Khao Siam 45 is an authentic Thai restaurant in Business Bay. Located (for the time being) next door to the hugely popular Mama’esh in Bayswater Tower off Marasi Drive Street, this little eatery will only win prizes for interior design if plain Jane is the theme. I’m told the new premises in Al Barsha 1 which they are relocating to will be a little more adventurous. As it cost me AED20, allow me to point out that parking (located in the building) only costs AED5 if the restaurant stamps the parking ticket – thanks Clarissa for forgetting to tell me this before I left – humph!
Interior 
A view from the side walk 
Interior
The restaurant has a bonified Thai chef in the kitchen. I know this because I asked to meet him. Chef Klom has done the rounds in the UAE working at two famous Thai restaurants I particularly like – Pai Thai in Jumeirah Al Qasr and The Royal Budha at the Holiday Inn in Al Barsha – both as a junior chef. This is his first job as head chef – good luck!
My sister, Pari, and I started with a Satay Gai (chicken) for her and a Tom Yam Goong soup for me. Her satay was well cooked (some restaurants tend the overcook the chicken) and juicy but it lacked the sear you get on the streets. The peanut sauce too was tasty but underwhelming. I’ll let you know when I think of something interesting to say about my soup. Pari followed her satay with a somewhat boring Som Tam (green papaya salad), and I with one of the best Gang Kiew Wan Gai (green curry with chicken) I have had in a long time. FYI, my two favourite green curries are Thai Beef Salad Restaurant in International City and Zen in JLT. Sadly, Ban Khun Mae in MOE has closed down. Like Zen, Khao Siam 45 uses homemade curry paste.
Tom Yam soup 
Chicken Satay 
Green Papaya Salad 
One of the best Green Curries in the business
Chef Klom insisted we try his mango sticky rice or Khao Niew Mamuang as it’s known in Thailand – it turned out to be the highlight of our meal – do not leave the restaurant without trying this.
An amazing, super-friendly, little Filipina firecracker by the name of Clarissa looked after us while we were there. If this is what service at Khao Siam 45 is always like, it deserves five stars. All in all, both Pari and I liked this charming Thai restaurant. That said, I am only giving it a Ravenous Rating of 3.0/5.0 because a) there was zero ambiance and b) the satay, soup and salad were, um, forgettable. Not so the green curry and mango sticky rice for which I will go back for sure. Khao Siam 45 – worth a visit.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.
Hey Ravenous Xerxes! Lovely review! Fun exploring and experimenting different kitchens with you. Yes for me the mango and sticky rice was the best part of the meal… perhaps because I have been on a low carb-sugar free diet for awhile and the 5 small tsps… well, maybe 6 😉 were just soooooo delish……. where to next?