Korean Job Discussion Forums

seoulsister · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: International Network

I was hoping to eat at the Thai Orchid in Itaewon tonight but it seems to have closed. The former Thai Suki joint on the 2nd floor is now a wine bar, does anyone know if the Thai Orchid is re-opening...or what?? That's been my favorite restaurant for years ㅜ.ㅜ

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

way over priced! and bad location.. cant compete with buddhas belly and pattaya I guess... I went there once and didnt rate it AT ALL!!!!

Vicissitude · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: Chef School

Buddha's belly sucks and it's in a very very bad location down some alley. That place is dark, dingy and the menu is terrible. Some Canadian guy owns it. What does that tell you? Rolling Eyes

It's too bad about Thai Orchid and Thai Suki. Those were the only restaurants I really liked when I was in Korea. The Thais there were really nice and the food was prepared by Thai chefs.

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

Thai Orchid was overpriced and the food was distinctly below average. Buddha's Belly is better (a much nicer room than Thai Orchid), but still not perfect. Pattaya struggles to distinguish itself, and I never went to the place below Thai Orchid, but I imagine it was shit.

Vicissitude · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: Chef School

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

seoulsucker · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject:

So a Thai restaurant opens, a competitor opens an identical restaurant in the same building...and they both go out of business. There's a shocker for you.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

The Thai restaurant at Gwanghwamun near Cheonggyechon is good. So is Ganga, the Indian place, but it's expensive. Pattaya is decent. Thai Orchid brings back memories, but the food was just ok.

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

could you get more specific on the place at gwanghamun?

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I can't remember the name of the building, but I believe it's an insurance building. It's been awhile. A long while. It's a building that has a 2 floor food court (a quiet and classy food court) underneath, as well as a faux Irish pub and convenience store. It's on the same side as the Seoul City Hall, near Cheonggyechon. Someone here must know.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I liked Thai Sukki.

They have a branch in Bucheon, in the Hyundai Department Store. And a few more, but I don't know where.

peppero · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

I don't know about individual taste and all, but Thai Orchid (with the exception of a few dishes like Som Tam) was authentic. I lived in Thailand for 4 years and I can guarantee that Thai Orchid serves authentic Thai food. In fact, if you go past the kitchen and listen carefully, you'll realize all the cooks speak Thai (I can speak Thai, so I know). Buddha's Belly is nowhere near the quality of Thai Orchid, but I guess we each have our own tastebuds to consider.

I DO know that I've had many Thai friends over to Seoul and they swear by Thai Orchid. No other place in Seoul satisfies them, so if/when they crave some home-cooking, I take them there.

Hope it hasn't closed for good. Just in case, though, is the OP sure it wasn't just shut for the day? (This IS the Thai Orchid in the 3rd floor, right? Not the 2nd?)