Best Thai Food in KL

For those who once favoured Kota Damansara's Erawan, the upclass Thai restaurant has been rebooted in the new DC mall and it's better than ever. Celebrate special occasions at this fine restaurant, decked out in traditional Thai accents alongside modern settings. Head chef Korn's creations are often innovative, with a nod to fresh, quality ingredients. One example is the Pegaga Salad (RM58), that features fresh pegaga leaves with prawns, chicken and crushed peanuts. The appetising dish is delicious, not to mention healthy. Order also the Salted Egg Yolk Glass Noodles (RM38). Coated in a sheen of powdery salted egg yolk, the noodles have a pleasantly rich flavour — a great alternative for those who seek a Thai dish sans intense spice. Drinks are sold by the bottle, and the sweet, smooth Thai Milk Tea (RM12) is worth ordering whether you're sharing, or not. Pro tip: The staff will offer water (still or sparkling) but it's best to skip both and spend the cash on tea.
Avg price per person: RM60
Photo by Burppler Sarah Voon

Formerly known as Lai Thai Market, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is easily one of KL's best places for Thai street eats. The experience here is holistic; taste authentic Thai dishes, then proceed to the mini mart section within to buy fresh Thai-sourced condiments. Bring your mum or a friend who loves to cook, for good food and a little shopping fun. Pork is Frame Thai's forte. Order the Moo Ping (RM10 for three sticks) for juicy skewered, seasoned pork shoulders. According to Burppler Nicholas, the porky delicacy is even better with extra dipping sauce. For mains, the Pork Leg With Rice (RM10) pleases with tender braised pork leg doused in flavoursome gravy. It's either that or a wok hei-packed Basil Pork Rice (RM8) of fragrant minced meat and a crispy fried egg to top. The shop is small with limited seats, so save the daytime-only spot for an early brunch or late lunch!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Nicholas Ng

Find Kompassion in quiet Damansara Kim for yummy Thai food with an international spin. Warm lighting and sprawling tables provide a cosy ambience that's perfect for dinner with a few friends. Make it on a rainy night, when it will be perfect to enjoy the claypot Fish Special Tom Yum (RM50) laden with succulent fish fillets and mushrooms. Pair this with the thick, savoury Hang Laey Pork Curry (RM35). For a wholesome meal option, the Nasi Campur Special (RM28.90) is a hit. Brown rice is boosted by the best of their enticing menu — hang laey pork, green curry, fried chicken, fried egg and a bowl of tom yum. If you're here in the day, this foolproof order comes at an affordable RM18.90 for the daily lunch special! On desserts, the Mango Sticky Rice (RM18) features a fragrant pandan gelato, giving the traditional dessert a refreshing edge.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Sok Chien

This Thai restaurant is one of Taman Paramount's best-kept secrets. Don't let the simple setting and fair prices fool you; it's an impressive contender for authentic Thai eats. The menu used to boast many more dishes, but now focuses on one-bowl offerings comfortably priced below RM10. Come for a cheap, casual lunch with your colleagues! For sharing, get the Thai Camp Preserved Eggs (RM9.90), an intriguing dish of two century eggs deep-fried in a layer of tasty minced pork. The Pork Panaeng with Rice & Fried Egg (RM8.90) sees rice surrounded by a red curry lagoon, next to thin slices of tender meat. If you're resisting the path to a food coma, try an invigorating Seafood Tomyum Noodle (RM8.90) that's sure to awaken your senses. Thai Camp has the tendency to tone the heat down for first-time patrons. To have your lunch with Thai-level heat, let the friendly staff know!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Jocelyn Ting

There's no place like myElephant for Thai, where the vibes are relaxed but elegant, and the food is excellent yet affordable. Here's a winning venue for your next business lunch appointment. The menu has seen little changes since the establishment first opened over eight years ago, but we're more than happy to return for these classics. Look to their lunch sets to find a delectable Green Curry Chicken (RM13.67) — a generous bowl of rich, fragrant gravy to ladle over brown jasmine rice. We also recommend the Chicken Maryland (RM20.03) for an ingenious pairing of deep-fried chicken with green curry or panaeng curry gravy. If you have yet to try this, throw all your fried chicken notions out the window and meet your new favourite. The restaurant nails their Mango with Glutinuous Rice (RM9.01) every time, so don't miss this for dessert!
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burppler Jeff Lim

Located at a standalone row of shops along Jalan Batai, Ekkamai's draw is pork-free Thai fare served with standards. The chic outdoor seatings make it great for lunch with the girls, but come nightfall, the bar-like ambience within will suit a swanky date night. We prefer to come for lunch, when the reasonably priced set lunches are available. Get the Pla Tu Rice Lunch Set (RM22.90). Not easily found in KL, this delicious fried rice dish features Thai-style ikan kembung and fresh vegetables with a spicy belacan dip. The Green Curry Lunch Set (RM22.90) also packs a punch, especially if you like lots of meat in creamy curry. Expect the set to come with a pandan cooler drink and dessert of the day — think kuihs or coconut and red bean soups. When dining here, give in to the temptation to update your Instagram feed. The woven bamboo trays and antique gold cutlery are incredibly photogenic!
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burppler Anna Wong

Though Baan 26 is more widely known as a bar, the restaurant arm of this late night establishment dishes out Thai food that hits the spot! Baan means 'home' in Thai and this homely setup is one of the only joints in Changkat that isn't too trendy for a casual kickback. On bustling nights, bring a few friends around for the delicious Thai food, and stay for the drinks after. Order a Thai Mango Salad With Crispy Catfish (RM28), which trigger appetites with an explosion of flavours. Since you have a night of drinking ahead of you, we'd advise skipping the soupy dishes. Go instead for the delightfully crisp and delicious Crispy Duck with Crispy Rice Vermicelli (RM38). It's also sinfully fatty, which is just what you need to pair with an ice-cold glass of Beer (from RM17 a glass). The bar sees no shortage of drinks to last you the night, from playful cocktails to a calming whisky.
Avg price per person: RM70
Photo by Burppler Chattering KitchenK

Sporting large tables and a rustic open-air environment, this barbecue restaurant is made to accommodate group dinners. Bring fellow Thai food fans here for the fresh grills. It's no wonder the Thai BBQ Pork Neck (RM28) is a popular order, as the smoky, tender meat gleams with a perfect glaze. Don't miss the fiery green chili dip that gives the dish a whole new dimension. Also snag an order of the Thai BBQ Cockles (RM12) — a sizeable serving of warm shells that reveal fat, juicy cockles. For greens, the crowd-pleasing Deep-Fried Kangkung (RM15) is an addictive snack (we mean vegetable...) that will be polished in no time. For an alternative to the usual tom yum, get a sharing pot of Thai-Style Pork Ribs Spicy Sour Soup (RM48). It is redolent of herbs and chock-full of fork-tender pork ribs. The outdoor locale doesn't bode well with rainy nights, so come only when skies are clear.
Avg price per person: RM40
Photo by Burppler Angie Tyo