Blue Elephant (Jakarta)

Blue Elephant is a Thai restaurant belonging to the eponymous Blue Elephant Group. It has locations in various cities of the world (London, Paris, Bangkok, Dubai, etc.) and it specializes in authentic, fine dining Thai cuisine.

If you are familiar with the restaurants from the Face group or from the Tugu group, you will find many similarities, particularly the ethnic design and the rather expensive prices. Together with Lan Nai Thai, Blue Elephant is often considered as one of the best Thai restaurants in Jakarta, and both are headed by a Thai chef.

I was not hungry when I visited so I only had a few bites off my friend's plates (Tom Yam Koon, 45K++ and Tamarind Duck, Rp125,000). I was surprised to see the portions were very small: One dish could hardly be enough for a meal. While the Tom Yam was average, with an unusual sour taste (maybe it's the authentic way?), the duck was excellent and it was presented nicely. From this small sample, I was not impressed, but I have to admit the restaurant deserves another visit to make a more definitive review.

Tom Yam Koon (Rp45,000++)

Tamarind Duck (Rp125,000++)

Overall: Blue Elephant is recommended to Thai food lovers, and also to expatriates who enjoy restaurants with a neat, exotic design. They also have an elegant bar, called Blue Bar, which has potential but is not crowded unfortunately.

Opening hours:
Everyday, from 11.30am to 2.30pm, and from 6.30am to 10.30pm

Blue Elephant Jakarta
Jalan Cut Meutia No. 2
Cikini/Menteng, Central Jakarta 10340

Phone number: +62-21 315 0980
Fax: +62-21 314 1903

Email: jakarta@blueelephant.com
Website: http://www.blueelephant.com/jakarta/
Facebook: Blue Elephant Menteng

Note: For an unknown reason, Blue Elephant changed its name from Blue Erawan at the beginning of 2011.

King of Thai (Thai Restaurants)

King of Thai is a casual dining restaurant located in various malls in Jakarta and specializing, you guessed, in Thai food. They are usually quite small, with minimalist decoration: Nothing could remind you of Thailand apart from a few photos. At lunch time, it should be crowded so do make a reservation if you come with a group.

My experience there was limited to their much-praised Mango Salad (Rp26,000++) and the Roast Duck with Rice (Rp42,000++). Both dishes were satisfying considering the price and the location, in Plaza Indonesia. The only thing that really bothered me was the noise coming from the bowling alley next door, so I advise you to visit the place only for quick eats alone or with friends.

Roast Duck with Rice (Rp42,000++)

Mango Salad (Rp26,000)

Overall: Recommended for casual, affordable meals in malls.

Opening hours:
Everyday from 10am to 10pm

King Of Thai Plaza Indonesia
Plaza Indonesia Ex Center, 1st Fl Unit A 12c
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28 - 30, Jakarta
Phone: +62-21 314-6086
Fax: +62-21 316-2739

Also in the following locations:

King Of Thai Kelapa Gading
Phone: +62-21 452-4958
Kelapa Gading Mall 1, LG Fl
Jl. Boulevard Kelapa Gading Blok M, Jakarta

King of Thai Senayan
Senayan City
Jl Asia Afrika Lot 19 Senayan City Lt LG Unit 50 Senayan
Phone: +62-21 72781444

King of Thai Hayam Wuruk
Jayakarta Tower, The Food Place,
Jl. Hayam Wuruk
Phone number: +62-21 639 1214

Note: King of Thai is originally from San Francisco and was founded by Anthony Chaichana. You can see their main website here: King of Thai Noodle.

Pad Thai (Mangga Besar)

Pad Thai is a discreet Thai restaurant in Mangga Besar.  It is not a fancy venue but it looks modern and cozy, with some posters on the wall reminiscent of Thailand.

As with most restaurants in this area, the food is cheap and good-value. For a full meal with drinks, Rp50k should be enough. Pad Thai specializes in Tom Yum and Kwetiaw, with some Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Goreng.

We tried a bit of everything:

Tom Yum Seafood (Rp29,500)

Nasi Goreng Ayam (Rp22,500)

Pad Thai Ayam (Rp21,500)

Ayam Pandan (Rp13,500)

Manggo Salad

Overall: I thought the Kwetiaw was way too oily, but the rest of the food was quite good, especially the Manggo Salad and the Tom Yum. This is not an exceptional restaurant, but if you are a fan of affordable Thai food, you should give Pad Thai a try.

Opening hours:

Everyday, from 10.30am to 2.30pm and from 5pm to midnight

Pad Thai Restaurant

Tom Yum and Kwetiaw Khas Thailand
Jl. Mangga Besar 1 No. 61 D Jakarta Barat


Telephone: +62-21 9127 3883

Fax: +62-21 6231 7126
Website (with menu): http://padthairestaurant.wordpress.com/