Bowl Thai replaced the previous restaurant, Lerk Thai offering a brand new concept. Though one may feel that aren’t both offering Thai food? Yes, that’s true however there are differences in the two.
At Bowl Thai, per the name suggested, it is here to offer a bowl of rice or noodle and of course some Thai sides and drinks are available too. The change is to cater to the needs of the consumers in this area.
For those who love Lerk Thai, would certainly love Bowl Thai too for the standard and quality remains. Some may lament that there isn’t much option for sharing of food. I suppose you still can by ordering a few Sides, Mains and desserts, then share it.
Beginning the meal with a few starters. First was the Green Mango Salad, Yum Mamuang ($7.90++). Sourish, sweet, spicy and slightly savour is the make-up of this classic Thai salad. Absolutely a great option to whet the appetite for more.
8 Thai Sides ranging from $4.90++ to $7.90++ were great for sharing too. We tried the Secret Recipe Crispy Chicken Wing, Peek Gai Tod ($7.90++), Homemade Prawn Roll, Hae Chor ($6.90++) and our favourite is the Thai Fried Wanton, Kaio Tod ($4.90++).
The chicken wing is in the form of skinny wings as always such wings are a little dry on the edges. For this version the marinate could be more flavourful. Prawn Roll was tasty with the corriander leaf providing an added unique fragrance and some glass noodle for a different texture. Lastly was our favourite Thai Fried Wanton, the crispy wanton skin with moist flavoursome pork filling is a heavenly snack.
Over 10 choices of noodles are on Bowl Thai menu with either noodle or vermicelli option. We tried only the Bangkok Wanton Noodle, Baa Mee Moo Dang ($7.90++); none vermicelli bowl. This is a dry noodle similar to our local Wanton Noodle option. I think the differences are in the sauce and the noodle. I prefer this form of noodle since it is lacking of the alkaline however I find it lacking in the chewiness texture. For those who love the pork lard, you are in lack, I saw quite some in there. The wanton has quite a chunky meat but too bland for me. Intensifying the overall flavour would be a good option.
A total of 8 rice bowl selection available. Some with a choice for egg. And for all rice bowl purchased, there is also an option to top up $2.50++ for Tom Yum Fish Soup.
Thai Braised Pork Belly Rice With Preserved Vegetable, Moo Parlaow ($8.90++) has a nice scent of the spices and more importantly, the meat absorbed the flavour. For the egg, if they could stew it longer for more flavour to penetrate into the egg white would be ideal. And drizzle more sauce over the rice is my preference.
Lastly was the Green Curry Chicken, Gaeng Keow Wan Gai ($8.90++), my favourite among the 3 Mains we tried. The green curry was toothsome as it has sufficient coconut and spice flavour, though overall was a little sweet, nevertheless was acceptable.
Finally, ending the meal with a Thai dessert, Thai Tapioca with Coconut Cream ($4.90++). The tapioca was boiled with good amount of coconut milk and it flavoured up the originally bland Tapioca. Best of all the sweetness level was perfect. A pity the Tapioca was a little too fibrous.
NAHMJ Verdict
In a nutshell, for such as price point, I wouldn’t complain for the quality and standard Bowl Thai offered.
Bowl Thai
133 New Bridge Rd, #B1-50 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Website: Nil
Opening Hours
Daily 1100 to 2130
Getting There
By MRT:
- Northeast line or Downtown line – Chinatown station
- East West line – Outram Park station
By Bus:
- New Bridge Road bus stop 2, 12, 33, 54, 63, 80, 124, 143, 147, 190, 851, 961, 970, CT8, CT18, CT28
- South Bridge Road bus stop 61, 80, 145, 166, 197
- Eu Tong Seng bus stop, outside People’s Park Complex 2, 12, 33, 61, 63, 143, 197, 961, 970, CT8, CT18, CT28
- Eu Tong Seng, outside People’s Park Center 54, 124, 145, 147, 166, 190, 851
Rating: 7/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.