Spice I Am is a Thai restaurant at 90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills, Sydney, known for chef Sujet Saenkham’s assertively seasoned salads, curries and stir-fries. Established in 2004, this compact neighborhood restaurant helped shape Sydney’s appetite for Thai cooking that keeps its chilli, pungency and herbal intensity intact. Travelers come for distinctive dishes rather than elaborate surroundings, with Central Station, Chinatown and the southern city center close enough to combine with lunch or dinner.
What to Expect at Spice I Am
Co-owner and head chef Sujet Saenkham grew up in Ratchaburi province in central Thailand, learning from his mother, whose cooking included catering for officials and visiting delegates. That family grounding informs a menu built around contrasting textures and concentrated seasoning. Expect a simple, closely arranged dining room, conversational noise and food that rewards sharing. Order across categories rather than choosing several similar stir-fries: a sharp salad, something garlicky and rice make a more varied meal.
The dinner specials offer particularly useful starting points. Mieng Ka Na combines sweet flossy pork, ginger, red onion, chilli and lime with Chinese broccoli leaves; finger lime appears when available. Yum Hua Plee layers banana flower, chicken, roasted coconut and Thai chilli paste dressing beneath crispy prawns. These are ingredient-led dishes, not interchangeable versions of familiar takeaway standards. Ask about the day’s market specials before ordering: Saenkham regularly develops dishes around fresh produce he finds at the markets.
- Mieng Ka Na: Leaf-wrapped bites with sweet pork and seasonal finger lime, listed at A$23.50.
- Yum Gai: A$26.50 chicken salad with lemongrass, ginger, lime, coriander and cashews.
- Yum Hua Plee: A$30.50 banana flower salad combining shredded chicken, coconut and crispy prawns.
- Pad Kratiem Anchovies: Prawns or calamari stir-fried with white anchovy paste, whole garlic cloves, chilli and basil, A$28.50.
- Market-driven specials: Ask staff what the chef is preparing beyond your usual curry or noodle order.
Spice I Am at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia |
| Neighborhood / Area | Lower Surry Hills, near Central and the southern CBD |
| Operating Hours | Monday closed; Tuesday 5:30–9pm; Wednesday–Sunday 11:30am–3pm and 5:30–9pm. Call about Tuesday lunch, which the website also advertises. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$; selected dinner dishes A$23.50–A$30.50; rice and drinks additional |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 60 to 90 minutes, plus any queue |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Central or Museum stations; Capitol Square light rail; paid Goulburn Street Parking Station |
| Official Website & Phone | Spice I Am; +61 2 9280 0928 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive near opening for a straightforward lunch or early dinner; the restaurant is known for queues. Telephone before bringing a larger group, and check reservation arrangements rather than assuming an online ordering link reserves a table. Casual clothing suits the room. For a shared meal, allow roughly A$40–A$60 per person before substantial drinks. Discuss vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free requirements explicitly: anchovy paste, seafood, fish sauce and nuts feature prominently. Confirm accepted payment methods and any BYO arrangements when calling.
Central Station is roughly a 10-minute walk via the Eddy Avenue side and Belmore Park; Museum’s southern entrance is about 10 minutes away and connects with the T8 Airport & South Line. Capitol Square on the L2/L3 light rail is another convenient approach. Drivers can use Goulburn Street Parking Station at Goulburn and Elizabeth streets; nearby kerbside spaces have restrictions. The street-front restaurant has compact seating, so wheelchair users should telephone about the entrance threshold, table clearance and toilet access. Pair your meal with Belmore Park, the Capitol Theatre or southern Hyde Park, each around 5–15 minutes away on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Spice I Am open, and when should I arrive?
Plan around Wednesday–Sunday lunch and Tuesday–Sunday dinner; Monday is closed. Arrive at 11:30am or 5:30pm, and telephone before planning Tuesday lunch because published schedules differ.
How much does dinner cost, and should I reserve?
Listed dinner specials range from A$23.50 for Mieng Ka Na to A$30.50 for Yum Hua Plee. Check the official dinner menu and call about group seating or reservations.
How long should I allow for a meal?
Allow 60–90 minutes for several shared dishes. Add waiting time before a theater performance or train departure, particularly during the dinner rush.
Is Spice I Am suitable for children and diners avoiding chilli?
Families can eat here, but the compact room and strongly seasoned food favor children comfortable with Thai flavors. Ask staff which dishes can be prepared milder; removing chilli does not address seafood or nut allergies.
When planning your Phuket travel guide or browsing verified thai restaurant in Phuket, pair this stop with standout local spots including Kata Beach Community Park, foto Hotel phuket, Phuket Philatelic Museum, and Porkfat Thai Restaurant Sydney (0.7 km away).
