Thai Pai Dong — Restaurant in Hong Kong

Thai Pai Dong – Overhyped by Michelin and IG Foodies, Worth the Hype?

Drawn by its fame, I made a pilgrimage to "Thai Pai Dong," a restaurant opened by a former Samsen chef. It’s Michelin-recommended and hyped up by IG foodies as a must-visit spot with long queues. But after trying it, I felt a bit disappointed. My friends and I queued for a whole hour just to get seated, only to find the seats so cramped it was ridiculous. The food was served so fast it felt like eating at a fast-food joint, and the portions were on the small side. After trying it, I felt the quality was miles behind Samsen for the Wagyu Boat Noodles. In short, it’s worth a try if you don’t mind queuing for over an hour, but overall, there wasn’t a single dish that would make you want to queue up again.

Tom Yum Soup – $108 While queuing, the staff kindly brought out a bowl of tom yum soup for those waiting in line to try, saying it was limited to 15 bowls a day. I tried it and thought it was super authentic – sour, spicy, and rich – and felt that $108 was worth it. But after being seated and ordering a bowl, the one that arrived at our table was completely different from the sample! The soup was noticeably paler, and I suspect they added a ton of coconut milk to dilute it just to sell more bowls. In the end, all I could taste was overwhelming coconut milk, with none of the amazing flavors from the sample.

Thai-Style Raw Prawns The tiger prawns were quite crunchy, but the sauce was completely tasteless and didn’t bring out the prawns’ freshness. It was just average, nothing special.

Grilled Pork Neck The pork neck was pre-grilled and only lukewarm when served. It had no charcoal aroma, and the meat wasn’t well marinated – it was quite disappointing to eat.

Tiger Prawn Fried Noodles This was one of the few pleasant surprises of the night. The tiger prawns themselves were tasteless but had a nice crunchy texture. On the other hand, the fried noodles were actually quite delicious, you’d get from eating in Thailand. This dish managed to salvage some points.

A9 Wagyu Boat Noodles – $98 At $98, it’s considered mid range for boat noodles in Hong Kong, but compared to Samsen, it’s a far from behind. The broth wasn’t rich enough, and the portion of rice noodles was small. I finished it without feeling full or satisfied.

Stir-Fried Morning Glory This dish was quite a pleasant surprise. The morning glory was stir-fried with a strong dose of fermented soybean paste. It was probably the best performing dish of the night.

Mango Sticky Rice Above average. The coconut sticky rice was good, and the mango was sweet enough. As a dessert, it was a decent way to end the meal.

Overall The fame and IG hype surrounding "Thai Pai Dong" feel a bit overblown. The food quality doesn’t match up to the queuing time at all, and compared to Samsen’s Wagyu Boat Noodles, it’s like night and day. If you’re a Thai food fanatic, trying it once for the experience is fine, but if you’re looking for a Thai restaurant worth revisiting, this might not be...

I recently dined at a restaurant that truly captures the essence of Thai cuisine. Each dish was a delightful exploration of flavors, and I couldn't be more impressed with the authenticity.

The Pad Thai with Tiger Prawn was a standout dish. The noodles were perfectly stir-fried, achieving that ideal balance of chewy texture and rich flavor. The tiger prawns were plump and succulent, adding a delightful sweetness that paired beautifully with the tangy tamarind sauce. Garnished with fresh lime and crushed peanuts, this dish was both satisfying and bursting with authentic Thai flavors.

Next, I tried the deep-fried homemade shrimp corn cake, and it was a revelation. Thick and fulfilling, each cake was packed with tender shrimp and sweet corn, creating a delightful combination of textures. The crisp outer layer gave way to a soft, flavorful center, making it a perfect appetizer.

The chicken satay skewers were another highlight. Grilled to perfection, the chicken was tender and infused with aromatic spices. Served with a rich peanut sauce, each bite was a delightful mix of savory and slightly sweet flavors.

To accompany my meal, I chose the Thai Longan Drink. This sweet and refreshing beverage was a perfect complement to the spicy flavors of the food. The subtle sweetness of the longan fruit made it incredibly refreshing, and it was a nice way to cleanse the palate between dishes.

I also enjoyed the cold Thai milk tea, which was wonderfully aromatic and creamy. The blend of strong tea and sweetened condensed milk was perfectly balanced, making it a satisfying drink that paired well with the richness of the meal. It was a delightful way to cool down, and I found myself savoring each sip.

For dessert, I couldn't resist the mango sticky rice. The sticky rice was perfectly cooked, providing a chewy texture that complemented the sweet, ripe mango slices. Drizzled with coconut cream, this classic Thai dessert was indulgent yet refreshing, making it a perfect ending to the meal.

Lastly, I indulged in the Thai pandan ice cream, which was a delightful surprise. Made with real coconut slices, the ice cream was creamy and fragrant, with the unique flavor of pandan shining through. Served in a crispy ice cream cone with a side of coconut jelly, this dessert was not only delicious but also...

The Real Deal Street Thai 🔥 TL;DR: This ain't your bougie Thai joint - it's legit street vibes with serious flavor game that'll transport you straight to Bangkok's bustling sidewalks. The Lowdown Thai Pai Dong operates two locations that are absolutely crushing it: Jordan OG spot: 24 Man Yuen Street (the original that started the hype) Central expansion: 6-8 Staunton Street (newer location with a "Hooters-style" twist - interesting choice!) Must-Try Hits 🎯 Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) - HK$138-154 The Michelin Guide isn't lying - these ribbon noodles come with that perfect wok char and herbal aromatics that'll make you forget you're not in Thailand. The texture game is chef's kiss. Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles - Around HK$98 Premium upgrade that's actually worth the splurge. Rich, complex broth that's been simmering for ages. Crab Meat Omelette - HK$98 Fluffy, loaded with actual crab chunks. Not the fake stuff - we're talking real deal here. Thai Grilled Pork - HK$117-130 Street-style perfection with that smoky char you can't replicate at home. The Vibe Check ✨ No-frills setup but the food does ALL the talking Queue game strong - arrive early or prepare to wait (that's always a good sign) Instagrammable without trying too hard Authentic street food energy in a city that knows good food Value Proposition 💰 Prices hover around HK$80-150 per dish, which is fair for HK standards, especially considering the quality and generous portions. The Michelin recognition doesn't hurt either - this place earned its stripes. Bottom Line Thai Pai Dong is serving up that authentic Bangkok dai pai dong experience without the plane ticket. The Jordan location keeps it real with that neighborhood charm, while Central brings the same flavors with a bit more polish. Either way, you're getting legit Thai street food that'll have you planning your next visit before you've finished your first bowl. Food Lover's Memory Rating: 8.5/10 - This is the kind of spot that locals guard fiercely and tourists discover by accident. Consider yourself lucky if you...