Perfect for solo diners too – a Thai eatery opened by Vic Chou

Text & photos byLao K

We spotted this little Thai spot, Xiao Shi Tai, during our last visit to GABBE. It was pretty busy, and the name made it clear it’s a Thai restaurant. We hadn’t had Thai food in ages, so we quickly came here to try it out with Meiji.

It’s tucked away in an alley at the intersection of Minquan East Road and Dunhua North Road, right between Zhongshan Junior High School Metro Station and Songshan Airport Station – Zhongshan Junior High is the closer option.

The place doesn’t look like it’s been open long, but there are photos and autographs of celebrities on the walls. Lao K was quite curious, and after looking it up online, we found out it’s actually opened by actor Vic Chou. Too bad we didn’t get to meet him in person.

Lao K thought this kung fu elephant was super cute XD. Luckily, we arrived early because it wasn’t long before they were fully booked.

The menu here mainly consists of individual set meals, with eight options in total, plus snacks, hot soups, and desserts. They only accept cash and don’t charge a service fee, but there’s a minimum spend of 90 NT. Each set includes one main dish, three side dishes, a bowl of fragrant rice, and a bowl of soup – both the rice and soup can be refilled once.

Their paper napkins feature adorable elephants

Grilled Matsusaka Pork Set (260 NT)

This was what Lao K ordered – haven’t had grilled Matsusaka pork in ages

For sides, there’s a refreshing and appetizing dragon beard salad with a tangy and sweet Thai-style dressing.

The pan-fried mushrooms were pretty good too.

Lao K was surprised by the first bite of this Thai pickled vegetable – there’s lemongrass in it XD

The Matsusaka pork was grilled nicely, not too dry, with a nice crispy and springy texture.

There are two sauces included: the redder one on the left is a sweet and sour sauce that’s not very spicy, while the one on the right has a rich mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors – it’s a bit spicy but really complements the Matsusaka pork. Lao K really liked this sauce~

Thai Crispy Skin Chicken Set (210 NT)

The portion of crispy skin chicken is much bigger than the Matsusaka pork, which feels like better value XD

Meiji thought the crispy skin chicken was pretty tasty, but Lao K felt the skin was a bit too tough. Friends who like spicy food should remember to dip it in the sauce on the right~

K’s Tips:
Overall, it’s a pretty good Thai eatery, and the fact that you can come here solo is a big plus. However, since the sides in the sets are the same, if you’re coming as a pair, one person could order a set and the other could add some snacks – that works too. They rotate their menu from time to time, and they’re planning to add pasta dishes soon, which shows they put in effort. If you’re in the mood for Thai food on your own, definitely give it a try – you might even spot celebrity owner Vic Chou XD

K’s Personal Rating (out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 7.8
Value for Money: 7
Dining Ambience: 6
Price: 7

Xiao Shi Tai
Facebook
Address: No. 29, Lane 238, Dunhua North Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2712-1099
Business hours: 11:30–14:30 (last order at 14:00), 17:30–20:30 (last order at 20:00)

Lao K
Keep the relay going, Lao K!
Blog　Fan page