468 Manukau Road,
Epsom,
Epsom
Auckland,


(09) 638 8005

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4 out of 5 stars

In Auckland we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to feasting on Thai food. Just Google the words Thai + Restaurant + Auckland and more than 10 distinctly different restaurant serving distinctly Thai meals pop up in the CBD alone. There were the usual listings, like Joy Bong on K’ Rd, Mai Thai in the heart of Auckland’s CBD and the multi award winning Red Elephant in Newmarket.

So when I heard about a relative newcomer to the Thai food scene opening in Epsom I was left wondering just how another restaurant serving Pad Thai could possibly compete, but less than three months after opening, Mae Glong had joined the award winners list. So I had to see what all the fuss was about.

It seems I wasn’t the only one. With a bottle of wine tucked under my arm – its BYO wine only which is always a bonus for those on a budget - we walked into the packed restaurant near One Tree Hill. Luckily we’d booked so we didn’t have to wait for a table and joined the mix of other diners from families to middle aged couples and smaller groups of 20-somethings coming and going throughout the night.

Mae Gong’s decor is simple and in line with most Thai restaurants; a few pictures here and there, nicely laid out tables and some golden Buddha statues on display at the bar and counter. The family friendly ambience is pleasantly appealing and creates a relaxed dining experience.

Our bottle was opened for us with no corkage fee and water also appeared instantly. Behind the small bar, spirits, Thai beer, some NZ beer like Steinlager and Macs and soft drink were also on offer. Although staff were small in numbers they were friendly and very efficient despite it being so busy.

Our orders were taken quickly when we were ready. We opted for the ‘’famous’’ fish cakes for entree and shared two mains; Pad Thai and duck kratiem prik thai (pepper and garlic sauce) with rice (all mains come with rice, no need to order as a side like in some Asian restaurants).

The servings were just enough and to a standard we’ve come to expect of Asian food in Auckland. The fish cakes weren’t too fishy and carried a lovely chives and spicy taste, while the Pad Thai sweet but not too heavy and the duck sauce full of flavour. My only criticism being the duck was a little fatty.

The prices range from $6-$8 for entrees and $17-$20 for mains. The seafood options were slightly more expensive at $20-$22, but still very reasonable. Vegetarians don’t despair - Mae Glong offers an extensive vegetarian menu, also very reasonably priced with mains similar to the meat options between $17-$20.

All in all, Mae Glong is sticking to a winning formula many Thai restaurants in the western world are operating by - clean, well priced yummy food – the only difference is, Mae Glong does this well with good food and service. Even the waitress was surprised by the restaurant’s popularity.