The passer-by might be fooled by the Blue Anchor pub's exterior into dismissing the menu as a standard burgers-and-nachos affair.

This could not be further from the truth. Since the opening of its authentic Thai kitchen five weeks ago it has provided Portslade with the genuine taste of Bangkok on a budget.

The newly-refurbished saloon bar succeeded in being a relaxing environment without creating the effect of a restaurant-themed pub. The ambience was more like a family-run restaurant with attentive staff happy to recommend dishes and not a seat was empty.

The main meals, sauces and almost all the starters are made from scratch by resident chef Supaporn “Apple” Manchit. Originally from Bangkok, she has lived in Brighton for ten years and has spent nine of those cooking professionally.

For a starter we tried the mixed platter for two with chicken satay, spring rolls, extraordinarily crisp vegetable tempura and unbelievably good Thai fish cakes. The tiger prawn in blankets are cooked to light perfection, by turns tangy and fluffy with not a hint of grease.

As a main we opted for the Tom Kha soup and Pad Pakpasom, a Pad Thai dish available as a vegetarian option or with a range of meats. The sweet, sticky noodles were exceptional, resting in a tamarind sauce that brought together the spicy fireworks of the vegetables with the tender texture of the chicken.

The Tom Kha is a spicy soup made milder by coconut milk, a safer version of the Tom Yum. Much of the menu allows the diner to adjust the spiciness to taste.

Aside from the authenticity and the service, the Blue Anchor also has the price to recommend it. The generous mixed platter is £8.95, the other starters all fall the right side of five pounds and the mains are £6.95. A couple could easily eat here for under £20.

As of last Friday (October 3) a new menu is being rolled out on which the North-Eastern papaya salad dish Som Tum is set to be one of the weekly or monthly specials. Anyone who has tried Som Tum as it is made in Thailand will appreciate what a treat this is. Another dish to watch out for is the fish and chips in home-made batter with green beans.

Blue Anchor, 81 Station Road, Portslade, 01273 590495.

Kitchen opening times: Monday to Saturday 12pm - 2.30pm and 5.30pm – 9pm.