Sanook Kitchen is a casual Thai restaurant located at #01-12 of Heartland Mall Kovan, at Blk 205 Hougang St 21 in Hougang, Singapore. The name comes from the Thai word 'Sanook', meaning enjoyment and good vibes, and that spirit runs through everything the restaurant does: bold, comforting Thai food served in a fun, family-friendly setting at wallet-friendly prices.
Founded in Singapore in 2018 with a mission to bring the vibrant flavours of Thailand to everyday dining, Sanook Kitchen has grown steadily and by 2024 counted 25 locations across the island. It is a concept by Minor Food Singapore. The brand's focus has always been on authentic, unpretentious dishes made with genuine Thai spices and fresh ingredients — food that works just as well for a solo lunch as it does for a large family dinner.
The menu is broad and generous, spanning vibrant appetisers, soul-soothing tom yum soups, indulgent curries, seafood dishes, wok-fried rice and noodles, and Thai desserts. Standouts include the Signature Superbowl Creamy Tom Yum Soup with seafood, Pineapple Fried Rice, Thai Basil Chicken Rice, Pad Thai, and the classic Mango Sticky Rice with coconut milk. Portions are generous and prices are kept pocket-friendly, so indulging doesn't require hesitation.
The Kovan branch makes it easy to enjoy Thai food any time of day, whether you're grabbing a quick lunch, settling into a casual dinner, or hosting a spontaneous gathering. Note that Sanook Kitchen does not accept table reservations at any of its restaurants — simply walk in. For enquiries and feedback, the team can be reached by email.
Tucked into #01-12 of Heartland Mall Kovan along Hougang St 21, Sanook Kitchen brings the bold, comforting flavours of Thailand to one of Singapore's most familiar neighbourhood malls. It is part of a homegrown story that began in 2018, when Sanook Kitchen opened its first doors with a simple mission: to serve authentic Thai dishes perfect for everyday enjoyment, without breaking the bank. By 2024, the brand had grown to 25 locations across Singapore, and it operates as a concept by Minor Food Singapore.
The name says a lot about what to expect. 'Sanook' is the Thai word for enjoyment and good vibes, and the restaurant takes it seriously — this is food meant to be shared, savoured and enjoyed, in a cosy, family-friendly setting where smiles and laughter are supposedly always on the menu alongside the curries.
The dish that carries the restaurant's name on the menu is the Signature Superbowl — a Creamy Tom Yum Soup with seafood, served super-sized for those who like their tom yum bold and abundant. If you prefer a lighter broth, the Clear Tom Yum Seafood offers the same aromatic chilli-and-lime character in a cleaner style.
Beyond the soups, the menu reads like a tour of Thai home-style favourites. The Pineapple Fried Rice is a colourful signature, fragrant and sweet-savoury, while Thai Basil Chicken Rice is the everyday workhorse — a stir-fry ladled over steamed rice that fits neatly into a quick lunch. Noodle lovers can go classic with Pad Thai, or dig into a warming Claypot Prawn Tang Hoon, with prawns and glass noodles simmered together in a claypot.
Seafood gets its own spotlight too: a Seafood Prawn Omelette for something homely and fluffy, and Steam Seabass with Chili and Lime for those who want a bright, punchy centrepiece on the table. For something green alongside the mains, the Stir-fried Beef with Kai Lan pairs beef with Chinese kale in true Thai style. And no Thai meal here feels complete without dessert — the Mango Sticky Rice with Coconut Milk is the classic done properly, ideally alongside a glass of Thai Iced Green Milk Tea.
Sanook Kitchen is built for real life rather than special occasions. It is the kind of place you can hit for a quick lunch between errands, settle into for a casual dinner, or pull together for a spontaneous gathering — solo diners and large families are equally accounted for. Dishes are served in generous portions at pocket-friendly prices, and the menu has been continuously expanded and refined since 2018, so regulars usually find something new to try alongside the classics.
One practical thing to know before you go: Sanook Kitchen does not accept table reservations at any of its restaurants. It is a walk-in affair, which suits the easygoing, drop-in nature of the place — though it is worth timing your visit around peak meal hours if you are coming with a big group.
The kitchen's approach is straightforward: genuine Thai spices, the freshest ingredients available, and dishes crafted to transport you to the heart of Thailand one bite at a time. Nothing is fussy, everything is affordable, and the range — from vibrant appetisers like the Homemade Prawn Cake to soul-soothing soups, indulgent curries, seafood delights and sweet finishes — means there is genuinely something for everyone at the table.
Whether you are a Kovan regular looking for a dependable Thai fix or a first-timer wandering Heartland Mall deciding what to eat, Sanook Kitchen makes a simple promise: come for the food, stay for the fun, and experience the everyday joy of Thai cuisine — your way, every day.