I has studied real Thai cooking and spent a lot of time in Thailand. It is nearly impossible to find a restaurant in London that makes Thai food exactly the same as in Thailand, there was only one i knew of which was Siam Sq, in earls ct when my friend used to be the chief there, now that's changed too. The only other place i would eat in was Market Thai, normally with Thai friends, the food was very good. Last week i went there from the other side of London to treat my girlfriend to a decent meal. The staff were very friendly as before but sorry to say the food was terrible, they now have a different chief. The tom yum was very bland, had no lemongrass & kaffir lime leaf which is a very Important for the true flavor, i think the chicken was reheated, it was like rubber. I also ordered som tam with sticky rice, worse som tam i have ever tasted, the waitress admitted the chief does not use a pestle and mortar to make the som tam as he doesn't have time. This traditional dish tastes the way it should from making it with a pestle and mortar to blend in all the important flavors and is also quicker to make using one. I also asked for it Thai style(spicy) and it came with no spice at all. The sticky rice came about 20 minutes after the som tam, the main courses were also very poor, the waitress even agreed that the food did not taste like real thai food! I was glad to hear my girlfriend telling the waitress that my tom yum and som tam tastes better. I would defintely not eat here anymore. It has gone from being a top Thai restaurant to one of the worst i have eaten in.

The Market Thai is my favorite Thai restaurant in London. Lots of character with drippy candles, detailed archways and unique wrought-iron chairs. Excellent food. I recommend the mixed starter plate, the green curry, the red curry with coconut milk and the cashew chicken. Everything I've had here is excellent and for a very reasonable price.