Tom yum, pad thai and pineapple fried rice — these are probably the sort of items you’d expect to see walking into a Thai eatery in town. Any one except Jungle, that is. The newly opened restaurant offers dishes from lesser-known parts of Thailand’s rich culinary landscape, with a lineup that includes some truly unique creations.
We begin our meal with a salad of pomelo and lemongrass ($18++). The citrus, sourced from Thailand, is amazingly sweet and ever-so-slightly acidic, though we miss the bit of bitterness that could have helped balance the overall taste a little better. Candied coconut and dried shrimp add little pops of flavour and texture, for a complex yet refreshing start to the meal.
The duck laab ($20++) comes next, combining northern Thai herbs and spices with minced duck for an intensely savoury dish that packs just a bit of spice. We love the play on textures here, particularly when paired with cabbage leaves served on the side.
Moving on to the mains, we’re treated to a series of heavy-hitting grilled proteins. First is the sugarcane-smoked pork jowl ($28++), which we’re told goes through a pass with lychee wood and sugarcane before getting a final touch over charcoal. It’s unsurprisingly smoky, with an almost cured quality to the meat.
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The charcoal-grilled chicken ($17++) is another standout protein on the menu; this twist on gai golai — a Southern Thai coconut milk grilled chicken dish — comes with a fragrant, hand-pounded red curry glaze.
We close off the mains with two curries: one yellow with crab ($30++), and the other a red panang curry with beef ($26++). The former is certainly the spicier of the two, though also tastier; the sweetness of the crab really sings when paired with the lightness of the yellow curry.
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Jungle also offers a selection of cocktails; there’s nothing to shout about here, but the drinks are all well and good, if you’re just looking for tipples to pair with your food. Of note is the Mango Sticky Sour ($18++), a liquid play on mango sticky rice that’s equal parts tangy, sweet and rich.
Ending our time at Jungle, we feel like we’ve just completed a culinary expedition. The restaurant seems to beckon diners to try something a little off the beaten track, quite literally, with a menu that reaches just about every corner of Thailand. We’re told it will change and evolve as the team tinkers with the dining experience, so we make a mental note to return, eager to go along for the ride.
Jungle
10 Ann Siang Hill
Singapore 069789
Tel: +65 8389 2258
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm – late
