ThaiWander
A site that guides people in Melbourne to authentic Thai cuisine, helping food lovers discover hidden gems and popular spots that serve genuine Thai flavors.
Tools
Adobe XD
Adobe Photoshop
Tasks
Research
UX UI Design
Branding
Prototyping
Overview
Thai cuisine is globally popular for its bold flavors, vibrant spices, and rich cultural heritage. In Melbourne’s diverse food scene, however, finding authentic Thai food can be challenging as many restaurants adapt dishes to suit local tastes. ThaiWander aims to bridge this gap by guiding people to authentic Thai eateries across the city, ensuring an experience that’s true to Thai culinary traditions.
Problem
While Thai food is widely loved, people often struggle to find genuine Thai flavors due to the prevalence of Westernized dishes. Without the right resources or local insights, they miss hidden gems offering authentic experiences. This highlights the need for a dedicated guide to help food lovers explore Melbourne’s authentic Thai culinary scene.
This project aims to create a site that helps users discover authentic Thai cuisine around Melbourne. The goal is to connect food lovers with genuine Thai eateries, showcasing traditional flavors and hidden gems. ThaiWander seeks to promote cultural appreciation through food while enhancing the dining experience for those craving true Thai tastes.
The data speaks:
Understanding
User Perspectives
on Authentic Thai food
The objective is to identify the challenges users face when seeking authentic Thai food in Melbourne. This initiative aims to gather insights on user preferences and dining habits to enhance the discovery of genuine Thai flavors. The following is a summary of my findings:
95% of interviewees love Thai cuisine but struggle to find truly authentic Thai restaurants.
85% of interviewees rely on word-of-mouth or random online searches, often missing hidden gems.
75% of interviewees expressed frustration with Thai dishes being modified to suit local tastes, losing traditional flavors.
“I’ve tried so many Thai places, but they just don’t taste like the food I had in Thailand.”
“I rely on friends’ recommendations, but it’s hard to find hidden gems without local knowledge.”
“Sometimes I order Thai food, but it feels more like a fusion dish than authentic Thai.”
“There are days I crave real Thai street food, but I don’t know where to find it.”
“I get disappointed when the ‘Thai’ food tastes overly sweet or lacks traditional spices.”
“I wish there was an easy way to discover authentic spots without scrolling endlessly online."
Wireframe
Early sketches on the various possible appearances of the interface.
Homepage
Subpage
Login page
Initial testing:
Empathise with
the users
Recognise that users have different preferences when searching for Thai restaurants — some prioritise authentic dishes, while others focus on popular spots or convenience.
Displaying real-time status (open/close) is a crucial feature. This helps users quickly identify which places are available when they’re ready to dine.
When listing restaurants, it’s important to include key details such as type of food, reviews, ratings, must-try dishes, and proximity to ensure users can make quick, informed decisions. Users should also be able to save their favorite spots to their profile for future visits.
Introducing
; ThaiWander
ThaiWander is more than a website; it’s a map to Melbourne’s authentic Thai food scene. From street-style eats to hidden gems, discover flavors that take you straight to Thailand. Wander for real Thai taste.
Here are the data and insights gathered from user feedback:
Testing the Design
100% of test users found the restaurant search and browsing experience easy and smooth, giving it a 4.7 out of 5 for ease of use.
Users rated the “Save to Profile” feature highly, with a 4.6 out of 5, finding it quick and convenient to plan future visits.
100% of test users gave the overall usability of the site a 9 out of 10, highlighting the clear layout and helpful restaurant details.
“Love it. It’s lively, minimal, and makes me want to explore more. The information is clear, and it’s so easy to find my way around. Feels like other food sites I’ve used before.”
“Love the colors, it’s well-designed, easy on the eyes, and super simple to use.”
“Useful, neat, and really helps when I’m looking for Thai place to eat.”
“Cool idea. I’m not sure about how some parts work, but I like it overall. The design is friendly, and it’s easy to find everything I need.”
To be continued
If Thaiwander were to move to the next phase, here’s what I’d explore:
Expanding the platform to include more Thai restaurants and strengthening connections between businesses and users
Bringing the experience to life with subtle animations to enhance user engagement.
Strengthening the community aspect, encouraging more participation in bios, interactions, and customer's reviews—while acknowledging that 40% of users prefer skipping the bio step.
Introducing “Near Me” & Surrounding Map, making it easier for users to find Thai restaurants nearby and explore popular spots in their area.
Key takeaway
The project was a success and provided me with a deeper understanding of the design process. At first, I aimed to generate innovative ideas unprecedented in the industry. However, I soon realized that originality isn't the sole focus. While unique concepts are valuable, achieving similar outcomes is feasible through process adjustments. Enhancing user experience remains paramount, even within familiar app frameworks.