Very often, you dine at restaurants claiming to uphold “authenticity” and being true to the cuisine they specialized in. The question is are we able to gauge the degree of authenticity? While I am an avid follower of Thai cuisine, know a fair bit of Thai culture, have some Thai friends, visited Thailand umpteen times, speaks a bit of street Thai, I have to be honest, I still can’t fully grasp the complexity and nuances of Thai cuisine.
I remember vividly my Thai guide confided to me during a visit to the Tha Ka Floating Village in Samut Songkhram province….”Look at that the Pad Thai hawker, she controlled the fire with such skill, the perfect browning at the edge and slightly crisp egg envelope for the Pad Thai. Many Thais know how to cook a Pad Thai, but not many know how to get right…”
But one thing I can attest is that my taste bud is sharp as a chef’s knife. I am able to detect subtle hints of spices and ingredients. And at Spicy Thai – Thai Cafe recently, I was “transported’ back to Thailand. But authenticity needs another important “ingredient”, which I strongly feel is, passion.
It is this passion, which I sensed when talking with Mr. Ron Poh, the managing partner of Spicy Thai – Thai Cafe, that the cafe is able to maintain a steady flow of loyal supporters. It is said that “Power is nothing without Control”…might I add, “Authenticity is bland without Passion”.
Mr. Ron Poh, managing partner of Spicy Thai-Thai Cafe.
His firm grasp of the intricacies of Thai cuisine, his intimate knowledge of the land and it’s culture leaves me breathless and humbled. But it also left me hungry for the gorgeous dishes coming my way…..
The lovely drinks like the Thai iced milk tea and calamansi were a wonderful way to prepare your palate. But there is really no need for any appetizers.. any of the dishes at Spicy Thai will whet your taste buds…fast. Especially great in our humid weather too.
Condiments…vital accompaniment to any Thai dishes…to enhance the already flavourful dishes
I would gladly polish off the whole plate. But as there were more dishes coming, I had to control myself. The chef skilfully deep fried the meat balls to just the perfect crisp on the outside while not compacting the meat balls too densely.
Mr. Poh actually assigned an exclusive catfish breeder in Malaysia and have them delivered here alive, so that diners can enjoyed the freshness. He will not entertain the thought of using frozen catfish…no can do. Although I am not a “fish-person” , I simply adored the non-fishy smell and smooth clean texture of the fish… awesome! Do be cautious of fish-bones from the stomach area.
As authentic as it gets from Thailand. A must-eat item for any Thai cuisine lovers…the crunchy texture of the roasted peanuts, the succulent prawn, the tangy unripe papaya,..all contributed to a delicious cacophony of flavours as you chew.
The staff will place a piece of pork fat on the top, and the hot charcoal heat within will “melt” the fat, releasing the “sinful” oil and cook the meat below. Suitable for a family or dining group of four. A “communal” feast indeed. And of course, Jim Jum ( a claypot styled hot pot) is another magnet.
Spicy Thai – Thai Cafe is located next to the Geylang East Swimming Complex, close to Paya Lebar Road and the PIE. With both indoor (non-aircon) and outdoor dining space, it’s large when compared with most HDB based eateries. Beer lovers will love the place as it’s available for sales. Mr. Poh preferred to have the entire place by himself so that he can better ensure quality dining experience. And also a well-kept clean toilet for his guests (kudos for his honest commitment to excellent service). And you can dine without worries about mode of payment as cash, NETS or credit cards are accepted.
Blk 115 Aljunied Avenue 2
#01-35 Singapore 380115
Tel: +65 67478558
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpicyThaiThaiCafe
Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 12am
Directions:
Disclaimer : This is a non-solicited nor a paid review. The meal was given a treat at the eatery by his friend for his birthday.
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