同心泰國菜店 Ruam Jai Thai Restaurant

Ruam Jai Thai Restaurant is located in 九龍城 gau lohng sihng, a district that has a distinctive feel owing to the facts that (A) this used to be an industrial area and (B) because of its proximity to the old Kai Tak airport, no real estate companies were allowed to partake on their money-making ventures in building sky-high high-rises (like the ones popping up like daisies throughout the rest of Hong Kong). There's definitely a grittier blue-collar atmosphere you sense walking around 九龍城, and the blocks around Ruam Jai make up a "Little Thailand" of sorts, with Thai grocery marts and restaurants populating the area. Ruam Jai means "together" and "with one heart" (ie united). So without further ado then, let's together appreciate Ruam Jai.


Charcoal grilled Pork Cheek
This is a common Thai dish. If you love juicy succulent barbecued pork, you'll love this. Have it with sticky rice and dip it in the explosively flavorful and spicy fish sauce you'll have a filling and tasty treat!

Tum Yum Goong (a spicy soup with prawns)
My first trip to Thailand was actually with a Hong Kong tour group in 2003, and the tour guide got a great kick out of teaching us Thai by twisting the words to resemble amusing Cantonese phrases. "Yum Goong" (yam gung) in Cantonese means tragic, and he told us that Tum Yum Goong was tragically fire-your-tongue spicy. That's a pretty accurate way to describe Tum Yum Goong. This here Tum Yum Goong, unfortunately wasn't served in the flaming hot pot that's supposed to keep it continuously spicy hot, but it still wasn't too bad as it retained its spicy salty-sweet and sour zing.

Steamed Fish with Plum Soup on Stove
Another uniquely Thai prepared item, this steamed fish continuously simmers in a fragrantly flavorful soup, which should ignite your tastebuds more than the Cantonese style of fish which relies more on subtle flavors.

Fresh Mango with Sticky Rice and Coconut Cream
You probably wouldn't have thought of eating rice with your mango, but this combination is surprisingly really good. Sticky rice has a stronger consistency than normal rice, but since it's been coated in a sugary sweet Coconut milk it can be smoothly combined with the soft juiciness of the mango, making for one of the simplest, but greatest tasting desserts you'll have!

Generally, you can't go wrong with Ruam Jai. It's really good food. But personally I felt the flavors weren't as vibrant and didn't ignite my tastebuds as much as the Thai food that spoiled me in Bangkok. In any case, if you're looking to feed your craving for Thai food while you're in Hong Kong, this is not a bad place to go.



To get there, take the 5C bus from the Star Ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, or from the Hung Hum train station terminal, and get off at the Regal Oriental Hotel bus stop (富豪東方酒店). Be warned, however, Kowloon City may geographically be pretty close, but expect 30-50 minutes to get here from Tsim Sha Tsui, depending on traffic.

G/F, 5 Tak Ku Ling Road, Kowloon City
九龍城打鼓嶺道5號地下