The Place Located along Tan Quee Lan Street in Bugis, Sawadee Thai Cuisine has been at its current location for the past three years. Having moved here from a humble ‘Zi Char’ stall in Sembawang, this previously family ran stall changed management to a group of young restaurateurs since. The relatively small space, with intimate setting taking influence from Thai décor, Sawadee Thai Cuisine exudes a sense of zen-ness from the hustle and bustle of the Bugis district.

The Food With some ingredients transported and driven down all the way from Thailand, yes driven, you can expect Sawadee Thai to be a restaurant sticking to the tall order of keeping Thai food served here all authentic. All dishes are prepared a la minute, so the waiting time can be slightly longer than usual.

If this is amongst your favourite Thai dish, then your Thai meal must start with their Papaya Salad (Som Tam, S$12). Made with a mix of young and old papaya, the salad had that crunchy texture as it included long beans, and that spicy punch kept authentic – and we mean, really spicy.

Another must order for any Thai meal, the Thai Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai, S$13) uses the same soup base as the Tom Yum Soup here. Very well-balanced, and if you prefer the more milky flavour in your soup like us, coconut always does the trick in ensuring the more wholesome flavour.

This Thai-street bite is amongst the most sinful, yet such a satisfying dish which you should have whenever you visit Bangkok. The Grilled Kurobuta Pork Collar (Khor Moo Kurobuta Yang, S$22), done to a nice juicy and tender texture. Still, we thought the meats lacked that bit of Char flavour which would enhance the overall taste better.

Getting their Roast Duck from the popular Foong Kee at Keong Siak, which is Sawadee’s owners’ favourites, the Panaeng Red Curry Roast Duck (Gaeng Phed Ped Yang, $17) is most enjoyable when eaten with a bowl of Thai Jasmine Rice. The pineapple bits, with the creamy red Curry and the heavenly roast duck, this is one of my favourite item during my dinner here.

This was slightly disappointing, as the Thai Style Otah in Clayplate (Hor Mok Talay Khanom Krok, S$16 for 7 pcs) lacked any distinct flavours, coming across rather bland.

The Panseared Black Angus Beef Ribeye (Neau Ribeye Black Angus Yang, S$32 for 220g) was served with Green Curry sauce, the combination worked magically well. That said, we would implore you to go for the Grilled Pork Collar mentioned earlier, since that dish is traditionally a more authentic Thai dish.

If you are looking for some carbs or simply our favourite dish here, go for the Superior Seafood Fried Rice (Khao Phad Talay, S$18). Cooked with Thai Rice crackers, the crunchy bits added much dimension to the fried rice, which packed much ‘wok hei’ and yes, chops of seafood which went together.

Other notable mains here includes the Fried Fish Maw with Beansprouts (Kra Por Pla Phad Hang, S$14) and the Thai Stuffed Chicken Wings (Peek Kai Sord Sai, S$18 for 5pcs). You can expect Sawadee Thai to give you a full repertoire of Thai food.

If you are a durian lover, this Mao Shan Wang Durian Sticky Rice (Khao Neow Turian, S$12) will probably work magic to convert a mild Durian fan into an excited diner anytime. Not stinging on the durian, the lavish scope of Mao Shan Wang, topped with Coconut cream, Gula Melaka, Black Sesame and of course the Thai Sticky Rice, made this a hot favourite amongst diners here. This explains the slightly steeper price for this dessert.

For something to share, the Mango Sticky Rice Platter (Khao Neow Ma Muang, S$30) is highly recommended here too.

Rants Prices here ain’t the most affordable, but I guess you got to give a little more for quality meals and food only prepared a la minute.

Will I Return Again? Between our frequent trips to Bangkok, we do need to find authentic Thai food here in Singapore to satisfy our cravings. We were glad we finally managed to try Sawadee Thai Cuisine at Bugis, which definitely ranks amongst one of the better Thai restaurants in Singapore.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

Make your reservation instantly at Sawadee Thai Cuisine here.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Sawadee Thai Cuisine
9 Tan Quee Lan Street
TQL Suites #01-01
Singapore 188098
Tel: 62386833

Opening Hours
Daily 11am to 230pm, 6pm to 1030pm

Ranted by The Rantee