We have so many favorite staples that, in all honesty, I don't even know where to begin! The dishes we always find ourselves craving from Koon Thai include the pla nuerng ma-now (steamed fish in spicy chili-lime-garlic sauce, available either with filet or my personal favorite of whole fish), hoi lai pad prik pao (sauteed clams in chili-garlic paste), and gaprow moo krob (spicy stir-fried crispy pork and basil). Paired with fragrant steamed jasmine rice, these items certainly won't disappoint.
Other dishes that have passed the taste test include the tod mun goong (shrimp cakes), yum mama (spicy instant noodle salad), khao pad gang kaew (green chili paste fried rice with fried fish), pad cha pla tod (fried fish filet with lemongrass, chillies and peppercorns) and the boat noodles.
Hor mok -- steamed curry fish
Tod mun goong ($6.95)
Khao pad gang kaew ($9.99)
Hoi lai pad prik pao ($10)
Left: gaprow moo krob ($9), right: pad cha pla tod ($15)
The food is all so flavorful, and gets pretty close to the tastes of Bangkok. When they say spicy, they mean it....just how I like it! One thing I've noticed, however, is that their "Isan" (Northeastern Thai) food is not quite as on par....whether it has been the num tok (grilled pork with chili powder, lime juice and rice powder), larb (ground chicken with chili powder, lime juice and rice powder), or the som tum (spicy papaya salad). I'd recommend sticking with the more mainstream Thai dishes, and maybe saving the Isan for elsewhere.
My only other complaint is their tendency to blast their music, which can sometimes become a burden on the ears. Overall, it's a minor annoyance that can be overlooked....Koon Thai's still a winner for me.
Koon Thai Kitchen
3860 Convoy Street, Suite 102
San Diego, CA 92111
858 514 8111
Sun-Thurs 11:00AM-10:00PM
Fri-Sat 11:00AM-12:00AM
No comments:
Post a Comment