The Place
First of all, Zaap Thai’s interior design is superb. Step inside and it’s like you’ve been whisked away to a bustling Thai market, complete with colourful tuk-tuks, neon lights and vibrant street food signs adorning the walls and hanging from the ceiling.
It wasn’t just the decor that exuded liveliness. The restaurant was brimming with patrons as the staff warmly welcomed us and escorted us to our table. The bright and bustling atmosphere, with smells and sizzles emanating from the open kitchen, combined with the fact that our ‘table’ turned out to be a thriftily repurposed tuk-tuk, had me feeling fairly certain that this was the closest I was getting to Bangkok while in a Sheffield postcode.
The Food
The menu is extensive one, brimming with a wide array of Thai delights. Their culinary offerings span from beloved street food classics like dim sum, bao buns and pad Thai noodles to hearty options including flavoursome curries, sizzling stir-fries and succulent grilled meats and fish.
Our party of two came to try their recently launched lunchtime deal which offers a starter, main and a drink for a very reasonable £15. To kick off our meal, we decided to share two appetisers: the Thai-style vegetable spring rolls and the traditional homemade sweetcorn cakes.
Served with tangy sweet chilli sauce, the perfect dipping accompaniments, the spring rolls had just the right amount of crunch and the sweetcorn cakes, known as Tod Man Khao Pod, were fluffy and aromatic.
For my main, I chose the Pad Prik Gang, a stir-fried dish with chicken, vegetables and red curry paste. It was slightly hotter than anticipated, but as someone who enjoys food at the higher end of the spice scale. The bold sauce, tender meat and medley of fresh veg combined effectively for a harmonious blend of spice, savoury notes and freshness.
The second main, Gang Panaeng, a popular Thai curry dish, was at the mild end of the spice spectrum but made with coconut and kaffir lime leaves, giving it a rich, creamy taste balanced out nicely with citrusy and slightly bitter notes from kaffir lime leaves.
Portion sizes are generous, and we originally planned to ask for the bill after the main, but we couldn’t resist the temptation to explore some intriguing-sounding desserts. So, we decided to make a little extra room by loosening our belts and rounding things off on a truly indulgent note. We savoured servings of Glouy Chem, a delightful dessert featuring deep-fried bananas encased in a sweet, crispy batter, and indulged in the delectable Pandan Pancakes – green crepes filled with velvety custard, accompanied by a scoop of heavenly vanilla ice cream.
The Verdict
When it comes to value, taste and atmosphere, Zaap Thai has proven to be a welcome addition to Ecclesall Road’s foodie mile. No booking necessary – the next time you’re feeling peckish, pop in and see what all the fuss is about!
Zaap Thai Sheffield
521-523 Ecclesall Road
S11 8PR
