PhuThai Esarn brings a distinct northern and north-eastern Thai perspective to its Cambridge Terrace dining room in Te Aro. Lunch and dinner are served seven days, with reservations and table service for diners staying in, plus pickup and delivery when the meal is destined for home. BYO and private-party bookings add useful flexibility, whether the occasion is a weeknight dinner, a group gathering or a longer shared meal.
The opening courses move between delicate parcels and food shaped by the grill. Curry puffs, fresh spring rolls and toong thong offer crisp, compact starters, while fish cakes, satay, grilled prawns and squid introduce herbs, spice and char. Familiar curries follow in green, red, panaeng and massaman styles, with red duck curry adding a richer option beyond the usual meat and vegetable combinations.
The Esarn section is where the restaurant's regional character becomes clearest. Som tam centres on the crunch and brightness of green papaya, while nam tok beef and larb layer meat with lime, herbs and seasoning. Seafood salad and pha goong extend that fresh, sharp profile, and soups such as tom yum gai and tom sab beef bring aromatic broth and heat to the table. These dishes are especially well suited to sharing because their contrasts enliven the richer curries around them.
Pad Thai, Pad See Yew and fried rice provide dependable noodle and rice foundations, but the menu does not stop there. Seafood hot plates, whole-fish preparations and coconut-rich soups allow a meal to become more elaborate, while tofu and vegetable dishes give non-meat diners several paths through the same Thai flavour palette. Together, the breadth of the menu and the regional salads and soups make PhuThai Esarn more than a collection of standard takeaway favourites.
Address: 35 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Phuthai Esarn Restaurant Menu
Appetisers
Karee Puff
Curry puff stuffed with minced chicken, potato and onion
Fresh Spring Rolls Chicken
Fresh Spring rolls filled with chicken, fresh vegetables and herbs
Toong Thong
Deep fried minced chicken and shrimp parcels
Goong Yang
Grilled prawn served with spicy seafood sauce
Thai Fish Cakes
Tasty Thai style deep fried fish cakes served with sweet chilli dipping sauce
Meuk Yang
Grilled squid served with spicy seafood sauce
Chicken Satay
Slices of chicken, marinated in curry powder
Chicken Na Kai
Tasty deep fried chicken patties on bread
Mixed Entrées
Karee Puff, Spring Roll, Toong Thong, Chicken Na Kai
Fried Vegetarian Spring Roll
Deep fried vegetarian spring roll with vermicelli and vegetables (V, VG)
Curry
Green Curry
Tasty Thai green curry & coconut milk, vegetable comes in a flavour of chicken or beef (GF) (Fish/Prawn – $34.9, Mixed Seafood – $36.9)
Mussaman Beef Curry
Mussaman curry and coconut milk with peanuts and potatoes
Red Curry
Awesome Thai red curry with coconut milk, vegetables accompanied by your choice of chicken, beef or pork (GF) (Fish/Prawn – $34.90, Mixed Seafood – $36.90)
Panaeng Curry
Thai thick red curry and coconut milk and vegetables come in your selection of chicken, beef or pork (Fish/Prawn – $34.90, Mixed Seafood – $36.90)
Red Duck Curry
Roasted duck in red curry, vegetables, special with pineapple and tomatoes
Green Curry
Tasty Thai green curry & coconut milk, vegetable comes in your selection of chicken, beef or pork (GF) (Fish – $23, Prawn – $23, Mixed Seafood – $24.50)
Red Curry
Awesome Thai red curry with coconut milk, vegetables accompany by your choice of chicken, beef or pork (GF) (Fish – $23, Prawn – $23, Mixed Seafood – $24.50)
Panaeng Curry
Thai thick red curry and coconut milk and vegetables come in your selection of chicken, beef or pork (GF) (Fish – $23, Prawn – $23, Mixed Seafood – $24.50)
Red Duck Curry
Roasted duck in red curry, vegetables, special with pineapple, grapes, and tomatoes
Mussamun Beef Curry
Thai mussamun beef curry and coconut milk with peanuts and potatoes (GF)
Rice and Noodle
Pad Thai
Fried rice noodle with house made tamarind based sauce, spring oninon, egg, peanut and a choice of chicken, beef or pork
Pad See Yew
Thai style fried rice noodle with chicken, pork or beef and thickened soya sauce
Pad Thai Prawns
Fried rice noodle with house made tamarind based sauce, spring onion, egg, peanut and prawns
Khao-pad
Fried rice with choice of chicken, pork or beef and vegetable
Pad Thai
Fried rice noodle with house made tamarind based sauce spring onion, egg, peanut, and a choice of chicken, beef or pork
Pad Thai Prawns
Fried rice noodle with house made tamarind based sauce, spring onion, egg, peanut, and prawns
Khao-pad
Fried rice with choice of chicken, pork or beef and vegetables
Pad See Yew
Thai style fried rice noodle with egg, vegetables chicken, pork or beef and thickened soya sauce
Khao-pad Pineapple
Fried rice with pineapple, tofu, cashew nuts, raisins & turmeric (V, VG, GF)
Stir-Fried
Chicken and Cashew nuts
Stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts with vegetables
Basil Chicken, Pork or Beef
Stir fried slices of chicken, beef or pork with fresh chilli, sweet basil and vegetables
Pad Khing
Stir fried chicken, beef or pork with fresh ginger and vegetables
Pad Pong Karee Ta-ley
Stir fried seafood combination in a curry sauce with spring onion and capsicum
Choo chee Goong
Prawns cooked in red curry with capsicum and kaffir lime leaves (GF)
Pad Phet Duck
Hot chilli paste stir fry with mixed herbs and basil with duck
Pad Praew Wan
Thai style sweet and sour stir-fried with beef, chicken or pork
Pad Peanut Sauce
Sauteed chicken, beef or pork with vegetables and peanut sauce
Pad nam mun hoi beef
Tender slices of beef served with onion and vegetables and oyster sauce
Chicken and Cashew nuts
Stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts with vegetables
Pad praew wan
Thai style sweet and sour stir-fried with chicken, beef or pork, pineapple, and vegetables
Pad Khing
Stir fried chicken, beef or pork with fresh ginger and vegetables
Basil Chicken, Pork or Beef
Stir fried slices of chicken, beef or pork with fresh chilli, sweet basil, and vegetables
Pad Peanut Sauce
Sauteed chicken, beef or pork with vegetables and peanut sauce
Pad Phet
Hot chili paste stir fry with chicken, beef or pork and vegetables
Pad Kra Tiem
Stir fry chicken, beef or pork with garlic and vegetables
Hot Plate
Lamb ka-ta ron
Grilled fillet of lamb served on sizzling hot dish with vegetable
Pad Cha Ta-ley
Thai style stir fried assorted seafood with fresh chilli, rhizome, basil leaves and vegetables
Seafood Pad Nam Prik Pow
Stir fried mixed seafood with Thai chilli paste served on sizzling hot dish
Seafood Special
Hor Mok Ta-ley
Popular Thai combination seafood steamed with red curry sauce and coconut milk (GF)
Pla rad Prik
Crispy whole fish topped with Thai chilli sweet and sour sauce (GF)
Pla sa-mune Prai
Deep fried whole fish topped with crispy lemon grass and lime leaves, served with special sauce (GF)
Larb Pla tua
Crispy whole fish topped with herbs, roasted and crushed rice mixed in a lemon based sauce (GF)
Pla rad Kaew Wan
Crispy whole fish topped with vegetables cooked in Thai green curry (GF)
Pla Choo Chee
Crispy whole fish topped with traditional Thai red curry sauce (GF)
Vegatarian
Fried vegetarian spring rolls
(V, VG)
Red Curry Tofu and vegetables
(GF, VG)
Green Curry Tofu and vegetables
(GF, VG)
Steamed vegetables
(V, GF)
Tofu Cashew Nut and vegetables
Tofu pad praew wan (sweet and sour) and vegetables
Basil Tofu and vegetables
Tofu Pad Khing (stirred-fry with ginger) and vegetables
Khoa-pad Tofu (fried rice) and vegetables
Pad phet Tofu (hot chilli stirred-fry) and vegetables
Pad Thai Tofu with vegetables
Pad See Yew Tofu and vegetables
Fresh vegetarian spring rolls
(V, VG, GF)
Panaeng Tofu (Thick Red Curry) & vegetables
(GF, VG)
Peanut Tofu and vegetables
Dessert
Ice cream
with Lychee / Pineapple
Deep Fried ice cream
Sweet sticky rice with lychee & ice cream
Plain ice cream
Ice cream
with Lychee or Pineapple
Khao Tom Mud Banana with ice cream
Extra (with main course order only)
Prawn, Fish or Duck
Pork, chicken or beef
Tofu, Vegetables or Cashew nut
Pork, chicken or beef
Shrimp or fish
Cashew Nut
Appetizers
Toong Thong
Deep fried minced chicken and shrimp parcels with mixed vegetables
Fried vegetarian spring rolls
Deep fried vegetarian spring roll filled with vermicelli and vegetables (V, VG, GF)
Fresh Spring Rolls Chicken
Fresh spring rolls filled with chicken, fresh vegetables and herbs
Fresh Spring Rolls Vegetarian
Fresh spring rolls filled with fresh vegetables and herbs (V, VG, GF)
Karee Puffs
Ground prime chicken, Thai herbs and spices all enveloped in golden puff pastry
Entrée Soup
Tom Yum Goong
Thai Hot and Sour prawn soup with mushroom, lime juice, and lemon grass (GF)
Tom Kha Gai
Lightly spicy chicken soup flavored, lemongrass and coconut milk (GF)
Tom Yum Gai
Thai Hot and sour chicken soup with mushroom and chilli (GF)
Main Soup
Tom Yum Goong
Thai Hot and Sour prawn soup with mushroom, lime juice, and lemon grass (GF)
Tom Yum Ta-ley
Thai Hot and Sour mixed Seafood soup with mushroom, lime juice, and lemon grass (GF)
Tom Kha Gai
Lightly spicy chicken soup flavored, lemongrass and coconut milk (GF)
Tom Kha Ta-ley
Lightly spicy seafood soup flavored, lemongrass and coconut milk (GF)
Chef's Speciality Seafood
Yum Seafood
Spicy mixed seafood salad with limejuice and chili sauce (GF)
Meuk Kra Tiem
Stir fry squid with garlic and vegetables
Seafood Pad Peanut Sauce
Sauteed seafood with vegetables and peanut sauce
Pad Pong Karee Ta-ley
Stir fry seafood combination in a curry sauce with spring onion and capsicum
Choo Chee Scallop
Stir fry scallop with traditional Thai red curry sauce and vegetables
Pla sa-mune Prai
Deep fried whole fish topped with crispy lemon grass and lime leaves, served with special sauce (GF available)
Pla rad Med Ma Muang
Deep fried whole fish topped with stirred fried cashew nuts and vegetables
Pla rad Prik
Crispy whole fish topped with Thai chili sweet and sour sauce (GF)
Pla rad Kaew Wan (green curry)
Crispy fillet or whole fish topped with vegetables cooked in Thai green curry (GF available)
Pla rad Praew Wan (sweet & sour)
Crispy fillet or whole fish topped with vegetables cooked in sweet and sour sauce
Choo Chee Prawn
Grilled Tiger Prawn with traditional Thai red curry sauce & vegetables (GF)
Seafood Hot Plate
Pad Cha Ta-ley
Thai style stir fried seafood with fresh chili, rhizome, basil leaves & vegetables on sizzling hot dish
Seafood Pad Poh Tak
Stir-fried mixed seafood with tom yum paste & vegetables served on sizzling hot dish
Seafood Pad Nam Prik Pow
Vegetarians
Fried vegetarian spring rolls
(V, VG)
Fresh vegetarian spring rolls
(V, VG, GF)
Steamed vegetables
(GF, VG)
Panaeng Tofu (Thick Red Curry) & veg
(GF, VG)
Red Curry Tofu and vegetables
(GF, VG)
Green Curry Tofu and vegetables
(GF, VG)
Tofu pad praew wan (sweet and sour) and vegetables
Tofu Cashew Nut and vegetables
Tofu Pad Khing (stirred-fry with ginger) and vegetables
Basil Tofu and vegetables
Tofu Stirred-fried with Oyster Sauce and vegetables
Khoa-pad Tofu (fried rice) and vegetables
Pad Thai Tofu and vegetables
Pad See Yew Tofu and vegetables
Larb Tofu
(GF)
Tom Yum Tofu
(GF)
Esarn Food
Som-tam Goong Tod
Carrot salads with deep fried shrimp lemon juice, tomato, garlic and chilli
Som-tam Carrot
Carrot salads with lemon juice, tomato, garlic and chilli (GF)
Nam-tok Beef
Grilled beef with fresh herbs, lime leaves, lime juice, onion and chilli (GF)
Beef Salad
Grilled beef salad with Thai dressing sauce (GF)
Larb Ped
Minced duck with fresh herbs, lime leaves and lime juice
Larb
Minced chicken, pork or beef with fresh herbs, lime leaves, lime juice (GF)
Yum Seafood
Spicy mixed seafood salad with lime juice and chilli sauce (GF)
Tom Yum Gai – Fired Pot
Hot and sour chicken soup with mushroom, lime juice and lemongrass (GF)
Pha Goong
Spicy prawn salad with chilli based paste and sliced lemon grass (GF)
Tom sab Neur – Fired Pot
Hot and spicy beef soup – Esarn Style with galangal and lemon grass (GF)
Larb Tofu
Esarn style fried tofu with fresh herbs, lime leaves, lime juice (V, GF)
Soup
Tom Yum Ta-ley
Hot and sour mixed seafood soup with mushroom, lime juice and lemon grass (GF)
Tom Yum Goong
Hot and Sour prawn soup with mushroom, lime juice and lemon grass (GF) (Bowl – $19.9)
Tom Kha Gai
Chicken coconut milk soup with galangal, lemon grass and Lime juice (Bowl – $18.9)
North/Northeastern Thai Dishes
Larb
Minced chicken, beef or pork with fresh herbs, Lime leaves, lime juice (GF)
Beef Salad
Grilled beef Salads with Thai dressing sauce, fresh herbs, and onion (GF)
Nam-tok Beef
Grilled beef with fresh herbs, lime leaves, lime juice, onion, and chili
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Wellington
- Pad thai Typical in Wellington: $22.00 $17.50
- Green curry Typical in Wellington: $22.75 $17.50
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