Buddha Thai
53 Plenty Road, Preston
03 9480 2628
Thai
$$
Food
- Mixed Entree Platter
- Pla Sum Rod (Fried Fish in Sweet & Sour Sauce)
- Chicken Pad Bai Grapow
- Massaman Beef Curry
- Pumpkin and Coconut Soup
The Good
We were off to a pleasant start to our Thai meal with the Mixed Entree platter. The highlight from this platter was undoubtedly the Chicken Skewers. Perfectly grilled, the chicken was tender and well seasoned with a fragrant, curry paste. We of course dipped it in their house made Satay Sauce that was creamy and nutty. Meanwhile, the curry puffs were light and fluffy, while the fish cakes were soft, bouncy and carried a nice spice.
We were thoroughly impressed by their Pla Sum Rod – Fried Fish. Affordably priced at only $25, the whole fish was presented with the protein as pre-sliced fillets, there was no question that it looked absolutely sensational. The fillets were individually battered and fried, with a crisp outer that was dressed in a home made sweet and soure sauce which made for a sweet and tangy experience. Alongside sat plenty of shredded veggies and mushrooms that nicely complemented the juicy slices of fish.
We then dug into the Chicken Pad Bai Grapow. This signature stir fry dish was fragrant and appetising thanks to the Thai Basil and plenty of garlic, onion and chilli providing an irresistible aroma. The shredded chicken were tender and plentiful, stir fried with plenty of crisp veggies and held together by a sticky, slighty sweet sauce. The spice was just enough to make your mouth tingle without overwhelming the senses. Perfect.
Our meal concluded with a Pumpkin and Coconut Soup which is an off-menu, complimentary dessert for all dine-in guests. Within the incredibly fragrant coconut soup, the soft, slightly savoury chunks of pumpkin added a comforting texture, slowly melting away in your mouth complemented by the sweet, rich coconut soup.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
It was unfortunate that the Massaman Beef Curry failed to impress. The most disappointing component was the beef itself, which was rather dry and tough. It felt as if the overcooked beef was just placed on top of the curry, instead of being cooked within the sauce itself. While we definitely enjoyed the curry sauce itself, the beef was certainly the biggest let down.
The Verdict
Buddha Thai is a traditional Thai eatery located in Preston that offers a great range of authentic Thai street eats, curries and stir fries.
The dishes were all reasonably priced and generally well executed. Coupled with quick service and complimentary desserts for dine-in guests, Buddha Thai offers great value for money when dining out!
Would Penguin Eat Again?
We wouldn’t mind being back when in the area!
Penguineats would like to thank owner Surya for inviting us to Buddha Thai.