Saturday, November 16, 2013

Bangrak Thai Kitchen @ Tampines Street 81

IMG_9855ed

Competition is heating up in Tampines Street 81 with the opening of another neighbourhood Thai eatery, Bangrak Thai Kitchen just two doors away from Soi Thai Kitchen. It was a rainy afternoon and perfect for some Thai food. I was there with Maureen and Leroy to check out the 2 months old restaurant.

IMG_9846ed
Thai Prawn Cake 3/5

Lunch started with the Thai Prawn Cake ($6.90) which was deep fried to a nice golden brown. The crust was crispy and not oily. However the filling was lacking that prawny satisfaction that one seek out in a good prawn cake.

IMG_9861ed
Pandan Leaf Chicken 4.2/5

The other appertizer in the menu we tried is the Pandan Leaf Chicken ($5.90/2pc). This fair much better than the Thai prawn cake. The aroma of the pandan leaf can be detected from a distance and infused to the chicken. The chicken was also tender and moist.

IMG_9865ed
Stir Fried Chilli Basil with Chicken 3.5/5

The owner told us that their Stir Fried Chilli Basil with Chicken ($5.90) was cooked to order unlike other restaurants that prepared in batch. Flavours were spot on but it was lacking that unique fragrant basil aroma.

IMG_9870ed
Stir Fried Squid with Salted Egg Yolk 4.2/5

It just seems like salted egg yolk can be incorporated in almost any dishes. Bangrok created the Stir Fried Squid with Salted Egg Squid ($16) which is one of their popular dishes. I can understand why so, with the salted egg working magically well with the fresh and crunchy squid.

IMG_9862ed
Steamed Fish with Spicy Lime Sauce 4/5

Another popular item on the menu is the Steamed Fish with Spicy Lime Sauce ($22). The fresh and moist fish definitely will be well received with their spiciness and sourness. However, I felted the flavours can be more heavy handed.

IMG_9866ed
Red Curry Prawn 3/5

The Red Curry Prawn ($11.90) was a love and hate affair. I loved the sweet creamy gravy that goes well with a plate of rice. However the prawn was lacking in sweetness even though the restaurant claims that they used live prawns.

IMG_9875ed
Clear Tom Yam Soup with Seafood 3.5/5

The Clear Tom Yam Soup with Seafood ($7.90) was perfect for the rainy day. Like most of the dishes, I can taste that fiery level of the dishes have all been toned down to suit majority of the patrons. I personally prefer it to be more spicy or else that will lose the characteristic of Thai cuisine.

IMG_9872ed
Stir Fried Kang Kong Thai Style 3.8/5

The Stir Fried Kang Kong Thai Style ($5.90) was cooked to a nice crunchy bite but not overly spicy. 

IMG_9856ed
Phad Thai 4/5

The Phad Thai ($5.90) was actually pretty delectable. It's probably one of the better one that I have eaten.

IMG_9878ed
Tapioca with Coconut Cream 4.2/5

Our lunch ended with some Tapioca with Coconut Cream ($7.90). The tapioca was pretty fork tender. Paired with the coconut cream which I suspected honey was also added gave it a nice sweet finishing.

IMG_9879ed

It is good to see another Thai eatery opening in the neighbourhood offering affordable Thai cuisine. My first impression of Bangrok Thai Kitchen is that the pricing is wallet friendly. While the food is good but I think it has lost the characteristic of authentic Thai cuisine when seasoning is being toned down too much.


[CLOSED]
Bangrak Thai Kitchen
Blk 824 Tampines Street 81
Singapore 520824
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 291 or 554. Alight 4 stops later at Block 827. Walk to Block 824. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

10 comments:

  1. Seems like the plating of the dishes looks nicer as compared to their "neighbour" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ya did u notice all the carrot flower art?

      Delete
    2. Ordered clear tom yum not spicy what came is super spicy top of my disappointment d fish is spoilt..wont retirn ever.

      Delete
  2. You have no idea how hungry I am right now haha!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awesome photography there and thoroughly enjoyed the honest review. I too prefer Thai food to stick as closely to its roots as possible and find that soi Thai is similarly watered down. Have you ever tried the basil inn in pasir ris? Now that can be intimidatingly Thai, flavour wise, especially the pla neung manow and basil pork, just the way I Ike it tho, intensely flavoured almost too hot too handle. This again for the great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have not tried Basil Inn.sounds like a great place to check out.

      Delete
    2. Tried Basil Inn once and never went back. The flavours are lacking. It only focus on spicy. Basil pork was spicy with no flavour, and no basil flavour. Too little leaves are used. Kangkong as well.. just spicy with no flavour. Their goong ob woon sen, prawns with tanghoon had no herb flavour at all. soft sweet mangoes were used with their mango salad which supposed to be firm sour mangoes. I went there after hearing lots of raves on it.. but was very very disappointed. I went just before the dinner crowd started so being busy should not be an excuse.

      Delete
    3. Of course you wouldn't khun joel, since you helm the extremely gimmicky and. Media whoring rochor thai :)

      Delete
  4. BAD FOOD BAD SERVICE, AVOID.

    ReplyDelete