Suzie’s Garden has added a Thai menu. It’s actually a whole new concept, Chuan & Thai (川禾泰), a restaurant within a restaurant, served at the outdoor garden area of the venue. The Thai menu is served in addition to the current Suzie’s Garden French/Mediterranean food.
Coincidentally, the Chuan & Thai brand will soon have its own space, opening soon at INS.
The Space
Suzie’s Garden opened late summer 2023 in a stunning villa restaurant on Fumin Lu. The restaurant is part of the VOS Familles group, which also runs Suzie, ma-ia-ki, and SOiF. The outdoor terrace is a big draw of the space, a 300sqm garden complete with a bar. They’ve also added a tent for the season.
Why Thai? I’m sure there are plenty of reasons. But if I were to surmise, Thai is beloved and popular with everyone. In this harsh business climate, it’s worth diversifying. With that said, the group has employed a new Thai chef to execute Chuan & Thai.
The Food
The meal starts strong with the Papaya Salad. Man! It may look demure, but it sure casts a spell with its addictive heat. Those sensitive to spice might be able to request a milder version, but I don’t think it would have the same effect.
The Tom Yom Soup is equally praiseworthy. The thin broth is steeped with spices and aromatics of kaffir lime, lemongrass, fresh lime juice, garlic, and galangal. It’s zingy and zesty with fresh citrus. It’s spicy, but not crazy, perhaps a 6/10 on the heat scale for me.
Other appetizers see Fried Prawn Cakes, plump shrimp molded, breaded, then fried to a light, bouncy finish, served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. As well as Grilled Pork Neck, which was rather standard.
The Chiang Mai Spiced Sausages is a special dish worth trying. These fat sausages are made with pork. It’s fragrant with a mixture of herbs and aromatics, slightly sweet and spicy, and has rich flavors. Served with fresh lettuce, peanuts, raw onions, and green chilis for wrap-making.
There are also curries. The Beef Brisket Green Curry was decent, loaded with chunky pieces of meat and tender vegetables. The Seafood in Thai Spicy Sauce, a stir-fry of clams, squid, and prawns, is slightly sweet, and though enjoyable, wouldn’t be my first choice.
A must-try is the Lime Fish Pot, a whole perch fish steamed in a lime-heavy broth with spices and aromatics, served bubbling in a heated dish. The fresh and appetizing flavors compliment the flaky white fish.
Lime Fish Pot (¥198)
Don’t miss the Pad Thai, stir-fried with prawns. It’s perhaps one of the more authentic versions I’ve had in Shanghai. Excellent flavor, likely with a splash of fish sauce, crumbly fried eggs and other accoutrements, and my preferred firmness when it comes to noodles.
In Summary
The Thai food is solid!
Memorable dishes include the papaya salad, tom yum soup, lime fish pot, and Chiang Mai sausages. I’d recommend it and I’d go back again.
Chuan & Thai 川禾泰 @ Suzie’s Garden
Address: 38 Fumin Lu 富民路38号
Tel: 19916749171
Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun, 11:30am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 11:30am-11:30pm