Galangal, Mount Hawthorn

Galangal is also known as Thai ginger with a stronger flavour and more astringency than normal ginger. It is also the name of a very good Thai restaurant in Mt Hawthorn.

We visited Galangal on a Thursday evening for dinner with two friends. I was slightly apprehensive as it had been given a verdict of wonderful by a close friend but its print reviews were very mixed.

However, it was a ‘no worries’ evening as we thoroughly enjoyed the food.

Appetisers:

Galloping Horses – 4 pieces of minced duck, ground shrimp and crushed cashew nuts served on pineapple ($14) – very good

Golden Wings – 4 pieces of minced chicken and fresh corn wrapped in pastry and deep-fried ($12) – also very good but more western in flavour than the Galloping Horses.

Mains:

Twice roasted pork belly – crispy skin with caramelised fish sauce and green mango Thai herb salad ($29)– superb – we could each have eaten the entire dish!

Roast duck curry in red sauce – with lychees and cherry tomatoes – a very good curry, spicy without being overwhelming.

Chicken with cashew nuts – stir fried with vegetables and chilli jam ($25)– good but not as much flavour as the rest of the dishes.

Accompaniment: Aromatic jasmine rice ($4)

Ample free parking is available straight across the road from Galangal and toilet access is easy for those with mobility issues.

The restaurant was three-quarters full, which is a good turn out on a rather chilly Perth evening. The décor while obviously Thai was dark with a few good items hanging on the walls. Service was very friendly and interesting as all staff members were wearing traditional Thai dress but it was on the slow side.

I felt that the Uber Eats side of the business was detracting from the customer service. Uber Eats drivers were plentiful and coming and going all night- do not pick a table near the bar for this reason. Also I am sure that the pressure on the kitchen staff must be immense having to deal with a huge amount of takeaway orders as well as orders from the restaurant.

Galangal is fully licensed but BYO is available apart from Friday and Saturday evenings.

Nevertheless, the food was so good that I am heading back next week for lunch with a friend!

Address: 180 Scarborough Beach Road, Mount Hawthorn

Phone: 0894446005

Reservations: Yes

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 6pm -10pm, Lunch is served only on a Friday: 11:30-2pm

Gluten-free options: Yes

Vegetarian options: Yes

Entertainment Book: No

Website: galangal.com.au

About the Author
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About Hazel Broomhead

My name is Hazel and I am a Perth senior!

Originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, my husband and I moved to New Zealand with our children in 1974. As my husband is in the oil business, we moved to several other countries including the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan during the next 36 years before retiring to Perth.

We have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who live in different parts of the globe – New Zealand, Scotland and Colombia - which makes a great excuse for us to travel and visit.

My career background is in radio and print journalism in Scotland and New Zealand as well as public relations in various other countries.

We love to eat out, walk, travel and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle here in Western Australia.