#JourneyofThaiTaste

[thehungrykat1]

Nara Thai Cuisine Receives Prestigious Thai SELECT Award for 2023

Nara Thai Cuisine in SM Megamall recently received its second Thai SELECT Award as a symbol of its continuing culinary achievements. This award is given only to selected restaurants in each country that pass the highest standards set by the Ministry of Commerce and the Royal Thai Government itself. The Hungry Kat was invited join the celebrations a few weeks ago as Nara Thai Cuisine presented its outstanding selection of authentic Thai dishes.

You can find its pioneering Philippine branch at the third floor of the SM Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. Nara Thai Cuisine started in 2006 in Bangkok and has since expanded to several branches across Thailand and other countries around Asia. It has consistently been voted as one of Bangkok’s Best Thai Restaurants and has just opened a new branch in Molito, Alabang.

It was great to be back at Nara Thai once again as we gathered with our other media friends for a bountiful Thai lunch. Nara Thai Cuisine uses authentic Thai recipes and serves them with quality ingredients prepared by their in-house Thai executive chef and Thai-trained sous chefs.

The Thai SELECT program aims to recognize and endorse authentic Thai cuisine and quality Thai restaurants and Thai food products all across the globe. The Royal Thai Government’s Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce gives the Thai SELECT award as a seal of approval. When you see this sign at a restaurant, it means that you are guaranteed to have a unique and authentic Thai dining experience every time you visit.

I started the afternoon by ordering my favorite Thai beverage, the Nara Thai Milk Tea (P185). I really love this compared to other milk teas especially because it is not too sweet. Another popular drink at Nara Thai is their Iced Lemongrass Tea (P165).

For our appetizers, the Roti with Massaman Sauce (P350) is a great way to begin our Thai adventure. Get a piece of the Roti bread and dip it in the massaman sauce which gives is a rich and deep curry flavor.

The Yum Phak Khom (P350) is a crispy starter with its fried spinach leaves served with a minced pork and prawn chili lime dip. The spinach is very light and crunchy with a mild kick from the chili dip.

Another tasty appetizer is the Goong Kabeuang (P550) or Deep Fried Crispy Prawns Pancakes. This is similar to an omelette dish but highlighted with flavorful prawns.

For those who like heavier starters, the Gai Pak Panang (P520) is a good option. These are Spicy Barbeque Chicken skewers served with vinegar that can also be a main dish by itself.

The Thai love their salads so the Som Tum Kai Khem (P520) or Papaya Salad with Salted Egg is also highly recommended. This is a refreshing and healthy salad dish complemented by the flavors from the salted egg.

The Tom Yum Goong (P480) is probably the most recognized soup dish from Thailand and Nara Thai Cuisine presents a very red and fiery version. The broth has big prawns in a spicy lemongrass and lime soup, but don’t let the bright red colors scare you, because the spice level is actually just right for Filipinos. I found myself able to handle the spiciness, so that means most diners should be able to as well.

Another soup option is the Kuay Tiew Rua Nua (P520) or Ayuthaya Beef Boat Noodles in Rich Dark Soup. This one comes with a meatier flavor without the spiciness.

Now let’s get to the main courses. The Gai Tord Krob Sauce Ma Nao (P520) is a Crispy Fried Chicken in Lime Sauce. This is a bit similar to lemon chicken but with a milder citrusy flavor.

I also love eating Thai curries so the Kang Kiew Wan Nuea (P620) or Green Curry Beef was another popular dish that afternoon. This was also served with white rice which is a must when eating curries.

For crab lovers like me, the Phu Phad Pong Karee (P920) or Stir-Fried Crab with Yellow Curry Sauce is another big hit. There’s no need to get your hands dirty because all the crab meat is peeled already. All you need to do is scoop up the crab meat and curry sauce and place them on your rice.

Speaking of rice, the Khao Phad Kra Prao (P385) or Fried Rice with Chili and Hot Basil can be a complete meal on its own. This is served with Chicken or Pork which you can mix up together.

One of the favorites that afternoon was the Phu Nim Tord Sauce Ma Kam (P990) or Fried Soft Shell Crab with Sweet Tamarind Sauce. These crunchy, bite-sized portions of soft shell crab were so flavorful and yummy, I wanted to have the entire plate to myself!

To complete our Thai journey, we had an assortment of colorful Thai desserts on our plate. These included the Khao Niew Ma Muang or Mango and Sticky Rice with Coconut Milk, the Bua Loy Kai Kem or Coconut Milk Rice Dumplings with Salted Egg, and the Khanom Tako Sakoo

That wasn’t all, because they brought out this giant Thai Summer Mix (P455) for everyone to marvel at and enjoy. This Thai halo halo version comes with Shaved Ice, Coconut Cream, Coconut Ice Cream, Red Monggo Beans, Kaong, Jackfruit, Nata De Coco and Water Chestnut. We also had the Durian Sticky Rice with its gooey and sticky rice covered in durian sauce and durian ice cream.

We would like to thank Nara Thai for hosting our lunch get-together and letting us experience their masterful Thai dishes once again. Congratulations to Nara Thai Cuisine for your second Thai SELECT award and the opening of your second branch in Alabang.

Nara Thai Cuisine

3/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong

(0917) 555-8424

www.facebook.com/narathai.ph