I’ve had some bad experiences with Thai food from food courts, mainly because the dishes are pre-prepared and sitting in the warmer. While this is the case with some of the dishes at Lai Thai, the majority is freshly cooked upon ordering. The menu is not as extensive as a cafe or restaurant, nor should it be, but many of the popular dishes are there. On offer are a selection of stir fried dishes, salads, noodle soups and fried noodles.

For lunch, I had the Chicken Pad Thai. Presentation was average as the food was served on a plastic plate, but not out of the question for a food court. The Pad Thai itself was surprisingly good. The noodles were nice and firm, and the morsels of chicken breast were tender and succulent. The bean sprouts and peanuts added a nice crunchy texture, and the dried chilli flakes really packed some heat. The flavours were spot on and this was probably the best food court Pad Thai I’ve had.

The staff were friendly and the service was fast and efficient. The cost of the Pad Thai was $12.90 which is more expensive than some cafes that offer the same for under $10. Having said that, the rent at Westfield Marion is high so expect to pay a little more for food.

The chef here knows how to cook a Pad Thai. I will definitely be coming back.

WHERE: 297 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park