Johor Kaki was invited by Wei Wei from Absolute Thai to visit their newly opened outlet in KSL City Mall.
Absolute Thai has a contemporary ambiance. There was none of the ornate furnishings, ornaments and gold gilded colours of traditional Thai restaurants.
On the wall, simple black and white photos of Thailand let us know that we are in a Thai restaurant.
I like that centrepiece chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling, flooding the restaurant with a soft, warm, gentle glow.
The bench seats were very comfortable and the warm colours of the brick and wood furnishings gave the restaurant a modern yet rustic homely feel.
The key man in the kitchen at Absolute Thai KSL City is Chef Anong Puikham from Khon Kaen in northern Thailand. Chef Anong has more than 20 years of cooking experience before joining Absolute Thai.
Hot and spicy seafood Tom Yam soup is the usual way I start my Thai makan (eating) sessions :D This is the "red base" version with curry spices.
We also had the "clear base" version. Don't be deceived. That clear broth packed an even sharper spicy wallop than the fiery looking cousin.
The "red base" tom yam was actually milder as it had coconut milk added which gave the broth a slight sweet note.
Fresh good size prawns in our tom yam soup.
We "open" our appetite further 开胃 with Thai Mango Salad with Crispy Catfish (RM15.90++).
The catfish fillet was fried to a crisp. Wei Wei showed us how the Thais eat this dish. The crispy catfish fillet was broken up with a fork, then tossed and mixed with the slivers of unripe mango, crushed peanuts and fish sauce.
Crispy fish, crunchy juicy mango, sweet, savoury and sour flavours, I like the mix of textures and tastes of this Thai salad.
Pandan Leaves Chicken (four pieces for RM14.90++).
The chunk of chicken was fried to a crisp outside while the flesh inside remained moist and tender. The meat was well marinated with spices and it also absorbed the aroma from the pandan leaf wrapping.
A good rendition of a classic and popular Thai dish.
Steamed Siakap with Garlic, Chili and Lime Sauce (RM43.90++).
Soft steamed fish in a soupy tangy, sweet and spicy sauce.
Nice.
Pad Thai or Thai Fried Noodles with Prawns (RM16.90++).
Pad Thai is similar to local (Singapore/ Malaysia) char kway teow though the sauce has a different sweeter flavour. The Pad Thai at Absolute Thai come wrapped like a pillow with a thin eggy pancake.
Thai styled condiments - dry chili flakes, crushed peanuts and lime on the side.
The rice noodles were like kway teow kia but thicker, firmer, gummy and more chewy.
The Pineapple Fried Rice with Prawns (RM16.90++).
The rice felt a little too moist and soft for my liking.
I always request for a "red ruby" dessert when dining in Thai restaurants :D
This is known at Absolute Thai as "Water Chestnut in Coconut Milk Topped with Jack Fruits" (RM7.90++).
I prefer these crunchy refreshing ruby chestnuts to those Taiwanese starchy gummy balls anytime :D
Mango with Sticky Rice (RM11.90++) is one of my favourite Thai desserts.
Our Thai iced coffee and Thai iced tea (RM9++ each).
Very sweet blend of coffee or tea sweetened with palm sugar and condensed milk.
If you like to experience authentic Thai cuisine in Johor Bahru, Absolute Thai may be what you need.
Restaurant name: Absolute Thai
Address: LG-22A, KSL City Mall, Taman Century, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Akt0Q
GPS: 1.485155,103.763058
Hours: 11:30 am to 9:30 pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
Date visited: 30 Jun 2014
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