Food reviews - Shanghai, Uncategorized SIMPLY THAI 23 January 2009


Simply Thai
159 Ma Dang Road
Xin Tian Di
Shanghai, China
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Simply Thai was the restaurant of choice that my friend picked. It’s basically a fancy Thai restaurant for expats, PLUS it’s located in the Xin Tian Di area, another expat hot spot – leading me to believe my friend must not think I’m very local! At first, I was a little miffed, as I’d have preferred to try something a little more traditional Shanghainese…. but all doubts were washed away once the food arrived.

Located in the beautiful area of Xin Tian Di, the restaurant has a courtyard area outside (defunct at the moment as it’s winter and butt cold freezing) as well as 2 levels inside. It’s cozy, wooden, and candle-lit inside.. despite it being the middle of the day outside. There seems to be just as many wait staff as there are patrons, so service is really prompt and attentive – always a plus! Food is also served as equally swiftly.

After perusing the massive menu, we finally whittled ourselves down to a meagre 2 dishes.. in our effort to try and eat less πŸ˜‰ The Green Curry was very mildly spicy with a smooth creamy texture, with a lovely blend of various vegetables. I found the chicken nice and tender, though the portion was tiny. It’s expensive at 60? – that’s basically Australian restaurant pricing! πŸ™

The Pandan Leaf Chicken was utterly sublime. Whilst not-so-pleasantly dripping with oil, the chicken was moist and tender, with a hint of pandan flavour. Loved the strong charcoal fragrance and the dark sauce it was served with off-set it perfectly. Both dishes went well with large amounts of white rice, which we happily munched our way through.

Dessert though, was the best best best part. My friend convinced me to get the Sago & Coconut Pudding to share with her.. as she’d read great reviews about it. She was right – it was OUTSTANDING. The sago at the bottom is basically like a jelly, not much taste.. but the creamy coconut pudding (half liquid, half solid in texture) had that wonderfully rich, sweet flavour.. paired perfect with the little corn kernels throughout the dessert. It was served with the cutest tiny little spoon to scoop it all out of the pandan leaf. Absolutely delish!!

It worked out to 100? (or US$15) per person.. which is pretty expensive (compared to local places here) considering 1) we ordered only a tiny bit and 2) we’re in China! Fortunately for them, the food is really good, and if you compare it to Western countries, it’s a reasonable deal. I’m going to go back with Chris on Mondays when (I discovered later), they have 50% off – woohoo!


The prominently positioned Simply Thai

Menu book – oh the selection!!

My very beautiful-looking tea

Pandan leave chicken. HOLY SMOKES this was good.

Chicken green curry

Sago & Coconut Pudding. OMG. *faint*

The beautiful, quiet roads of Xin Tian Di

Poking around in the Post Office Museum


Let’s Chat!




Let's Chat!

the coconut sago dessert is a very common dessert in Thailand. You can also get it from some Malay food stalls/restaurants.
It’s best served chilled! yummy

It’s common but I’ve never tried it before.. even when I was in Thailand! never caught my fancy but I am SO glad i tried it now.. it’s sooooo good πŸ˜›

the coconut sago dessert is a very common dessert in Thailand. You can also get it from some Malay food stalls/restaurants.
It’s best served chilled! yummy

It’s common but I’ve never tried it before.. even when I was in Thailand! never caught my fancy but I am SO glad i tried it now.. it’s sooooo good πŸ˜›

mm i love the pandan chicken leaf and pudding! that’s the stuff i could only get in indonesia/singapore but not at any thai restaurants in the US πŸ™

now you’re talking like a real asian.. comparing prices even when it’s already so cheap (compared to the US!)

If you like That food, you should try Banana Leaf in Hong Kong Plaza on Huai Hai Rd, very nice That food, less touristic and cheaper than Simply Thai!

Ahhh we went to Banana Leaf Curry here in Shanghai and it was so crap! But I heard Banana Leaf (apparently a different place?) is good πŸ™‚

mm i love the pandan chicken leaf and pudding! that’s the stuff i could only get in indonesia/singapore but not at any thai restaurants in the US πŸ™

now you’re talking like a real asian.. comparing prices even when it’s already so cheap (compared to the US!)

That all looks SO good! And I’m jealous because I haven’t found pandan leaf chicken at any of the Thai restaurants in my area and have been craving it since a trip to Thailand a year and a half ago.

Simply Thai is my favourite Thai restaurant in SG. You must try the Tom Yum Goong (tom yum seafood soup) that’s seemingly harmless but actually incredibly spicy! I always order the Pad Thai, Soft Shell crab curry rice. All the above with 2 drinks would set us back by at least S$40. So yes, it’s not the cheapest place, but the most yummiest Thai I’ve found so far. πŸ™‚

ahh I don’t like tom yum goong in general, it’s spicy and i’m not a huge fan of soups! but i do LOVE pad thai and the crab curry rice sounds so good… mmmmmmmmmmm

If you like That food, you should try Banana Leaf in Hong Kong Plaza on Huai Hai Rd, very nice That food, less touristic and cheaper than Simply Thai!

Ahhh we went to Banana Leaf Curry here in Shanghai and it was so crap! But I heard Banana Leaf (apparently a different place?) is good πŸ™‚

That all looks SO good! And I’m jealous because I haven’t found pandan leaf chicken at any of the Thai restaurants in my area and have been craving it since a trip to Thailand a year and a half ago.

Simply Thai is my favourite Thai restaurant in SG. You must try the Tom Yum Goong (tom yum seafood soup) that’s seemingly harmless but actually incredibly spicy! I always order the Pad Thai, Soft Shell crab curry rice. All the above with 2 drinks would set us back by at least S$40. So yes, it’s not the cheapest place, but the most yummiest Thai I’ve found so far. πŸ™‚

ahh I don’t like tom yum goong in general, it’s spicy and i’m not a huge fan of soups! but i do LOVE pad thai and the crab curry rice sounds so good… mmmmmmmmmmm