Thai Cuisine in CDMX / Galanga Thai House, one of the few places offering authentic Thai food
A lush, vibrant spot with a jungle-like atmosphere. Ingredients so authentic, it feels like you’re in Bangkok.
By Alejandro Pohlenz
I had already told you about another excellent Thai restaurant in Polanco. While writing the piece, I wrestled with the tongue-twisting names of the dishes (the same way Thais might struggle with words like “Mixiote” in Mexico). I tried to learn a bit about the language: it derives from Chinese (southern Chinese migrated to Thailand), Sanskrit, and Pali. It’s so complex that the chef and co-founder of Galanga Thai House, Somsri Raksamran, is simply called Ana.
Ana learned to cook with her mother at a street food stall in Bangkok. She met her Mexican husband, and together, in 2015, they fulfilled their dream of opening a restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine: Galanga Thai House.
What does Galanga mean?
Galanga is an aromatic root that’s spicy with a citrusy note. It’s similar to ginger and appears in many Thai delicacies. All of Ana’s ingredients are authentic (they even have a farm in the State of Mexico where they grow certain components).
The restaurant’s patio (more like a tropical jungle) is lush, green, comfortable, and beautiful. The star of Galanga Thai House is the curry (some are extremely spicy, so beware!). The recommendation is for each diner to order different dishes and share them—a tradition called “Pinto.”
The tongue-twisters
Although the incredibly kind waitstaff are happy to explain the dishes, there’s a 7-course tasting menu (which isn’t expensive). If you don’t want that or prefer to choose, Food Police recommends the panaeng ped (confit duck with red curry, cumin, and lychees), goong opb woon sen (giant shrimp), saku sai moo (tapioca dumplings), thom kha (coconut soup), organic chicken dumplings, khao mun hai (fragrant rice with chicken and duck), and for dessert, mango with sticky rice and coconut ice cream.
- What we love and you must try: panaeng ped
- What we don’t like as much: I’m not good with extremely spicy food
- Address: Monterrey 204, Roma Norte, CDMX
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Ideal for: lunch and dinner
- Payment: cash and cards
- Accessibility: yes
- Parking: valet
- Reservations: no
- Phone: +52 55 6550 4492
- Pet Friendly: yes
- Public transport nearby: Metrobús Insurgentes, Insurgentes Sur Hipódromo stop
- Vegan options: yes
- Kid-friendly: yes
