Boo's Kitchen

Boo's Kitchen brings the fresh traditional flavours of northern Thailand to Woolloongabba, in this unique restaurant that is unlike any other Thai eatery in Brisbane, from its name to its menu, music and decor.

At the heart of the convivial restaurant is chef and owner Boo, whose personality is as bright and bold as the tastes of the delicious cuisine she prepares. When not cooking up a storm in the open kitchen she is known to mingle with the customers, talking about the home-style food from Isan, her region of Thailand and making them feel like a guest in a Thai family home.  

Guests can watch the world go by from the inviting AstroTurf terrace on in the charming interior, which unlike most Thai restaurants in Brisbane, features colourful cushions, stools, wooden tables and coloured lights. The striking, unique interior is a match for the bold flavours of the food, which keeps those-in-the-know coming back for more.

This is the perfect place for diners to explore the tastes of Thailand beyond the standard Thai fare offered in most Brisbane restaurants, although Boo also offers a handful of familiar dishes such as fish cakes, duck spring rolls, curry puffs, Panang or Massaman Curry and Pad Thai, but with her own flavour stamp. 

Her menu, which features traditional Isan dishes from her home in the regional north (salads, BBQ skewers, noodles and seafood), is written in a personal explanatory way, with stories behind the dishes and flavours, making it easier to decide on what to order.

As a point of difference from other restaurants, Boo has created dishes that are different from your standard Thai menu, with her popular Chefs Specials menu. One such dish is Boo's Crab Fried Rice - arguably the most popular type of fried rice in Thailand, there are restaurants specialising only in this one dish. Another is Pad Krapow Moo (minced pork with basil, garlic and chilli and sauce with fried egg, one of the most famous of all Thai dishes. 

Another delectable Chef's creation is the fluffy Bao Buns filled with Crispy Pork Belly and a specially created teriyaki mayonnaise sauce - a must try! As is the red duck curry, the best to be found in Brisbane.

One dish that is popular amongst regulars is the Southern Thai Yellow Crab Curry with Kanom Jeen, which  will take your taste buds straight to the beaches of Southern Thailand, famous for the Crab population. Boo has adapted the yellow curry adding extra fragrance, lightness and luxury serving it with tender pieces of blue swimmer crab. It is accompanied with Kanom Jeen which is Thai rice noodles.

Other noodle dishes come highly recommended and they include Drunken Noodles with prawns (Pad Ki Mao), the traditional Pad Thai and Pad See Ew (stir-fried soy sauce noodles); and Bangkok Chicken Fried Noodles (a recreation of a street food specialty found in Bangkok's Chinatown) - Chinese-influenced Thai dish of stir-fried noodles and chicken served with crunchy bean sprouts and hot sriracha sauce.

Meanwhile, Boo's version of Thai Pineapple Fried Rice stays true to its Thai origins served in a pineapple and will evoke memories of warm balmy evenings in Thailand, eating at beach shacks or at rickety tables at the local Thai restaurant.

From the main menu, choose from Boo's favourites such as the Traditional or Thai Isan Papaya salad, served on one of her home style platters with Pork Crackling, Asian ham, boiled eggs and fish cakes or a simple platter with Fried Chicken and Sticky Rice (Isan favourites that Boo grew up sitting on a mat and sharing with her family). 

Other recommended Mains include crispy deep-fried Pork Belly (Moo Krob) with chef's special dipping sauce and another Boo specialty - strips of tender high grade Wagyu Steak with a Hot Dipping sauce. The Thai name for this dish literally translates to 'crying tiger'.

Boo's mains menu also features some delectable seafood dishes including Garlic Pepper Prawns, Soft Shell Crab with Yellow Curry, and Battered Prawns with tamarind sauce (a real treat - one of the tastiest dishes in Thai cuisine). And there's also delicious curries (Beef Massaman, Green, Red or Panang) including the must-try chef's special - Thai duck curry with lychee, pineapple and basil.

No visit to Boo's Kitchen would be complete without ordering one of the Thai salads for which the northern region is known. Customarily here all meals are accompanied by a salad and choices at Boo's include Spicy Beef Salad (spring onion, coriander, mint, lime juice, dried chilli and tender strips of Black Angus rump), and traditional laab (dry salads traditionally served with rice), with super popular dishes include Boo's Duck Salad (made from a family recipe) and Isan sausages (specially handmade with a mixture of pork and herbs sliced and served with fresh cucumber, sticky rice and dipping sauce).

Boo's desserts are worth saving room for too, with a choice of sticky rice and mango (a seasonal traditional summer dessert that is classic Thai street food). Thai coconut rice custard served with mango sorbet and warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream and raspberry compote.

There's also a cracking wine list to complement the menu at Boo's Kitchen with wine served in beautiful glassware. The small, curated selection of wines include a Mission Estate Sauvignon Blanc from Hawkes Bay, Vinaceous Sirenya Pinot Grigio from Mount Barker, Blossom Riesling from Clare Valley, E-Series Elderton from Barossa, Alex Russel’s Pinot Noir from Mt Gambier, and Follet Family  Benign Neglect Cabernet Sauvignon and St Hallett Barossa Rosé - all good quality but without the price tag. 

Apart from the wine selection, beer on tap is available including Estrelle Damm, considered the oldest Spanish beer, which goes down a treat with Thai food.

Good to know - In keeping with the fun casual atmosphere at Boo's, you won't find traditional Thai music here but the hits of the 70s or 80s, which the chefs have been known to sing along to.

Need to know - Parking is available and permitted in the nearby Princess Plaza Shopping area and there is also underground parking (fee).

Boo's Kitchen is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com