Restaurant review: Star King Viet Thai Cuisine

Once in a while, I like to indulge myself with a good pad thai. My usual choice for good value in pad thai’s is Star King Viet Thai Cuisine at 7050 Warden Avenue.

With the summer heat I like to start my meal with a cool Longan in Ice Water drink (menu item #030, $2.75). Apart from adding to my daily fruit intake, the drink is pleasantly sweet. I saw their kitchen staff having the same drink, just in less fancy mugs:

The green strips are cendol.

What I like most about Star King’s Pad Thai is the generous portions combined with reasonable price makes for excellent value, far exceeding the food court chains (menu item #740, $6.95 with beef, chicken or mixed vegetables, $7.95 with shrimp, beef pad thai shown below). I never need to worry about being hungry before the next meal.

The taste is also excellent!

If I am particularly hungry, or if someone is with me and can share, I would also order the Beef Balls in Soup (menu item #115, $5, small size only). The beef balls look small but they are compact with no fluff. Of course, it would be even better if I get even more at that price, but as it stands, it still represents good value:

The only shortcomings I encountered with Star King happened during their busiest periods (mostly Friday lunch time). Like most Chinese-run establishments, the number of staff required when the restaurant is full has been underestimated by management. Combined with that fact that, like most Chinese-run establishments, servers are not dedicated to particular tables, when the place is really busy the wait times can feel long and at times one may feel neglected.

In addition, it can be really tough to find a parking spot at that strip mall on Fridays, so the bus or walking may be the smarter options for getting there.

Bottom line: good restaurant, but try not to go when everyone else is going.