HOME >SOUTHERN TAIWAN >KAOHSIUNG&PINGTUNG> DINING >

FYI SOUTH Magazine, March 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 3

Thai Cheap 35 WenHung 2nd Rd., LingYa, Kaohsiung City (07) 339-0705 Hours: 11am-2pm; 5-30pm-12midnight Chinese & English menu.

ADD YOUR RATING & REVIEW | VIEW VISITOR RATINGS & REVIEWS

GREAT FOOD, SPLENDID VALUE AT "THAI CHEAP"

By Brad Loghrin

I've just returned from my first trip to Thailand. I liked almost everything about the country, and my main love of Thai food is as strong as ever. While gorging myself at restaurants in Thailand, I kept comparing the food to Thai Cheap, one of my favourite eateries in Kaohsiung. My conclusion? You don't have to fly to Southeast Asia to enjoy authentic, reasonably-priced Thai cuisine.

        Located a hop, skip and a jump north of the SanDuo Mitsukoshi, Thai Cheap is a fabulous little place. The walls are simply decorated with a few Thai artworks and a picture of Thailand's king and queen of Thailand. The owners have obviously channeled their energies into the food. And it shows. My friends and I have been eating here at least once a month for the past two-and-a-half years.

I generally start with the Cold Vegetable Salad (NT$80) or the Papaya Salad (NT$100). Both are spicy but irresistible. The Thai Spring Rolls (NT$120) are like a crisp flat bread with a sweet sauce for dipping. Of the many soups, my favourite is the Thai Hot and Sour Soup (NT$150). My only complaint is that the spiciness of this dish varies between merely tongue-teasing, and absolutely face-numbing!

        There are plenty of main dishes to choose from: Thai Hot Beef, Squid, Chicken, or Fried Fish (all NT$120), Coconut Beef or Chicken (NT$120), plus Yunan Bamboo Beef or Thai Diced Shrimp (both NT$150).

The workers don't speak much English, but they are helpful and the menu is clear. If you¡¦ve never tried Thai cuisine, you can experience it right here, without having to travel. And if you love Thai food, you'll wonder how you lived in this city for so long without discovering Thai Cheap.