The New Hanoian

Food was not “express” and not really that “Thai” either. It’s clean and clinical, and looks like a fast food joint, but doesn’t really operate like one. Food is just ok, and certainly not the most authentic Thai you’re ever going to have in Hanoi. I didn’t have my stop watch with me but food arrival seemed to be average, and not especially speedy. If I’d read the previous reviews I wouldn’t have bothered but was just passing and fancied a Thai fix – I didn’t really get it though. It’s also packed with Vietnamese teenagers – don’t quite understand the appeal, but each to their own.

Fast food with a vaguely Thai flavour.

In a city like Hanoi where genuinely good Thai food simply cannot be found, I can understand why this place may be popular. The food lacks any real punch, but this may be deliberate as in my experience the Hanoian palate does not get on well with flavours as bold or spicy as Thai food.

The place itself is as sterile as a restaurant can be, you wouldn't go here for the atmosephere.

The two stars are for have wide noodles fried with pork and cai lan (even if the portion was on the small side).

I'm giving this place two stars. I might have given it three (the food's only worth two) because of the good service and hygienic premises, IF the place was genuinely "express" (in their advertising and launch information, they claimed it was fast food, but Thai) - however the food here doesn't arrive discernably faster than at a normal restaurant. It's not fast food in terms of preparation time. In fact, it has all the negatives of fast food (processed, ready-made and frozen ingredients which give a mass-produced feel to the dishes, which are mediocre) without the big positive - superfast service of said food. OK, your order may (or may not, I wasn't timing) arrive in 10 minutes rather than the usual 15 or so. However, I don't think there's a big market of people who are happy to wait 10 minutes for their lunch, but not a quarter of an hour. No, people either want a restaurant so they can relax a bit over their meal, or KFC if they're in a hurry.

Upshot: Thai Express is good for nervous tourists who are worried about the cleanliness of many local eateries and want some air-conditioned respite from the streets of Hanoi. And perhaps people who have never eaten Thai food before wouldn't quibble too much. However, expats and anyone who has some experience of Thai cuisine will be much better served at Sawasdee.

I don't even know why this place could get so crowded !! the food ain't that good, not much what we'd call authentic Thai... the location is great, very central, staff is well trained, prompt and attentive, modern design, aircon was very cold that day... I've had Thai Express quite often in Singapore, it was okay over there but I anin't happy with this Hanoi joint ! the bbq chicken was too sweet, laksa tasted strange, tom kha gai & tom yum kung wasn't nice, prawn toast was something more like western food I think, desert were so so... overall, food is disappointing..

Hubby and myself frequent Thai Express. Nice ambience. The Managers and staffs are prompt at service. Food is Ok & served hot and quite fast on the average. Whenever we have friends, we'll take them to Thai Express - a nice place have a simple decent & quick meal together.