Gai by Darren Chin (TTDI) — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

Disappointed and Shocked – Far from Michelin Standards. I was genuinely surprised to learn that this restaurant received both the Thai SELECT award and Michelin recognition. Based on my recent visit, I found the experience to be far from what such accolades typically represent.

The atmosphere was quite noisy and lacked any sense of comfort or intimacy. The interior design felt more like a fast-food outlet than a restaurant aspiring to fine dining standards—functional, but with a rather uninspired and low-cost aesthetic. This would have been acceptable if the prices weren’t so high, but the overall value just didn’t match the setting.

Service was the most disappointing aspect. Although the restaurant wasn’t full, the three male staff members on duty were inattentive and slow to respond. Despite several attempts to get their attention, I was met with indifference. I wasn’t alone—guests at the next table had to repeatedly follow up on their dessert order after a long wait, clearly frustrated.

As for the food, I found it overly oily—even by Thai street food standards. When my dessert finally arrived, it was placed awkwardly on the edge of my already cluttered table, with no attempt to clear the dirty dishes from my main course. When I politely said “excuse me,” the server ignored me and walked away. I had to call another staff member just to help clear the table—again, not what you’d expect from a restaurant with Michelin ties.

All in all, the experience was underwhelming and disappointing. Given the accolades, I expected far better in terms of both service and quality. There are many Thai establishments that offer a much more pleasant and authentic experience without the...

This is a tough one to review. On one hand, the service, environment and even the food were generally good. On the other, the food’s quantity and/or quality didn’t really justify the prices we paid. I had the beef khao soi, as per recommended by some tofu-insta-foodie. I am a khao soi lover, I can’t leave BKK without at least one bowl of it, and hunt for it in CM. So naturally I come here with much anticipation. I honor each cook’s vision of khao soi, but this is simply not to my preference. While the taste was good, the portion was measly. The broth is on the thick side, served more like a sauce, which is not to my preference. The noodle itself was way too soft. Condiments are all added into the main dish, not separated, another minus to me. While there were enough bite-sized pieces of beef, still it doesn’t warrant the price charged. My dining partner had the fish ball/cake noodle, imported from Thailand every week. While it was good, at the end, it’s a bowl of noodle with processed fish - Thai style - Fullstop. Then came the chicken wings, which was the best thing to eat. It was proper crunchy and yummy, one of the better ones in KL. Lastly, we had to try the thapthim krop, again for the price the size was shockingly small, and the taste nondescript. To summarize, you really need deep pockets to dine here. Nothing was really elevated, just Thai street food done good, in a restaurant setting. It left me...

Oxtail Stew. From the first bite, it was clear this was a dish crafted with care and patience. The oxtail was incredibly tender, falling off the bone with the slightest touch. The rich, deeply flavourful broth was simply divine – a perfect balance of savoury and slightly sweet notes, with hints of aromatic herbs and spices that tantalized the palate.

Crab Omelette, wasn't your average, run-of-the-mill omelette. It was fluffy and perfectly cooked, encasing generous chunks of sweet, succulent crab meat. Every bite was a burst of fresh crab flavour. The texture was light and airy, and the subtle seasoning allowed the natural sweetness of the crab to truly shine. Elegant and utterly satisfying dish.

The service at Gai Express was also noteworthy. The staff, Sean, deserves a special mention, incredibly friendly, always wearing a genuine smile, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a pleasant dining experience.

He was attentive without being intrusive, offered helpful recommendations, and was very accommodating to our requests. Sean's warm and welcoming demeanor truly enhanced our meal.

In conclusion, Gai Express in Taman...