We went to Kiin Kiin in Copenhagen in January 2019, as part of our larger Europe winter trip. This restaurant had 1 Michelin Star when we went. Kiin Kiin continues to be one of the most memorable dining experiences we have ever had.
Background
Kiin Kiin is located in the trendy neighborhood of Nørrebro. First opened in 2005, the restaurant has maintained a Michelin Star since 2007. Kiin Kiin was also the first Thai restaurant outside Thailand to receive the Michelin Star honor. The name of the restaurant means ‘come and eat’ in Thai. Kiin Kiin offers modernized interpretations of Thai cuisine, fused with fresh Danish produce.
The restaurant is open every day for dinner. Dinner service is separated into two separate acts. The first part starts with a quick paced street food style service at their lounge, followed by a more formal tasting menu dinner served at the table in the restaurant.
Kiin Kiin Dinner
Dinner started in their lower level lounge. We were seated in adorable branch woven chairs, eating in front of rattan tables. The overall was moody, warm, and cozy.
The meal started with some salty soy meringue with cashews and a spicy garlic dip. There was also another bowl containing packaged candied nuts, except the clear packaging was also edible! Although both bites were delicious, they paled in comparison to the amazing lemongrass pandan tea that they served alongside the amuse bouche. The lemongrass pandan tea at Kiin Kiin singlehandedly transformed our relationship with those two ingredients. We have tried to recreate this perfect drink and we have come pretty close. The memories of this magical tea at Kiin Kiin has stayed with us ever since.
The next starter was a lettuce leaf topped with ingredients of a classic Thai salad. It had the perfect combination of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, and was a refreshing hands-on eating experience. The street food style experience really came through with this dish.
Next dish was a very innovative peanut satay ice cream, served on a thin crispy chicken skin. It was creative, striking, and the flavors were delicious.
The following dish was a warm and rich broth, served with a small fried quail egg on top.
After all the street food snacks, we were led upstairs to the main dining room area for the standard tasting menu service.
There was a juice pairing option that is supplementary to the tasting menu, and we got one to share.
The first dish was their version of a salad, and contained a spicy marinade and crispy fish. It was topped with fluffy cotton candy to add sweetness. Although gimmicky, the dish was well balanced and refreshing.
The next dish was scallops with tamarind and lemongrass. I love how this restaurant strongly utilizes a variety of sour flavors, something that many restaurants fail to do. The crispiness of this dish worked wonderfully with the tender scallop.
Below is the fried foie gras with ginger & plum wine. We love foie gras, so this was an immediate hit for us. The juice pairing for this dish was grape juice. Actual grape juice. I had never had freshly juiced grapes before, and it tasted exactly as one would expect – tastes of fresh grape, nothing like the bottled juice from the grocery store.
The frozen red curry with lobster and avocado is probably one of their most famous dishes. The contrast between ice cold and spicy was exciting, and the addition of lobster really elevated this dish. I would have never imaged having Thai curry dippin’ dots style.
The beef in oyster sauce & galangal was forgettable, but it sure did look appetizing. The dish was served with a nice warm bowl of rice.
Finally, for dessert, we were served a banana cake with salted coconut ice cream. These flavors are some of our favorites. Although not too creative, the combination of all the flavors together was tasty, and a perfect ending to the meal.
Summary
If we found ourselves back in Copenhagen for whatever reason, we would book Kiin Kiin without hesitation. If only just to have their lemongrass pandan tea, frozen Thai curry dish, and juice pairing again. I would highly recommend this well priced restaurant to anyone passing by the area.
