Mak Mak Restaurant: The Taste of Thailand

Mak Mak Restaurant in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, is open every day except Monday. Krishna Karki, the operations head of Mak Mak Restaurant, says both their executive chef and sous chef are from Thailand. They want to ensure that the dining experience at the restaurant is as authentically Thai as possible. 

The restaurant has an à la carte menu and the staff are more than willing to assist you in choosing dishes as per your preferences. First, we opted for the restaurant’s best-selling dish, Kao Klok Kapi. This is their signature dish that has crispy brown rice with vegetables and other condiments. The food was plated elegantly and had prawns, bacon, red chili, green mango, dried cashews, shredded eggs, onions, and lemon. Apart from its visual appeal, the combined ingredients gave the dish just the right balance of texture and flavors.

The Gang Ped was a delight. The orange creamy soup tasted as good as it looked. The dish’s presentation, with pineapple, litchi, and tomatoes, made it look tantalizing. The flavor too struck the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. It was indeed a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Tom Yum Kung at Mak Mak was a true culinary magic. It’s a spicy and sour shrimp soup that has shrimp, bamboo shoots, red chili, tomatoes, coriander, and mushrooms. The dish feels very comforting. According to Karki, the shrimp and other seafood items are imported from Thailand. This, he says, is to ensure their food meets Thai standards. 

If you love pork, then you must try the spicy pork belly. It’s packed with flavor and the fried garlic and spring onion toppings add a nice touch. The pork belly is juicy and tender. Despite being labeled spicy, it’s not too fiery. 

The food is beautifully complemented by the decor which is cozy with a sophisticated charm. The furnishing and lighting both are on point. The price, considering the portions, doesn’t feel excessive. 

We were impressed by how clean the live kitchen was. Since the restaurant has been open only for a short while, they are still working on the menu. They plan on introducing more dishes soon. 

“We don’t compromise on the ingredients,” says Karki. Perhaps that’s why the place is always packed. Karki suggests making a  reservation, especially if you want to visit the restaurant for dinner.  

Their Specials:

Kao Klok Kapi

Gang Ped

Tom Yum Kung 

Spicy pork belly 

Location: Lazimpat, Kathmandu

Meal for two: Rs 3500

Opening hours: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Reservation: 9802390312

Online payment: Accepted

Parking: Available