NongJai 1, Thai & European Restaurant on 2nd Road

[Evil Penevil]

NongJai 1 is located on 2nd Road in the Tipp Plaza between Sois 10 and 11.  It's basically across the street from the Apex hotel and close to Mike's Mall.  It serves good Thai good and some European dishes, but I've only had the Thai dishes there.  Friends who have eaten the European dishes say they're good, too, but it's the Thai food that's best.

 

 

It's basically an outdoor restaurant, but covered seating is available right next to the kitchen area.  And if it starts to rain, the huge umbrellas are put up PDQ.  I've not sure how effective they'd be in a real downpour, but they work well in a light rain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The menu is fairly extensive, although there are plenty of restaurants that offer more items.

 

 

 

The service staff always asks whether you want the food spicy or not. Fish is probably the signature dish at NongJai.  The white snapper in lime sauce was delicious, very fresh with a "just caught" taste. It was big enough to feed two hungry males and cost 380 baht.

 

 

A friend from New York and I ate with BM capdagde and his wife.  Andy had a fish dish:

 

 

And his wive had pad Thai and a vegetable stir fry:

 

 

 

Another night I had the pork spare ribs in soup:

 

 

Deconstructing the dish:

 

 

 

My friend had a Thai noodle soup, followed by fish 'n chips:

 

 

 

Another night a waiter came out and blew a whistle to get everyone's attention. I didn't have time to adjust my camera and the flames were so bright they "whited out" the crucial part of the picture, but you can get an idea of how high they were.  At first I thought the guy had set himself on fire, but the flames quickly died down.

 

 

 

Bottom line:  A consistently good restaurant for Thai food, but you have to be comfortable with al fresco dining.  Large portions  at a reasonable cost.

 

Evil

[Kathmandu]

Walked/driven past many a time but have stopped for a bite to eat...but your white snapper in lime sauce photo is a very compelling reason to make a visit...if it tastes half as good as it looks I'll be happy...

[kash buc]

NongJai 1 has been one of my go to restaurants for a while now. Mostly because I stay on Soi 10 or 13 and it's very convenient.

 

I'm certainly no expert on Thai Food. But I've always had good food there whether I was ordering up a feast for the "girlfriend" and myself or just getting a quick bite to eat to start the evening out.  The Pizza is good there also. 

 

NongJai is a good alternative to Kiss Food although it's not open 24 hours like Kiss Food

[Mognam]

I like the NongJai too.  My favorite is the prawns in tamarind soup.  I can't remember the price but here is a picture.

 

 

I like it to be spicy.   

[Tuna58]

I have read the recommendations but I have not stopped bye yet. I will try in the next couple of days.

[Tuna58]

Tried it, was underwhelmed. Nice set up good service. I had the cashew nut chicken and steamed rice with

a bottle of water. The food was quite bland, cost was 180 baht plus tip. I far prefer the food court in the

Central Festival lower level. The food is more flavorful and the same order is only 125 baht. Very fresh with the high

turnover. Cashews at the Nongjai were stale.

[jam]

It's a great place agree totally

Like you only tried the thai food

Good quick service

And clean

Amazes me how they can knock out so much great food from such a small kitchen

[Stakeout]

I used to go there a lot. Their head waiter, a slightly chubby guy, is really friendly and speaks excellent English. I find the atmosphere a bit stressed though. And the food is pretty average.

 

For Thai food, I prefer the food court on the North side of Central road, between 2nd road and Soi Buakhao. Bigger portions and tastier than Nong Jai for half the price.

[Stakeout]

For Thai food, I prefer the food court on the North side of Central road, between 2nd road and Soi Buakhao. Bigger portions and tastier than Nong Jai for half the price.

Plus it's open 24/7!

[Mognam]

Plus it's open 24/7!

 

You don't know the name of the place?  Always keen on trying some new place.

[Taa_Saparot]

You don't know the name of the place?  Always keen on trying some new place.

 

 

There is a blog post on the food centre here with pics which should be helpful (even though its German)

 

http://www.pattayafans.de/thaifood-pattaya-klang.htm

[Evil Penevil]

The young lady and I were both very hungry the other night, so she ordered a big meal for us at Nongjai. It was very tasty!

Evil


 

 

Why would anyone sit down for dinner at a restaurant without buttoning his shirt?

 

 

Deep-fried fish with som tam Thai:

 

 

 

Pork with basil:

 

 

Gang (or kaeng) som (sour Thai curry):

 

Seafood platter:

 

 

Dessert:

 

The flambed dishes are one of the attractions at Nongjai for the Russian tourists.

 

 

 

[taylor1975]

Not been there for a long time, but they used to serve their green curries out of a coconut which was a novelty i'd not seen in other places.

 

The noise and proximity to the traffic doesn't appeal to me now. I prefer indoors.

 

I think Nongjai 2 is further along 2nd road on the opposite side, heading towards the roundabout??

[Evil Penevil]

Not been there for a long time, but they used to serve their green curries out of a coconut which was a novelty i'd not seen in other places.

 

The noise and proximity to the traffic doesn't appeal to me now. I prefer indoors.

 

I think Nongjai 2 is further along 2nd road on the opposite side, heading towards the roundabout??

 

Yes, it's in the Drinking Street complex.

 

Evil

[steamer]

Been a few times before. Most random places are better so haven't been back in a while.

[steamer]

NongJai 1 has been one of my go to restaurants for a while now. Mostly because I stay on Soi 10 or 13 and it's very convenient.

 

I'm certainly no expert on Thai Food. But I've always had good food there whether I was ordering up a feast for the "girlfriend" and myself or just getting a quick bite to eat to start the evening out.  The Pizza is good there also. 

 

NongJai is a good alternative to Kiss Food although it's not open 24 hours like Kiss Food

 

Kiss is shite 

[thinkingallowed]

Kiss is shite

You are, IMHO, being far too polite about Kiss. Until I know better I always assume that anyone praising Kiss and its food has a wicked sense of humour.

[az89]

I prefer da da thai restaurant which is next to it towards beach road

 

Had the tom kha gai at nongjai and it was like water with a few bits of

Chicken.

 

Da da the food was far better IMHO.

[steamer]

You are, IMHO, being far too polite about Kiss. Until I know better I always assume that anyone praising Kiss and its food has a wicked sense of humour.

The Ruskies love it. 5555555555

[themosch]

Yes, it's in the Drinking Street complex.

 

Evil

 

On the left side of the drinking street bars

Not been there for a long time, but they used to serve their green curries out of a coconut which was a novelty i'd not seen in other places.

 

The noise and proximity to the traffic doesn't appeal to me now. I prefer indoors.

 

I think Nongjai 2 is further along 2nd road on the opposite side, heading towards the roundabout??

opposite Tiffany's ladyboyshow

 

Nongjai 2 has never disappointed me, great food for moderate prices and much better as Kiss food

[themosch]

The Ruskies love it. 5555555555

Because it's cheap but most of them go down in the basement to the foodbuffet at central festival !