Tamarind Hill has gained a reputation over the years not only as a top Thai restaurant but also one of Kuala Lumpur’s top restaurants overall. Unfortunately, its secluded location makes it a hard find for those who aren’t familiar with the area. Rest assured, getting lost is just the beginning of your journey and it will turn out to be a worthwhile one (that is if you find Tamarind Hill at all).
o The Vibe
Finding Tamarind Hill is like finding a treasure trove of delights, both aesthetically and culinarily. The restaurant sits cosily in a secluded house that is surrounded by greenery. The trees that cover its entrance makes it almost stealth-like. The interior is very traditional, almost as if the house has been untouched since the early 20th century. The wooden furniture and the draperies enhance the overall traditional style of the restaurant and makes for a cosy setting.
o The Food
To start off, we were served Tamarind Hill’s very own creation of deep fried crab sticks (RM24). Its best eaten hot so don’t dilly dally when it arrives. Simply just dig in to the hunk of crab meat that is literally packed into one long stick and don’t forget to dip it into the sauce if you want to spice things up. The next dish which was the Salmon Sashimi tossed in fruit salad was the talk of the table. For only RM35, you will able to have a party with your taste buds. It is a perfect blend of fruits consisting of apples, grapes, oranges and pineapples with tomatoes hiding in between. The salmon is extremely fresh but also raw. This salad is definitely a must try for all food lovers. Its conception is genius and bonus points are given for the creativity in presentation.
Moving along, we have all the Thai dishes that you can comprehend. The Traditional Northern Tom Yam Soup is the epitome of Tom Yam. It is served with slices fish fillet that is fresh and white rice. It is bursting with all sorts of flavours to tease your palate but be warned for it is not for the light hearted. This traditional way of preparing Tom Yam is spicier than the regular ones that you get from generic Thai restaurants. To end what was already an interesting and adventurous meal, order the Beef Ribs in dry red curry and pomelo (RM38). Such tender beef ribs aren’t easily found. The curry isn’t too overwhelming and it doesn’t soak the ribs either. If you’re not a fan of spicy, this would be a good way to end the meal as it is just a tad on the spicy side and is still tolerable, even for the faint hearted.
After all that eating, it would be nice to just unwind and soak in the nature that surrounds Tamarind Hill. The perfect companion would be the Tamarind Martini which is unique and tasty too. This concoction is made out of ginger ale, basil leaf, lime and lemongrass. It is the lemongrass that makes it unique but even so, it isn’t pungent or strong either. Even if you’re one of those people who can’t hold your liquor, you’ll be able to hold a few of these.
o The Service
What caught our eye was the adorable traditional uniforms that were donned by the service staff. All were well groomed, extremely polite, attentive and sincere. They seem to know the menu well so do ask for recommendations if you can’t figure out what to order from their extensive menu.
SD Food Advisor’s take on Tamarind Hill
Tamarind Hill has been feeding its clientele for many years and we can see why it has been one of the most talked about Thai Restaurants in town. The atmosphere is just delightful with the cool breeze and the sounds of nature surrounding it. The food is top notch and the presentation is a work of art. Service is great all around and you’ll be greeted with warm smiles everywhere you turn. Prices are reasonable considering that dishes are ordered on a sharing basis. Unfortunately, Tamarind Hill will be shutting down in early April for relocation so if you want to sample authentic and delicious Thai food, we suggest you make your reservations now and head on over. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this jungle dining experience.
