Phat Thaiger - Thai & Japanese Izankaya — Restaurant in Malden

Sometimes fusing two cultures doesn’t necessarily give it a new identity. It just blurs both if not executed properly. The flavors here weren’t chaotic, but they felt inconclusive. I get that this spot used to be an izakaya, but it might’ve been better to fully commit to either Japanese izakaya or Thai food, rather than toe the line.

DIY Temaki – DIY handrolls. I usually enjoy when Thai flavors accent nigiri in subtle ways, but here, it was overdone. The citrusy elements in the sauces caused noticeable denaturation in some of the fish, especially tuna and salmon. It seemed like they were pre-mixed (instead of mixing it fresh), so the textures were already off by the time they were served.

Crispy Torikawa Gyoza – Only dish that I really liked. Minced chicken wrapped in crispy chicken skin. No clue how they pulled this off, but it was one of the best apps I’ve had at a Thai restaurant.

Grilled Beef Tongue – Just calling it “Thai style” doesn’t make it new. Tasted like a typical beef tongue at a Japanese izakaya. Nicely grilled, scallions, probably a yuzu-based sauce. Decent, but not particularly Thai.

Thai Ikayaki – A simple grilled squid meant to be dipped in chili-lime wasabi sauce. Again, labeling it “Thai style” didn’t make this unique or special.

Chicken Liver & Chicken Heart Skewers – Skewers were what I actually came here for (one of my colleagues highly recommended it). Both were good (especially the heart), but I wish we ordered more of the classic cuts like...

A scam. We ordered the DIY signature temaki omakase treasure 9 box for 2 people, which was $70 and came with small dishes and seaweed for us to put the toppings into to make hand rolls. The problem was there were only 15 pieces of seaweed for 9 dishes, and we didn't realize we needed 3 more until the last 2 dishes. When we asked for more seaweed, the waiter took out the billing iPad and asked us to choose between 4 more pieces for $2 or 10 pieces for $4. The fact that we were even getting charged for extra seaweed (or rather, enough seaweed to even make the full amount of hand rolls) was a complete turnoff and we just completely lost our appetite along with any desire to return to the restaurant to give it future business. We begrudgingly chose the 4 piece option because we only need 3 more pieces. After eating the last dish, the unagi foie gras, we realized there was no foie gras in the serving. It was advertised in the diagram of the serving (see attached image) but not present in the actual serving. I've been to over 100 sushi restaurants around the world and always order foie gras when it's available, so it was obvious to me that it was missing from the dish. Not to mention the salmon wasn't torched as advertised. Overall, quite the scam, and it's obvious this place is over hyped from social media advertising.

Other things to note: the water was progressively warmer as we...

I had the pleasure of visiting Phat Thaiger with my family today, and it was an unforgettable dining experience that beautifully blended the bold flavors of Thai-Isan cuisine with the cozy charm of a Japanese izakaya.

From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a warm, laid-back atmosphere—perfect for relaxing and enjoying good food with loved ones. The décor cleverly combines rustic Thai elements with modern Japanese touches, creating a space that feels both stylish and authentic.

🍢 The food was absolutely outstanding. We sampled a variety of dishes—from comforting Japanese small plates and skewers. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, packed with flavor, and presented with flair. It’s clear the chefs here truly understand how to harmonize the two cuisines while honoring their roots.

🍶 Service was just as impressive. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food they served. They happily offered recommendations and made us feel welcome throughout our visit.

Whether you’re craving something spicy, savory, or simply looking for a unique dining experience that bridges cultures in a fun, vibrant setting—Phat Thaiger is the place to be. Highly...