/ Reviews / Thai
Spicy Satisfaction
by Ruth Waldron
on Friday, October 15, 2010 12:00 AM
Recently re-opened under new management, this TaiKang Road eatery now goes by the name of My Thai at Hiro's. Co-owner Angwara Puttha and her chef, who just happens to be her mother, have teamed up to present authentic family recipes from their native Bangkok, all served with warm Thai hospitality.
The interior has changed little since its previous incarnation, also as a Thai restaurant: a mixture of both typical low tables and upright seating for those who are shy about removing their shoes cram into the two-floor space. In keeping with the theme, the furnishings of dark teak and golden walls, offset with traditional Thai textiles, is welcoming but somewhat lackluster.
The extensive menu will satisfy most tastes, ranging over both spicy and not-so-spicy dishes, with plenty of vegetarian options on offer. All the favorites are there, with some tweaks to the traditional. The starter of Chicken Satay (RMB55) with peanut and spicy vinegar sauces, although typical in essence, has an unusual, fresh, tangy undertone, whereas the delicately seasoned mushroom and coconut soup (RMB40) has an underlying hint of mint.
Veering away from the classic white fish choices, My Thai's Panaeng Salmon (RMB88) is less successful. The pink flesh of the salmon is tough and the taste is a distraction from the thick, much more pleasing yellow curry sauce. The widely favored Pad Thai (RMB62) proves a sturdy staple, even though the noodles are perhaps a little underdone. In a similar vein, the prawns with cashew nuts (RMB58), prepared with crunchy greens and steamed rice, is just as you would expect - deliciously fresh and stomach sating.
Taking the edge of the spice, a good alternative to My Thai's beer is the freshly squeezed fruit juice. Zingy iced lime juice proves to be a perfect complement to the coconut, chili and peanut accents of the food. Desserts are also refreshing, light and moreish: cool tapioca and water chestnut in coconut milk (RMB35), and mango with brown and white sticky rice (RMB38) are great comfort foods - and hard to resist.
The restaurant is a good place for small gatherings of friends or even a more intimate meal on the balcony, at least while the weather stays balmy. Offering good food at reasonable prices, this is an ideal mid-week locale.
The Bottom Line: A simple and safe mid-week staple.
