Porkfat Thai Restaurant Sydney

33 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

+61 478 565 691

4.6

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About

Porkfat Thai Restaurant | One Hat Award Winner | Haymarket Sydney

Porkfat Thai Restaurant

Authentic Thai Cuisine – Cooked the Traditional Way with Pork Fat

🎩 One Hat SMH Good Food Guide | Chef David Thompson’s Protégé | Since 2022

About Porkfat

Sa-wad-dee-ka (welcome) from Bangkok to Sydney! Porkfat is an intimate 30-seat fine-diner that’s quickly become one of Sydney’s best Thai restaurants since opening in late 2022. Located in the heart of Haymarket, this award-winning restaurant offers an authentic Thai dining experience that beautifully captures the rich culture and flavours of Saraburi, nestled in Central Thailand.

Chef Narin “Jack” Kulasai and Tanya Boon have created something truly special at Porkfat. Growing up in Central Thailand, Chef Jack perfected his craft alongside renowned Chef David Thompson at the distinguished Nahm Restaurant in Bangkok, before working at Bennelong Restaurant with Chef Peter Gilmore and as Chef de Cuisine at Long Chim Sydney. Now, Porkfat is his first restaurant, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in the art of authentic Thai cooking.

True to the name, Porkfat honours traditional Thai cooking methods by using pork fat instead of commercial oils – just as it was done in Thailand long before modern cooking oils became the norm. This tribute to heritage infuses every dish with incredible depth of flavour. The ever-evolving menu celebrates the spirit of Thai cooking, blending family-style comfort with the bold energy of street-style dishes, all designed for sharing and crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Even Nigella Lawson is a fan! With bookings essential for this small gem, Porkfat offers an intimate journey through the diverse, soulful flavours of Thailand.

🏆 Award-Winning Excellence

Proudly awarded One Hat by the SMH Good Food Guide. Chef Jack trained under David Thompson at Nahm Bangkok and brings authentic Thai flavours that have critics and diners raving. Fiery, flavoursome, and traditional in every sense!

🌶️ Signature Dishes

Famous for tamarind chicken wings with fish sauce caramel, crispy pork belly with chilli lime nahm jim, larb featuring ground pork in pork fat with roasted rice powder, and deep-fried whole barramundi with three flavour sauce. Every plate is a masterpiece!

🔥 Traditional Pork Fat Cooking

Honouring authentic Thai methods used before commercial oils, dishes are cooked with pork fat for superior flavour and richness. This traditional technique adds incredible depth and authenticity to every bite!

✨ Intimate Fine Dining

Small 30-seat restaurant with open kitchen seating and mezzanine level. Dark wooden furniture, pretty stained glass lights, and hand-painted Thai ceramics from Wiang Galon. Watch chefs in action with flames roaring – the best seat in the house!

Contact & Hours

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Address 33 Ultimo Road, Haymarket NSW 2000 (Next to Woolworths Metro)

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Phone Contact via website for bookings

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Open Days Tuesday – Sunday (Closed Mondays)

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Lunch Service Fri-Sun: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

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Dinner Service Tue-Sun: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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Website www.porkfat.com.au

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Instagram @porkfatsydney

Restaurant Info

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Cuisine Type Authentic Thai Street Food & Home-Style Cooking

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Price Range $$-$$$ – Fine Dining ($40-80 per person)

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Seating Intimate 30 seats – Open kitchen downstairs & mezzanine level

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Service Options Dine-in (Bookings Essential)

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Reservations ESSENTIAL – Book via website. Small restaurant fills quickly!

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Group Size À la carte for groups of 1-4 | Set menu for groups of 5+

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Dietary Options Gluten-free & dairy-free options available (Only 1 vegetarian dish – most use pork fat)

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Drinks Fully Licensed & BYO (corkage applies) | Small wine list | Singha beer | Thai milk tea

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Payment Credit card surcharge 1.5% | 8+ people: 10% gratuity

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Special Touch Food served on hand-painted ceramics from Wiang Galon, Chiang Rai

Getting There

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Location Haymarket, Chinatown – Next to Woolworths Metro near Market City

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Nearest Station Central Station – Short walk through Haymarket

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Light Rail Capitol Square Light Rail Station nearby

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Parking Parking stations available in Haymarket/Chinatown area

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Porkfat special?

Porkfat is Sydney’s One Hat award-winning Thai restaurant that honours traditional cooking by using pork fat instead of commercial oils – just as it was done in Thailand before modern oils became popular. Chef Jack trained under legendary Chef David Thompson at Nahm Bangkok and brings authentic Thai flavours that are fiery, flavoursome, and traditional. The intimate 30-seat setting, open kitchen, and ever-evolving menu featuring fresh daily ingredients create an exceptional fine dining experience. Even Nigella Lawson is a fan!

What are your signature dishes?

Must-try dishes include the famous tamarind chicken wings with sticky fish sauce caramel and crispy garlic, crispy pork belly with chilli lime nahm jim, larb (ground pork coated in pork fat with smoked chilli and roasted rice powder), tiger prawns with vermicelli, grilled pork jowl with chilli sauce, deep-fried whole barramundi with three flavour sauce, papaya salad with salted duck egg, and beef brisket pha-naeng curry. Every dish is a flavour and texture bomb!

Do I need to book in advance?

YES! Bookings are essential. Porkfat is a small restaurant with only 30 seats, and it’s extremely popular. Dinner slots fill up well in advance. Pro tip: Try lunchtime (Fri-Sun) for better availability. Book through their website at www.porkfat.com.au. Walk-ins are generally not possible due to limited space.

What’s the seating like?

Porkfat has an intimate setting across two levels. Downstairs features tables opposite the open kitchen where you can watch the chefs in action and see flames roaring – the best seats in the house! The bulk of seating is on the mezzanine level. The décor is simple yet beautiful with dark wooden furniture, pretty hanging stained glass lights, and hand-painted Thai ceramics from Wiang Galon in Chiang Rai province.

Is the food spicy?

Yes! Porkfat serves authentic Thai food with traditional spice levels. Some dishes are very spicy, and there’s no dumbing down of flavours. Massive flavours with punchy, authentic heat are part of the experience. If you prefer milder food, communicate with staff when ordering, though note that authentic Thai cuisine is meant to have bold, spicy flavours.

Are there vegetarian options?

Unfortunately, Porkfat has very limited vegetarian options. As the name suggests, pork fat is used in cooking almost all dishes, and there’s only one item on the menu that doesn’t use it. This restaurant is focused on traditional Thai meat dishes cooked with pork fat. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this may not be the best choice.

What’s the menu format for groups?

For groups of 1-4 guests, you can order à la carte from the menu. For groups of 5 or more, you must choose the set menu called “เต็มโต๊ะ – Tem Thoh” (meaning “a table full of food”). The set menu is designed for sharing and showcases a variety of flavours and textures from across Thailand. The menu evolves with new specials each month featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Can I bring my own wine?

Yes! Porkfat is BYO (bring your own) with a corkage fee. The restaurant has a very small wine list featuring about 9 wines including Prosecco, Chianti, and French Chardonnay, plus Singha beer. BYO is encouraged, so bring a couple of your favourite drops and enjoy with the incredible food!

What’s the dining time limit?

Due to the restaurant’s small size and high demand, there may be a dining time limit during busy periods (typically 1.5 hours for dinner sittings). Service is swift and instinctive – dishes arrive hot and quickly. This allows the restaurant to accommodate more guests while maintaining quality and freshness.

Signature Starters

Begin your authentic Thai journey:

Tamarind Chicken Wings – Six golden winglets coated in sticky, sweet-sour tamarind caramel, fish sauce, crispy garlic, coriander – piping hot and incredibly moreish!
Crispy Pork Belly with Chilli Lime Nahm Jim ($25) – Fish sauce marinated pork belly, deep fried, with white sesame, roasted rice powder, lime, coriander – perfectly crispy!
Grilled Pork Jowl with Chilli Sauce – Tender pork cheek with traditional Thai chilli dipping sauce
Papaya Salad with Salted Duck Egg – Very authentic flavour profile, salted egg adds richness and complexity to fresh papaya
Fresh Spring Rolls – Light and refreshing with herbs and vegetables

Signature Main Dishes

Chef Jack’s authentic Thai specialties:

Larb (Ground Pork) – MUST-TRY! Ground pork coated in pork fat, smoked chilli, roasted rice powder, snake beans, cucumber, iceberg, fragrant herbs – a flavour and texture bomb
Deep-Fried Whole Barramundi with Three Flavour Sauce ($68) – Crispy garlic, shallot, fried makrut leaves, Thai basil – spectacular presentation
Tiger Prawns with Vermicelli – Large prawns cooked Thai-style with glass noodles
Marinated Beef Brisket Pha-Naeng Curry – Rich, aromatic curry with tender beef brisket
Stir-Fried Morning Glory – Traditional Thai greens with pork fat and garlic
Pad Thai – Traditional Thai rice noodles cooked with pork fat
Massaman Curry – Rich coconut curry with potatoes and peanuts

Set Menu – เต็มโต๊ะ Tem Thoh

For groups of 5+ – “A Table Full of Food” designed for sharing:

Seasonal Selection of Starters – Chef’s choice of authentic Thai appetizers
Variety of Curries – Rotating selection featuring traditional Thai curries
Stir-Fried Dishes – Street-style Thai stir-fries with bold flavours
Fresh Seafood – Seasonal fish and prawns prepared Thai-style
Grilled Meats – Marinated pork, beef, or chicken from the grill
Vegetable Dishes – Fresh Thai-style vegetables cooked in pork fat
Steamed Jasmine Rice – Fragrant Thai rice to accompany all dishes

Beverages

Complement your meal:

Singha Beer – Thailand’s classic lager, perfectly paired with spicy Thai food
Thai Milk Tea – Sweet, creamy traditional Thai iced tea
Hot Thai Tea – Traditional brewed Thai tea served hot
Fresh Juices – Seasonal juice selection
Soft Drinks – Basic sodas available
Wine Selection – Small curated list: Prosecco, Chianti, French Chardonnay, and others
BYO Wine Welcome – Corkage fee applies

What Customers Are Saying

Real reviews from satisfied diners:

“We eat great Thai food in NY and LA. Porkfat was special and among the best. The food here is so damn delicious, even Nigella Lawson is a fan!”
“Authentic Thai flavours. Service was wonderful, friendly and welcoming! Massive flavours, generous portions and no dumbing down. This is fiery, flavoursome and traditional in every sense.”
“The tamarind wings are sticky, sweet and slightly sour with chewy roasted garlic bits. The sauce is so moreish we found ourselves scraping the plate with a spoon as if it were ice-cream!”
“Porkfat’s larb featuring ground pork coated in pork fat, smoked chilli and roasted rice powder, with snake beans, cucumber, iceberg and fragrant herbs is a flavour and texture bomb. We always have to order it!”
“Impressive quality, authenticity, and punchy flavours across the menu. Dishes arrived hot and quickly. The chili-lime sauce on the crispy pork belly was bright, balanced, and cut beautifully through the richness.”
“Small but carefully selected range of dishes cooked with great precision. OK range of wines and Thai beer. Friendly, prompt service in an attractive, modern space with the chefs in action.”
“The papaya salad with salted duck egg had a very authentic flavour profile. The salted egg added a layer of richness and complexity that complemented the freshness of the papaya.”
“Service is lovely and delightful from all staff. Swift, instinctive moves with friendly greetings and warmth. They’re as kind and warm as they come – the whole team is excellent!”