Raan Khao Gaeng Thai Street Food — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

Operated by a team of Thais, this is a very popular restaurant in Kamppi. If you are looking for a quick bite, it may not be the right place to come as the waiting time can be long - upwards of 30mins or more, depending on the time of day. There is an unwritten rule when dining in - first, make your order and pay at the cashier, then, wait to be called for your table. It is first paid, first served, so don't assume you could grab an empty table just because you spotted one or else you would be asked to get up and move. That would be embarrassing! Because there are always a queue, waitresses aren't all smiles either. Don't expect the Thai hospitality, but they aren't rude by any means. They just don't acknowledge you the way you think Thais do (kudos to the Finns for assimilating them well! No offense to my local friends! ;-)) As for the food, it is as "good" as you can expect, outside of Thailand (or should we say, here in Finland). During our many visits, we have had the following items. Here's how we rate them (1=worst, 10=best/authentic):

1. Thai Papaya Salad: 7/10
2. Pad Thai (Normal version): 8/10
3. Green Curry Chicken: 6/10 (Avoid Prawn version as they are quite stingy with the ingredients)
4. Hainanese Chicken Rice: 7/10 (Go for the fried version as the steam version is a tad dry)
5. Khao Moo Daeng: 3/10 (Pork should be falling off the bone tender but these were as hard as rocks!)
6. Tom Yum Soup with Chicken: 7/10
7. Gai Satay: 7/10
8. Panaeng Curry Chicken: 5/10
9. Pad See Ew: 3/10 (Rice noodles are not the type used in Thailand. They are too thick and too hard)
10. Massaman Curry Chicken: 6/10

Price wise, they range between 11,90 Euro to 16,90 Euro. Decent considering the portion. For those who hadn't had Thai, this would be a good first intro to one of the most popular Asian food...

This restaurant is always full!

It's probably the only place that's perpetually packed, without fail. I have come here so many times and seen every table occupied, with crowds waiting eagerly for a chance to dive into their meal.

Here are some positives: The menu's a treasure trove, boasting over 100 Thai dishes. You can spot it right as you enter, displayed on screens above the cashier or on the counter itself. They've got every ingredient and price laid out crystal clear. There's a daily lunch menu, easily accessible on their website. The staff's pretty quick, hustling to clear tables for new guests promptly. 4.The place screams Thai vibes, with Thai music always setting the mood. I enjoyed this vibes and the music while eating here with my friends. They have good variety of food here, decent prices for the quality you get. Conveniently located on Kamppi mall's E floor. But, there are some downsides: The staff's not big on smiles, making the service feel a tad impersonal. Orders take quite a while, especially desserts, owing to the overwhelming crowd. The extensive menu's a maze; it's a challenge if you're not well-versed in Thai cuisine. I think the consistency in taste is a bit of a gamble; dishes might differ from previous visits, making it hard to pin down that exact flavor you crave. To me, the quality's not bad, but it's a mixed bag.

I'll definitely be coming back to this restaurant many more times because it's in a convenient location, the food tastes good, and the prices...

It was a popular spot among locals. However, this also meant that the restaurant was quite crowded. We had to wait about 15 minutes for our food to arrive, which, while not too long, was a bit of a test of patience The space inside the restaurant is on the cozier side. It's not overly spacious, so if you're looking for a more relaxed, roomy dining environment, this might not be the ideal place. However, the staff was friendly and attentive The portion size was quite generous. We tried Yen ta fo and Thai noodle, the soup was okay. However, when it came to the toppings, they were just average. The fish balls and squid lacked the firmness and flavor that I'm used to. The vegetables were fresh, but they didn't add much in terms of texture or taste to the overall dish While the restaurant offers a decent selection of Thai dishes, it's important to manage your expectations. If you've had the pleasure of dining on authentic Thai food in Thailand, you might find that the flavors here don't quite match up. However, considering that it's a Thai restaurant in Helsinki, it's a decent option for those craving a...