We’re blessed with so much amazing Asian food here in Manchester, from Vietnamese and Chinese, to Indian and even fusion spots, and now there’s a new Thai spot on the way. Think incredible Pad Thai, green and red curries, and Suki Hang (stir fried glass noodles with vegetables and egg, served with Suki dipping sauce), as Zaap Thai storms into Manchester with its tuk tuks in the near future.
Zaap Thai has proved extremely popular across the north, with restaurants in Sheffield, Headingley, Leeds City Centre, Newcastle and York, and prides itself on bringing the authentic feel and taste of Bangkok to our region. The humble, multicoloured, neon lit interiors really give the illusion that you’ve walked into another continent, and the food is, of course, another level.
From classics such as dim sum, Pad Thai and bao buns, all absolutely packed with immense Thai flavours, to the special summer menu, including Drunken Udon (a spicy stir-fry made with udon noodles, chillies, bamboo shoots, onion, garlic and basil – your choice of chicken or pork) and Tom Yum Wonton Soup (hot and sour Tom Yum Soup, served with the addition of crispy homemade wontons, stuffed with minced chicken and prawn), you really can’t go wrong.
Zaap Thai also offers the opportnity to try parts of Thai cuisine you might never have done before, with the likes of Hoy Tod, a crispy pan fried mussel pancake, and Tom ZAAP Gra Dook Moo, Isaan style hot and spicy soup with spare ribs, on the menu.
If you’re a Thai newbie and fancy a familiar favourite, there’s plenty for you with a Thai twist. Seafood is huge in Thai cuisine, and sea bass is popular on the Zaap menu, with Yum Ma Muang Pla Tod (deep fried whole sea bass served with green mango salad) and Pla Neung Ma Now (steamed whole sea bass with Chinese leaves, chilli, coriander and garlic in a lemon soup) available, alongside marinated meats and mixed grilled seafood.
Zaap also offers some incredible platters, with the best selection of five popular street nibbles: steamed pork and prawn dumpling, vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay, chicken gyoza and Thai fish cakes. The platter also comes in a vegetarian version, and Zaap Thai even provides a completely separate vegetarian menu so the herbivores can enjoy the incredible variety of Thai to be had when it arrives in Manchester.
What’s more, if you don’t have time to experience the wonders of Zaap Thai when it arrives in Manchester, you’ll be able to get the goods delivered to you, or order ahead and collect on your way past – what a win!
There isn’t much concrete information on the opening, but Zaap Thai is anticipated to open in a spot on Lincoln Square, on Deansgate in Manchester, and is subject to passing a consultation on August 8 – fingers crossed! You can keep an eye out for any news on the Zaap Thai Instagram page.