Thai Food Laboratory Shimokitazawa — Restaurant in Tokyo

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AT THIS "RESTAURANT".

I went to this place tonight to simply eat and spend a good Saturday night with my girlfriend, but the rude staff simply screwed up all our experience.

I ordered gapao rice and my girlfriend ordered fried rice. The staff asked how spicy I wanted my gapao rice, and I said I wanted it just a little spicy.

So: 1- My dish came first and I waited for around 5 minutes until my girlfriend's dish came. 2- My girlfriend's fried rice came and after I started eating my not very warm Gapao anymore for the long wait, it was extremely spicy! I worked at a Thai restaurant for a year (by far the best Thai restaurant in Tokyo called Thai Cafe Piimai in Gakugei Daigaku) and I clearly can differentiate a very spicy Gapao and a little spicy Gapao. 3- I even tried to eat it a little although it was extremely spicy, but I couldn't keep up with the frustration because I ordered it a little spicy and my mouth was numb at that point. 4- I asked the staff to replace my food because it was too spicy, and she said that that one was the little spicy one. I told her that it was not and she showed me a paper saying it was written "little spicy". Rude from this point because I'm the customer and I know what I'm eating. 5- She was demonstrating I was wrong while showing disappointment and went to tell another Thai staff. 6- The other staff came to my table angry repeating the same thing the other staff said to me. But I kindly said it was too spicy and it was impossible to eat. The angry staff said that "there is no way to make it less spicy", so she would need to bring the non-spicy one if I wanted less spicy. I just agreed and asked her to do so. If she was that disappointed, it clearly means that I'm not the first customer to complain. 7- She took my food and both staff were transmitting anger when they were walking around and speaking Thai to each other close to me clearly complaining about me. 8- The staff brought my food on a different plate (probably the plate where children eat) with half of the meat that I had on my previous plate. So disrespectful. 9- While I was eating, obviously my girlfriend finished before me, and when she was still chewing her last bite, the rude and furry staff came and took her plate away, while I still had more than half to eat on my kids plate. 10- I couldn't finish eating in that mood and wanted to escape that environment as soon as possible, so I left more than half of my food on the children's plate on the table.

Therefore, I conclude that if you wish to spend a relaxing and good time somewhere in a positive and healthy environment, this place is definitely not called "Thai Food Laboratory...

Stepping into this joint, you’d swear you’ve just hitched a ride to Thailand. The Phad Grapao? So authentic, it’s like a direct import from a Bangkok food court. The aroma hits you first, a heady mix of basil and heat, followed by that unmistakable sizzle from the wok. It’s a dish that doesn’t just dance on your taste buds, it does a full-on tango.

Peeking into the kitchen, you’ll spot Thai chefs, armed with their weathered aprons straight outta Thailand. These culinary warriors ensure each dish is a little piece of their homeland.

Then comes the Tom Yung noodles, a dish playing a game of spicy and sour hide and seek, but it seems the salt decided to sit this one out. A bit more pinch of salt wouldn’t have hurt. And the bean sprouts? They’re like enthusiastic party crashers, turning up in numbers just a tad too high. But remember, those fish sauce and chili condiments at your table aren’t just for decoration. They’re your secret weapons to bring that missing salty zing right back into the game.

But ah, the coconut pudding – a sweet symphony in a bowl. It’s like the tender kiss goodbye after a wild night out.

Don’t miss the summer rolls, a dive into freshness with a peanut sauce that’s nuttier than a squirrel’s winter stash. And a pro tip: those fish sauce and chili condiments aren’t just for show. They’re your paint to turn each dish into a personal masterpiece.

I’m giving this place a solid four out of five stars. It’s not just a meal; it’s a journey through Thailand, minus...

Surprisingly better-than-expected for the location - authentic tasting! Even though it's in a busy station, the quality of the ingredients for the green chicken curry is fantastic.

If you like large quantities of eggplant, and stewed chicken with your green chicken curry - this is for you. The spiciness level is low for this dish - but maybe it's adjusted for the Japanese palate. You also get fresh mochimochi rice-paper rolls, and spicy soup with it as part of the set.

I've tried the Tom Yum Prawn Noodle - which only had 1 prawn and was mostly noodle. I've also tried the Pad thai - the price is odd for that given that it's mostly noodle.

Even so, I'll keep coming for the chicken curry and eventually work my way through the rest of the menu. Staff are super nice, and seating is...