill is to be relished for the impossibly juicy meat lacquered with a glistening glaze of soy sauce.
Another winner is the Thai Shrimp Cakes (RM26.90) using their homemade shrimp paste with roughly cut prawns to give the crunchy, golden snack a sweetness with each bite.
This is hands down one of the best versions in town, all thanks to that paste rich with prawns and less on flour.
Find the restaurant in between Kar Heong Restaurant and Ramen Mob at the bustling SS4 area peppered with cafes like Guan’s, Noon Viennoiserie Cafe and Dou Dou Bake so you can opt for an after-meal cup of java to keep you awake.
Zaap Thai
16, Jalan SS 4C/5,
Taman Rasa Sayang,
Petaling Jaya.
Open daily: 10.30am to 9.30pm.
Tel: 03-78867255/014-6566682
Facebook: @zaapthai
* This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.
* Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
