Im Jai by Pun Im @ Icon Village - Where Thai Comfort Food Meets Refined Techniques

Tucked in the heart of Tanjong Pagar at Icon Village, IM JAI by Pun Im is the casual Thai dining concept from chef-owner Vincent Pang, the culinary mind behind private-dining outfit Pun Im. Opened in September 2025, IM JAI, which translates to “a full heart” in Thai, reflects Pang’s personal journey from finance to food, blending soulful Thai flavours with refined techniques honed at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit and during his stints in Michelin-starred kitchens in Bangkok. The menu spans comforting classics alongside thoughtful reinterpretations, offering diners a deeper dive into Thai cuisine beyond the usual crowd favourites.

Appetiser Platter - Tom Yum Crab Ball, Crispy Pork Belly, Moo Ping, Popcorn Chicken Saap 3/5

We kick-started our lunch with the Appetiser Platter, a medley of bite-sized snacks ideal for sharing while waiting for the mains. The Tom Yum Crab Ball carried a gentle tang, the Moo Ping delivered familiar smoky sweetness, while the Crispy Pork Belly and Popcorn Chicken Saap provided crunchy, savoury satisfaction. While enjoyable overall, the platter leaned more towards being a safe opener rather than a standout.

Crispy Cloud Egg 3.8/5

IM JAI’s playful twist on the traditional Thai omelette sees kampong egg whites deep-fried to achieve maximum fluffiness, paired with six pieces of five-hour house-cured sweet-savoury egg yolks. Served with lime, raw shallots and chilli padi, the Crispy Cloud Egg is undeniably crisp and airy. While many may enjoy its cloud-like texture, it leaned a little too light for my preference. I missed having a more substantial bite.

Grilled River Prawn with 2 Sauces 4.5/5

One of the highlights of the meal is the jumbo wild-caught Grilled Thai River Prawn (approximately 330g per piece), flown in from Southern Thailand and flash-frozen at peak freshness. The result is a firm, bouncy texture with natural sweetness and creamy richness that farmed prawns simply cannot replicate. Served with two sauces, including a deeply umami prawn roe, this was easily one of our favourite dishes of the day.

Pineapple Fried Rice with Wild-Caught Black Tiger Prawns 4/5

A long-requested dish finally makes its appearance here. Fragrant Thai jasmine rice is wok-charred and seasoned with turmeric and curry powder, then tossed with raisins, Chinese sausages, roasted cashew nuts and fresh pineapple cubes. Topped with three succulent wild-caught black tiger prawns and crowned with IM JAI’s signature IM Sabaai pork floss, the Pineapple Fried Rice with Wild-Caught Black Tiger Prawns strikes a satisfying balance between sweet, savoury and smoky.

Stir-fried Melinjo Leaves with Eggs 3.5/5

A classic Southern Thai vegetable dish, the melinjo leaves are stir-fried with eggs and finished with deep-fried dried skewered shrimps. Flavourful yet straightforward, the Stir-fried Melinjo Leaves with Eggs offered a pleasant bitterness and umami lift, though it played more of a supporting role alongside the richer mains.

Signature Duck Confit Red Curry 4.2/5

The Signature Duck Confit Red Curry reimagines Thai red curry through a French lens, featuring duck confit marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked in oil for four hours. The house-made red curry paste delivered depth and aroma, while seasonal fruits such as Candy Heart grapes and fresh pineapple added brightness and gentle sweetness. Rich without being overwhelming, this dish is best shared among two to three diners.

Spicy and Sour Pork Ribs Soup 4.5/5

The Spicy and Sour Pork Ribs Soup is a standout Issan dish that goes beyond the usual pork ribs by incorporating pork soft bones and tendons, resulting in a luxuriously layered mouthfeel. The highlight lies in the artisanal toasted rice powder — a labour-intensive blend of three herbs toasted and ground in-house — which adds fragrance, crunch and complexity to the tangy, punchy broth.

Khao Soi Chicken 4.2/5

IM JAI’s take on the Chiang Mai classic Khao Soi Chicken features a tender chicken drumstick simmered in a rich, aromatic curry gravy. Served with both soft and crispy egg noodles, and accompanied by pickled mustard greens, fresh shallots, lime and chilli oil, the dish delivers a harmonious interplay of creamy, savoury, tangy and crunchy textures.

Black Sticky Rice Pancake 4.2/5

A nostalgic Thai street snack done well, the grilled Black Sticky Rice Pancake boasts a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, chewy centre filled with young coconut flesh and coconut milk. Comforting and satisfying without being overly sweet.

Bualoy 4/5

The Bualoy features chewy house-made glutinous rice balls swimming in fragrant, sweetened coconut milk. The addition of salted egg lava cream introduces a rich, savoury contrast that elevates the dish beyond tradition.

Red Ruby with Smoked Coconut Sorbet 4/5

A refreshing end to the meal, the Red Ruby with Smoked Coconut Sorbet combines traditional red rubies, Thai sweet glass noodles, jackfruit and attap seeds in jasmine-scented syrup, finished with smoked coconut sorbet. Light, aromatic and well-balanced, it cleanses the palate nicely.

Overall, IM JAI by Pun Im offers a thoughtfully curated Thai dining experience that balances comfort with creativity. While not every dish is a showstopper, the kitchen’s strengths shine through in its seafood, soups and curries, making it a worthwhile stop for diners seeking Thai flavours beyond the usual repertoire.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Im Jai by Pun Im
Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
#01-78/81
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 6518 3151
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 4pm - 930pm
(Closed on Sat & Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Peck Seah Street. Cross the road at the junction of Peck Seah Street and Gopeng Street. Walk to ICON village. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ginger @ PARKROYAL on Beach Road - A Collaboration with One MICHELIN Star Khao for a Taste of Thailand's Finest Treasures

For the month of October 2023, Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road brings the vibrant flavours of Thailand to Singapore in a unique collaboration with One MICHELIN Star Khao from Bangkok. The 'Flavours of Siam & Home' buffet dinner, available from 6 to 29 October 2023, promises an exciting and delicious taste of Thailand curated by Ginger's Chef Vincent Aw, Khao's Found-owner Ms. Pradinan Arkarachinores, and Celebrity Chef Andy Yang.

With much anticipation fueled by the rave reviews from friends who have visited Khao in Bangkok, I couldn't contain my excitement to savour these dishes right here in Singapore. While the buffet spread also includes an array of local favourites and international offerings, my focus was undeniably on Khao.

River Prawns wand Glass Noodles in Claypot 4.8/5

I dived straight into the Goong Ob Woon Sen, a tantalising dish of River Prawns with Glass Noodles in a Claypot. The glass noodles turned out to be an unexpected delight, skillfully soaking up the opulent and hearty essence of the crustacean, creating a harmonious marriage of flavours that left a lasting impression.

Phad Thai with Prawns 4.2/5

Next on my plate was the Phad Thai Goong, Phad Thai with Prawns. While it may appear as a simple dish, achieving the right balance in Phad Thai is an art. The chewy noodles were spot on, and the harmonious blend of sweet, savoury, and tangy notes made this dish a standout.

Beef Shank with Green Curry 4.5/5

Usually accustomed to green curry with chicken, I ventured into new territory with the Gaeng Kiew Wan Nua Nong Gae, Beef Shank with Green Curry. This variation of green curry was less sweet and creamy compared to what I've had before. Still, it boasted a saucy consistency with a subtle hint of spiciness that perfectly complemented the tender beef shank.

Lamb Shank with Massaman Curry 4/5

Continuing my exploration of Khao's dishes, I had the Massaman Nua Nong Gae, Lamb Shank with Massaman Curry. Massaman curry, sweeter in nature compared to green curry, had no traces of spiciness. The lamb shank was tender and devoid of any gamey flavours.

Wok-fried Minced Chicken with Holy Basils 4.2/5

One of my favourites, Phad Gaprao Cai, Wok-fried Minced Chicken with Holy Basils, delivered an unforgettable punch. The dish was fiery, with a level of spiciness that may be too intense for some. However, the boldness of the flavours here remained authentic.

Crispy Fluffy Catfish with Spicy Mango Salad 4.2/5

The Yum Pladouk Foo, Crispy Fluffy Catfish with Spicy Mango Salad, was a delightful contrast of crispy bites paired with a tantalizingly spicy mango salad.

Crabmeat Omelet, served with Sriracha Sauce 4.2/5

The Khai Jiew Poo, a Crabmeat Omelet served with Sriracha Sauce, arrived with eager anticipation. While it boasted an enticing aroma of eggs without being overly greasy, I couldn't help but wish for a more generous serving of crabmeat to fully savour its sweetness. As it stood, it leaned slightly more towards an egg omelet, albeit a well-prepared one, especially when paired with the zesty Sriracha sauce.

Northern Thai-style Egg Noodles Curry with Chicken 4.5/5

Delving into lesser-known territory, I tried the Khao Soi Gai, Northern Thai-style Egg Noodles Curry with Chicken. It presented egg noodles in a sweet and creamy sauce—a bowl of pure comfort with tender poached chicken.

Boiled Water Chestnuts coated in Thin Flour 5/5

To wrap up this memorable dining experience, I couldn't resist the Tub Tim Grob, Boiled Water Chestnuts coated in Thin Flour, served in refreshing coconut water. This version stood out with its unique twist, perhaps attributed to the fresh coconut water. The addition of jackfruit added an extra layer of flavour and texture, making it a must-try dessert.

'Flavours of Siam & Home' is exclusively available during buffet dinner, with prices at $78++ per adult and $39++ per child from Monday to Thursday, and $88++ per adult and $44++ per child from Friday to Sunday, public holidays, and the eve of public holidays. Additionally, UOB cardmembers can enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on their total bill when using a UOB credit or debit card.

Note: This is an invited tasting


Ginger
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Level1
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 3138 1995
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Buffet Lunch – 12pm to 2.30pm
Buffet Dinner – 6pm to 10pm
À La Carte Dining - 8am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to The Concourse building. Take the exit down to Nicoll Highway and walk towards Parkroyal Serviced Residences. Cut through towards Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]