What's Zaap? Thai Food — Restaurant in Spring Valley

What's Zaap?: A Vibrant Journey Through Authentic Thai Flavors

Located in the lively southwest corner of Las Vegas, What's Zaap? Thai Food has become a beloved haven for those seeking authentic Thai cuisine that resonates with genuine flavors and heartfelt traditions. This commitment to authenticity has recently graced the screen on the celebrated show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (Season 45, Episode 9), showcasing a menu bursting with vibrant, bold flavors rooted in Thai culinary heritage. Inspired by the buzz and eager to rekindle cherished memories of my travels through Thailand, I set out on a culinary adventure that promised to be as enchanting as the landscapes of that beautiful country.

My evening commenced with a classic Thai appetizer that many have come to adore: Chicken Satay. This dish was nothing short of a revelation, showcasing a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that left me yearning for more. The chicken, carefully marinated in a medley of turmeric and spices, was grilled until it achieved a perfect balance of smoky exterior and tender interior. The aroma was inviting, and every bite was infused with depth and nuance. Accompanying this delightful skewer was a velvety peanut sauce with a triumphant mix of richness and subtle sweetness, offering a lovely contrast to the savory morsels. Adding an unexpected twist to the experience was a refreshing cucumber salad, whose bright acidity cut through the dish's richness beautifully. The crowning touch was a nostalgic addition of white toast, whose slightly crisp exterior and airy interior served as the ideal vessel for savoring the luscious sauce—an element that paid homage to the warmth of Thai traditions while imparting a whimsical charm.

For the main course, I treated myself to a dish often dubbed the essence of comfort food in Thailand: Spicy Basil Fried Rice or Pad Krapow, this time with succulent pork. Each grain of jasmine rice was thoroughly infused with the tantalizing essence of spicy garlic basil sauce, creating a fragrant allure that transported me directly to the bustling streets of Bangkok, where the scent of sizzling woks fills the air. Tender strips of hand-chopped pork melded effortlessly with an array of vibrant vegetables, including crunchy bell peppers and sweet onions, all of which danced in perfect harmony to create a fiery and aromatic dish. The flavor profile was unapologetically bold and embodied the pure, unfiltered spirit of Thai cuisine that I had longed to experience.

What's Zaap? It offers more than just a meal; it provides an immersive experience that envelops diners in Thailand's warmth, vibrancy, and authenticity. Each aspect of the restaurant, from the thoughtfully curated menu to the inviting ambiance adorned with cultural decor, reflects a deep-seated passion for Thai culinary arts that resonates through every dish. This unique cultural experience, rich with narratives and traditions, is a testament to the global appeal of Thai cuisine.

For anyone who yearns for a genuine taste of Thailand, What's Zaap? Stands out as an indispensable destination in Las Vegas. My evening at this exceptional restaurant was a culinary odyssey that rekindled fond memories of my travels and reaffirmed the timeless appeal of traditional Thai flavors. Meticulously executed and profoundly evocative, What's Zaap? It truly earns its esteemed place in the city's flourishing food scene, promising diners a journey of flavors long after the last bite has...

Wow! Just Wow!

The word "zaap" is Thai slang meaning spiciness that “hits the spot!" This whole meal hit the spot.

I first heard of What’s Zaap on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy had nothing but good things to say about What’s Zaap, but I honestly don’t think Guy did the restaurant justice. Paul (owner and chef) makes all the sauces from scratch including the curries. Paul stays true to his heritage with ingredients that most Thai restaurants substitute cheap ingredients for. His fidelity to his heritage shows through in every dish.

The restaurant is nicely decorated and has a great ambiance. The restaurant was full on a Wednesday night (I made reservations) and even though it was full, it was not loud. We could easily talk during dinner.

“We eat with our eyes first”. To keep from repeating myself on each dish, I will say this once. The presentation on all the dishes was beautiful. The attention to detail is amazing. You can see plenty of pictures online within these reviews.

My wife and I had 4 dishes, Chicken Satay, Pad Thai with Shrimp, Panang Curry Beef and of course, Sticky rice and mango. We ended up bringing quite a bit home with us.

Chicken Satay - What a way to start the meal! I am normally underwhelmed with Chicken Satay because the chicken can be dry and lacking flavor and the peanut sauce can be on the thick and pasty side. NOT HERE. The chicken could stand on its own. Perfectly (yes, I will use that word a lot) cooked and very juicy. The peanut sauce was unbelievable. No Skippy peanut butter here. The consistency made it stick to the chicken. The flavor was delicious, delicate and complimented the chicken. It did not overwhelm it.

Pad Thai - The presentation was unique. I have never seen Pad Thai prepared like this. You have to order it yourself to appreciate and understand it. Remember, Paul makes all of his own sauces. This is evident in every mouthful. The Pad Thai never became dry as it sat between servings. The noodles never became soft. I literally HAD to consume the entire plate.

Panang Curry Beef - Deep, complex flavor. The sauce was silky smooth. Great mouthfeel. The beef was tender. The ingredients had vibrant colors and the dish was visually stunning with saffron threads on top.

Sticky rice and mango - Perfect texture on the rice. The rice was not overly sweet and went beautifully with the PERFECTLY ripe Mango.

My wife and I had a 15 minute table side conversation with Paul after the meal. He was very delightful and gave us pointers on preparing some of our favorite dishes.

Thank you Paul for a lovely meal. We will definitely be back and will bring many, many friends and...

Took me a while to get here but it was worth the wait! I was gifted a gift card for Christmas(best gift ever) most Thai places don't have gift cards. I wanted to take my son during the week so I could test the value of their lunch special as well as let him try their signature dishes. Lunch is offered Monday-Friday until 3:00pm with a decent variety. I ordered the red curry level (level 2 out of 4) and it was full bodied with a good amount of veggies and lots of basil. The lunch comes with a soup, salad, and soda for $14 bucks! Killer deal compared to local Thai places. The soup had many layers of flavor between the chicken to the fresh ginger I could tell that they take pride in what they offer as a side. The salad was different from any Thai place I've tried it was like a citrus soy dressing over crisp veggies. I enjoyed that at the end.

My son ordered the stuffed chicken wings and they were huge! The order is 2pc but it's enough to share between 4 people for sure. They were stuffed with a yummy sausage and noodle mix served with sweet chili sauce and cucumbers. He loves pineapple so of course we had to go with the Pineapple fried rice it's a true showstopper and I saw others in the restaurant with it so I know it would be good. They hollow out a fresh pineapple and stuff the it mountain high with fried rice. It had scallions, egg, pineapples, cashews and onions cooked to perfection with beautiful shrimp throughout. The shrimp was so perfect I almost think it could be poached? Could be wrong but it was very clean and soft. The owner brought it out himself and greeted my family. What's Zaap?! Love when owners care about the customers experience. We ordered lunch Pad Se Ew for my daughter (toddler approved) it was flavorful with sauté greens and chicken.

My friend ordered the fried shrimp which came served in a cute fisherman basket with fried wonton and sweet chili sauce. The shrimp had some seasoning to it I can't tell what it was but it was delicious and different from most places who serve bland fried shrimp. She also had the Pad Se Ew lunch with Pork and said it was tender...