You will find a lot of Asian culinary influences throughout the Hawaiian islands, including quite a few excellent Thai restaurants. Thailand Cuisine II on Maui is an excellent example of this and a great place to go when you have a taste for curry and dynamic vegetarian dishes.
Thailand Cuisine II, also often written as Thailand Cuisine 2 on some online menus and platforms, is a popular restaurant located in Kahului’s downtown or port neighborhood. In fact, you will more specifically find it within the bustling shopping center of Maui Mall and nestled among other boutique shops and restaurants on the pedestrian path leading to the mall’s primary theater complex. Choose this place for a healthy and delicious lunch before an anticipated matinee showing.
It is impossible to miss this restaurant as the front facade features a giant wooden temple-like addition that gives the place a very thematic appearance. Inside, you will find wood paneling across the walls and the ceilings, with your choice of seating being within wooden booths or at large wooden tables. The entire interior really takes the customer away, making you feel like you are stepping into a true upscale Thailand restaurant.
Service at Thailand Cuisine II is prompt, friendly, and attentive. Despite being a more upscale restaurant, you can expect fast service both from the front of the house and the back of the house. This makes this restaurant a good choice if you are worried about making a set movie time.
Popular menu items at Thailand Cuisine II include:
Pad Thai
This popular dish of stir-fried noodles comes packed with eggs, vegetables, and your choice of protein (options include the full vegetarian-friendly tofu as well as beef and chicken). This dish’s noodles come exceptionally fresh and soaked in a delicious in-house spicy sauce.
Thai Red Curry
This red curry dish comes with your choice of chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, fish, or tofu. That choice is this cooked with a red curry paste, bamboo shoots, fresh basil, eggplant, and large red peppers. All are simmered in coconut milk and served piping hot with a side of white rice. It is a delicious and filling meal, especially good on rainy afternoons.
If you’re looking for a really big meal, consider one of their unique Family Dinner Selections. This part of the menu features three options, each of which includes a full dinner menu for a designated amount of people. There are a For Two, For Three, and For Four options. Each of these provides a full appetizer, main entree, and beverages for the described size.
So, for example, the Family Dinner Selection For Three includes Spring Rolls, two bowls of Coconut Curry Shrimp, and entrees featuring Green Curry Shrimp, Pad Pei Beef, An Assortment of Vegetables with Pork, and a good helping of rice. Parties can also choose hot tea or coffee as their beverage of choice.
Of course, whichever menu item you choose at Thailand Cuisine II, chances are it will be a good one. This restaurant has received the local award of “Best Ethnic Restaurant on Maui” on four separate occasions to date. Their dishes are known for being authentic and tasty, served within a thematic environment by excellent staff.
Insider Tips:
-The reason why there is a “II” in this restaurant’s name is that it was never the only or the original restaurant. The original Thailand Cuisine is located in the more tourist-oriented Kukui Shopping Center. This original location is equally beloved but, as of this writing, is currently undergoing renovations.
-There are seven pages and nearly 100 choices on the Thailand Cuisine II menu. So while all of them are made and served quickly, you might find that the longest part of your time here is spent perusing and considering your options. As such, it can be a good idea to come to this restaurant with a general idea of what you want before you sit down.