When you think of Thai food, what comes to mind? Tom Yum Goong? Pad Thai? Or perhaps the all-time favorite, Green Curry. Whatever it is, we want nothing but the most authentic and wallet-friendly options that will leave us saying aroi mak mak. Sounds like a struggle, but it really isn�??t! Keep reading to uncover 5 gems scattered across our little red dot.
1) Aroy Dee Thai Restaurant
With 2 outlets (Bencoolen Street and Boat Quay) strategically located near the heart of Singapore, 12-year-old Aroy Dee has been receiving a lot of love from their loyal fans. While they do not have an extensive menu, customers can look forward to the usual dishes such as Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup (highly recommended by the online community), Pineapple Fried Rice and Curry. Staying true to being affordable, the mains at Aroy Dee typically cost less than $10 each.
Image: shinxlshiyun
FYI, the restaurant offers set lunch menus! With the set lunch, you can expect to enjoy a main under $5, and a drink with an additional $1 or so, depending on your choice of drink. As if that isn�??t enough, their outlet at Sunshine Plaza closes at 6AM daily for night owls to get their Thai fix! Hoot-ray!
Whether you intend to head down to their physical outlets or have a taste of Thailand delivered to your doorstep, why not try your hand at earning some money?
�??��??��?�?
Enjoy Aroy-deelicious Thai food now!
Earn up to $30 by sharing about Aroy Dee on IG!
Find out more about the campaign here
2) Jai Thai
Ask anyone working at Partipost where we enjoy dining at for lunch and chances are, they�??ll reply with �??Jai Thai�?�. While our office is located between Marymount and Bishan MRT station with a number of eateries around, there�??s practically nothing tasty AND affordable within walking distance. Lucky for us, the one saving grace of the neighbourhood is Jai Thai.
Perfect for individuals and large groups, Jai Thai offers an array of authentic Thai dishes in the form of a la-carte and set menus. If you have a low threshold for pain and spicy food like yours truly, I highly recommend getting their Pad Thai and a side of Prawn Cake. The unsuspecting Prawn Cake is delicious on its own, but feel free to take it to the next level by pairing it with the sweet chili sauce provided (it isn�??t too spicy!). On the flip side, opt for their green curry that oomph.
Image: george.kooi
Unlike other restaurants, Jai Thai provides the option for customers to purchase sides according to quantity. This means that if you have 3 pax, you can get exactly 3 pieces (instead of the usual 4 or 6) with minimal food waste! They currently have 3 outlets (Clover Way, Purvis Street and Dhoby X�??Change) with a fourth said to be opened at SingPost Centre.
3) Thai Tantric Restaurant
Sure, Orchard Towers is infamous for being shady and unsafe, but a lesser-known gem lies within these walls. True to its name, Thai Tantric has received love from locals and travelers for being easy on the wallet and fuss-free. You know it�??s authentic when you spot Thais dining here too... If you work in the vicinity, consider heading down for their lunch sets which cost less than $10 - pretty reasonable considering the usual price of a meal in Orchard!
According to reviews, must-try dishes include their Omelette (which comes in different variations), Tom Yum Soup, Fried Pork Belly and Papaya Salad. Thai Tantric offers a wide array of Thai dishes but don�??t get carried away while ordering because they are generous with their portions!
Image: kimberleyyeo
P.S. The queue can get pretty long during the lunch hour so come early to secure your seat, and remember to bring some cash before heading down because it�??s the only mode of payment!
4) Diandin Leluk Thai Restaurant
If you love all things Thai, Diandin Leluk should definitely be on your radar. Located within Singapore�??s Little Thailand aka Golden Mile Complex, genuine Thai food awaits you. Founded in 1985 by a Singaporean and his Thai wife, the restaurant is as authentic as it gets, with ingredients and employees originating from the Land of Smiles.
Heading down for the first time? Here�??s what you should get: Stir-Fried Basil Chicken Rice with Egg, Prawn Cake, Green Curry, Tom Yum and Red Ruby.
Image: runtobrunch
Similar to most restaurants, Diandin Leluk offers set lunch menus as well. For $8.90 nett, customers can enjoy their choice of main along with a soup, drink and dessert. If this isn�??t a steal, I don�??t know what is!
5) Thai Gold Food
You�??ll be disappointed if you�??re expecting superb service and ambiance, but if your goal is affordable and quality Thai cuisine, Thai Gold Food is not one to be missed. The hole-in-the-wall eatery is comfortably nestled in Sunshine Plaza and is of course, fronted by Thai staff for added authenticity.
Dishes are generally priced below $10 for the smaller size and noteworthy dishes include Pineapple Fried Rice, Pad Thai, BBQ Pork (don�??t forget to eat it with the special chili sauce!) and Mango Salad.
Image: shovethisinyourface
Before heading down, be sure to have cash on hand because like Thai Tantric, this restaurant only accepts cash!
Stomach churning with excitement? Spoilt for choice? Why not go down the list and visit one restaurant a month? �??? Now you know where to dine with your friends on your next catch-up sesh!
