Finding an authentic Thai restaurant in Valencia has been quite the challenge, but guess what? I may have found the perfect spot!
Just a week ago, I returned from a fantastic month-long vacation in the Philippines, where I indulged in all sorts of delicious Southeast Asian dishes. My husband, always so thoughtful, knows exactly how to make me happy—anything with rice and spices does the trick. So, for my birthday, he surprised me by booking a table at Thai Mongkut in Valencia.
Thai Mongkut, presumably named after the king of Siam, is part of a restaurant franchise with branches in both Valencia and Madrid. With its tasty looking menu, captivating decor and glowing Google reviews, my expectations are high. It’s been a hot minute since we last indulged in a Thai restaurant in Valencia, and let’s just say our last experience wasn’t exactly a flavour fiesta. So, here we are, crossing our fingers and diving into Thai Mongkut, eager for a dining experience worth raving about.
Thai dining experience in Valencia
Valencia have three Thai Mongkut restaurants—one in El Carmen, Mestalla and the other in Ruzafa. Opting for Ruzafa, my husband considered the ease of parking and the plethora of nearby bars. Our aim was to unwind with a couple of drinks before dinner, and Ruzafa’s relaxed atmosphere and lively vibe made it the ideal choice for a chill pre-meal experience. Making it as one of our favourite spots for nights out in the city.
My husband booked us a table a day before, and we strolled in around 20:00, a tad late by my British clock, but early for Spanish standards! They ushered us to our seats and handed us menus through a QR code—technology at its finest! After a bit of back and forth of “So, what are you going to have?” , we all settled on the Menu Degustacion for €30 per person. I mean, who doesn’t want to sample a bit of everything, right?
Before I start on what we had, my apologies in advance for the lack of mouthwatering food pics! The restaurant was dimly lit, and I didn’t want to go all paparazzi with my flash and blind fellow diners just for the ‘gram. But fear not! I included a short reel at the bottom of this post so you have have a look and feel of the place.
Savouring Thailand in Valencia! A toast for the birthday girl!🎉
But let’s start with a drink, shall we? Thai Mongkut has quite the selection of cocktails. From a classic Piña Colada to Siam Sunrays which consisted of vodka, coconut, chilli, ginger, lime leaf, lemon and soda. But tonight, I went straight for a Negroni. My love affair with Negronis began in Manila, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Besides, it’s my birthday, so why not go for the favourite, right?
Thai restaurant in Valencia
Starters
To start we had the Poh Piah De Carne y Verduras (spring rolls with rice noodles, vegetables and meat, served with sweet chili sauce), Kai Satee (marinated chicken skewers with peanut sauce) and Tod Mun Pla (chicken croquettes and squid with red curry).
Each starter was tasty delicious. I particularly enjoyed the Tod Mun Pla, especially when dipped in the vinegar sauce— it reminds me of a familiar Filipino dipping sauce called Sawsawan. It’s like I’m back home again!
Mains
For our main courses, we had the Pad Thai Gambas (prawn pad thai) and Red Curry. Both dishes were delicious! The red curry, in particular, was incredibly creamy. The red curry paste added just the right amount of heat, perfectly balanced by the refreshing touch of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of eggplants and beans, which added a lovely balance of sweetness and texture to the curry.
My husband loved the Pad Thai! He’s more of a noodles guy than a rice guy. The tangy tamarind sauce was a hit, perfectly complementing the crunchy bean sprouts, prawns, tofu, and peanuts. It was definitely a thumbs up from him!
Desserts
We ended our meal with the Khao Niao Ma Muang (sticky rice with coconut milk and fresh mango). Being a fan of sticky rice from the Philippines, I was excited to dig in. However, I found the rice texture a bit too firm for my liking—it could have been stickier. The mango, while fresh, had some bruises which affected the taste a bit. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the flavours overall!
The price
Thai Mongkut in Ruzafa offers delicious and high-quality Thai cuisine at reasonable prices. However, I did find the portion sizes to be on the smaller side—especially the rice, which could have used a bit more. Our bill for three people, including drinks, came to around €90.00, which isn’t too bad considering we ordered 8 dishes from the menu.
Overall experience
I had a great time at Thai Mongkut! The flavours in their dishes were unique and different from what I’ve tasted at other Thai restaurants in Valencia. Plus, the staff were friendly and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience even better. Would I call it the best Thai restaurant in Valencia? I’m not sure, as I’ve still to try other similar places, but our experience have been positive so we’ll definitely be returning. Next time, I’m curious to try more dishes from their menu and see how the portion sizes stack up against the degustation option.
Do you have a favourite Thai restaurant in Valencia? Or have you been to Thai Mongkut yourself? Let me know your thoughts and suggestions!
Thai Mongkut Valencia
Address: C/ Sevilla, 27 – 46006, Ruzafa, Valencia
Closest Metro Station: Bailen
Opening times: 13:30 to 15:30 / 19:30 to 22:30 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Telephone: 961 189 135
Web: www.thaimongkut.es