In the last few years, Koukaki has morphed from a working-class, inner-city neighbourhood into a trendy area rife with Airbnb apartments and youth hostels. But you’ll find more adventurous locals than backpackers queuing outside this colourfully kitsch hole-in-the-wall, decked out like a Bangkok market stall with paper lanterns, B-movie posters and cocktail parasols. Owner Babis Askeridis and his team of Thai chefs turn out authentically fiery curries, sweet and sour soups and stir fries in the open kitchen behind the counter.

A post shared by Thai Food (@tuktuk.thai.street.food.athens). Το γνήσιο thai food στο Κουκάκι, πέρα από το κουκλίστικο εσωτερικό του (με διακοσμητικά μαζεμένα ένα-ένα από τα ταξίδια ενός εκ των ιδιοκτητών), αποτελεί μια τέλεια ιδέα για ένα on the go γεύμα. Η ανοιχτή του κουζίνα ετοιμάζει πιάτα όπως το Karipap Gai, δηλαδή ταϊλανδέζικα πιτάκια γεμιστά με κοτόπουλο, κάρυ και πατάτα, το λατρεμένο Pad Thai, την παραδοσιακή σούπα Τom Ka Khai με κοτόπουλο, γάλα καρύδας, καλαμπόκι, λεμονόχορτο, φύλα καφίρ, κάλαγκαν και κόλιανδρο και πολλές ακόμη σπεσιαλιτέ που μαγειρεύονται και σερβίρονται με βάση την ταϊλανδέζικη παράδοση.

Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food invites diners into the lively ambiance of an Asian hawkers’ market, where guests can observe chefs conjuring culinary magic in the open kitchen. The menu consists of a diverse array of dishes, each offering a tantalizing glimpse into the richness of Thai cuisine. Start your culinary journey with appetizers such as the Karibap Gai, a delightful Thai curry puff pastry filled with curried chicken and potato, or the Po Pia Sot, fresh Thai rolls brimming with BBQ pork and crisp vegetables, served with a tangy tamarind sauce.

Στο πιο δημοφιλές ταϊλανδέζικο του κέντρου, το μικρούλι Tuk Tuk, πάμε και ξαναπάμε για το καυτερό, πολύ αρωματικό pad grapao. Ο χοιρινός κιμάς με τα βότανα και τα πράσινα φασολάκια σερβίρεται μαζί με ρύζι γιασεμιού συν ένα τηγανητό αυγό από πάνω για να κόβει λίγο την κάψα, και είναι ένα από τα πιο εθιστικά, αγαπημένα μας πιάτα. Πολλά ακόμα αξίζει να δοκιμάσει κανείς: από τα ντάμπλινγκ και τα καλαμάκια κοτόπουλου με σάλτσα φυστικοβούτυρου, μέχρι το κάρι massaman (με καρύδα, ταμάρινδο και φιστίκια) και το πεντανόστιμο pad thai.

To fully appreciate Thai cuisine beyond its dishes, requires a broader understanding of the overall culture surrounding food experience in Thailand. Understanding the thinking behind the way the food is served —if it is a standalone dish, shared or accompanied by something—, what is customary to eat on celebrations and national holidays and the differences it has from everyday food, as well as recognising the relationship of the broad texture and flavour palette with the various regions of Thailand.

For dessert at Kukaki’s tiny and popular Thai, they serve a coconut milk panna cotta flavored with pandan the aromatic leaf used in Asia to flavor and color sweets and fresh mango, a variation made by Thai food. The greek chef , wanting to make something between panna cotta and the classic jelly of the country he has visited dozens of times and where he trained in cooking. A favorite exotic sweet, it’s this, without a second thought.40 Veikou Street, Koukaki, 211 4051947

Several quality Thai restaurants have opened in Athens over the last few years, but Tuk Tuk (Veikou 40, Koukaki) is the first street food version of Thai, which is surprising considering that in Thailand it’s the street food that rules!. From spicy Papaya Salad with dried prawns and peanuts and Khanom Jeeb Mu steamed Pork Dumplings to Tom Kha Gai coconut milk curry soup and Pad Thai noodles, you’ll find all the street classics here in relatively authentic versions.

Buddhas and gold Asian paw-waving cats, pink walls with oriental posters greet you as you walk into this tiny eatery that calls its kitchen "Thai street food." If this is what street food tastes like, then we'll never go to a real restaurant again. Co-owner and chef Babis Askeridis went backpacking across the Far East at the age of 23, when his endless love affair with the area and its cuisine began. It's quite obviously a true love.

Finally, if we don’t mind being a little crammed, we can always find a stool or seat at Tuk Tuk (40 Veikou, Koukaki, Tel. (+30) 211.405.1947). Surrounded by lanterns, Buddha statues, plastic plants and golden cat figurines that never stop waving, we watch the chefs do their magic in the open kitchen as they prepare noodle dishes and bowls with aromatic curries and check (again) what the cost of a air ticket to Thailand is!

The whole vibe of Tuk Tuk, with the extreme Asian decoration and the cooks preparing everything in front of you, is like a wormhole that leads to Asia, while being in the heart of Athens. Everything here is fresh and simply delicious. Don’t miss out on their incredible Toms (soups), stir fry’s, their legendary phat Thai, and my personal favorite, gai yang chicken!

There is a food revolution going on in Athens and some of its best food can be found on the streets. From delectable homemade pies, mouthwatering souvlaki to a fish burger with a twist, here are six of our all time favourite food stops.

Located in the popular suburb of Koukaki, Tuk Tuk is probably the most well known Thai restaurant in Athens. Its a small restaurants and there is usually wait to get a table as the restaurant is filled with tourists and Greeks.

Patrons sit on wooden stools overlooking the kitchen as the chefs do their magic. Expect a short wait to get a table, but know that it will be well worth it.