Owner of Thip’s Thai Daniel Amphayphong. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Thip’s Thai is one of those unassuming places that often goes under the radar but is quietly pumping out some of Canberra’s tastiest food. The small Belconnen shop has been serving Thai to public servants and Belconnen locals for over 35 years!
Current owner Daniel Amphayphon has run the business for the last six and a half years, after acquiring it from the original owners, who he says had been serving Thai food at that location for over 30 years.
“I think it’s the most authentic Thai food in Canberra,” Daniel told Region.
“We did some light renovations, but otherwise, we’ve kept it the same. We’re trying to do justice to the previous owners and make it the most authentic we can.”
Papaya salad at Thip’s Thai. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Daniel’s background is Laos-Chinese so he’s always doing research and trying to learn more to make sure his food hits the spot. He started out working in cafes and hadn’t planned on running a Thai restaurant at all but was a customer at Thip’s when the owners asked if he knew anyone looking to buy a business. He saw the potential and spent over six months in the kitchen learning to make the menu.
“It wasn’t just about learning the recipes, it’s culture as well! I’m sure it’s not how people would do it in a fine dining restaurant, but it’s just like how people cook in Thailand. Everything is super fresh.”
Thip’s Thai is well-loved for their quick and affordable hot-box lunch specials, which are popular with public servants in the area. But it’s worth sitting down and ordering off the main menu for a cooked-to-order dish.
I chose the Thai-style fried chicken with Chinese broccoli and a Laos-style papaya salad for my lunch. Daniel explained that the chicken is marinated before frying in a mix of fish sauce, light soy, oyster sauce (and some other secret ingredients). There are also two different kinds of papaya salad on the menu: Thai and Laos. Daniel tells me that the Thai salad is made with fish sauce, while the Laos salad uses anchovy sauce and also features salted crab for an extra fermented umami flavour.
Thip’s Thai: same same, but different. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The two dishes are a lot of food, but I’m particularly hungry so I make my way through a respectable portion. The chicken is super juicy and flavourful, and the sweet and sour tamarind dressing is super moreish. I enjoy the papaya salad, although I’m not 100 per cent sure what I’m supposed to do with the small crab legs. I decide to suck the flavour off them and leave them to the side rather than cracking them open (Daniel tells me that’s what most people do), and I enjoy the funky, strong flavours matched with the salty sauce and refreshing papaya.
The spice levels are spot on, and even the hot-box lunch items have a kick to them! Daniel reckons that his customers are pretty well travelled, and on the whole, he’s impressed with their spice tolerance.
The laksa at Thip’s Thai has previously been rated in the top 5 in Canberra. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Daniel’s style of service is easygoing and friendly, and it’s clear he’s got to know many of his customers over the years. The small restaurant is simple and casual – most of their custom is takeaway – with large screens showing walk-throughs of Thai shopping malls while Thai pop music plays through the speakers.
I’ve previously added Thip’s Thai Laksa to my recommendations of Canberra’s best laksas, and their noodle dishes are also great. If you’re ever in Belconnen, it’s worth climbing the stairs of the Churches Centre for a meal at Thip’s Thai.
And if you’re one of their regulars, then I’m sorry for spilling the beans on one of Canberra’s hidden gems.
Thip’s Thai is located at The Churches Building Shop 15 Level 1/54 Benjamin Way. They are open for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and for dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm seven days a week.
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