Xiang Mi Thai Restaurant Dazhi (Zhongtai): Authentic Thai Food in Taipei

 

Is Dazhi’s Zhongtai (NOKE Zhongtai Life) really not a popular shopping mall? Does anyone know if it gets lively on weekends? The environment inside is actually quite nicely designed. Oh wait—I meant to say NOKE Zhongtai Life. This time, I came here to eat at Xiang Mi Thai Cuisine, though it wasn’t our first choice.

We originally planned to have Korean food, but somehow ended up at a Thai restaurant instead. Maybe it’s because Thai cuisine offers more variety—or more chances to get some vegetables?

Or maybe it was just because the restaurant looked more crowded and appealing?

Here, you order through an online system, but here’s the funny part: some dishes shown on the physical menu don’t appear on the online ordering system. It’s kind of baffling. We had to call a server to ask, and then they had to go back and check in the kitchen to confirm if the dish was available. Only then could we place the order through the system.

So what’s the point of online ordering, really? Felt like clicking for nothing! The server seemed a bit embarrassed about it too. Plus, it was sometimes hard to find someone from the floor staff. Even just asking for tissues took forever, and it wasn’t even particularly busy that day.

Now, let’s talk food—very shrimp-paste-forward dishes!

The deep-fried shrimp cakes were thick and satisfying, packed with real shrimp meat and a firm, juicy texture.

One interesting dish we hadn’t seen at other Thai restaurants was the Traditional Chiang Mai Curry Braised Pork Knuckle. Be aware: the spice level can’t be adjusted. It takes a while to prepare, but the rich aroma and intense spices make it worth the wait. It’s very different from regular Thai curries. Super flavorful and indulgent! The pork was incredibly tender. But if you’re sensitive to strong spices, this dish may not be for you.

We also had the Steamed Golden Perch with Lemon—with free lemon slices, no extra charge! One bite and you’ll know: it’s sour. So sour, in fact, it nearly overpowers the natural flavor of the fish. Definitely not for those who dislike sourness. The level of acidity was much higher than similar dishes at other Thai restaurants.

Xiang Mi Thai Cuisine offers a wide range of dishes, including some rare Thai specialties. The use of spices is noticeably bold, making the experience especially enjoyable for those who appreciate authentic Southeast Asian flavors. Some dishes even feel like they haven’t been toned down for local palates, which makes it quite the culinary adventure.