Northern Thai

1 Tyrwhitt Road

Thanks to a couple of foodie buddies, a recent sudden Thai craving of mine was so satisfyingly placated I had to share this euphoric spicy joy.

Northern Thai Restaurant is not located at the most likely corners one would expect to down really good tom yam. The coffee shop bearing the same name doesn’t seem like much, but a testament to its quality usually shows through its crowdedness. I sensed immediately this place is already no secret to the throngs of white collars already tucking away their spiced lunch. Thankfully, we managed to grab ourselves a small table amidst the madness.

My experienced foodie buddy wasted no time ordering. The food arrived in record time. Amazing really, considering how crowded the joint was. As the pungent whiffs of lemongrass, chilli padi and seafood reached my nostrils, I too wasted no time digging in.

Fried Rice

The oily plate of rice, fried with the usual medley of seafood and egg, was fragrant from the first bite. The rice provided an excellent bite as the flavours of seafood, fish oil and Bangkokcame flooding back. My only complaint is that it was too good on its own. For rice as an accompliment, I would recommend either the plain rice, or the weaker flavoured Pineapple rice.

Pineapple Rice

The pale canary coloured rice, with bits of tart pineapple mixed in, was weak tasting by itself. However, something magical happens when it was combined with the ever potent Tom Yam Fish Soup.

Tom Yam Fish Soup (Cloudy Version)

As my spoon broke through the surface of a slightly unnaturally orange soup, I knew I was in for something good. Rummaging around, I found pieces of sliced ginger, lemon grass, fish and a whole host of unidentifiable herbs and spices. With every spoonful, the coconut milky goodness spiked with just the right amount of chilli padi was slightly painful but terribly addictive. It hurt so good I couldn’t stop until it was all gone. Thankfully, the other foodie buddy opted for a NS (Non Spicy) version of the fish soup.

NS Fish Soup

The biggest difference between the NS version was the omnipresence of bitter gourd. The overall flavour was a little shy and it had a good clearing effect, easing much of the pain caused by my inability to hold my chilli. Taste buds revived, I just had to have my all time fave, Fried Tang Hoon.

Fried Tang Hoon

Deep, dark soy sauce coloured vermicelli, tossed casually with a simple mix of seafood was something I had on every Bangkok trip. Since it’s usually quite disappointingly placid over here, I’ve given up on my search for something at least parable to Bangkok’s. I might not have found one better, but this comes pretty close. The well soaked, confidently fried plate of Tang Hoon was more satisfying than most of our more established “Thai” air conditioned restaurants at a mere fraction of the price. I’ll take this with heat and sweat over the air conditioned comfort anyway.

Fried Fish Fillet with Thai Chilli Sauce

Strange thing about eating Thai food, I usually end up eating more than normal, which in itself is pretty impressive considering how much I usually eat. With my lust almost satisfied, I requested for the interesting looking Deep Fried Fish Fillet with Thai chilli sauce. Boy was it good. The gently crispy breaded surface hid fresh, succulent white flesh of the fish. Paired immaculately with the potent spicy and sweet chilli sauce, I was in Thai Heaven.

Do take note that this joint is only open in the afternoon. Lucky for those of us who do not have the gastronomic pleasure of working nearby, they are also open on Saturdays. This is my joint de jour for Thai food henceforth. Unfortunately, only on Saturdays now.