Bangkok Gang — Restaurant in Melbourne

So sweet you'll think your mains are desserts!

I went to Bangkok Gang after being a longtime local and after it changed hands from the previous Thai restaurant business. I'd heard good things. Sadly it didn't live up to it at all.

Firstly, I asked for a vegetarian version of a menu item and although they offered to accommodate, it was the same price (which is already high considering what it is!). I skipped that and ordered soup, and when the soup came she only brought only one spoon, although we were sharing. The waitress also brought the rice which was accompanying my main meal. I sent it back.

Only halfway through our entree they brought our mains! This is truly a rookie error, and totally unacceptable for any reputable restaurant. It meant my food had to sit there and go cold while I finished my first course.

But the taste of the mains - oh my gosh! FULL OF SUGAR!!! I used to live in SE Asia and have a very good understanding of Thai food and the combinations of the four flavours (salty, sweet, sour and spicy), but this was way out of balance. It was literally like dessert, even though it was noodles and a curry. We couldn't even eat it. The serving size of rice was also very small proportionate to the meal.

I spoke to the waitress about the issues, and she just smiled awkwardly. When we went to pay, she rang up the full cost, and so I asked about a discount. She went to the manager without saying a word, they had a conversation in Thai, and then she returned and again without a single word (like, "Sorry we cannot offer a discount") just continued with the payment!! So unprofessional.

It was a very unpleasant experience. Very amateur and such terrible, inauthentic food. The decor and ambiance is nice, and the waitress was friendly enough apart from this weird payment experience.

I would definitely not go again. I don't like sugar-filled dinner meals to disguise a lack of...

So anyway, I was cycling along Somerville on my way home with a bag of "guilty burgers". I expected to cycle past Penn Thai and feel the usual regret that I didn't go there instead, but noticed the new name and black and orange frontage... Bangkok Gang.

I needn't have worried about the change of hands. This is simply the most delicious Thai food I have enjoyed since Darth Vader sensed Obi - Wan's presence on the Death Star.

Satay hokkien noodles with veg & tofu....the veg mix is great....short green beans, decent sized cut carrot, champignons - and no claggy zucchini, thank you so much...

A special word for that satay sauce - milder than others I've tried, but soooo tasty and creamy.

Veggie spring rolls, curry puffs, roti bread (with more satay sauce, oh yes) all left the plate via my hands in record time.

Thank you to Pike and team, we will be back....and I haven't forgotten about buying one of those logo t - shirts. You can't show them off and not let...

Went out for a warm and comforting dinner last night with family and friends to Bangkok Gang, and enjoyed a variety of fresh and unique dishes. We were a group of 13, including 4 kids, and left feeling very satisfied on an otherwise freezing night. The staff were all very friendly and obliging.

We ordered Duck Rolls, Tom Kha soups, crispy fried Barramundis with tamarind chilli sauce perfect with fresh, steamed rice, Phuket on Fire- a sizzling smorgasbord of seafood and seasonal vegetables, Bangkok Fried Rice, Pad Med Gai- crispy chicken with chilli jam and vegetables, and Moo Krob Prik Khing- house crispy pork belly. All were very well made and portioned. For dessert we indulged in their coconut ice cream served in bowls made of coconut shells, and Black Sticky Rice Pudding. All in all great company and great food....