Update: J. Daeng Seafood Restaurant on 2nd Road

[Evil Penevil 7,625]

J. Daeng Restaurant is located on 2nd Road at the corner of Soi 9, across the street from the Siam Bayview Hotel. The emphasis is on Thai and Chinese seafood, but the extensive menu features a variety of dishes, including some standard Western ones. It's not the best nor the cheapest seafood restaurant in Pattaya, but it is a moderately priced option for those who are looking for fresh and well-prepared seafood in a convenient location. I've had a number of meals there since I moved into the neighborhood a couple of months ago and have never been disappointed. The Thais and farang friends I've taken have also liked it and have wanted to go back.









I like the fact that you can see at least some of the food being prepared.



It's not an enclosed restaurant, but the powerful overhead fans keep it cool. There's also an outdoor section along Soi 9.




The service is friendly, attentive and quick. I've never waited more than 20 minutes before the first dish hit the table. One feature I liked is that most dishes can be ordered in small and large portions. The customer base seems evenly split between farang (a lot of Russians) and Thais and other Asians.






The menu includes all the usual favorites:














as well as some that aren't so common. How about steamed shark, Chinese style?




Or crocodile stir-fry?



Before anyone asks, the crocodile didn't taste like chicken. In fact, the meat itself didn't taste like much of anything beyond the other ingredients in the dish, but the sauce was excellent.

The grilled seafood had just the right taste of charcoal that didn't overwhelm the subtle flavor of crab and rock lobster.



Thai girls do enjoy playing with their food. It's an unpretentious restaurant and the girls feel comfortable there.



And if you need to do some shopping for everything from clothes and luggage to souvenir knick-knacks, the Night Bazaar is right next door.





If you're looking for a fine dining experience, J. Daeng isn't the place. Better food is available at the more famous restaurants at the far ends of Jomtien and Naklua. But if you don't have your own wheels or don't want to spend the time and effort to get to an out-of-the-way eatery, J. Daeng is a solid choice in central Pattaya.

Evil

Edited October 30, 2014 by Evil Penevil

[baht_miser 9]

This is one of my favorite places to eat. Good food and reasonable prices.

[Kev 173]

Have been here quite a few times myself while on holidays over the years and not a bad report so far, good food and good service.

[parry 58]

Thanks for that Evel

[boxhead 18]

Thanks for the heads up on this one

[Spock 4]

^{Good review, will give it a try next time in town.}

[capdagde 1,954]

We'll arrange a stop there in August Evil. Been past and looked before but never stopped. Central just over the road always beckons with its A/C......

 

Got an appetite now....

 

Andy & Flo

[ToffeeAl 3]

This is one of my favourite places to eat. Very good and extensive menu and never had a bad meal there.

[jacko 8,697]

I liked the fact that they distinguish between crab and prawn from the sea and freshwater stuff.

Seem to get the more bland freshwater stuff in many places.

And grouper is a reasonable priced, surprisingly less than white snapper, I have found it to have got more expensive over the last year or so in my regular places.

Did you try the Tom Yam Kung/Talay? I have always felt a place that gets the mix of sweet/sour/spicy just right to be a great indicator.

[Saddic 31]

I like it too... been there many a time...

[Evil Penevil 7,625]

Just a brief update on J Daeng, A friend and I had supper there a few nights ago before hitting the bars on LK Metro. J Deng is mostly noted or seafood, grilled seafood in particular, but we weren't looking for a seafood feast. We just wanted a quick meal to cushion our stomachs against the coming onslaught of alcohol.

 

He's a big fan of salmon steak and remembered it being good at J. Daeng. I decided to go with several standard Thai dishes.

 

I had green curry with shrimp:

 

 

Sweet and sour pork:

 

 

Fried rice with salty fish:

 

 

 

My friend had a garden salad:

 

 

 

followed by salmon steak and French fries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was well pleased with his meal. The salad cost 80 baht, the salmon 240 baht. My shrimp curry was 120 baht for a small portion (you can order small, medium or large), same price for a small portion of the sweet and sour pork. The fried rice was 80 baht. All the dishes I ordered tasted fine.

 

We sat down at 8 pm and the place was packed. We got the only two seats available at a small table at the very front of the restaurant. The other guests looked to be Russians, Thais and other Asians mostly eating seafood.

 

In short, J Daeng remains a solid if unspectacular restaurant in central Pattaya,

 

Evil

[baht_miser 9]

I look forward to eating there again when I return.