Thrilling Thai food is now being served at popular Gzira hangout

What happens when a bunch of Thai women take over the kitchen of an unassuming location in Gzira? Pad Thai Kitchen happens.




I often hop over to Jungle Joy quite a lot with my laptop when I want to get my head down during the day. Love the vibes, but I've  never thought of trying the food there in the past as it just wasn’t appetising to me (no offense).

I went there several weeks ago (yep, belated write up) and saw that the food menu had completely changed. No longer was it questionable pizza and sandwiches, but a comprehensive selection of Thai food.

Pad Thai Kitchen offers guests of Jungle Joy a really, and I mean really, good food full of flavour. It is now a destination where I actually want to go for the food rather than just for a vino after finishing up a deadline on the Mac.




The fragrant Thai fish cakes are crispy on the outside, exploding with briny flavours with the fragrance and nuance from the red curry paste. Fluffy on the interior, but do not break apart.




The meatiest chunkiest fried chicken wings were delightfully coated with aromatic Thai herbs, enough to coat your palate with a tingling sensation (not because of spice levels). Crunchy, piping hot and bursting with juice with each bite.




Do not ignore the pad kra-prao, aka the holy basil, another staple dish Thailand food lovers salivate over.

Not only are the portions generous, but the freshness is evident and you can really appreciate the prominent use of each ingredient. It was most certainly prepared with love. This stir-fried dish is no fuss and warms the soul.

My curry of choice was not green, not red... but the massaman. The creaminess enveloped my throat like a warm hug, and you'll be overcome by the intoxicating flavours of the coconut milk. The prominent use of dry spices are showstoppers, but don't steal the show. 




My gluttony got the better of me and one can tell how good a Thai joint is by how the pad Thai is prepared (just like a margherita at a pizza joint).

A mountain of stir-fried rice noodles with plump king prawns, sliced cabbage, Chinese chive, egg, spring onion… drizzled in a silky pad Thai sauce. This dish always makes me feel sorry for people with peanut allergies. Anyway - spot on.

The prices are very reasonable, the portions are generous, the food is prepared with love and although it is simple,  the presentation is definitely worthy of a snap… if you love humble Thai food (not westernised)... now you know where to go!

Pad Thai Kitchen @ Jungle Joy
Triq L-Msida
Gzira
Website