THERE'S a new particularly spicy dish on the menu at Thai Express, I am told as I flip through the menu.

Being the chilli queen, I take my cue and order the Chilli Ginger Chicken ($9.90) immediately, together with the best selling drink Chiang Mai Mango Blend ($5.50) – just in case I need to douse the fire in my mouth.

The dish looks spicy, all right. Served next to a bowl of pure white rice, the chicken stir-fried with a blended chilli padi and ginger paste looks red hot.

I take my first bite and am instantly alarmed at how I find it too spicy. But even with my mouth burning up, I love it!

This is no watered down Thai chilli chicken dish – it's the real deal.

After having this – the seafood pad thai ($9.90), which I usually like, tastes so mild in comparison.

The prawn toast ($6.90) – a typical Thai street snack – is a little too greasy for me, so you can give it a miss if you're the health-conscious sort.

Verdict: Looks like I've just found a new personal favourite at this restaurant chain. I'll order the chilli ginger chicken again.

Thai Express
#B1-35/37, Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: 6883 1490/ 13 other outlets
*Complimentary Thai Chicken Drumlettes (worth $6.90) with a minimum spending of $30 in a single receipt (Mon–Fri).

This article was first published in My Paper on May 9, 2008.