Chilli Basil is a small Thai restaurant at 232 City Road in Cardiff. Its compact, informal setting keeps the focus on freshly prepared food rather than elaborate presentation. Evening opening makes it a natural choice for a casual dinner, with takeaway also available for customers who prefer to eat at home.
The menu is organised around the main building blocks of Thai dining: starters and salads, rice dishes, noodles, noodle soups, curries and stir fries. That structure makes it easy to choose a complete individual meal or order several contrasting dishes for the table. Fragrant herbs, chilli, savoury sauces and varied textures shape the kitchen’s style.
Rice and noodle choices offer different levels of richness, while soup, curry and stir fry preparations let diners explore distinct cooking methods. Meat, seafood and vegetable combinations broaden the selection for mixed groups. Guests with allergies should speak directly with the restaurant because fish sauce, shellfish, peanuts, soy and gluten may appear in sauces or shared preparation.
Chilli Basil has the character of an independent neighbourhood restaurant, suited to diners who value flavour and a straightforward atmosphere. Sharing a starter before moving to curry, noodles or a rice dish is an easy way to experience more of the menu. Its enduring City Road presence makes it a useful local option for Thai food in central Cardiff.
Address: 232 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JH, Wales
Chilli Basil Menu
Curry Dishes
Green Curry
Green curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables and bamboo shoots
Creamy Red or Red Curry
Red curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables and bamboo shoots
Yellow Curry
Yellow curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables and bamboo shoots
Dry Curry
Stir fried dry curry paste with mixed vegetables and bamboo shoots
Massaman Curry
Massaman curry with coconut milk, potatoes and onions
Katsu Curry
Katsu Chicken served with Rice and Katsu Sauce on the side. Katsu sauce has small pieces of carrots and potatoes
Green Curry
Chilli. Green curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables & bamboo shoots. Regular or large portion. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49; E. Duck £10.49
Red or Creamy Red Curry
Chilli. Red curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables & bamboo shoots. Regular or large portion. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49; E. Duck £10.49
Yellow Curry
Yellow curry with coconut milk, mixed vegetables & bamboo shoots. Regular or large portion. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49; E. Duck £10.49
Dry Curry
Chilli. Dry curry with mixed vegetables & bamboo shoots. Regular or large portion. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49; E. Duck £10.49
Massaman Curry
Massaman curry with coconut milk, potatoes and cashew nuts, served with roti bread. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Katsu Curry
Katsu chicken served with rice and Katsu sauce with mild, creamy sauce. A. Chicken £11.49
Massaman Curry
Massaman curry with coconut milk, potatoes and cashew nuts, served with roti bread. Regular or large portion. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Stir Fried Dishes
Chilli Basil
Stir fried mixed vegetables with fresh garlic, chilli, green beans, bamboo shoots and basil leaves
Ginger and Spring Onions
Stir fried mushroom and vegetables with ginger, garlic and spring onions
Oyster Sauce
Stir fried mushroom, carrots, vegetables with garlic and oyster sauce
Garlic Pepper
Stir fried mushroom, vegetables with garlic and cracked peppercorn
Sweet and Sour
Stir fried mixed vegetables and pineapple in Thai sweet and sour sauce
Cashew Nuts
Stir fried mushroom, vegetables with garlic, topped with cashew nuts
Mixed Vegetables
Stir fried vegetables with straw mushrooms, baby corn, ginger, garlic and spring onions
Chilli Basil
Chilli. Stir fried vegetables with fresh chilli, garlic, green beans, basil and oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Ginger & Spring Onions
Stir fried mushrooms and vegetables with ginger, garlic and oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Oyster Sauce
Stir fried mushrooms, vegetables with garlic and oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Prawn £10.49
Garlic Pepper
Stir fried mixed vegetables with garlic and black pepper. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Sweet & Sour
Stir fried vegetables with sweet and sour sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Cashew Nuts
Includes Nuts. Stir fried mixed vegetables with garlic, topped with cashew nuts. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Mixed Vegetables
Stir fried vegetables with mixed mushrooms, baby corn, broccoli and black pepper. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Stir Fried Noodle Dishes
STIR FRIED PAD THAI
Served with a piece of lime, chilli flakes and peanuts. Stir fry thin rice noodles with carrots, onions, spring onions, mushrooms and beansprouts.
STIR FRIED EGG NOODLES
Egg noodles with mixed vegetables, beansprouts, broccoli and cabbage in oyster sauce and (or) soya sauce.
CHILLI BASIL NOODLES
Stir fry egg noodles with mixed vegetables, beansprouts, broccoli, garlic, chilli and basil in oyster sauce (or soya sauce).
PAD KEE MAO
Spicy Thai thick rice noodles. Spicy stir fried thick noodles with mixed vegetables, broccoli, spring greens and peppers with soya sauce and oyster sauce.
PAD SEE EW
Thai thick rice noodles. Stir fried thick rice noodles with carrots, onions, mushrooms and beansprouts with oyster sauce and dark soya sauce.
STIR FRIED UDON NOODLES
Stir fried udon noodles with egg, spring onion, pepper, mushrooms, broccoli and beansprouts with oyster sauce.
STIR FRIED VERMICELLI NOODLES
Stir fried vermicelli noodles with carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli, and beansprouts with curry powder and oyster sauce.
Stir Fried Pad Thai
Served with a piece of lime, chilli flakes and peanuts. Stir fry thin rice noodles with carrots, onions, spring onions, mushrooms and beansprouts.
Stir Fried Egg Noodles (with soy sauce OR oyster sauce)
Egg noodles with mixed vegetables, beansprouts, broccoli and cabbage in oyster sauce and (or) soya sauce.
Pad Kee Mao (Spicy Thai Thick Rice Noodles)
With MAMA ramen noodles OR thick rice noodles. Spicy stir fried thick noodles with mixed vegetables, broccoli, spring greens and peppers with soya sauce and oyster sauce.
Pad See Ew (Thai Thick Rice Noodles)
Stir fried thick rice noodles with carrots, onions, mushrooms and beansprouts with oyster sauce and dark soya sauce.
Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodles with curry powder
Stir fried vermicelli noodles with carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli and beansprouts with curry powder and oyster sauce.
Noodle Soup Dishes
GREEN CURRY NOODLE SOUP
Thin rice noodles, mixed vegetables and beansprouts with bamboo shoots in a green curry based soup.
THAI STYLE NOODLE SOUP
Thin rice noodles, carrots, pak choi and beansprouts in a chicken broth topped with julienne carrots, black pepper and garlic.
TOM YUM NOODLE SOUP
Thin rice noodles, mixed vegetables, peppers, galangal, lime leaf, lemongrass and beansprouts in a spicy and sour based soup.
Green Curry Noodle Soup
Chilli. Thai rice noodles, mixed vegetables and bean sprouts with homemade chicken & green curry based soup. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Burmese Coconut Noodle Soup
Rice noodles and homemade in a coconut based soup topped with coriander and chilli, served with boiled egg and crispy onions (not in Black Sea). A. Chicken £11.49
Thai Style Noodle Soup
Thai rice noodles, pak choi and bean sprouts in a chicken based fragrant fish sauce stock, black pepper and garlic. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Seafood £11.49
Tom Yum Noodle Soup
Chilli. Thai rice noodles, mixed vegetables, peppers, coriander, lime leaf, lemongrass and fish sauce in a spicy and sour based soup. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49; E. Duck £10.49
Rice
Steamed Fragrant Rice
Egg Fried Rice
Thai Coconut Rice
Thai Sticky Rice
Steamed Fragrant Rice
Vegetarian
Egg Fried Rice
Vegetarian
Coconut Rice
Vegetarian
Sticky Rice
Vegetarian
Fried Rice
Thai Fried Rice
Stir fried rice with chopped beans, carrot and spring onions with soya sauce
Chilli Basil Fried Rice
Stir fried mixed vegetables with garlic, chilli, basil in oyster sauce and dark soya sauce (or just soya sauce)
Kao Pad Tom Yum (Tom Yum Fried Rice)
Stir fried rice with Tom Yum paste, onions, tomatoes, spring greens topped with a fried egg
Pineapple Fried Rice with Cashew Nuts
Stir fried rice with egg, chopped spring onion, carrot, onions, cashew nuts, and pineapple with oyster sauce.
Starters
Chicken Wing
Vegetable Spring Rolls (4pcs)
Vegetarian
Prawn Spring Rolls (4pcs)
Prawn Tempura (4pcs)
Chicken Satay (4pcs)
Spicy Thai Fish Cakes (4pcs)
Chicken and Prawn Dumplings (4pcs)
Stuffed Golden Bags (4pcs)
Katsu Chicken (4pcs)
Prawn Cracker
Spicy and Sour Soup (Tom Yum)
A. Chicken £4.50; B. Prawn £5.00
Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Kha)
A. Chicken £4.50; B. Prawn £5.00
Chicken Wings
Vegetable Spring Rolls
(3pcs)
Prawn Spring Rolls
(4pcs)
Prawn Tempura
(4pcs)
Chicken Satay
(3pcs)
Spicy Thai Fish Cakes
(4pcs)
Chicken and Prawn Dumplings
(4pcs)
Katsu Chicken
(4pcs)
Spicy and Sour Soup (TOM YUM)
A. Chicken
Spicy and Sour Soup (TOM YUM)
B. Prawn
Thai Coconut Soup (TOM KHA)
A. Chicken
Thai Coconut Soup (TOM KHA)
B. Prawn
Salad
Please inform level of spice 1 chilli, 2 chilli, 3 chilli
Green Papaya Salad
Vegetarian, Chilli. Fresh chilli, garlic and lime juice with mixed salad topped with peanuts
King Prawn Salad
Fresh chilli, garlic and lime juice with mixed salad, glass noodles and peanuts
Chicken Salad
Minced chicken cooked in fresh chilli, onion and lime juice with mixed salad
Beef Salad
Grilled beef minced with fresh chilli, onion and lime juice with mixed salad
Noodle Dishes
Stir Fried Pad Thai
Chilli. Stir fried rice noodles with bean, chilli flakes and peanuts with soy fish sauce, bean sprouts, carrots, onions, spring onions and egg, garnished with pad thai sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Stir Fried Egg Noodles
Egg noodles with additional vegetables, bean sprouts, broccoli, peppers, onions and spring onions. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Chilli Basil Noodles
Chilli. Stir fry egg noodles with mixed vegetables, bean sprouts, broccoli, peppers, spring onion and basil. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Pad Kee Mao
Chilli. Hot Thai style rice noodles with chilli, garlic, onions, spring onion, thai basil leaves combined with mixed vegetables, oyster sauce, broccoli and peppers with egg sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Pad See Ew
Stir fried thick rice noodles with carrots, onions, bean sprouts, broccoli and egg. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Stir Fried Udon Noodles
Stir fried udon noodles with egg, spring onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli and vegetables with oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Prawn £10.49
Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodles with curry powder
Stir fried vermicelli noodles with carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli and bean sprouts with curry powder and oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Prawn £10.49
Fried Rice Dishes
Thai Fried Rice
Stir fried Thai rice with chopped beans, mushrooms, carrot and spring onions with egg sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Chilli Basil Fried Rice
Chilli. Stir fried mixed vegetables with garlic, chilli, basil in oyster sauce and Thai soy sauce (not for egg). A. Chicken £9.99; B. Beef £9.99; C. Tofu £8.99; D. Prawn £10.49
Kao Pad Tom Yum (Tom Yum Fried Rice)
Chilli. Stir fried rice with Tom Yum paste, onions, tomatoes, spring onions, lime juice and a mild hot. A. Chicken £10.99; B. Prawn £11.49
Pineapple Fried Rice with cashew nuts
Includes Nuts. Stir fried rice with egg, chopped spring onions, carrot, cashew nuts, cucumber, and pineapple with oyster sauce. A. Chicken £9.99; B. Prawn £10.49
Salads
Green Papaya Salad
Fresh chilli, garlic and lime juice with mixed salad topped with peanuts.
King Prawn Salad
Fresh chilli, onion and lime juice with mixed salad, glass noodles and peanuts
Chicken Salad
Minced chicken cooked in fresh chilli, onion and lime juice with mixed salad
Beef Salad
Grilled beef mixed with fresh chilli, onion and lime juice with mixed salad