Siam Senses — Restaurant in Antwerp

Located right at the gate of Antwerp’s Chinatown, Siam Senses is a Thai food temple disguised as a hole-in-the-wall. But don’t let the humble looks fool you: what’s served here would make half of Bangkok cry nostalgic tears.

That is… if it’s actually open. The place has opening hours that feel like performance art—kitchen closes at 20:30 sharp, and you’ll need a bit of luck (or divination skills) to catch them between extended winter breaks and "closed for personal reasons" days. Their last "short winter break" lasted a modest seven months. Respect.

But when those doors do open—hallelujah. This is hands down the most authentic Thai food I’ve had anywhere in Europe. The Kuay Tieuw Rua Moo (Ayutthaya-style boat noodles with fresh pig blood—yes, really) is a life-changer. If you’re squeamish, grow up. If you're not, order two.

Also, their Som Tam (green papaya salad) doesn’t play around. It’s as spicy as you dare, and then some. The kind of salad that stares back and asks: “You sure about that, falang?”

The place is tiny, more street-food stall than restaurant, and run by a Belgian guy and his Thai in-laws—basically the Euro-Thai Avengers of noodle perfection. Prices are fair, flavours are unfairly good.

Just don’t try showing up on a Monday. Or Sunday. Or too late. Or without checking...

Both the red curry and the green curry that my wife and I enjoyed today were truly superb, perhaps as good as any we’ve had in our combined five months in Thailand. We also ordered a pad Thai, to share, and while it was tasty, the noodles were not the typical noodles used any time we’ve had this dish in the past. Otherwise it was tasty, but wouldn’t warrant five stars if it a-line were being judged.

The decor in this small restaurant is minimal and seating is sparse, so come early for lunch or dinner as it seems to fill up quickly; every time we’ve passed by it...

I see a lot of positive reviews, so we might just have been unlucky, because our visit gets a one star review. We had to wait for almost an hour on our food, while the restaurant is very small. When asked about the waiting time, the man wasn't very friendly. I order the shrimp soup and it tasted very intens and sour. I ate half of it because I was hungry, but did not like it at all. When getting home I had such trouble with my stomach and felt extremely nauseous. I would not go back to this restaurant. Very...