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LondonThe Thai food scene is firmly established, with opportunities to enjoy well-executed popular classics such as the ubiquitous green curry or pad thai dotted around the capital. However, the past decade has seen a greater number of eateries further exploring the regional nuances and fuller range of flavor profiles and cooking techniques that Thai cuisine encompasses. Showcasing the diversity of local ingredients beyond hot red chillies and Thai basil, London’s best Thai restaurants combine creativity with traditional foundations to produce premium dishes with uncompromising flavour. The setting is as varied as the menu offerings, ranging from a luxury hotel to modern brick-and-mortar eateries and replicas of Bangkok dinner chairs.
A recent opening on Greek Street, Platapian is a complete reimagining of the Soho branch of its predecessor Patara. The Patara Group has several other sites in London, the first being opened in 1990 in South Kensington by Khun Patara Sila-On. Keeping things in the family, Platapian is run by restaurateur Nam Parama Raiva, the niece of Patara’s founder. The menu covers both northern and southern Thai specialties, with pages of snacks, small dishes and larger dishes (salads, curries, claypots, meat and fish dishes). As for the drinks menu, we recommend focusing on the cocktails, which include refreshing Thai takes on the classics – Pak Preaw Margarita, Thai Whiskey Sour, etc. There’s such a lively selection of both familiar and lesser-known dishes on offer that unless you’re feasting with a huge group, you’ll inevitably have to make some tough decisions when choosing what to order.
Small but perfectly formed, the juicy Kolaeh Prawn Skewers are a must-order from the smaller dishes, bathed in an amazing peanut sauce, along with more stuffed chillies filled with chicken and prawns on a bed of sweet and spicy homemade chilli puree. The lamb shank massaman is not to be missed, the tender meat perfectly paired with the rich, flavorful sauce, which is rich in flavor but dials down the spice factor. A return visit is required to try some of the delicious-sounding dishes we just didn’t have room for, such as the fried razor clams or crayfish claypot with crispy mas rice. For dessert, try to leave room for the pandan crème brûlée, served with gorgeous coconut milk ice cream and crispy Thai rolled crepe.
15 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DP
A welcome addition to the transformed King’s Cross restaurant scene, at Supawan, Chef Wichet Khongphoon draws on his deep understanding of Thai cuisine derived from his upbringing in Phuket. There is an emphasis on southern Thai specialties such as goong pad ta-krai – a pile of meaty king prawns bathed in a sunny yellow, comfortingly light and aromatic mixture of coconut milk, lemongrass and turmeric. The crispy rice salad skillfully combines different textures as well as a powerful grassiness and nuttiness. Another standout is the fried chicken wings stuffed with minced chicken, prawns, mushrooms and glass noodles – perfect with tangy tamarind and chilli dip. There’s also a charming eclecticism to the space, with a diverse collection of furniture, an in-house flower shop and an apothecary-like fermentation cabinet.
