There are many parts of the world whose culture, natural beauty and heritage I am yet to explore – but being a bit of a foodie there are fewer whose cuisine I am yet to discover. That said, I’ve never really tried Thai food (with the exception of the totally authentic jarred ‘Thai’ green curry) despite my admiration of most Asian cuisines and their incredible flavours. On a drab Monday evening in October, it was time to change that.

Thai street food chain Zaap recently announced it is coming to Durham, with plans to open a restaurant at the city’s Riverwalk development in 2024. We went along to its Newcastle venue to see what the fuss is about.

Standing along from the Gate and open since 2016, Zaap’s Newcastle restaurant is designed to replicate a bustling Bangkok street food market. I meet my friend Dan (we usually refer to each other by surnames to make things easy) who is waiting for me outside. I’m running a few minutes late having accidentally found myself going up a one-way bus lane, fingers crossed I avoid a fine!

Stepping inside bright-coloured graffiti, tuk-tuk seating booths, neon lights, bunting and street signs turn the breeze-block-built restaurant into a spectacle for the eyes.

The Northern Echo: The interior of the restaurant is bright, colourful, and a real experience for the eyes.The interior of the restaurant is bright, colourful, and a real experience for the eyes. (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

Our waitress explained the food comes as soon as it’s ready, so although you may order starters and mains don’t expect a 20-minute gap between courses.

Having perused the menu we were ready to order. I opt for the Kor Moo Yang (£7.50 - grilled marinated pork neck) to start and for mains the Gang Massaman with chicken (£12.50 – chicken in a rich massaman curry sauce with peanuts).

Dan chooses a similar starter with the Moo Yang (£6.95 – three skewers of grilled pork strip skewers with sesame seeds) but choses the Pad Preaw Wan with squid (£13.25 - stir-fried squid with vegetables and pineapple in a sweet and sour sauce) for his main. Most of the currys can be made with a choice of either chicken, beef, squid, pork or tofu meaning there’s an option for everyone.

The food arrived pretty quickly and we get stuck in.

Pork is one of my favourite meats, and my Kor Moo Yang starter was flavoursome and fresh. The pork was perfectly cooked and came with a little dipping sauce which had an ever-so-slight sweetness and complimented the meat well. Dan tells me his Moo Yang was lightly sweet and salty and perfectly wetted the appetite.

The Northern Echo: Our starters: Dan's Moo Yang (£6.95 – three skewers of grilled pork strip skewers with sesame seeds), and below my Kor Moo Yang (£7.50 - grilled marinated pork neck).Our starters: Dan's Moo Yang (£6.95 – three skewers of grilled pork strip skewers with sesame seeds), and below my Kor Moo Yang (£7.50 - grilled marinated pork neck). (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

Pretty much as soon as we’d wolfer down our first course our waitress returned with our mains. We were presented with decent portions and both came with rice.

My Gang Massaman curry was my highlight of the meal transporting me Southeast Asia in a mouthful.

The Northern Echo: My Gang Massaman curry with chicken (£12.50 – chicken in a rich massaman curry sauce with peanuts).My Gang Massaman curry with chicken (£12.50 – chicken in a rich massaman curry sauce with peanuts). (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

It was beautifully creamy and mildly spicy yet packed a punch of flavour. The chicken was tender, and the peanuts and carrots gave the occasional crunch to mix up the texture. After just one spoonful by tastebuds are furious at me wondering why I’ve never explored Thai cuisine before, and I’m already wondering when I can come back.

Dan said his sweet and sour Pad Preaw Wan was the perfect finisher to his meal. He said the squid had a nice firm, but not chewy texture and the chunks of pineapple gave a great burst of flavour.

The Northern Echo: Dan's Pad Preaw Wan with squid (£13.25 - stir fried squid with vegetables and pineapple in a sweet and sour sauce).Dan's Pad Preaw Wan with squid (£13.25 - stir fried squid with vegetables and pineapple in a sweet and sour sauce). (Image: DANIEL HORDON)

In total our meal, with a Diet Coke each and 10% service charge, came to a reasonable £50.71.

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Stepping back onto the drizzly streets of Newcastle with darkness already falling I’m wishing I could be transported back to Thailand.

Everything about the food reminded me of why I adore Asian cuisine so much. For me the spices and flavours are unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Now I just need to get myself to Thailand to eat in a real Bangkok street food market, but in the meantime I’ll certainly be paying a visit to Zaap when it opens in the shadows of Durham Cathedral.