Hoonas — Review by WOJEK
Kłobuck, Poland — Thai and Asian Fusion
Hoonas is a Thai and Asian fusion restaurant owned by Polish artist Gibs in Kłobuck. The restaurant offers authentic atmosphere with well-executed dishes, though prices are surprisingly high for the location. While appetizers and main courses like pad thai and pad krapao are flavorful and well-prepared, some dishes like tom yum soup and udon lack the depth expected at these price points.
What was great: Spring rolls were crispy and well-filled with pork, chicken gyoza dumplings had excellent peanut sauce, pad thai was flavorful and warming, pad krapao had excellent spice level and tender minced pork, tender beef in udon noodles, fresh vegetables cooked al dente, authentic Thai restaurant atmosphere and decor, good presentation of dishes
What could improve: Prices are very high for a small city (similar to Warsaw prices), tom yum soup was too sweet and lacked traditional spice and intensity, udon dish was somewhat flat in flavor with only soy sauce dominant, portions could be larger for the price, pad thai is wetter and different from authentic Thai version, no lemongrass detected in some dishes
The Dishes
The meal began with spring rolls filled with pork that were expertly fried, crispy on the outside without being greasy, offering a good meat-to-filling ratio at 18 zloty for three pieces. Chicken gyoza dumplings followed, five pieces of pan-fried dumplings served with a distinctive peanut sauce that added depth and slight heat, priced at 22 zloty. A special bao bun item appeared after the official menu period, featuring tender pork in teriyaki sauce with fresh mint, lettuce, and thin carrot strips on a fluffy bun.
Tom yum soup with shrimp was prepared with fresh vegetables including cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, and broccoli in coconut milk at 40 zloty with rice. While the vegetables were fresh and cooked al dente with nice texture, the broth leaned too sweet and lacked the traditional spice and fish sauce intensity expected from authentic tom yum.
Pad thai with chicken presented beautifully with bean sprouts, herbs, mint, and cilantro, though it differed from traditional Thai versions being wetter and more sauce-heavy. At 38 zloty, the chicken was moist and well-cooked, with a slightly ketchup-forward sauce that could have benefited from more fish sauce for saltiness. Udon noodles with beef arrived glistening with soy sauce, featuring tender thinly-sliced beef and classic Asian vegetables including paprika and bamboo shoots, priced at 40 zloty. The noodles were soft and well-coated but the dish felt one-dimensional, dominated only by soy sauce and smoky flavors.
Pad krapao, marked as the chef's favorite, featured finely minced pork and beef with green beans, chili peppers, and Thai basil topped with a fried egg with runny yolk. At 44 zloty, this was the standout main course with a distinctive smoky depth from the quick cooking method, ideal spice level marked as three chili peppers, and the fried egg providing moisture to balance the heat.
The Experience
The restaurant occupies a modest space in the Maluch gallery building in Kłobuck, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior features authentic Thai decorations including woven baskets for utensils, framed gold and platinum records celebrating owner Gibs' music career, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. The presentation of all dishes was excellent with thoughtful plating and appropriate serving vessels. Service appeared attentive though the experience was filmed during a quieter period.
Value and Pricing
The pricing structure proved surprisingly expensive for a small provincial town, matching Warsaw restaurant prices rather than local expectations. Spring rolls at 18 zloty, gyoza at 22 zloty, bao buns unmarked on menu, tom yum soup at 40 zloty with rice, pad thai at 38 zloty, udon at 40 zloty, and pad krapao at 44 zloty represent premium pricing for the market. While portions are respectable and ingredients appear fresh, the value proposition feels misaligned with the location.
Notable Moments
I thought coming to Kłobuck we would eat cheap Thai cuisine, but frankly these prices are strictly Warsaw-level. I know in Warsaw you encounter higher rents and such, but 38 zloty for such a dish I consider that to be a lot, simply a lot.
Even these decorations you see here are baskets for utensils. I feel like I'm in a genuine Thai restaurant because this is really a legitimate place, not some stretched Thai restaurant with trendy vibes.
Pad krapao is my favorite dish from Asian cuisine. Excellently fried egg on deep fat, when the fat is very, very hot, minced meat, everything here plays together nicely.
The Verdict
Hoonas successfully recreates an authentic Thai dining atmosphere with genuinely skilled preparation across most dishes. The pad krapao and spring rolls represent the kitchen's strongest work, while appetizers demonstrate good technique. However, prices significantly exceed what the market and location would suggest, and some dishes like tom yum lack the intensity and complexity of traditional preparations. The restaurant is best suited for those seeking authentic Thai atmosphere and competent Asian cuisine preparation who are willing to pay premium pricing, or for fans of owner Gibs visiting his establishment. For value-conscious diners or those expecting affordable Asian food, expectations should be adjusted upward significantly.