http://sparklette.net/food/kha/ http://sparklette.net/food/kha/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:00:14 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1195

Patrons of Kha, formerly at HortPark, will rejoice at the news that the award-winning Thai restaurant has reopened at Martin No. 38. Not only can you look forward to tasting the most popular items from its former venue, the restaurant has also rolled out an array of authentic Thai creations by its team of Thai chefs.

Kha is designed by Hecker Guthrie, who is known for award-winning design projects such as The Prince Boutique Hotel and JIA boutique hotel in Shanghai. He has cleverly combined traditional Thai elements into an intimate and sensuous, yet modern interior.

The vintage newspaper-style menu — the same design concept adopted for their website — makes the ordering process all the more interesting.

Appetiser

Tod Man Poo (fried prawn and crab cakes)
S$17++

Surprisingly light and with a slight crunchy exterior, the Tod Man Poo (fried prawn and crab cakes) is very addictive when paired with Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Soup

Tom Yum Goong
S$18++

Tom yum lovers will definitely approve of Kha’s flavourful Tom Yum Goong, cooked with king prawns, packing a fiery punch without being too spicy.

Salad

Yam Som O (pomelo salad)
S$17++

Filled with bits of prawn, chicken and roasted coconut, the Yam Som O (pomelo salad) is both fragrant and refreshing.

Curry

Gaeng Phed Ped Yang (Thai duck with red curry)
S$28++

While the Gaeng Phed Ped Yang (Thai duck with red curry) is thick and very rich, it can do with more pineapple to sweeten and lighten up the flavour.

Meats & Seafood

Rare grilled red curry rubbed Wagyu beef
S$29++

Juicy slices of premium Wagyu beef, paired with a side of papaya salad, make an intriguing and mouthwatering combination.

Goong Tom Yum Hang
S$28++

Cooked with tom yum sauce, lemongrass and chilli, the succulent, wok-fried tiger prawns are absolutely delicious and a must-order!

Moo Op
S$34++

The slight tartness of the green apple salad teams well with the tender slices of seasoned roasted pork belly, making the Moo Op a very delectable dish.

Vegetarian

Vegetarians will be delighted to know that there is a section catered to you on the menu as well.

Papa Adun’s Phad Tow Hu (crispy fried tofu)
S$14++

Named after the chef who created this signature dish, Papa Adun’s Phad Tow Hu (crispy fried tofu) is a palatable mix of sweet, sour and subtle spiciness.

Desserts

Khao Neaw Ma Muang (sticky rice with mango)
S$14++

This simple Thai dessert of Khao Neaw Ma Muang (sticky rice with mango) is made scrumptious by the aromatic coconut-pandan sauce, highlighting the sweetness of the mango and fragrance of the sticky rice.

Sang Kha Ya Fug Thong
S$13++

It is my first time trying such a Thai dessert — pumpkin custard and coconut ice cream, served with shredded fruits — and I am pleasantly surprised by how divine the combination is!

Ruby Starlet
S$12++

The signature mocktail Ruby Starlet, a refreshing and light-tasting blend of fresh mint leaves, pomegranate, lime and lychee juice, topped with pomegranate pulp, is perfect for offseting the strong flavours of Thai cuisine.

If you are looking for a fancy, authentic Thai restaurant that will impress both dates and colleagues alike, then head down to Kha. At this artfully designed restaurant, the rich cultural heritage of classic Thai cooking is preserved and presented with a touch of sophistication.

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What is your favourite Thai restaurant in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Kha
Martin No. 38
38 Martin Road
Singapore 239059
Tel: +65 6476 9000 | Website

Operating hours:
Lunch: Mon to Fri 12noon – 3pm
Dinner: Mon to Sun 6pm – 11pm

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http://sparklette.net/food/nakhon-kitchen/ http://sparklette.net/food/nakhon-kitchen/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:00:17 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1189 With two restaurants located at the housing estates of Bedok North and Hougang, Nakhon Kitchen is no stranger to hungry diners craving for Thai cuisine. Operated fully by Thais, it’s no wonder that they live up to their slogan of serving “authentic Thai cuisine”.

Arriving at about 7pm at Nakhon Kitchen Bedok, we join the queue that has formed. While in the line, menus are passed around and our orders are taken by a polite waitress so as to cut down on the waiting time.

Fortunately, we are seated after only 15 minutes of waiting, although dinner queues can be much longer during weekends.

Thai mango salad
S$5

The Thai mango salad is the right mix of dressing and spices to whet your appetite for more.

Tom kha soup
S$6

The tom kha soup is a version of tom yum soup with coconut milk. It is my first time trying this soup, and I am pleasantly surprised by how fragrant and delicious it has turned out to be. The coconut milk adds a slight creaminess and sweetness to the spicy soup. Even at the mere price of S$6, the restaurant is not stingy with the ingredients at all.

Crispy grouper topped with Thai chilli sauce
S$22

Another highlight of the meal, the grouper arrives with its skin deep-fried to crispy perfection, topped with the signature sweet Thai chilli sauce. One of the pricier dishes on the menu, but definitely worth every penny!

Fried minced pork with hot basil leaves
S$6

Also available with beef, the addictive fried minced pork with hot basil leaves packs a lot of flavour and a fiery, spicy punch. You can’t stop helping yourself to more!

Thai iced tea
S$3

There is no better way to end the spicy meal than with a glass of cool authentic Thai iced tea.

Seeking a Thai getaway meal without actually leaving Singapore? Then head down to Nakhon Kitchen, where the Thai décor, music, and highly authentic Thai cuisine will welcome you into “Thailand” without breaking the bank.

What is your favourite Thai restaurant in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Nakhon Kitchen Bedok

Nakhon Kitchen Kovan

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]]> 10 http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-stars-by-dao/ http://sparklette.net/food/coffee-stars-by-dao/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:00:10 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1181 With coffee outlets located all over the world, including major cities like New York, Beijing and Tokyo, the Coffee Stars by Dao chain from Thailand has opened its first branch in Singapore. Known as Coffee Beans by Dao in Thailand, the café-restaurant at Wisma Atria is its first outlet in South-East Asia outside of its home country.

The café sports an open concept with a casual, yet elegant design and a chandelier as its centrepiece. It is not uncommon to see a long line of people waiting for a table, hoping to enjoy the authentic Thai cuisine and spread of international desserts.

If you are here for the desserts, the cakes would satiate your sweet tooth.

Banoffi pie
S$6.50++

The Banoffi pie, a sweet mix of fresh banana and caramel atop a pie crusting, would have you going bananas for more! Who knew a banana-based pastry could be so good?

Chocolate mousse cake
S$6.80++

The delicious, smooth chocolate mousse cake has hints of hazelnut, which reminds me of the Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

New York cheesecake with red cherries
S$6.90++

With a thick layer of cherries sitting prettily on top, the classic New York cheesecake has been transformed into a sweet fruity treat.

Blueberry cream cheese pie
S$6.90++

Similarly, the blueberry cream cheese pie features a layer of sweet and slightly tart berries on a bed of cream cheese and a pie base. I prefer this for its smoother texture and blueberry pairing.

Coconut pandan roll
S$5.80++

As one of the signature cakes, the coconut pandan roll does not disappoint. The fragrant scent fills your senses even before you bite down into the tiny, crunchy bits encased in the soft pandan roll. This great-tasting pastry is a must-try!

Thai iced coffee with milk
S$4.50++

Not many restaurants execute Thai iced coffee well. As it turns out, the amount of coffee, milk — added for sweetness — and even ice used is very well-balanced, and basically identical to what you would enjoy at a coffee joint in Thailand.

Beef lasagne
S$11.80++

Feeling peckish? The beef lasagne arrives just out of the oven, along with a friendly reminder from the waitress to be careful about the hot bowl. It is a decent portion of cheese-filled lasagne, but nothing to write home about.

With the reasonable prices, efficient service and accessible location, Coffee Stars by Dao has become a highly favourable dining venue for shoppers along Orchard Road. Its quality dishes and desserts, along with the cosy and trendy ambience are definitely here to stay.

What is your favourite café in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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Chef-owner Joe, a Thai himself, and his wife, Jamie, satisfy their patrons with familiar Thai specialties. The humble eatery is a short walking distance away from the popular Alexandra Village Food Centre and sees a good crowd during the evening chow hours.

Tom Yum soup
S$4.50 / 8.90 / 12.90+

Whatever you do, be sure to go for the tom yum soup, featuring your choice of either seafood, prawn, sliced fish, fried fish or chicken. With its sour and fiery broth, this tasty Thai classic is guaranteed to clear your sinuses and prep your appetite for more.

Crispy seafood tofu
S$5+

The crispy seafood tofu arrives as a sextet of long ample strips of soft mixed seafood filling encased in a thin golden brown skin. Paired with the palate-pleasing Thai sweet chilli sauce, this is another winner.

Belacan Kang Kong
S$6 / 10 / 12+

As for the greens, is it just me or do all Singaporeans love belacan kang kong? The serving size here is more than generous. Did I say generous? Make that humongous. While cooked just right, the seasoning is somewhat leaning to the bland side.

Green curry chicken
S$5 / 8.90 / 12.90+

For a curry number, whether you like it green or red, you will find it at Joe’s. The green curry chicken comprises thick slices of chicken meat swimming in a pool of rich curry. It is very delicious and certainly has quite a bit of heat to make things interesting, paling only slightly in comparison to Lerk Thai. Interestingly, there is none of that pea eggplant used in many Thai green curries.

If you fancy Thai cuisine, or simply have a passion for food that is intensely flavourful, Joe’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine will not disappoint. The dish portions are generous and generally well prepared, and prices are most decent.

What is your favourite Thai restaurant in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Joe’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine
125 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-182
Singapore 150125
Tel: +65 6270 8484 | Website
Service:

Bus services: 14, 33, 51, 61, 93, 100, 195, 197
Nearest MRT: Queenstown

Opening hours: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm

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The chic and retro-themed Hotel Re! on Pearl’s Hill has a fabulous dining deal going on. At its flagship restaurant Re!Fill, the four-course “Re!Cess” set meals are going at just S$20.80++ each. Every set comprises of an appetiser, a soup, a main course and a pretty dessert platter, with free-flowing bread, coffee and tea thrown in to boot.

Depending on which day of the week you pay the restaurant a visit, you can enjoy one of these 6 cuisines, namely oriental, Italian, Japanese, western, Thai and Nonya.

• Read the review of the Hotel Re! set meals.
• Here’s the set meal menu.

Set Meals Giveaway!

This week, I am partnering Hotel Re! to give away 3 pairs of the “Re!Cess” set lunch/dinner for dining in at Re!Fill restaurant. That’s right, the prize is for a pair worth S$41.60++. Here’s how you can win:

Temptation Delight dessert platter from set meal

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Hotel Re! Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the answer to this question:
   • Out of the 6 cuisines available for the Re!Cess set meal, what is your pick?

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on March 21, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 3 winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please also note that comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.

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One huge draw is the four-course “Re!Cess” set meal (guess how the name came about) available daily through lunch and dinner. The price is a comparative bargain at $20.80++. Not bad considering it buys you an appetiser, a soup, a main and a dessert platter, plus free-flowing bread, coffee and tea.

The theme rotates daily. From Mondays to Fridays, the cuisines served are oriental, Italian, Japanese, western and Thai respectively; Nonya sets are served on weekends. All sets include two options for main courses. Here’s the menu.

Oriental Set

In the case of the oriental set, your journey commences with egg Foo Yong, taro fritter, seasoned baby octopus and sweet potato, arranged neatly on a rectangular plate.

Egg Foo Yong, taro fritter, seasoned baby octopus and sweet potato
Rating:

The egg Foo Yong in particular has a distinct home-cooked flavour that reminds me fondly of mom’s cooking. This is followed by the soup.

Braised shark’s fin soup with crab meat
Rating:

With swirls of crab meat and mushroom shreds in a golden broth, the braised shark’s fin soup is a surprise find, certainly not something I would expect in a $20.80 four-course meal. Since shark fin by itself is flavourless, I do wonder if there’s actual shark meat in it. While I would never order shark fin on my own and don’t want to encourage anyone to do so, I do enjoy the delicate flavour and texture of this one.

Wok-fried duck breast with olive vegetable
Rating:

For the main course, you may have either the salted egg prawn or the wok-fried duck breast as seen here. The duck breast is cut into thin, succulent slices. Both choices are embellished with sautéed asparagus and served with palate-pleasing garlic fried rice.

Temptation Delight
Rating:

Now comes the best part — desserts. Escorted to the table on a platter drizzled with chocolate syrup, the Temptation Delight comprises strawberry ice cream, a shot of tiramisu, a cream puff, and a delightfully decadent mini brownie.

Western Set

If you’d prefer to go the western route, you may try either the Italian set or the western set.

Smoked salmon Caesar salad
Rating:

The Caesar salad comes with lettuce, strips of smoked salmon, hard boiled egg, croutons and a smattering of bacon bits. It is salty, creamy and has a tangy bite to it. I wish there were more of those crunchy croutons instead of just the sprinkling amount.

Crab bisque scented with chervil
Rating:

Apart from the salad, the savoury pool of crab bisque would also perk up your appetite.

Crayfish and crab meat thermidor
Rating:

For the main course, you have a choice between poultry or seafood — barbecued spring chicken or crayfish and crab meat thermidor. Both are served with corn on the cob and potato wedges.

Nuzzling in creamy cheese are shreds of crab meat and generous chunks of crayfish. The plating would have looked better if the crayfish shell was included in the dish, like the way lobster thermidor or prawn thermidor is done. That being said, it is apparent that the chef has taken care to add a dash of colours using the tomato, corn and salad.

And finally, there’s the dessert platter and free-flowing coffee and tea to put a sweet ending to the meal.

Apart from the oriental and western sets, there are three other cuisines available such as Italian, Japanese and Muslim. If you fancy a satisfying meal inclusive of appetisers, soups, mains and desserts at a price that is super friendly on your wallet, then you definitely do not want to miss the Re!Cess set meals at Hotel Re!.

Sparklette Giveaway!

I am giving away 3 free pairs of the Re!Cess set meals. You can enter the contest here.

Aside from Hotel Re!, do you know of any other place where we can enjoy a four-course meal at an affordable price? Tell us in the comments!

Re!Fill
Hotel Re! @ Pearl’s Hill
175A Chin Swee Road
Singapore 169879
Tel: +65 6827 8226 | Website | Menu
Service:

Available daily from 11am – 10pm

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To discover the beauty of vegetarian food, here is a list of recommended vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Singapore. The listed eateries sport interesting dining concepts that add much diversity to the Singapore food scene.

Vegetarian buah keluak from Whole Earth

1. Lingzhi by Tung Lok

- Liat Towers: 541 Orchard Road #05-01 | Tel: +65 6734 3788
- Velocity@Novena Square: 238 Thomson Road #03-09/10 | Tel: +65 6538 2992
Website

Organic option available

2. Naive

99 East Coast Road
Singapore 428795
Tel: +65 6348 0668 | Website

Modern plant-based cuisine

3. Whole Earth

76 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079331
Tel: +65 6323 3308 | Website

Peranakan and Thai cuisines

4. Food #03

Post-Museum
107/109 Rowell Road
Singapore 208031
Tel: +65 6396 7980 | Website

5. Bombay Cafe

- 334 Tanjong Katong Road | Tel: +65 6345 0070
- 79 Syed Alwi Road | Tel: +65 6396 6452

Bombay Cafe Xpress
Suntec City Mall #B1-020 | Tel: +65 6238 8239
Website

Indian cuisine

6. Original Sin

Chip Bee Gardens
43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-62
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 5605 | Website

Mediterranean cuisine

7. Enso Kitchen

Singapore Post Centre
10 Eunos Road 8
Singapore 408600
Tel: +65 8133 1182 | Website

Japanese cuisine – Shojin Ryori

8. Ananda Bhavan

221 Selegie Road
Singapore 188340
Tel: +65 6336 3891 | Website

• Read the review of Ananda Bhavan Restaurant.

Oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore

9. Raj Restaurant

- 76 Syed Alwi Road | Tel: +65 6297 1716
- 20 Biopolis Way #01-03 | Tel: +65 6478 9495
Website

Indian cuisine

10. Loke Woh Yuen [Closed]

20 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088443

Oldest Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Singapore

Apart from these vegetarian restaurants, are there any others that belong in this list? Share with us in the comments!

This is a guest-contributed article by Crystal, a vegetarian since 1993. She has also recommended a list of 8 best organic restaurants in Singapore.

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On the day when I had planned to head down to Porn’s for dinner, I phoned in several times to reserve a table but no one answered. That very evening I headed down to try my luck anyway. They had just opened for dinner at 6pm, and was already full house! The waitresses apologised for not answering the phone all afternoon because reservations were already full. They penned down my name and promised to call us once a table freed up. Thankfully, it was only a half-hour wait, during which we enjoyed a nice Vietnamese drip coffee next door.

The premises are narrow, with tables spilling out into the corridor along the road. At the indoor seating area, white walls and a glass ceiling lend a clean and airy feel.

Even with a large crowd, all our orders arrive within 20 minutes.

Thai roselle & lime (Nam Ga Jeab)
S$3.90+
Rating:

The roselle & lime is a recommended item on the drinks menu. Served in a tall glass, the sweet and refreshing beverage is a nice reprieve from the succession of spicy dishes we are about to partake. Interestingly, it tastes like Ribena!

The iced water comes in glasses with two round depressions on the sides so that you can have a firm grip without the sweating glass slipping through your fingers.

Thai green curry (Gang Keaw Wan)
S$10.90+
Rating:

The green curry chicken is a staple at any Thai restaurant worth its salt. For someone who’s a huge fan of this ubiquitous Thai dish, it certainly does not disappoint. It boasts a thick curry gravy that is a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and an ample portion of chicken slices. My only gripe is that the curry is almost not spicy at all, but it is flavoursome enough for one to lap it all up. You never waste a good curry.

Thai lemongrass chicken (Gai Takai)
S$7+ for 3 pieces
Rating:

The dish that packs less of a punch is the Thai lemongrass chicken. This comprises of three chicken balls skewered and placed on a bed of lettuce. From the picture above, can you tell what’s so interesting about these?

The skewers aren’t the usual satay sticks, but the fibrous stems of lemongrass! That’s quite creative, don’t you think?

The minced chicken is very mildly flavoured with lemongrass and spices. To make up for the lack in taste, a Thai sweet chilli dip is provided on the side. Overall, this dish is rather forgettable as it lacks the sensory characteristics that make Thai cuisine enjoyable.

Stir-fried minced chicken with basil leaves (Kapow Gai)
S$8.50+
Rating:

The minced chicken with basil leaves provides mouthful after mouthful of intense flavour. While the presentation clearly needs work and the meat is a little over-fried, I like that it retains the explosive quality of this popular Thai dish. Lerk Thai does a wonderful version of this dish, too.

Now, if you have come to Porn’s with the hopes of sighting Pornsak himself, you may be pleased to know that he does pop by. In fact, we spotted him behind the cash register and thanking customers!

Porn’s may be drawing in the crowd with its seductive name and star power, but it has proven that it is more than that. For a newcomer, the cooking is commendable. I will plan another visit when the furor dies down. From the looks of the crowd, that won’t be anytime soon.

Note: The 7% GST is absorbed in the food prices.

Would you pay a visit to Porn’s? What are your favourite places for Thai food? Share with us in the comments!

Porn’s
28 Liang Seah Street
Singapore 189049
Tel: +65 6337 5535 | Menu pages 1 2 3 4
Service:

Opening hours:
Mon-Sat: 12-3pm, 6-10pm
Sun: 6-10pm

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For the latter, you dine barefoot at a double-story gallery building and make yourself comfortable with the triangle pillows. (I learned how to use those pillows at Jim Thompson House.) If you prefer to keep your shoes on, there is also a little wooden house further down that provides a homely ambience.

The decor is done in generic Thai style. Simple wooden furniture, antiquities, and sensual lighting all around, perfect for an intimate dining experience with loved ones.

We quickly order some wine, curries and spicy dishes. 20 minutes later, our food arrives in a pinto, the traditional tiffin container that stacks dishes in separate tiers. The accompanying rice is served in banana leaves topped with a purple orchid.

Green curry chicken
120baht
Rating:

The spicy green curry is simmered in coconut milk with pea eggplant and sweet basil leaves. With the first taste of it, it feels as though time has stood still, and that phrase takes on a whole new meaning at a place like this.

Red curry chicken
130baht
Rating:

I would also recommend the red curry, which may not be as delicious as its green counterpart, is still extremely gratifying to a curry-craving soul. The servings here are smallish, and I find myself slurping up every last bit of both curries in delight.

Shrimp with chilli and basil
145baht
Rating:

Our seafood item for the night is stir-fried shrimp with chilli and basil leaves. The dish comprises a few juicy, fresh prawns in a soy-based sauce. It is not terrific and I have tasted better.

Halfway through the meal, the power goes out, and restores itself some moments later. But during the blackout, the staff calmly lights up some candles and we have ourselves a candlelit dinner! This is truly a meal from the past.

The restaurant oozes the mystical charm of an old world Thailand. Finding the place gets a little tricky though. It is situated on a sidelane that runs parallel to Sukhumvit Soi 11. Just look for Ambassador Hotel; the restaurant is directly opposite its main entrance.

11 Gallery
1/34 Sukhumvit Soi 11
Bangkok, Thailand
Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Nana
Tel: +66 02 651 2672 | Website
Service:

10am-1am daily

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Sweet curry pork
95baht
Rating:

Many Thai restaurants offer you a choice of meat for the curries. Over here, however, it seems that only pork curry is available on the limited English menu. But that alone is enough to curb the curry craving. It goes wonderfully with steamed white rice (15baht).

The bowl of piping hot flavourful curry arrives with chunky pieces of tender pork flesh. Rather than being chilli hot, Thai curries are more about a harmonious blending of sweet and slightly sour flavours, tamed with coconut milk and sugar. The whole dish is sinfully satisfying, even if not very good for the heart.

Deep fried fish with sweet and sour sauce
170baht
Rating:

Another Thai delight is any deep-fried item with “sweet and sour sauce”. This, in the local context, simply refers to the famous Thai sweet chilli sauce.

The fish, in this case, is totally bland. I mean lacking in any flavour, the kind that my Mom has promised to cook for our kitten Snowy many times. They must be very confident about their sauce, I thought.

And well, the sauce does help a lot. What was originally flavourless turns out to be palatable after all.

Chili fried shrimp
190baht
Rating:

The fried shrimp with chilli certainly offers more of a kick. The crunchy pieces of shrimp with the combination of sweet, spicy and garlicky flavours make for a wonderful sensation on the palate.

The prices here are steeper than that of most other Thai restaurants. Take for example the fish and shrimp. Similar dishes cost the same at Lerk Thai in Singapore.

Koko
262/2 Siam Square Soi 3, Rama 1 Road
Bangkok, Thailand
Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Siam
Tel: +66 02 658 4094

11am-9pm daily

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I’ve been waiting a long while to say this: I’m finally going to Bangkok! By this time tomorrow I would be having a nice sumptuous dinner in the Land of Smiles, followed by some cheap drinks at a pub. This is a city I’m very fond of. It’s where I chose to make my first solo trip back in ’04. And now, no amount of chaos or riots would turn me off.

That’s why my last food review before the trip is reserved for Lerk Thai, my favourite Thai restaurant in Singapore. I think it’s rather fitting!

We have dinner at Lerk Thai almost every week and the few staples we would order are the fried kang kong with ever awesome belachan and the red curry chicken. But sometimes we do enjoy trying out a couple of new dishes, such as this deep fried fish.

Pla Naam Tok (deep fried fish fillet)
S$8.50++
Rating:

I like having something interesting to look at when I’m eating. So when a dish is beautifully presented or colourful, it’s already won me over. That’s why I love the colourful Mexican cuisine! It works the same way for this dish of deep fried fish fillet with Thai herbs, lime and chilli. But not only is it a kaleidoscope of colours, it’s a multitude of flavours too!

First of all, the fish is crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. It does not, thankfully, reek of that awful fishy stench, probably due to the robust sour sauce it is drenched in. Spice lovers would like this one — it is very hot! A dish that is spicy and sour like this really peps one up!

Gai Phad Bai Gra Phao (fried minced chicken with basil)
S$9++
Rating:

One dish that we have tried out recently and immediately promoted its status to a must-order is the fried minced chicken with basil leaves. Again, this is a dish that really tantalises the taste buds with a nice salty and highly addictive taste. It goes extremely well with white rice. Plus, it’s VERY fragrant. We always have to fight to finish the last bits of the chicken!

Gaeng Ped Whan Gai (red curry chicken)
S$9++
Rating:

And that’s the aforementioned red curry chicken. It’s here because it’s one spectacular curry dish that deserves a mention and a photo whenever the opportunity strikes. The curry is a delightful sweet flavour and makes you wanna drink it all up. That reminds me: I must try out the curries in Thailand during this trip!

With that, I’m off on my week-long trip to Thailand. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure to the Land of Smiles (once more)!

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The Lerk Thai restaurant that I patronised was the branch at the new Changi Airport T3. Its smooth wooden facade sports a very zen look, meshing in well with the sleek and distinctive design of T3. White light glows warmly above and below the red, orange and green signage, creating a very nice ambience. And yes, T3 is the place where I spotted those beautiful glass panels.

Here are the dishes we ordered, including a couple of really awesome ones. Careful, it’s really hot stuff!

Fried prawn with red thick chilli sauce and fresh green pepper
S$12++
Rating:

As indicated by the red round icon, the spicy fried prawn dish is part of the Singapore Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Dining Program. This means that it is cooked in a healthier way with less oil, salt and sugar. Wouldn’t that make it plain and yucky, the way healthful food tend to be?

Not at all! This is easily the best dish on the table, with that thick and delicious chilli gravy. It does get unbearably spicy, hence the double chilli rating. Yet I couldn’t help slurping it all down by the spoonful because it’s just so addictive! Get ready loads of tissue paper before digging in. Spice lovers would totally fall in love with this dish!

Deep fried beancurd with sweet & spicy sauce
S$6++
Rating:

The deep fried beancurd looks really hot at first sight, drenched in all that sweet and spicy Thai chilli sauce that most of us are familiar with. But it’s actually not that spicy. The portion is rather ample and filling. So if you are thinking of sampling many dishes, you may want to leave this one out.

Fried Kang Kong with Belachan
S$6++
Rating:

For some greens, there’s the ever-popular fried kang kong with belachan. It’s pretty decent, and is one of the recommended items at the restaurant.

Deep fried crabmeat and minced chicken wrapped in beancurd skin
S$7.50++
Rating:

Deep fried crabmeat and minced chicken balls. On paper, this sounds really appetising and is what attracted me to order it in the first place. Unfortunately, that’s where the good ends. Despite being another recommended item, the dish is just very bland. The sour chilli sauce that comes along doesn’t do much for it. I can’t exactly taste the crabmeat too.

Gaeng Ped Whan Gai (red curry chicken)
S$9++
Rating:

Of course, a meal with me wouldn’t be complete without chicken, would it? Like the chilli prawn, the red curry chicken is also a dish worth returning for. One thing to note is that this isn’t anything like the conventional chicken curry that is popular among Singaporeans. For one, the chicken comes in the form of boneless slices, saving you the hassle of getting rid of the bones.

Also, the curry actually tastes sweet! This is probably the most unique curry I’ve ever had! Most people should find the spice level comfortable, and I would strongly recommend it for every table. Yup, that’s how much I like this!

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]]> 5 http://sparklette.net/food/lerk-thai/ http://sparklette.net/food/lerk-thai/#comments Fri, 12 May 2006 05:22:18 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/wordpress/?p=377 I was craving for Thai food just the other day, and managed to get my fix at Lerk Thai. Out of all the Thai restaurants I have eaten at, Lerk Thai seems to serve the most delicious food!

Thai Coffee
S$2++
Rating:

Had me a cup of Thai coffee, which was a-okay. In my opinion, the best coffee is still the ones sold at neighbourhood kopi tiam (coffee shop).

Fish Fillet with Special Exotic Thai Sauce
S$6.80++
Rating:

For the main course, I had the pla yang sod rab manow (pacific dory fish fillet) pan-fried in a special exotic Thai sauce. I had picked up some basic Thai language before, so I do know that pla means fish, but that’s the furthest I can get.

The dish came along with a very sour sauce. The fish itself wasn’t good. It was a little stiff, dry and possibly over-fried. Even the secret recipe sauce couldn’t save it.

Pineapple rice
S$4.80++
Rating:

The pineapple rice was darn good though! It came with egg, prawn, and pork floss! It was superb, especially with the floss.

Currently there are three branches of Lerk Thai on the island. I have provided the details of the Bugis village branch, which was the one I dined at.

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