Épicerie Pumpui — Restaurant in Montreal

We chanced upon this great place when we were wondering around the neighbourhood of Beaubien and Petite Italie. It has that Asian roadside cafe.

The place was packed the night before, but luckily they also opened on Labor Day when many other places were closed. (Another Asian mentality!)

I’m not a Thai food expert, but having had some amazing local food in Bangkok and Chiangmai, I often find London’s Thai food a bit westernised.

Pompui on the other hand, is not falling over to appease the typical western taste. Non messieurs dames!

We had some very tasty options, which led us to return a couple of days later for our last lunch before having to return home.

First lunch, we had their special of the week - a creamy Asian salad, which was like a “thin” coleslaw with a Thai twist of lime and fish sauce. The main courses were a beef laab, which was like sliced and spiced raw beef with an Asian salad that you could wrap with beetle leaves. It came with sticky rice; and a green Thai curry with fish balls and sticky rice.

Both dishes were strong in flavour and stood up well to each other even if you were eating together.

The laab was a new thing to me. I have watched many YouTube videos with Chef Yia Vang about the Laos food that talk about laab.

This one is Thai, so you may regard it as either the big daddy influencer or subsequently being influenced. Who knows?

You can taste the different saltiness and spices. Chew slowly and you get all the fragrance of the fresh herbs and vegetables. It’s a chirpy tune with all the various notes.

2nd lunch - we decided to try out the other tasty items on the menu that we couldn’t fit in last time. The fried chicken wings - oh yeah! Nuff said.

You can taste the marinated wings that have a generous sweet chilli sauce dressing. Each wing is the full 3 joints. Not like KFC hot wings where they are only giving you one section as one piece.

Crispness is maintained in every bite. So good we had two portions!

Then we had the pork belly on morning glory. The waitress advised us to use the garlic vinegar, which is a condiment every table, as it helps to lift the saltiness of the pork belly.

Oh boy, yeah, that’s a fab dish that will make any pork lover happy for hours!

Super friendly staff who can speak English, French and to my stomach!

There are clearly a lot of locals who enjoy this joint. So go and...

Loved our meal at Pichai that I knew I had to try Pumpui during this past GP weekend. Arrived shortly after 6 and the restaurant was packed. Luckily, a booth opened up within a few minutes for us which helped as we were going to try a bunch of dishes.

Pad kaprao pork - simply put, awesome! One of my go to dishes when having Thai food back home or online BKK. Only complaint was that I wish the egg was served sunny side up instead fried to a well done.

Pad pak boong pork - another awesome dish! Not sure how you can go wrong with crispy pork belly w/ perfectly sautéed morning glory. We did order this mild and it was still pretty spicy for me. Not sure why the rice served in Montreal is so wet. IIRC, the white rice at Pichai was also pretty wet. Ended up wasting almost the entire plate as it was so mushy.

Gaeng massaman gai - the one dish that was just ok in my opinion which is odd since I usually love red curry. Not sure what was lacking but something was a bit off. Since the pad pak boong came with a huge plate of rice, asked the waitress to not bring another serving.

Pad thai - pretty tasty and noticed almost all patrons ordering this dish. Wished I could've subbed the shrimp for chicken.

Quebec lobster - this was one of the main reasons for dining here as I kept seeing IG posts about this. Sadly, this was a disappointing dish. The lobster really didn't have any meat and thought it was weird they served it with what tasted like salsa verde.

Khao neeo mamuang - great way to end the meal. Perfectly cooked glutinous rice w/ an ample amount of coconut milk. Was surprised at how sweet the mango was. Almost as good as Mae Varee in BKK!!

Would definitely come back the next time we are in...

Authentic Thai Flavors in the Heart of Little Italy: Pumpui Restaurant Review

Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy in Montreal, Pumpui is a hidden gem that brings the exotic flavors of Thailand to the heart of the city. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a culinary paradise where every dish tells a story of tradition and authenticity.

The ambiance at Pumpui is cozy and inviting, with warm lighting and charming decor that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The aroma of fragrant spices fills the air, tantalizing your senses and whetting your appetite for the feast to come.

Now, let's talk about the food. Oh, the food! Each dish is a masterpiece of Thai cuisine, bursting with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Whether you're a fan of spicy curries, aromatic stir-fries, or fragrant noodle dishes, Pumpui has something to satisfy every craving.

One of the standout dishes is the Pad Thai, a classic Thai noodle dish that's expertly prepared with the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.

But Pumpui is more than just delicious food. The service here is exceptional, with friendly and attentive staff who go out of their way to ensure that every diner feels welcome and well taken care of.

As for the location in Little Italy, it's the perfect setting for a Thai restaurant. Surrounded by the bustling energy of the neighborhood, Pumpui adds a touch of exotic charm to the culinary landscape of Montreal.

Whether you're a Thai food aficionado or simply looking to explore new flavors, Pumpui is a must-visit destination in Little Italy. With its authentic cuisine, inviting atmosphere, and top-notch service, it's sure to leave you...