At Pumpui, a cozy gem in Little Italy, you can dive into a rotating lineup of authentic Thai curries and crispy fried chicken, all while browsing their market for imported pantry staples.
"This casual Thai curry shop swung open its doors in Little Italy back in 2017 and has been making diners swoon with its deep, spicy flavors ever since. Get the fried chicken wings with sweet chile sauce. Get the fiery pad kaprao with sauteed pork and fried egg. Get the heaping serving of shrimp pad thai. Get whatever curry is on rotation at the moment. Get whatever you want because, really, every dish is a winner. Whether you’re hoping to dig into your meal at a booth with friends, perched solo on a stool by the window, or to go, this spot has you covered. For a more formal, wine bar-esque experience, head to sister spot Pichai on St-Hubert Street." - Valerie Silva
"Chef Jesse Mulder’s gai tord Thai fried chicken has been a staple at Pumpui ever since he first opened this Little Italy counter-service spot where he flexes skills picked up from 20 years spent cooking in Thailand. With good reason: A rice flour crust gives the chicken a crunch you can hear from two tables over, and the oyster sauce and spice marinade seals the deal." - JP Karwacki
"Pumpui is a must-try any day of the week — and, luckily for locals, that includes Mondays. It brings fragrant, flavour-packed curries and other Thai specialties to Little Italy, where you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else quite like it." - Daniel Bromberg, Valerie Silva
"What better way to end the year than with Pumpui’s fried chicken, papaya salad, and some Pad Thai? We can’t imagine. Maybe a bottle of Pinard et Filles wine to go with it; check the website to see what they’re offering. You know it will be fun. Takeout only." - Ivy Lerner-Frank
"When Pumpui opened in Little Italy in late 2017, it was a welcome addition to the limited Thai options in Montreal. The menu is fairly short, made up of dishes like red curry catfish, pad kaprao, and fried chicken with sweet chili sauce, and it’s one of the best spots in the area for a casual dinner. It’s quick and a great takeout spot, but it’s the most fun in the summer when you can sit at one of the picnic tables out front. The food here is spicy, so come ready to sweat a bit." - Ashley Joseph
