Thai Camp has recently revamped its whole menu structure to serve only one-dish hot meals and fast snacks, a la street-food style. It used to serve a la carte dishes eaten with white rice. Which probably is a great idea because there is a demand for such fast meals, priced very reasonably in a decent and comfortable premise. Thai Camp’s offerings meet all those requirements and more – the food is generally delicious!
Oh there’s a bonus too – pork is on the menu. How authentic is that? Yes, pork is a generally-must-have component for Thai cuisine, in my opinion. The dishes served in Thai Camp are typically those you would find on the streets of Thailand, whether it’s in Bangkok, Phuket or Chiangmai. The repertoire, although not very extensive, does cover a good range of popular dishes found all across Thailand.
I was happy to see that “Kao Soi” is in the menu. This Chiangmai staple dish is quite rare here – not many Thai restaurants in KL/PJ serve this. To the uninitiated, it’s labelled as “Thai Camp Curry Noodles” with “Kao Soi Kai” printed in smaller fonts below it. I must say Thai Camp’s rendition reflected the authentic flavours of this dish based on the kao soi I ate in Chiangmai. Well, that shouldn’t be a big surprise as Thai Camp is run by Nic and his Thai wife rules the kitchen. At only RM7.50 a bowl, I think it’s a steal – it’s a huge bowl of noodles done 2 ways: soft and crunchy submerged in a thick flavourful spicy broth and a big chicken drumstick.
My personal favourite was the feisty Seafood Tomyum Noodles (RM7.90). This was the northern Thai tomyum which has coconut milk in it. The broth was extremely robust which will leave some happy tingling on your tongue. Two big succulent prawns, fresh squids and tomatoes jostled for space in the bowl of Thai rice noodles. You can choose to have your tomyum with rice too but that will cost you RM10.90 as I believe there would be more seafood added for that serving.
The Pork Panaeng with Rice (RM7.90) did not disappoint either. The thick creamy curry sauce with lean pork was an excellent accompaniment to the plain rice. Nothing fancy, just plain rice and aromatic curry – one of life’s the best comfort food!
What didn’t quite cut it was the Pork Leg Rice (RM8.50). This was disappointing for me as I found that it’s lacking in flavours. The pork was tender enough with soft gelatinous skin and all but somehow, there’s no punch in the taste. I highlighted this to Nic and hopefully there’s an improvement in it soon.
I tried most of their “Bites” items: Thai Pork Satay – Moo Ping (RM9), Thai Fish Cakes – Tod Man Pla (RM7), Fried Pork Pops – Moo Sab Tod (RM8), Thai Camp Preserved Eggs (RM9.50) and Fried Chicken Wings – Kai Tod (RM9.50).
The thick pork cuts of their Moo Ping won hands-down as the top favourite of the meal. The marination was flavoursome and the meat nicely grilled with some charred sides. This is certainly a must-order for us in our future visits.
The rest of the deep-fried items were decent if you want some crunchy bites to go with the main hot meals. The chilli dip served with the fried items can be better, though. I found there’s no kick in it – the heat and zest needed further enhancement.
Desserts were basic and simple. Currently, there are only two choices: Thai Sago Pudding and Coconut Jelly set in little plastic tubs, priced at RM3.50 each. I definitely preferred the coconut jelly as I found the sago pudding a bit pasty and too sweet.
So, Thai Camp may be a bit cramped in terms of space but it’s a good spot for some quick bites of authentic street-style Thai food. And if you are ever craving for a bowl of kao soi, you know where to go!
THAI CAMP
37 Jalan 20/7
Taman Paramount
46300 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 012-345-1768
jeff says
Dear Pure Glutton,
Before you delete my comment, I hope you can take this constructively. In no way I have intended in this comment to offend you when it comes to food review. However, I am afraid I cannot agree with your recent review on Thai Camp Cafe.
Having been to Chiang Mai before (note: I stayed in 137 Pillars House as well even before you went), and having tried a few famous Khao Sois in Chiang Mai (particularly Khao Soi Lam Duan, Khao Soi Farham, and Khao Soi Islam), I am afraid the one offered by Thai Camp IS NO WHERE NEAR tO the Khao Sois one can find in Chiang Mai.
I am deeply perplexed and disturbed by your description of Thai Camp’s version, I hereby quote from your review: “I must say Thai Camp’s rendition reflected the authentic flavours of this dish based on the kao soi I ate in Chiang Mai”. I am afraid this description itself does not hold any water, nor does it reflect a fair, honest, objective, and uninfluenced review.
First of all, the flavours (in the broth, and the khao soi chicken) offered by Thai Camp is totally off tangen and diluted, and no where it is near to the original khao sois I have had in Chiang Mai.
2ndly, the fried noodles (as toppings) and cooked noodles used by Thai Camp were not even the original noodles one can normally find in a bowl of authentic Khao Soi. Instead, what Thai Camp uses as toppings is none other than your cheap local mamee snack look alike noodles with absolutely no soul and taste of Khao Soi.
As your fellow follower, I am deeply disappointed by your review. Because of your review, I drove more than 30 minutes yesterday in the rain just to try the Khao Soi recommended in your blog.
I have also tried their pork satay – my comment: nothing spectacular.
Fried fish cake – my comment: taste like some mass produced fake fish cakes with no hint of spice
Pork Panaeng rice – my comment: this was the only saving grace but alas, I would only rate it as only 6.5/10. Lacks the omph factor.
Last but not least, it is my duty to bring it to everyone’s attention that the service in Thai Camp sucks big time. Air conditioner was not working, and the so called complementary tit bits offered were all pathetic broken pieces of your cheap keropok bibi (the ones you can get in primary school canteens).
Because of the bad dining experience in Thai Camp, it totally ruined my night, I went to bed unsatisfied with wasted stomach space and calories.
To reflect your self proclaimed objectivity in your disclaimer, I sincerely hope that you can revise your review on Thai Camp in this food blog and if not, bring it to the operator’s attention.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Pureglutton says
Hi Jeff
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback.
I’m sorry you had a less-than-satisfactory dining experience at Thai Camp. I have forwarded your comments to the owner.
It could be possible that the tastes of the Khao Soi were different when you were there but generally I found it to be good when we had it. I also felt it tasted similar to the ones I had in Chiangmai. Maybe we went to different Khao Soi places and it’s also possible that our expectations were different. After all, food is very subjective and it is OK to have differing opinions but I do take note of your passion for this particular noodles dish
As for the pork satay, it was very agreeable with my dining companions and I, hence I mentioned it was a “favourite”. For the fish cake & other deep-fried items, it was fair to say they were decent.
It is unfortunate that the air-cond was not working when you were there – perhaps that was something that just happened and I’m sure it would have been remedied.
Thank you once again for your feedback and your support of the blog 🙂
Jeff says
Dear Pure Glutton,
Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your gesture of at least willing to listen to my feedback/comment. Unlike the cafe operator who deleted my comment on their wall.
Keep up the good work!
Yours Sincerely.
Emina says
We just got to agree with you, PureGlutton. The food at Thai Camp is excellent with really authentic taste. As we are always on the lookout for good meals with reasonable pricing, we have been there a few times now after our first visit with our family and friends. This has become our personal favorite spot for a quick lunch or dinner 😀