Trying the thai at Red Basil


It's Friday night and I'm due to catch up with my friend Rush before he jetsets off over east. Since he lives in the area, he suggests we go to Red Basil in Vic Park - a Thai cuisine little eatery on Albany Highway. I haven't been before but after a quick look online, anticipation fills me immediately. It looks pretty awesome.

When I arrive I can't help but stare longingly next door at Crust Pizza which is letting off the most amazing aroma. But I shelve my craving for cheese and instead follow Rush into the restaurant, peering around curiously.

It's a small place, but clean and the staff seem really friendly and efficient. After I look through the large menu offering I'm pleased to note that the price is cheap too. Another bonus!

Everything here looks really amazing. I watch as some other diners around me feast away and I'm completely torn on what I should get. Though there's a big part of me that wants the pad thai, I end up deciding on the Red Duck Curry ($14.90).

The bowl comes out as a steaming and completely engulfing aromatic meal. It's roasted duck sitting in coconut milk, red curry paste, tomatoes, pineapple and kaffir leaves. The duck is tender with just the right amount of fat that melts in your mouth. The meat is so flavorsome - it has soaked up what I can only describe as liquid gold sauce. 

I am completely and utterly in love with that curry sauce. It is phenomenal. Spicy. Fragrant. It's just really something special. I spoon it over my rice and feel my tastebuds tingling with excitement.


Rush orders the Tom Yum Gai soup ($6.90). He drinks it happily, offering me a spoonful to try. It's a spicy and sour chicken soup with mixed Thai herbs, mushroom and milk. It lives up to its description - the chilli offers a nice kick and leaves me salivating. It's really delicious.

He also gets a stir fry dish - the Garlic and Pepper Pork ($11.90). It smells amazing; eliciting a small groan from me as I take his offer up to try some. The meat is juicy; the garlic strong. As a simple dish it doesn't have much to  hide which makes it even more impressive that it tastes this good.



I have to say I really enjoyed our quick catchup dinner at Red Basil. The flavours and dishes here are really delicious; and the price incredibly cheap. I know I have a list about a mile long with all the restaurants in Perth that I want to try, but I will definitely be back here again.


Red Basil Thai Cuisine on Urbanspoon
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4 comments:

  1. Martine @ ChompchompSunday, 24 February 2013 at 08:34:00 GMT+8

    We really do seem to eat in similar circles. I have just finished writing my review for Red Basil! Unfortunately my experience wasn't good at all. That's why I have taken so long to write it, I hate writing negative reviews. Will post it in the next week or so.

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    Replies
    1. Queen of Bad TimingSunday, 24 February 2013 at 10:53:00 GMT+8

      Oh no! Nothing worse than writing a bad review... except the bad experience itself :( what a pity! I'll have to keep an eye out for it to see what went wrong for you! Hopefully you've been somewhere better since! :)

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    2. AnonymousMonday, 25 February 2013 at 20:06:00 GMT+8

      To me the food is just ordinary but too much MSG that I could not stand on.
      Yes, the prices are cheap and that s why it gives the quality under the standard (eg. instant garlic flake from the package, duck drumstick ?? other places they serve with duck breast - no fat) . Sorry that I do not agree with you, but if you have tried other Thai restaurants with no add MSG I am sure you will score this down.

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    3. Queen of Bad TimingMonday, 25 February 2013 at 20:42:00 GMT+8

      I have to admit I'm pretty new when it comes to eating at Thai restaurants. I've had a few food poisoning incidents over the years and been scarred from the cuisine until recently :(. I'll have to try some other places to see the difference between this one and them - a new food adventure!

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