An insiders’ favorite Thai restaurant in Fort Worth changed names. What’s next?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Thai Terrace has renamed itself Thai Zen after 11 years at 4220 W. Vickery Blvd.
- Workers say the name and phone number changed for licensing reasons.
- Thai Zen maintains signature dishes like kaphrao, tom yum, pad Thai and curries.
One of Fort Worth’s off-the-beaten-path little Thai restaurants has changed names, and that’s all for now.
Thai Zen is the new name for the Kojsonk family’s Thai Terrace restaurant, which has become a foodies’ insider secret at 4220 W. Vickery Blvd.
The food hasn’t changed at all. Co-founder Prapaporn Kojsonk is still in the kitchen, just as she has been for 11 years.
The beef or chicken kaphrao (spicy basil) is the same. The tom yum spicy-and-sour noodle soup with lemongrass is as bold as ever.
What’s new is not clear yet. But Kojsonk’s new business partner, Pramit Pradhan, says that Thai Zen will be adding Japanese bento boxes and edamame and that the name changed to show the Thai-Japanese concept.
“It’s popular, and we needed some items that we can make quickly for offices or box lunches,” Pradhan said.
“Prapaporn still makes all the Thai curries and sauces from scratch, everything, with the authentic spices. She is amazing. But that kind of quality takes a little more time. We need something [new] at lunch.”
Pradhan also hopes to add back wine and beer, he said. Right now, Thai Zen is a popular and pretty BYOB restaurant.
Customers have posted comments on social media about the confusing changes. Thai Zen’s website and phone number even changed — because the restaurant switched companies, Pradhan said.
The prices also went up. That’s common these days, because delivery services are charging up to 30% of each ticket.
(Folks, please go and pick up your food.)
By any name, Thai Zen continues to excel at dishes like the kaphrao (spelled phonetically on the menu as “gaprao”) and simple Thai favorites such as pad Thai or pad ginger.
It’s the same cooking that used to draw actor Harrison Ford on his occasional visits to Fort Worth.
Thai Zen also serves pineapple red curry, pineapple fried rice and a variety of scratch-made curries. The panang curry with peanut added is richer and thicker, but pineapple red curry is a lighter dinner on a warm spring day.
The spice numbers at Thai Zen are an honest “1” through “5,” so pick carefully. At some other restaurants, a “3” is more like a “1.” Not here.
Thai Zen also still has a full list of appetizers including lettuce wraps, curry-marinated chicken satay skewers and egg rolls or spring rolls..
Thai Zen is open for lunch and dinner weekdays and Saturdays, dinner Sundays; 682-255-6022, thaizenft.com.
