Thai restaurant launches in Brockley

A new restaurant, Tai, has opened on Foxberry Road in Brockley, offering a menu of authentic southern Thai food. 

Popular dishes include Hat Yai Chicken, southern Thai spiced chicken, marinated in fish sauce and coated in turmeric and black pepper, deep fried and served with sriracha; Larb Patties, pockets of minced chicken combined with Thai herbs and roasted rice, served with sweet chilli sauce; and Massaman Curry, a rich dish full of silk road spices, cashews and potatoes, with tofu chicken or smoked duck.

TAI was founded in 2019 by Richard Poole, who is also co-founder of Slurp Thai and Dang’s—an authentic Thai restaurant and cocktail bar based in Shoreditch. With roots in Thailand, Poole’s family started the well-known restaurant chain Rosa’s Thai. He played a key role in its early success before launching his own venture. Many of the recipes on the menu at Tai are treasured family secrets from his southern Thai side, passed down through generations and now shared with Londoners.

TAI is located 17 minutes from London Bridge or seven minutes from Canada Water by tube. 

The green mission

The restaurant holds environmental issues very close to its heart. Its logo is created in honour of Marium, a beloved dugong from Southern Thailand who sadly died as a result of plastic pollution.

Thailand's southern population of  Dugongs are an endangered species, deeply affected by climate change, and Marium’s story inspired the core values behind Tai.

From the beginning, the idea was to create a Thai restaurant that prioritises sustainability and minimises waste. As part of its mission, Tai doesn’t serve beef and all of its packaging is fully recyclable.

In addition, Tai has partnered with Ecologi to support carbon capture initiatives and tree planting efforts aiding reforestation. The restaurant also contributes 50p from every Pad Thai sold, donating a total of £15,000 to children’s charity For Life Thailand, while also supporting and donating to local charities and schools.

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