Kinn Thai Southland — Restaurant in Melbourne

Pad Thai is typically not my most favourite dish in the world. I mean, I like it. I’ll enjoy it. But I don’t crave it like I do pho, which some would argue is even more basic in terms of flavour profile. Pho is light and refreshing, while Pad Thai is saucier and generally more flavourful.

But I prefer pho because its light flavour isn’t offensive to my palate, whereas Pad Thai can sometimes have strange flavours I’m not a huge fan of. Similarly, I tend to prefer curry laksa and ramen for much the same reasons as I prefer pho. For me, it is a safe bet and an easy choice when deciding what to order as a main.

That said, Kinn Thai is a cut above most places that serve Pad Thai. I got the Chicken Pad Thai ($19), and I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: I believe what makes a good Pad Thai is the sauce the noodles are marinated in.

In this case, the noodles tasted slightly bitter, but that was balanced by a pleasantly sweet soy sauce flavour. The flavour was consistent throughout each strand. A fresh cut of lemon helped enhance the sweetness, bringing out more of the soy and transforming the noodles into a delectable mix of sweet soy and light citrus. The lemon juices cut through the bitterness and allowed the sweeter notes to take centre stage.

Everything else was top notch. The chicken was cooked perfectly, with a lovely chargrilled taste. The peanuts were finely crushed and had a strong, nutty and slightly sweet flavour.

The aromatics were all fresh and high quality, crisp and clean, enhancing the overall dining experience.

I didn’t get a picture of it, but I also ordered a drink called Longan ($6). Apparently, longan is a fruit in the same family as lychee. Taste-wise, it had a slight floral, banana-like flavour. Not bad, but I don’t think I’d order it again.

Currently, Kinn Thai is my favourite Thai spot. And I recommend giving it a try, even if you don’t normally thoroughly enjoy Pad...

Absolutely loved our visit to Kinn Thai at Westfield Southland! Even though it’s only been open for a few days, it’s already buzzing with people — and for good reason.

We ordered the peanut noodles (an absolute must — rich, hearty, and full of flavour), chilli basil pork mince with rice (perfect spice kick and super comforting), curry puffs (tasted homemade!), and Thai milk tea (our go-to — never disappoints). As a lovely surprise, we were also offered a complimentary mocktail — the “Koh Samui Sunrise” — which was incredibly refreshing!

The food came out quickly, smelled amazing, and was beautifully presented. The interior is stylish and inviting, with both indoor and outdoor seating. But what really stood out was the service — genuinely some of the best we've ever had. The staff were warm, attentive, and really knowledgeable about the menu. Don’t hesitate to ask them for recommendations!

If you're looking for a delicious, affordable Thai meal in the South East suburbs, this is the place. We'll definitely be back — and soon!

Highly...

July 2025: As a Level 7 contributor, I decided to check out this restaurant with a few friends for lunch. Kinn Thai is famous in Chadstone shopping centre, but the quality of food is variable because Chadstone is super busy. When the Southland branch opened, I decided to give it a go. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

We ordered the salmon carpaccio, prawn roll, and satay as appetisers. The salmon and prawn roll were outstanding. I love the sauces that go with these appetisers.

For the mains, we have the chilli jam soft shell crab, grilled Waygu beef, and sweet soy barramundi. Both the grilled Waygu beef and barramundi were outstanding. The barramundi was super crispy. We paired these dishes with chicken fried rice, which was superbly fried. There was a nice caramelised taste to the fried rice, or "wok" flavour.

We paid in total $176, including $4 surcharge per glass...