Jatujak Ara Damansara mainly focuses on serving authentic Bangkok street food, carefully selected from the streets of Siam, Thailand, all cooked with fresh daily ingredients, with certain items brought in straight from Thailand and absolutely no MSG. It really feels like a hidden gem, and once you’ve discovered this gem you’ll definitely return!
Being located at this part of PJ with not much else around has its benefits, especially when it comes to parking. The shop itself enjoys quite a decent alfresco area since there isn’t any other competition nearby, which makes for a welcoming start to any dining experience.
Originally I wanted to try this place after discovering it on Google, but always got too busy and time constraints got me held back—Finally, I was able to visit this place for a nice dinner after a long while. Since I’ve tasted Leng Zaab in Bangkok, Thailand, I’ve always craved for the same dish. The savory sour spicy and flooded with chilli pork is just the perfect dish for me. I’m glad this place has it!
We later found out that PJ Khao Man Gai and Jatujak Ara Damansara share the same owner, thanks to a promotional leaflet on the table. As the name suggests, the spread is pretty big, with Thai street classics like Leng Zaab, charcoal-grilled meats, soups, assorted salads, seafood, pork, chicken, veggie dishes, fried rice, noodles, desserts, plus beers. They also offered affordable set lunches from RM15.90 to RM26.90, which makes it easy for weekday drop-ins.
Jatujak’s tucked in the quieter part of Ara Damansara, away from the Oasis Square stretch. This area used to be boring. These days, shops like Jatujak bring life back here. Parking’s manageable as well, and the restaurant has alfresco dining both at the side and front.
We came on a weekend afternoon, and it wasn’t too crowded compared to dinner hours. I probably over-ordered: pad thai, green curry chicken, pork skewers, seafood tomyam, paku salad, and otak-otak for the four of us.
Service was a bit weak—we had to remind them about our salad twice, and it eventually arrived late. One waitress pursed her lips at us, which wasn’t pleasant, but with all that food laid out, I let it slide.
bangkok street food ara damansara
Lunch Visit
The green curry chicken was excellent—one of the best in Klang Valley. A nice balance of spicy, sweet, savoury, and creamy, with tender chicken, Thai eggplant, and basil adding fragrance.
Pork skewers were another highlight. Properly marinated, grilled till tender, with equal portions of meat and fat so each bite was juicy and addictive. Personally, I still think the version from my favourite joint in Taman Desa edges it, but Jatujak’s holds its own.
The otak-otak looked generous but turned out to be mostly silver foil making it seem bigger than it really was. Still, the taste delivered: thick, rich, and seafood-sweet.
The small pot of seafood tomyam was enough for four. The broth was fiery, packing spice from chilies and sweetness from onion and tomato. It was solid, though not socks-off amazing.
The paku salad was one of my favourites—crisp fern shoots, tangy-sweet dressing, bird’s eye chilli and shallots, with a creamy base that tied the dish together. I’d order this again anytime.
The pad thai portion was large, and surprisingly it beat Frame Thai’s version, which has gone downhill in recent years. I added a little sugar on the side to balance the spiciness, and it worked beautifully.
We ended with tub tim krob (red ruby). The shaved ice was fine and smooth, mixed with creamy coconut milk and crunchy chestnut jelly. Honestly one of the best I’ve had in Klang Valley—better than Rayong Thai’s benchmark version.
The lunch bill came up to RM188 including drinks. Thai iced tea was decent enough, not outstanding but refreshing.
jatujak thai food ara damansara
Dinner Visit
On another evening I returned to Jatujak Ara Damansara with friends. We ordered four dishes with rice and desserts, and everything came within 10 minutes despite the dinner crowd—which was impressive compared to most Thai spots.
One of Jatujak’s specialties is their lime-steamed siakap, prepared with a tangy soup-like base of lime juice, garlic, parsley, and chilies. The fish was steamed to perfection, turning into a superb Thai-style dish—spicy, sour, garlicky, and very well-balanced, capturing exactly the vibrancy of Thai flavours.
A wonderful melody of fresh seafood cooked flawlessly in a rich and tasty curry. I could catch the aroma even before it was served, and it instantly whetted my appetite.
What sets the Thai-style egg dish apart is the crispy edges and fluffy inside, created by pouring the batter through a sieve into scorching hot oil. Though the omelette was tasty with a good crisp, it wasn’t quite as fluffy as I hoped for.
I can conclude that it is not “probably” the best. It is truly the best I have had until today. From the Jatujak Ara Damansara food’s quality, I’d bet the chefs making the magic happen are truly Thai themselves.
Clear tomyam soup (RM22) was legit spicy, while the petai prawns (RM30) needed more petai for balance. The grilled cockles (RM10) ended up being my favourite. You can pry it open with your fingers or wear gloves. They’re served with a side of their signature green sauce. It’s truly delish. The cockles are also big in size – truly giving that satisfying bite.
We capped the meal with desserts: coconut shake with ice cream (RM8), coconut ruby (RM12), and ice coconut mango (RM12). Served in coconut shells, rich, sweet, with shaved ice so silky it melted instantly.
Fried glass noodle, also known as pad woon sen in Thai, is wok-tossed with fresh ingredients like lime, fish sauce, ginger, spring onion, red Thai chili, cilantro, tomatoes, carrot, prawns, and tender squid pieces. Altogether it became a mind-blowing meal, so enjoyable and aromatic with the distinct scent of Thai spices.
The crab fried rice might look basic, a mix of eggs, lime, crab meat, spring onion, shallots, garlic, and rice cooked up with care until golden. There was crab meat in every bite, and I liked how it remained light without being oily.
Another must-try is their salted egg mushroom. When I first bit into it, I couldn’t immediately tell if it was mushroom or maybe chicken or fish, because the flavour and texture felt so unique and bold. The curry leaves gave it extra fragrance. It wasn’t overly crunchy but more light and fluffy, with a subtle pop in every bite.
Lastly, we tried the green curry pork. Soft pork slices were cooked with fish sauce, lime, garlic, fresh basil, Thai chili, spring onion, root ginger, coconut shoots, and their special imported green curry paste. Even without sugar or coconut milk, it was flavourful, creamy, and delicious.
Verdict
All said and done, Jatujak Ara Damansara is worth checking out. Not every dish impressed—tomyam could be stronger, Thai iced tea was average, and a few items seemed overpriced. But I also got some of the best green curry chicken in town, a refreshing paku salad, addictive skewers, delicious cockles, and outstanding tub tim krob.
With fair prices, big portions, quick service, and easy parking, I think Jatujak is a solid option and one I’ll revisit. That said, my regular eatery spot around TTDI and Old Klang Road still holds my loyalty, but Jatujak’s definitely earned another round.
Valerie, Malaysia Blogger
Valerie is a blogger in Malaysia living in the city of KL. Explore her blogs as she share more interesting things revolving lifestyles like a Thai food with authentic taste and more!
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