Food Review: Cha Thai at Telok Ayer | Not your usual Thai fare, and we don’t mean it in a bad way
The Place Just outside Telok Ayer MRT, steps away from Raffles Place, Cha Thai is not your typical restaurant serving up the casual Thai food. Spotting an industrial look, with local touches like the metal-shutter gates, mosaic tiles and a take-away drinks counter, Cha Thai aspires to serve upscale Thai food in Singapore and we think they are well on track!
The Food No $10 set lunches for the office crowd, and we wondered how this restaurant fared the first couple of months in the competitive CBD area when we first stepped into Cha Thai. Little did we know what’s going to impress us soon.
Kicking-off the dinner with Creamy Crab Roll ($15), we knew almost instantly we are in for a good meal. Done simply with deep-fried spring roll sticks and served with a bowl of (goodness) creamy crab sauce.
The Tom Yum Soup ($28) here may be priced higher than average, but the ingredients used are beyond fresh. All seafood sourced locally, Cha Thai wants you to have a taste of freshness which does not come by everywhere. Do expect a more palatable spiciness level here, as with the authentic Thai food.
If you seek to impress and savour the best, the Baked Tiger Prawns Glass Noodle Claypot ($159) at Cha Thai must be your first choice. Despite my small appetite, I found myself having servings after servings of the vermicelli. Well seasoned, with the Tiger Prawns and its roes, you will have to stop counting your calories here!
Another crowd’s favourite, the Saute Grilled Pork with Basil Leaf ($22) went perfectly well with plain Thai rice. The pork slices used here are of the leaner cuts, unlike the usual pork cheeks, taking care of your dietary concerns, yet not losing the authentic Bangkok street food wholesomeness.
The portion feeds the appetite of a giant, the Pad Thai ($22) here serves at least 1.5 of me. So, make sure you have this to share. The freshest of seafood here again, like the other mains; very satisfying!
For desserts, we can’t resist trying their Mango Sticky Rice ($15). While the sweet rice is to work it’s way to balance the usually sour mangoes, I found this lacking here. The rice lacks the usual sweet undertones, and makes me wanting for more.
We heard the Cha Thai Toast ($8) with Pandan, Taro and Thai Tea dips were great here, but was too full before getting here. Definitely something I will be back for, with the outside counters dishing out this favourite Thai toast and their Iced Milk Tea in take-away cups too!
Rants Don’t come here expecting affordable Thai fare, we find the prices on the high side.
Will I Return Again? Not often due to the steep pricing, but I will be back whenever I seek for some high quality Thai food. And yes, for the Thai Milk Tea and Thai toast for some hearty sweets!
Make your reservation instantly at Cha Thai here.
TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4.5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5
Cha Thai
82 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 048467
Tel: 6636 3696
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 11am to 10pm
Ranted by The Rantee
Nice.. makes me have a craving for thai food even though I had it this weekend already
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