Panawat Chotamungsa (also known as Erk) and his wife moved into a home that sat next door to an Indian restaurant. Fortuitously, it came up for sale which presented the pair with an opportunity to flex their culinary muscles (Erk was the head chef at Kiss Kiss and Chinoiserie). Thus the arrival of Asian fusion restaurant Hot Hot to the streets of Sandringham.

Taking its name from the market stall which the couple runs (and will continue to run) on the weekends, as well as the balmy Thai weather they are so used to, Hot Hot is located on Sandringham Road opposite Eden Park. Far from understated, the restaurant’s walls are brightly coloured and feature graphics created by the owner himself, a Jack of all trades it would seem. Venture upstairs and you’ll find three extra rooms (one that is perfect for larger groups) which carry the same theme.

The menu features a variety of incredibly tasty, Asian-inspired dishes, although it tends to lean more in the direction of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Things like Pad Thai and egg noodle dishes can be found, but it’s the shared items, Bahn Mi rolls and ‘Hot Hot’ buns that really stand out. The fried tofu (from the shared menu) comes in a tamarind sauce with fried shallots and topped with crispy noodles, the opposing textures make for a delightful little morsel. We suggest you don’t go past the stuffed roti either, filled with chicken curry powder, ginger, potatoes and onion and accompanied with an Ajard sauce. The Bahn Mi rolls are big — the pork belly being their signature variety, and the pulled pork buns could easily rival those found around the city.

We then advise you finish dinner off with one of the desserts. The fried banana which comes doused in chocolate sauce and served with coconut ice cream is mouthwateringly good, although you’d better be quick as we’re told a couple of items on the dessert menu are set to change as they try things out.

Opening hours:
7 days, 5pm – late