We kicked off with deep-fried spicy chicken wings, deep-fried spare ribs and some moo ping (grilled pork skewers). These were all good, especially the moo ping. For mains, two of us went for the kao pad kra-praw (fried minced pork w/fresh chilli & holy basil topped with fried egg) while my other dining companion went with gang keaw warn (chicken green curry). Both dishes were a cut above the norm; in particular I enjoyed the refreshing holy basil that combined well with the hot chilli in the kao pad kra-paw. That said, the runny fried egg with crispy edges topped it off for me! My friend was also impressed that pea aubergines were served with the curry as opposed to cheap substitutes.
We also ordered som tum Thai and larb (with minced pork) as sides; these salads were refreshing yet spicy, and acted as a fine foil to the rest of our order. Service was decent enough, and the dining room of the new restaurant is a step up from the Brixton branch. In common with the original, it's great value and you're allowed to bring-your-own booze. In that respect it reminded me of the many excellent casual BYO Thai restaurants found in Sydney, and that's no bad thing.
Kaosarn, 110 St John's Hill, London, SW11 1SJ (Tel: 020-7223-7888)
Nearest stations: Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Town
For a detailed review of the original Brixton restaurant, please click here.
I never venture to Clapham but this review makes it sound like it's worth the trip! YUM.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't been to the one in Brixton ...but it's definitely on my list.
ReplyDeletei love, love, love noodles!!
ReplyDeleteGood that they are expanding, wish they would have ventured north of the river though........
ReplyDeleteohh exciting! Brixton is so far away from where I live/work that I have never made it to Kaosarn there. So happy to learn that there is one now in Battersea, can't wait to go there.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Clapham Junction station is very accessible, so there's no excuse!
ReplyDeleteJ - there are restaurants on my list from before I started blogging that I've still not been to.
betty - don't we all.
Mzungu - hehheh! But won't some of the magic be lost if they move north...
Ute - I think you'll like it. I also think the Battersea one is nicer than the Brixton, which is also a bonus.
I wasn't wild about Kaosarn (Brixton) when I visited - I thought it could have done with a little more punch, so perhaps it warrants a return; that egg rice certainly looks the business.
ReplyDeleteLizzie - do give it a try. I think this new branch is a step-up from the original. And although you shouldn't have to, but you can always ask them to serve the dish 'as it's served' to make sure it should be as spicy as it should be.
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