Pagoda Chinese Restaurant in Tralee

26/09/2024: Delicious food, speedy service, wonderful staff, lots of vegetarian options!

21/08/2024: The highlight of our visit to Tamarind was without a doubt the service. The young lady who looked after us was an absolute gem, and was friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself could use some TLC and some new wallcovering, but was clean. The toilets definitely need a makeover. Our main concern was the food and presentation. Our dishes did not remotely live up to the presentation of the photos on the website and more resembled takeaway food. Small details e.g. the veg in the soup being cut far too long to fit on the chinese style spoon (making it more an ordeal than a starter) were also notable. The food quality itself was a mix of good and below average. The chicken in particular had an unpleasant consistency, in stark contrast to the 'velveted' meat that you usually receive in an asian restaurant, and did not come across as freshly cooked. The flavour was a similar mixed bag. The special sauce main was good, but another main had an overpowering bitterness to it and was not enjoyable. This is a tough review as we really like the staff, but the food just doesn't live up to the expectations.