Sawadee Bengaluru @ Tom Yum Thai

Thailand as we know is a culturally diverse city teeming with life which includes sight seeing, shopping, massage parlours and most importantly their food.

Thai food may seem quite exotic to the unfamiliar palate but having travelled to Bangkok, I am lucky enough to have understood a little which goes into their cuisine and the art behind it.

Thai food is essentially a combination of sweet, spicy, sour,salty and sometimes bland flavours which are quite dependent on the occasion and the type of meal. A lot many Thai dishes are seafood dependent and due to their Buddhist background the meat they used is normally shredded or minced. Some of the more common ingredients used in their food are lemongrass, galanga, coconut milk and peanuts.

A normal Thai meal is normally a blend of all the flavours – sweet,  spicy and sour is meant to be equally satisfying to eye, nose and palate. The meal would normally consist of a soup, fried dish, salad or a curry dish teamed occasionally with sticky rice or noodles dish and is served all together to enjoy the different combinations of flavours of different tastes.

Thai cuisine is now internationally famous and though we have seen our fair share of Thai restaurants all across the globe as well as in India, authentic Thai food in Thailand itself is a whole new experience.

Bengaluru also has a good number of Thai restaurants in the last few years which have helped us to get a taste of Thai cuisine and a new addition to this group is TOM YUM THAI.

The restaurant is located on the 4th Floor of the Clinrad Diagnostics Building on CMH Road opposite Au Bon Pain Cafe.

If you have been to some of the popular restaurants in Bangkok ( and I do not mean Fine Dining!) the ambience is very casual and relaxed and this is something Tom Yum Thai has to offer us.

The restaurant offers 2 areas – an indoor seating area with/without AC and an outdoor seating area which is a closed roof top yet perfect to enjoy Bangalore whether its rains or shines!

Though simplistic they have done up their interiors with Thai Decor such as the Thai Temple, Muay Thai, Tuk-Tuk’s, King of Thailand wall art and paintings.

I visited this restaurant with fellow foodies to mark the 50th meet up of the FBAB group.

SOUPS: 

TOM YUM SOUP (COCONUT MILK) 

This is an authentic Thai delicacy and what better way to start our meal. Being originally from Kerala, I am not new to coconut milk but the secret here lies in the other ingredients which give it a rich flavour. This soup requires more of an acquired taste.

TOM YUM SOUP (CLEAR)

A simple and healthy clear soup without coconut milk yet having the unique flavours from lemon grass and galangal. The mushrooms are a welcome addition and adds a wonderful flavour to the light soup.

APPETIZERS: 

TOFU WITH CASHEWNUT

Unless you are into healthy foods, Tofu would normal addition to your meal. This particular dish looked good to begin with and I am glad to note that the sauces with the bits of bell peppers along with fried cashews added a whole different taste to normal bland tofu.

PRAWNS WITH GARLIC

Mild flavoured yet extremely juicy prawns was one of the highlights of the meal. You have to try this dish if you love prawns!

SEA BASS FISH WITH SWEET CHILLI 

So by now, we had covered dishes which were salty,spicy and I knew the sweet was yet to come. The Sea bass fish on first bite would give you a sweet taste but will end with a spicy ting. Again this is an acquired taste and may not suit all.

STIR FRIED VEGGIES WITH SOYA SAUCE

This simple looking dish though consisting of only veggies packs a punch when had with the soya sauce.

MINCED CHICKEN WITH BASIL LEAVES

Again one of my favourites of the meal and the minced chicken with its sauce and basil leaves left me wanting more! A very light dish which can also be had with steamed rice or sticky rice.

RAW PAPAYA SALAD

The salad was light and though not a peanut person I did enjoy the crunchy feel of the peanuts with the papaya.

MAIN COURSE:

SEAFOOD CURRY IN TENDER COCONUT 

                  Image courtesy : Ms.Manisha Dhingra

This is the Chef’s signature dish made with prawns, squid and eggs served in a tender coconut. A mild flavoured dish where the seafood and eggs blended together give it an unique flavour.

GREEN CURRY – CHICKEN 

Coconut milk gravies are not for everyone but if you have not tried it, then you must have it. The green curry was quite strong flavoured but in combination with the rice works out well.

RED CURRY – CHICKEN / PRAWN 

The red curry was more suitable to our Indian palate and well liked.

BEVERAGES – SANGRIA 

DESSERT:

For desserts, we stuck to the famous Mangalorean icecreams from Ideal. But they had a surprise in store for us in the form of the famous Mangalorean Gadbad!

This icecream had vanilla, strawberry flavours in combination with nuts and jelly.

Just had a spoon of it and as I write this post I am craving for more!

GADBAD

In addition to these icecreams they also have some Thai delights such as Kaffir Lime Sour Cream, Galangal Honey Blancmange and  Tender coconut fluff.

Considering the fact that their Chef’s are Thai, it is not a surprise that the food served here is authentic Thai. Their service is courteous and quick!

So if you are on the look out for authentic Thai cuisine, your search end here at TOM YUM THAI!

Ambiance – 4/5

Service/Hospitality – 4.5/5

Food Taste – 4.5/5

Alcoholic beverages – 4/5 

Quantity/Quality – 4/5

Value for Money – 4/5