Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards: Best Thai Food in London
You know when you keep walking past a place while it’s being built, peeking in every time, wondering if it’s going to be worth the hype? That was me with Plaza Khao Gaeng at Borough Yards. Every time I was near Borough Market, I’d glance over thinking, “Okay… this looks promising.”
When it finally opened, I was already intrigued. Then I found out they’re the same team behind Speedboat Bar (which is already hugely popular near Tottenham Court Road), and that sealed it. Even better? The Borough Yards branch quickly racked up a 4.9-star rating on Google with over 360 reviews. That’s not just good, that’s people-going-back-twice-in-a-week good.
So on a Friday at 12pm, my friends and I booked a table and headed down for lunch, ready to see if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler: it did. And honestly? I might even like it slightly more than Speedboat Bar and that’s saying something.
Background About Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards
Plaza Khao Gaeng is a celebration of Southern Thailand’s coast-to-jungle cuisine. The name “khao gaeng” broadly translates to “curry over rice,” which refers to an informal, everyday style of Thai dining. In Thailand, khao gaeng spots are casual, vibrant places where you point at trays of curries and dishes and have them spooned generously over rice. It’s comforting, bold, unfussy food, packed with spice, herbs and personality.
The Borough Yards location sits just steps away from Borough Market, tucked under the railway arches at Arch 207, 18 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. The setting feels perfect, busy, energetic, and slightly chaotic in the best way, much like the street food culture it’s inspired by.
What Is Plaza Khao Gaeng Known For?
Plaza Khao Gaeng is known for bold, authentic Southern Thai flavours, the kind that don’t hold back on spice or depth. Southern Thai cuisine is famous for its heat, its punchy curries, coconut richness, fermented elements, and seafood-forward dishes. It’s not toned down for Western palates and that’s part of the experience.
They’re particularly known for their curries, braised meats, wok-fried dishes and intensely flavoured stir-fries. There’s also a strong emphasis on sharing, this is not a solo “main dish each” kind of place. It’s a get-the-table-covered-in-dishes and pass-everything-around situation.
And if you’re familiar with Speedboat Bar, you’ll recognise the high-energy vibe and bold seasoning. But Plaza feels slightly more focused and refined in its Southern Thai direction. It feels like it knows exactly what it wants to be.
What Is the Experience Like at Plaza Khao Gaeng?
We visited on a Friday at 12pm and it was already quite busy. That midday, it started building quickly by 12:30pm, the room felt alive.
Since we were a group of five, we booked in advance, which I’d definitely recommend, especially for lunch on a weekday or any dinner service. It’s clearly popular and fills up fast.
The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, especially when it came to navigating spice levels. They were honest about which dishes would bring the heat and trust me, some of them build slowly and then suddenly you’re reaching for your drink. I appreciated that they gave us a proper heads up rather than letting us suffer in silence.
The interior gives strong Thai street food vibes, bright colours, bold visuals, a slightly chaotic vibe that makes it feel fun rather than formal. It feels energetic but not overwhelming. You can laugh loudly here. You can get messy cracking crab shells.
What Is the Food Like at Plaza Khao Gaeng?
We ordered a wide range to properly explore the menu.
The Gai Tord Hat Yai (Fried Chicken with crispy shallots and sweet chilli sauce, £9) genuinely surprised me. I went in with low expectations because fried chicken is fried chicken, right? Wrong. I don’t know what they did to it, but it was incredibly flavourful, perfectly crisp, and had this unique seasoning that felt distinctly Thai. It wasn’t heavy or greasy, just crunchy, juicy and dangerously addictive.
The Naem Neua Tord (Stir Fried cured beef with chilli and garlic, £13) was delicious, but if I’m being honest, it’s the one dish I might skip on a return visit. Solid, tasty. Just not the standout compared to the other dishes.
Now, the Yam Strawberry (£11) was something I’d never seen before. Strawberry salad with green mango, crispy jasmine fish and coconut. It sounds strange, but somehow it works. The sweetness of the strawberry balances the spice nicely. It’s fresh, bright and surprisingly harmonious.
The Khua Kling Mua (£14), a dry wok-fried pork with long pepper, comes with a warning, it’s spicy. The first bite is manageable. Then the heat slowly builds and sits with you. If you love spice, you’ll appreciate it. If you’re cautious, maybe pair it strategically with rice and vegetables.
Speaking of vegetables, the Pak Bung Fai Daeng Sai Hed (Morning Glory with shiitake mushrooms, £12) might genuinely be one of the best vegetable dishes you can order at any Thai restaurant and I don’t say that lightly. If you’ve ever been to Thailand, you know how iconic morning glory is. This version was perfectly cooked, flavourful and ideal for calming your tongue after something fiery spice.
The Gaeng Massaman Neua (£18) was an absolute winner. The beef shoulder was so tender it practically fell apart, and the massaman curry itself was smooth, rich and mildly spiced. Deep flavour without overwhelming heat. One of the must-orders.
The Gaeng Gati Puu (£40), whole brown crab in coconut milk curry with betel leaf was delicious but definitely hands-on. Gloves, apron and tools are provided, and you will need them. The curry was rich and fragrant, but be prepared to work for your crab meat.
And then there was my favourite, Kha Moo Paloh (£16 half / £30 whole). This braised pork leg was unreal. The most tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork I’ve had in a long time. The paloh sauce was deeply savoury, slightly sweet and completely addictive. If you order one thing from this menu, let it be this.
Of course, jasmine rice (£4) and roti (£3.50) are essential for soaking up those curries.
For drinks, the Cha yen (£6.50), classic iced Thai tea with condensed milk and milk foam, was exactly what you want. Sweet, creamy, nostalgic. The Cha Som Jeed (£6.50), with lime, was refreshing and perfect for cutting through spice.
What Is the Price Like at Plaza Khao Gaeng?
Expect to spend around £20–£30 per person on average, depending on how adventurous you go. Considering the quality of ingredients, portion sizes, central location near Borough Market and overall experience, I think it’s fair value.
If you’re ordering larger sharing dishes like the whole crab or full pork leg, costs will climb, but spread across a group, it feels reasonable.
This isn’t a budget lunch spot, but it’s also not fine-dining pricing. It sits comfortably in that “great for a proper meal out with friends” category.
Final Thoughts of Plaza Khao Gaeng
Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s bold, confident and flavour-driven in a way that doesn’t compromise. The spice is real, the curries are rich, the meats are deeply satisfying, and the vibe is fun without being gimmicky.
I genuinely loved it and yes, I slightly prefer it over Speedboat Bar. It feels more focused and more distinctly Southern Thai.
If you go, go hungry. Go with friends. Order widely. Share everything. And don’t underestimate the spice levels.
If you’re around Borough Market and craving something vibrant, flavour-packed and just a little bit chaotic (in the best way), Plaza Khao Gaeng needs to be on your list.
Highlights and Tips for Plaza Khao Gaeng
- Celebration of Southern Thailand’s coast-to-jungle cuisine
- 4.9 stars on Google with over 360 reviews
- Same ownership as Speedboat Bar
- Bold, authentic Southern Thai flavours
- Strong spice levels with staff guidance available
- Ideal for group dining and sharing
- Recommended Booking: Yes, especially for lunch and weekends
- Must Try dishes: Massaman Curry, Kha Moo Paloh (Braised Pork), Fried Chicken, Morning Glory
Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards Details
- Location: Arch 207, 18 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD (NearBorough Markets)
- Opening Hours: Mon – Sat (12pm – 10 pm); Sun (12pm – 4pm)
- Price: average £20 – £30pp
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