Bali Thai, Novena Square

I previously reviewed that although the food at Renn Thai is authentic and suitably spicy, their portions are tiny and prices exorbitant. Bali Thai, its sister restaurant, with its more wallet-friendly pricing, provides a more value-for-money meal. In comparison, a pot of tom yum soup at Renn Thai costs $18 whereas the same dish at Bali Thai will cost only about $13. The mixed vegetables in oyster sauce is $4 less while the grilled chicken is $7 less at Bali Thai than at Renn Thai.

However, what you pay more for elegance and refinement at Renn Thai, you sacrifice that for cheaper price points at Bali Thai. So, you get more rustic, homestyled cooking in a simpler, plainer surroundings at Bali Thai. This is a place you go to for run-of-the-mill, cheap and fairly good Thai and Indonesian cze char fare. Yes, Bali Thai additionally serves Indonesian cuisine, as well as the usual Thai dishes so you get to indulge in both Indonesian staples such as beef rendang as well as Thai classics such as green curry.

We started off with a sizzling hotplate of Tao Hoo Talay ($12.50) beancurd with seafood, which was really indistinguishable from our local cze char dish of hotplate beancurd. This was a very no-fuss, standard dish, with a garlicky eggy oyster sauce based gravy slathered over the silky beancurd and the requisite prawns, squid and fish slices.


The Gai Phad Bai Krapow ($10.80) stir-fried chicken with basil leaves was also no-fuss, spicy and fragrant, with baby corn and long beans lending texture and fibre to the dish.
 

The Satay Madura ($9.80 for half dozen) skewered chicken from the Indonesian menu was tender and moist, with a chunky peanut sauce for dipping.


Belinjau crackers ($3) were paired with a watery sour-ish but potent chilli sauce.


Bali Thai
238 Thomson Road
#03-61
Velocity @ Novena Square
Tel: 6256 0021
Open weekdays from 11.30am to 3pm for lunch; 6pm to 10pm for dinner
Weekends from 11.30am to 10pm

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