K H A O • S O I - カ オ • ソ ー イ — Restaurant in Sydney

Khao Soi is unique amongst Thai restaurants in Sydney. It has singular focus on the northern Thai dish of Khao Soi, similar to how you would find a pho restaurant or a ramen restaurant with short menu of varieties on the showcase dish (4 or 5 classics, specials, and rice variations) instead of being a Thai restaurant with 100 things on a 20 page menu, so it's quite refreshing to see someone show case this coconut curry soup with different topping variations. There is confusing some Japanese katakana on their sign, which confuses their Thai identity when aside from the concept of being a khao soi specialist in the same way as a ramen specialist might be, the only other Japanese touch on their menu is the presence of one katsu variation. I've tried chicken which was cooked in a way that left it still juicy, and beef comes slow cooked with tendon pieces added to the broth which was a pleasant surprise, for first timers chicken classic is the way to go. Honestly I almost didn't walk in because I thought it would just be a poor tribute to Japanese somehow, I wish they'd scrap it altogether to avoid misplaced confusion. Despite that, the khao soi itself is delicious - well balanced spices with good depth of flavour and richness of coconut. Toppings like chicken or beef are cooked seperate, smartly assembled together at the end so that they are cooked perfectly. The egg noodles they use are decent. Sides are pickled green mustard and crispy fried egg noodle, with extra coconut milk to stir in and a small lemon wedge to help adjust the dish to your sourness preference though it's already well balanced. If you insist on having it spicy, there's a condiment section near the kitchen where you can get a spicy chilli kick, and it's very hot. There's a few appetisers, the skewers are a good choice. Overall you'd be making a great choice to try out this specialist noodle place. They are a little tricky as you need to go into a corridoor and a short ride up the elevator but it is well signposted. They've only been open a few weeks and are waiting on their eftpos machine to arrive but you can eftpos transfer if you don't have cash in...

If Google allow 0 star rating, I would rate 0 for their customer service.

My friend and I arrived at 5pm without a reservation, we were initially directed to a bar table despite the restaurant was fairly empty. They then offered us a round table in a different seating area with less comfortable stool seats, which we accepted.

Bad handling on accident Our evening turned downhill when my friend accidentally spilled the drink which was barely touched. Instead of offering to make us a new one as a gesture of goodwill (we weren't demanding it), they proposed move us to the next table for clean up. In the process, they also took away the remaining drink without inquiring if my friend still wanted it.

Table Rush As it was quite early in the evening, the food arrived promptly, but staff persistently attempted to clear our table, even while my friend was still eating. After only 60 minutes, not long after we finished the meal, they abruptly cleared our table, made chopstick fell in the process which indirectly caused me to spill glass of water on my clothes, even so the staff remain unapologetic. The same staff returned two minutes later, inquiring if we wanted to order more, also claiming the table was reserved.

Rude response When we inquired about the reservation and the lack of prior notice regarding the time limit, the same staff member who told us "the table is reserved" refused to explain why she made that statement without any intention of asking us to leave. At the end she responded with a baffling "I don't understand." while attempting to walk way. Such rude and dismissive behaviour from the staff left us truly disappointed.

Not worth the hype The food were presented nicely but proved to taste average, definitely not worth the social media hype. I would choose authentic Thai or Japanese cuisine instead of go...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Khao Soi, a delightful restaurant located on level 2. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the friendly staff who made me feel welcomed and at ease. The ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant were top-notch, creating a relaxed and inviting dining experience.

The seating arrangements were comfortable, allowing me to enjoy my meal without any discomfort. The restaurant was well lit, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and making it a pleasant place to spend time.

Now, let's talk about the highlight of my visit—the Khao Soi chicken katsu dish. It was truly a culinary masterpiece. The combination of Thai and Japanese flavors was unique and incredibly delicious. The infusion of flavors was expertly done, and every bite was a delight for my taste buds. It's safe to say that it was the best Chicken Katsu I have ever had.

In addition to the exceptional taste, the portion size was generous, offering excellent value for the price. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and content, knowing that I had a fantastic meal at an affordable price point.

Khao Soi is not only a great place to enjoy a meal solo but also a wonderful spot for friends to gather for lunch or dinner. The warm and inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for socializing, and the friendly staff adds to the overall positive experience.

I can't wait to return to Khao Soi soon. The combination of friendly staff, fantastic ambiance, comfortable seating, and, of course, the amazing Khao Soi chicken katsu dish has made it a new favorite of mine. Whether you're a fan of Thai or Japanese cuisine or simply enjoy unique flavors, I highly recommend paying a visit to Khao Soi. You won't be...