Thai Esarn @ Bayswater — Restaurant in Bayswater

Thai Esarn has always been my to-go place if I really want the taste of authentic street Thai food. On my birthday, I went there and ordered about 120$ worth of meals for 2 people.

I find the prices are still reasonable as per usual but the quantity are decreased.

The staff was friendly. Even when I tried to order the bamboo salad with extra liver, the chef herself came out and suggest I have the liver with some other dishes because she did not trust it would compliment the bamboo salad. So I trusted her.

Food was yummy as always. Around 6 pm, they started to have multiple takeaway orders ( good for them!) , yet, our last meal was delivered after quite an extended of time. The Tom Zapp soup was not as delicious as it used to be ;( sad.....

When we went to pay, they missed out some of our orders and we could walk away with less money out of the pocket.; however, we are honest people and told them.

Overall was pretty darn good... except a small annoyance......They charged me extra for a take away container. I do understand it is commonplace in many restaurant to let customer pay for the container so they don't just ask for it without thinking. ( plus everything costed money for the restaurant). It is not their fault for it is their policy. However, as a restaurant manager, I believe you should make some exception for those big spender. We regular offered complimentary bags and containers for those whose orders are worth to ignore the small fees. unlike those that ask for free container just for an...

Unapologetically isaan style Thai that doesn't pull back on spice, flavour or chilli. Transport your tastebuds to Korat.

Unlike the shameful 90% of Thai restaurants in this city that have watered down their flavour with coconut milk to cater to those who baulk at even a twist of a pepper mill, and whose vision of "exotic" is a curry Mrs Mac pie (seriously, GG), here you get a display of Thai culinary expertise in balancing the Four Pillars artfully: sour, sweet, salty & spicy.

In all the dishes, Rot Chad naam (รสชาตินำ) proudly dances to the fore and boldly states it's Thai roots, before bringing you on a gastronomic memory trail of river markets, paddy fields and traffic jams.

Som tum is on point, recommend medium heat for seasoned palettes (even Bangkokians know Isaan chilli's can cool down nuclear power plants)

Larp Gai and Num tok moo also are traditional and don't fall down the common mistake of being "salty mince" but we'll flavoured and cooked perfectly.

Was lucky enough to have the first of their fresh mango and sticky rice of the season. Againz perfectly balanced with just the edge of salt.

Recommend their fresh coconut to douse any flames.

If you're unsure about a selection, speak to the patient waitstaff (whom will politely smile a efforts of broken Thai).

Only criticism is that prices are a touch on the high side, but justifiable, given the...

Thai Esarn is, and will always remain, one of my absolute favourite places to eat out. The restaurant has a warm, homely vibe to it. The staff are consistently friendly and welcoming, making ordering out or dining in a pleasant experience each and every time. The prices are absolutely phenomenal for the quality and portion - you'll get a huge serving size of delicious food for $14-20 a plate, check their menu on facebook. Every dish my partner and I have tried from here never fails to live up to expectations, and the heat levels of spicy dishes are always spot on with what you ask for. As an added bonus if you're not a meat eater, the staff check if you're okay with animal products being used in your meal if you ask for a veggie option, and offer to make the dish without animal products if you prefer. This makes it great if you're heading here with a group as you know everyone will have plenty of choice.

Do yourself a favourite next time you're near Bayswater, and eat...