Almost 20 years ago, Adam Lyons and his wife Janya opened what is now considered to one of the best Thai restaurants in Ireland, Kin Khao Thai in Athlone (a GCGuides award winner), with the idea that they would rip up the rule book and offer a menu of regional, authentic dishes that were not the standard here at the time. Janya, a Bangkok native, wanted to share the flavours and tastes she knew so well.
They have continued to push boundaries and opened in Maynooth with the same flair as they offer in Athlone, with the addition of a charcoal grill and more Isarn influence than before. Their chefs are a tight team hailing from every region of Thailand
In a very suburban setting, the Maynooth restaurant is nestled of a row of shops yet they have managed to transform a former XtraVision store into a welcoming destination with the help of plenty of colour and Thai street food inspired decor. Thai posters and paintings adorn the walls and there are bright umbrellas, woven fans and plenty of street food paraphernalia placed around the seating - a mix of tables, high stools and cosy booths. It’s the kind of place where you might make a list of spots you’d like to sit in next time.
The menu is packed with tempting flavours and combinations, comprising of dishes both familiar and new - with the main ingredients all Irish and suppliers credited on the website. The addition of a charcoal grill and increased Isarn influences means that the menu ventures far beyond the expected stir-fries and curries, although they still do these and do them exceptionally well. You can play it safe and opt for the better-known Thai foods of spring rolls, pad thai and Massaman curry and you will still have a great feed here - the skilled Thai kitchen team balance spice and fresh ingredients well throughout the menu.
But the real fun here is trying out the lesser-known dishes. There are some great Isarn options, hailing from the North East of Thailand - fermented sausage features along with plenty of spicy salads and grilled meat. The in-house charcoal grill works well with the Thai dishes, producing plenty of lip-smackingly good meat and fish options. There is of course a wonderful selection of curries and wok-fried dishes also. The team here know their flavours well and can guide you into trying some new delights.
The succinct wine menu offers the go-to wines for Thai food, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc and there are a few lighter-bodied reds that should work also. They also have craft beers and cider - Brewdog beers on tap are a great option with spicy food, as are the Longway ciders - and they also serve Thai favourite, Singha beer. There are juices on offer also, coconut water and Thai iced tea and coffee.
Service - as in Athlone, and also for takeway customers - is invariably friendly and helpful, and the value is excellent, with most starters under €10 and most of the mains coming in below €20. They also run an early bird menu that offers two courses for €20.
So, all round Kin Khao Thai is a great asset to Maynooth: expect impressive fresh Thai fare with an abundance of flavours and spices, along with a good drinks list and playful surrounds, and you will not be disappointed.
