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Kaimug is a Thai restaurant with seven locations in Munich. I myself have been to the Kaimug on Sendlinger Straße, in the 5 Höfe shopping center, and on the mezzanine level at Stachus. There are also Kaimug locations in the Olympia shopping center, near Hackerbrücke, on Zweibrückenstraße, and at Rotkreuzplatz.
Kaimug offers a simple and straightforward concept: Above the ordering counter, the available dishes are displayed on colorful, painted, and labeled blackboards. A wide range of dishes is offered, such as various appetizers (e.g., mini spring rolls, marinated chicken satay skewers, etc.), Thai curries, noodle dishes, stir-fries, and desserts (coconut or banana balls, mango on coconut sticky rice, etc.). On average, main courses cost around 8-9 euros.
My companion ordered the red Thai curry with coconut milk, curry paste, chicken breast, bamboo shoots, and pineapple chunks with jasmine rice. I chose stir-fried vegetables with tilapia fillet and jasmine rice. Both portions were adequate, but borderline too small considering the price – a common experience at other Kaimug restaurants. While you certainly leave satisfied and the quality of the food itself is undeniable, a bit more rice and a wider selection of side dishes would have been welcome. The rice isn't too sticky or firm, is served separately with the main course, and allows you to control the amount – very convenient for those who dislike mushy, saucy rice. The fish fillet was also delicious. You order and pay at the counter – selecting drinks at the same time – and then collect your order with the receipt. Depending on the preparation time, you can either take your dish directly to your table or have it brought to you by a server – but without a greeting or "Enjoy your meal." While not exactly unfriendly, the service was certainly not welcoming.
Kaimug isn't directly comparable to a classic Thai restaurant, as it's relatively hectic and fast-paced, with everything geared towards "coming quickly, ordering and eating quickly, but also leaving quickly." Nevertheless, it's a pleasant place to sit – for example, the branch at Odeonsplatz in the Fünf Höfe (open since 2003): red walls with gold murals, a long dark wooden bar/order counter, dark parquet flooring, a beautifully designed menu displayed on a chalkboard above the counter, long dark wooden tables with comfortable leather benches, and individual lights, such as a long, subtle strip of light integrated into the wooden bar.
The prices at Kaimug are generally reasonable for a main course, but the portions are a bit too large. The staff is moderately friendly – interaction is limited to taking orders, and the servers bring the food to the table without a word. The food tastes delicious and fresh. There's a wide selection of different Thai dishes. If you don't mind being served quickly and aren't starving, you should definitely give Kaimug a try.
The Kaimug restaurant in the Stachus Passages (Karlsplatz Stachus) is always very crowded, as it's located directly among a row of different restaurants, and Stachus is always packed. The prices here reflect the service and ambiance even less than, for example, at the Sendlinger Straße location or the branch in the 5 Höfe shopping center. Outside of Munich, there are also Kaimug branches in Stuttgart, Ingolstadt, Erding, and Roppenheim.
Besides offering delicious Thai cuisine from Monday to Saturday (11 am – 10 pm – depending on the location), Kaimug also offers Thai cooking classes for six to ten people at a time. These classes typically take place on Fridays or Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm and include cooking together, learning how to cook, and eating together. Participants receive a cookbook containing the recipes they learn and prepare, and after the class, they can purchase ingredients, Thai spices, and other groceries. The cooking class costs €199 for couples or pairs – not exactly cheap, and I haven't tried it myself, but it might be a good Christmas gift for Thai food enthusiasts.
Place visited: Kaimug
Address: (e.g.) Theatinerstr. 15, 80333 Munich
Website
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