Why travel 800 miles to Thailand when you can dine on a floating boat right here in Selangor?

Why travel 800 miles to Thailand when you can indulge in authentic Thai food and a one-of-a-kind dining experience right here in Seri Kembangan, Selangor?

Nestled in Kampung Baru Balakong, is a mini food court known as Food Castle, which opened its doors in October 2023. With ample parking and a relaxed, outdoor ambiance, this spot houses three incredible restaurants serving some mouthwatering dishes. Among these two restaurants is The Chang Thai Kitchen House. Here, you can savour the taste of Chiang Mai while enjoying a killer sunset view from your very own floating boat.

Who needs a flight when you can experience Thailand’s signature dining vibe just a short drive away?

A taste of Thailand

Despite flying under the radar for many, this mini food court has a good 4.5-star Google rating with over 550 reviews. The main eatery, The Chang Thai Kitchen House holds a 4.2 star rating, bringing the flavours and charm of Thailand straight to your table.

What truly sets this restaurant apart is its floating boat dining experience, a concept popular in Thailand. In the country’s famous floating markets, vendors serve food directly from boats on the water. This creates a lively and immersive atmosphere.

Situated above a small pond, the restaurant features rows of boats docked nearby. While the floating boats at The Chang Thai Kitchen House aren’t quite as chaotic as Thailand’s markets, they still capture a similar vibe and will transport you right into that unique experience. Having visited floating markets in Thailand myself, I can confirm this spot offers a slice of that charm.

And don’t worry—unlike in Thailand, they securely anchor these boats, so you can enjoy your meal without any swaying. This experience is especially fun for families with young kids, adding an extra touch of excitement to your dining outing.

The atmosphere is especially enchanting at night when the space is adorned with twinkling fairy lights, creating a cosy, relaxed ambiance. For those who prefer to enjoy this Thai experience from a distance, there’s also indoor seating with an open kitchen concept, where you can watch the chefs in action.

The restaurant’s spacious layout creates a breezy, open, and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing meal with a touch of Thailand’s magic. Even with its unique setting, this eatery serves some of the most affordable Thai food around.

MFT’s review

We weren’t expecting much, but dining at The Chang Thai Kitchen House left us craving more.

To start, we tried their Fried Fish in Sweet Sour Sauce (RM47), and instantly fell in love. The Tilapia fish is deep-fried to perfection, with a crispy texture that complements the owner’s mom’s special sweet and sour sauce. They hit a subtle balance with the sauce; making it not too sour, not too sweet, just enough to make you want more with every bite.

What’s a Thai meal without green curry, right? The owner highly recommended their Chicken Green Curry priced at RM28. This is one of their bestsellers, and after trying it, we could understand the hype. The curry sports a creamier consistency than usual making it rich and bold with just the right amount of spice. It’s a must-try for any green curry lover.

If you’re a fan of seafood, their BBQ River Prawn (RM30 for 1 piece) is a popular choice. They lightly grilled the prawns to perfection in a buttery sauce, leaving us with savoury, tender prawn meat. The familiar, smoky notes will make you want to savour every morsel of this dish.

Beyond traditional Thai mains

Next, we ventured into something new with the Raw Shrimp Salad with Seafood Sauce (RM28). We were pleasantly surprised, as we weren’t sure what to expect. The raw prawns were fresh, with no off-putting taste. When paired with the extra spicy seafood sauce, they packed quite a punch. This cold dish is perfect for those who enjoy vibrant notes and a bit of heat.

For those in the mood for variety, we highly recommend the 3-Tier Chicken Combo, affordably priced at RM48. This dish includes a mix of deep-fried chicken muscle, pandan chicken, and BBQ chicken skewers, providing a little something for every chicken lover. The portions were generous and meat; tender. It’s perfect if you’re craving different styles of chicken in one meal.

To wash it all down, we enjoyed some refreshing drinks, and of course, we couldn’t leave without trying their Mango Sticky Rice, a lovely way to end the meal on a sweet and nostalgic note.

Overall, we enjoyed their impressive array of dishes, authentic Thai flavours, and found the prices to be very reasonable.

The unique floating boat dining experience, combined with the charming atmosphere and great food, makes The Chang Thai Kitchen House a must-visit spot in the area. If you’re craving good Thai food, this place is definitely worth a visit.