OYHZ (Hui Zi): Cha Thai

I have been hoping to try Cha Thai for the longest time. This rather new restaurant doesn’t just serve authentic Thai food, they are bringing to us fine Thai.

At Cha Thai, you can often see its Founder, Permsiri Sirijindapan, also affectionately known as Leah, rolling up her sleeves and working her wok magic in the kitchen, whipping up Thai cuisine from the central region we all love. This certainly makes Cha Thai quite a newfound treasure and dining pleasure.

Most of us see Thai food as generally street food that comes at affordable prices. Cha Thai is more than that with Leah’s strong culinary passion got her admitted to schools in France and Thailand, which explains why she is able to marry the best of East and West, adapting the West’s technology while keeping to the East’s traditions, to bring Thai food to another level. “Thai food is just like food from any other culture. In Japanese food, we have the street food, as well as the finer quality food. In Chinese food, likewise. Even Western food, we have street food or fast food and fine dining. Thai food is not just about street food”, said Leah. “The quality of Cha Thai’s food is the result of premium quality ingredients, along with traditional (not authentic) recipes cooked with modern techniques, to bring out another dimension in the taste of Thai, so our customers experience the best of Fine Thai Food”, Leah shared.

At Cha Thai, there is one thing you will definitely notice - the portions are so large you should always come with friends. It is in the Thai’s tradition and culture to gather, and therefore, their food always comes in portions large enough for sharing. Food always tastes the best in good company.

Besides the large serving portions, Leah insists on great quality ingredients. Seafood is sourced locally from kelongs for freshness. Meat is sous vide to achieve tenderness. Dips, curries, pastes, sauces, gravy, milk teas, refreshing drinks and all are made from scratch as well.

The Smoothies are $4.50 each. Cold and hot drinks are at $2.90.

Cha Thai Signatures

Creamy Crab Roll $15

Deep dried spring roll sticks served with crab cream sauce made of finger roots herbs, and the fragrance of the crab cream sauce tastes like Thai laksa in a creamy state.

Crispy Prawn Cake $15

Deep fried thick juicy prawn cakes made with tiger prawns (not the usual shrimps used by many), served with sweet plum sauce

Lemongrass Prawn Salad $28

Not your normal salad, this is savoury yet refreshing at the same time!

Another 'salad' - Pomelo Salad

Signature Tiger Prawn ‘Panang’ Curry $28

Thai saffron curry with tiger prawns and juicy sweet lychees, glazed with coconut cream

Sauteed Kai Lan with Roasted Pork $16

Stir fry baby kai lan with sous vide roasted pork, garlic and oyster sauce

Garlic Chicken with Bird’s Chilli $18

Tom Yum Vegetarian Dumplings $18

I don't usually take vegetarian dishes specially, but this is one I wouldn't mind going for!

Simmered Pork $22

Simmered pork knuckle with kai lan, pork knuckle is super tender from 14 hours of sous vide, served with fresh chilli sauce made of fermented chilli sauce

Premium Giant Tiger Prawns Claypot Glass Noodles $159 / Tiger Prawns Claypot Glass Noodles $55 (for 4 pax) (giant tiger prawn is about 35-40cm)

Thai baked claypot prawn tang hoon seasoned with spices, ginger, pepper and spring onions. Savour the good quality tang hoon which should be QQ in texture, not soggy.

Pad Thai $22

Charcoal Toast $8

Adapted from Cha Thai’s signature toast, Charcoal kaya toast is even fluffier and softer, paired with kaya dip. The orange dip at the background is milk tea flavour, which is good as well! Absolutely my favourite! Please go and try it for yourselves!