Khaosan Tapas Bar Tasting Menu

Post by Chiefeater VK

Dinner at Khaosan Tapas Bar on Campbell Street in George Town, was an exploration of Thai flavours through a tasting menu priced from RM168 per person.

The meal began with three small bites. There was Larb Kua, a Northern Thai pork larb served with baby romaine, Kerang Miangkam, a betel leaf parcel with cockles, palm sugar and toasted coconut, and Larb Pla, grouper larb presented in a squid ink paitee with tobiko. Of the three, the pork larb (that’s the one on the bottom left) was my favourite. In fact, it turned out to be the dish I liked most throughout the evening.

The Moo Yang, chargrilled pork jowl with nam jim jeaw and green mango salad, was another enjoyable course. The pork jowl was wonderfully juicy.

Then came the Tom Zaab, a cabbage wonton served in a hot and sour consommé with sawtooth coriander. This was delightful.

The Gaeng Som was an unexpected surprise. Crispy barramundi was served with a butternut squash gaeng som, and I hadn’t anticipated quite that level of spiciness from the broth. Yet it was precisely that spicy character that made it so appetising.

The Som O brought a different combination of flavours and temperatures. The pomelo had a lovely sweet and tangy taste, while the warm grilled prawn complemented the cool pomelo particularly well.

For the Khao Kluk Lueat, hom mali rice was paired with blood, black truffle, acar, Thai chimichurri and tiger prawn. What stood out to me was the rice itself, which had a very nice bite.

Dessert was Ma Muang, a coconut panna cotta with Thai mango and crispy mung beans. Unfortunately, this was probably the weakest course of the evening not because it was bad but it just could not meet the same level of expectation the other dishes had set earlier.

Overall, I enjoyed the tasting menu, particularly the pork larb, juicy pork jowl and the unexpected spiciness of the gaeng som.

Pricing

Thai Tasting Menu – From RM168 per person

MVX Summary

MVX Score: 8.5/10

M – Meal Value
The tasting menu offered a variety of Thai preparations, with several enjoyable courses and a few particularly memorable dishes. The dessert was less successful. At RM168 for the tasting menu, my assessment is that the meal offered fair-to-good value.
Proposed Score: 8.5/10

V – Vibe & Venue
Dark and atmospheric, it was the perfect setting for this meal.
Score: 8.5/10

X – X-Factor
The Northern Thai pork larb was the standout, while the cabbage wonton in hot and sour consommé and the unexpectedly spicy gaeng som contributed to a distinctive tasting experience.
Proposed Score: 8.5/10

Business Hours

Tuesday to Sunday
06:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Closed on Monday