A New Take on Thai Food

Mango Sauce Fried Fish Fillet ($12.99)

With a fresh coat of paint and new management (since June 1), Siam Paradise in Kalihi has opened its doors again to the community. With a new concept and fresh outlook, part owner Jamm Bellapianta plans to offer a different Thai-food experience at the spacious restaurant and pub.

“It’s a new generation for Thai food (at Siam Paradise),” she says with excitement. “We bring something different from the other Thai places, and we care about healthier fare, which is why we added clean food (options).”

Siam Paradise, the sister restaurant to popular Siam Garden Cafe (located on Nimitz Highway and now Waialae Avenue), has partnered with the budding meal-prep business, Me, Myself and Thai, to offer healthier meals at Siam Paradise.

Stir-fry Garlic Chicken ($10.99)

“A lot of Thai food traditionally has a lot of MSG and oil, and so what I’m trying to do is bring clean food to Hawaii — since there aren’t a lot of options here for healthy, affordable meals,” said Me, Myself and Thai founder Nont Panayanggool.

And not just any clean food, but healthy Thai food. The company will feature its Thai-influenced menu throughout the restaurant, as well as sell its weekly meal-plan options outside of the establishment.

Spicy Sour Soup with fish ($13.99)

Bellapianta says that Siam Paradise will offer two off-the-menu dishes from Me, Myself and Thai at this time, including Stir-fry Garlic Chicken and Stir-fry Basil Chicken. Each is priced at $10.99 and served with steamed pumpkin, carrot and broccoli, as well as brown rice, for a whopping 300-400 calories per meal.

If you’re looking for more traditional Thai food, however, you’ll still be able to find that on Siam Paradise’s menu. There’s Spicy Sour Soup (Thailand’s popular tom yum soup), which can be enjoyed with fish ($13.99), chicken ($9.99), shrimp ($12.99) or seafood ($13.99). Or there’s Salted Shrimp Stir-fry ($12.99), prepared with sauteed garlic, chilies (optional), bell peppers and fresh parsley. Also try Drunken Spaghetti with seafood ($13.99) and Mango Sauce Fried Fish, either whole ($19.99) or filleted ($12.99) — the latter fuses Thai cuisine with local flavors.

Salted Shrimp Stir-fry ($12.99)

“I’ve been here for 12 years, and I consider myself to be local already!” says Bellapianta, which is why you’ll find both local and Thai influences in the food and atmosphere at Siam Paradise. “I want to change the idea of this place. It’s a good spot to bring your family — share food, family-style — but also hang out and play pool,” she adds.

On top of a full Thai menu, the eatery also offers a full bar, two pool tables, karaoke after 10 p.m., and stays open until 2 a.m. daily. Siam Paradise can even host private parties and cater your next event.

“I still know traditional Thai foods and tastes,” reassures Bellapianta, who represents the newer generation of business owners in the Thai food industry, “but Siam Paradise will (also) be more modern.”