A taste of Thai
Green Mango chef, owner brings authentic Thai food to St. John’s
After living in Thailand for 28 years, Brian Zeng knows what it takes to make Thai cooking taste great.
That’s why he’s banking on his new Thai restaurant becoming a success in his new home of St. John’s.
Zeng, who moved to the metro area from Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic, is the owner and chef for Green Mango Thai Cuisine, which opened last week on Kiwanis Street, right on the corner where it meets Kelsey Drive.
Green Mango is a new venture for Zeng, who also has two restaurants in southern Ontario.
“We are a really traditional Thai restaurant,” said manager Joy Yang.
“In St. John’s ... there’s no Thai people to open a Thai restaurant here. We are the only one. Our main cook and the second chef, they’re both from Thailand ... They want more people to know what real Thai food tastes like, to increase the culture and variety.”
According to Yang, the business aims to attract shoppers and office workers in the area looking for a takeout option. Situated in a building that also houses Subway, Quesada Burritos & Tacos and Chatters Hair & Beauty Salon, Green Mango does have two tables to accommodate people who would rather eat in the restaurant.
The Kelsey Drive area is a shopping destination for many people living in St. John’s metro due to the presence of some large retail stores. It’s also next to the large Kenmount Terrace subdivision.
“Young people, old generation, it’s all fine with us,” Yang said.
LOTS OF OPTIONS
The menu has two varieties of pad Thai and a green mango chicken dish that serves as an inspiration for the name (they also serve a mango salad with peppers, mint leaves, chili, lemon juice and a garnishing of roasted cashews).
They use shrimp, beef and chicken in their cooking and also have vegetarian options on the menu, as well as soups.
“Our food is typical Thai food,” Yang said.
“We know Thai people like spicy, sweet and sour flavours, so our dishes are spicy, sour and sweet things. The chicken and the beef is our main protein — we don’t have pork ... We have many options for a variety of people to choose (from).”
Green Mango has lots of appetizers on its menu, like Thai dumplings, Thai chicken wings and vegetable and spring rolls, among other items.
It also has a small Japaneseinspired menu featuring some sushi rolls and udon noodle bowls.
“We want to provide more options for people who walk through our restaurant,” Yang said.
The restaurant opened for its first day of business Tuesday, May 9. Their food will eventually be available through commonly-used delivery apps. Green Mango is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The business is also in the process of hiring staff to work at the front counter.