Krapow — Restaurant in Montreal

Laksa Soup 🍜 For The W!

Honestly enough can't be said about @krapow.ca located in the heart of Montreal. This unassuming spot in one of Montreal hottest neighbourhoods has been serving up delicious Thai food now for 5 delicious years. I'm just so upset at myself it took me this long to come visite!

I have to start off with one of the stars of the show the Laksa. Absolutely show stopper of a soup, can't remember the last time I've had such amazing depth of flavour in a broth. Truly beautiful balance between savory, heat and umami. A elite move if u wanna take this dish to the next level in my opinion is to add the Sambal Belacan Chicken on top. It adds a layer of crunch and texture overall to the dish that to be really adds. You can also add anyone of their 3 in house Sambals to it, all were just amazing. The noodles had amazing bounce to them, the toppings all perfectly curated. Honestly a 10/10 dish, FOODGASMIC💦 to say the least! And I like to add, everything they have is gluten free!

Next we have the Beef Rendang, origins now focusing on Indonesia and boy this dish really transported me there! It's was so flavour packed full of Spices and herbs, slowly cooked for hours and hours that the meat just feel apart in yoyr mouth. Honestly I can't believe I've only ever had this dish 3 times in my life and this time had to have been my favorite tbh. This rich, sweet and savoury Stew is just what I needed.

Last but not least we have the famous beef Krapow for what they are famous for. Honestly I've only ever had this dish made with pork so I was wondering what the difference flavour notes and textures might be. Truthfully, really pleasantly surprised. Not to much heat which was a little odd because normally every time I've had this dish it really just burns your face off. But I guess they have to keep it a little calmer for the whities LOL. But again really well balanced dish especially with the fried egg on top it really lends a richness to the entire meal you break it up and eat it all together really well done. My only thing if I were to give anything to improve or add to this dish definitely a little bit of heat, and cripier beef, but...

Let me preface this review by saying that my wife and I adore Thai food, are crazy about spicy food, and my wife in particular LOVES Pad Kaprow. She has eaten amazing versions in Bangkok, Los Angeles, Sydney (Australia), New York, Singapore, Toronto, Las Vegas, etc, etc. Well versed to say the least.

We figured the version at a restaurant NAMED AFTER THE DISH in a classic food city like Montreal must be good, right?

We ordered the Som Tum (papaya salad to share), Belachan Sambal Chicken (for myself) and the Pad Kaprow (for my wife), and everything was extremely BLAND.

These all should be dishes bursting with strong aromatics and complex layers of flavour.

Not here! The exact opposite at this spot. Zero spice and zero flavour.

Som Tum had only had notes of tamarind and lime, only flavour from Chicken was a bit of coconut, meanwhile the incredibly greasy, lifeless Pad Kaprow was not only the worst version of this dish we've ever had, but my wife experienced severe food poisoning after eating it.

Montrealers, please go get your Thai food fix somewhere else, and avoid this place at all costs because the quality of food there is truly terrible and I have serious questions about the quality of cleanliness and...

Met up here with some friends more than once, we enjoyed the outdoor vibes and tried a little of everything! Nothing has let us down yet, and every egg was worthy of foodporn, so I feel I can safely recommend this to foodies and instagrammers alike.

Facilities are clean and comfortable, good music and friendly staff—attentive without being overbearing. I believe the outdoors to be pet friendly as well 🪴🐶 .

Something to draw attention to is the spice options (which is the part of this review where I also recommend this place to daredevils…) as it starts at a really nice humble spice and you may choose to charge it up! Max level POW as per the business name—at your own risk ofcourse ;)!

Krapaow was a comfort food for me when I lived in Thailand, and I’ve never found a vegetarian option that was nearly as well polished as this! So if youve come to reviews to know whats “got to try” I’m going to say a 🔥hot beyond-meat krapow! 🔥even if you aren’t a vegetarian.

Final thing, if you’re reading this around christmas try the red curry special! (Also...