What's good at a Thai restaurant? Have to go to lunch there

[bertha katzenengel]

today. I'm trying to avoid meat. I detest pad thai. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Lannes]

1. There goes my suggestion

I like the beef with green beans and spicy!

[bertha katzenengel]

12. i appreciate it anyway, Lannes

:hi:

[momophile]

2. unless you've been to Thailand...

chances are that you didn't have GOOD pad thai. I've only had one in the States that came close to being good.

As for other good dishes, how 'bout panang or another curry?

[bertha katzenengel]

4. is panang super-spicy?

I can take the spice in my mouth but I tend to get the "hot trots." :( sorry to be gross.

What's in panang? Can it be made w/ tofu? If so, is it good that way?

[momophile]

5. It's peanuty,

and should be able to be made with tofu. Spicy is probably medium.

[KitchenWitch]

21. Panang is on the mild end of the spicy spectrum as far as Thai curries go

It really is lovely.

[mwdem]

3. Do they serve tofu? Bean thread salad, vegetarian style is great.

I always ask for a vegetarian menu.

[bertha katzenengel]

9. yes, they have tofu. the one thing i've had from there was the fried tofu

appetizer. of course it's not appetizing at all w/out a dip, but it is protein.

[auntAgonist]

6. I like Tom Yum soup ..

can be a bit spicy though depending on the cook I guess.
I love dinner soups, never been disappointed yet.

aA

[bertha katzenengel]

10. you know, K. . . .

I appreciate everyone's suggestions but NOTHING sounds good. Guess I'll let my co-workers order for me. :shrug:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Toam yum.

It's a kind of soup, very tasty, can be quite spicy, served with rice. Usually you can get it with tofu if you don't want meat.

[momophile]

8. also tom ka gai soup...

I've seen it spelled 'tom kai gai' too. It's a lemongrass, coconut soup, although it usually comes with chicken - nevermind.

[Arugula Latte]

11. I don't know if this is "real" Thai food, but

our local Thai place makes this delicious dish with wide, thick noodles (they have a wonderful smoky taste) and broccoli in a delicious sauce. You can choose tofu, chicken, or pork to be added to it.

[eyesroll]

14. Pud See Ew. It's real.

I learned how to make it in a cooking class taught by a Thai immigrant.

Here's a recipe (with chicken, but you can sub tofu or pork):

1.5 pounds boneless chicken, cut into small pieces, marinated in oyster sauce and *SOY* sauce (about 2:1 oyster-to-soy)

Stir-fry in a wok vegetable oil until the chicken is cooked through; push to one side

2 eggs

Crack the eggs into a cup, then slide into the empty part of the wok. Break the yolks, stir lightly. When the egg is almost set, mix it in with the chicken, and push again to the side

1 pound cooked (if they don't come ready to stir-fry) fresh wide rice noodles, cut into long thin strips

Stir-fry the noodles (add a little more oil if need be); add a generous splash of dark soy sauce (for color)

2 cups or so broccoli florets

Add broccoli and stir-fry everything together, and add approximately 1 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, a few grinds of white or black pepper.

Serve when broccoli is as done as you like. You also can let people season their own with fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and pepper.

EDITED: You should marinate in oyster and soy sauces, not fish sauce (although you can add a splash). To marinate in fish sauce would be overkill. Use it sparingly (especially if you're not used to it).

Also edited to add oyster sauce to the last line, per Taverner's correction.

[Taverner]

16. Yikes! Don't forget the oyster sauce!!!

That is a must!!!!!

(I lived in Thailand for 2 years....trust me)

[Flaxbee]

13. you're probably already at lunch...

but our local Thai place offers spicy basil noodles (thick noodles, not really overly spicy) with chicken or tofu; they also have a REALLY GOOD tofu and cashew dish.

Almost anything that's good with chicken can be good with tofu, provided the restaurant knows how to work with tofu (and they probably do). Tofu also is nice with nuts, like peanuts or cashews.

So, tell us what you had, and if you liked it!


By the way - did you ever find yourself that royal blue button-down shirt you were looking for?

:hi: bertha!

[Misunderestimator]

15. Panang Curry!

Mmmmmmmmm

[Knit Wit]

17. Any of the curries

I usually order Red Curry with Tofu. Now my mouth is watering. Thanks a lot. :)

[KitchenWitch]

18. Panang Curry (see if they have tofu!)

Panang curry is my favorite.

Also try vegetarian spring rolls.

Padh See Yew is good as well.

[Kashka-Kat]

19. curry w squash and coconut milk in it MMMMMMM (& chicken if yr not vegan)

[Heidi]

20. The Formosa Restaurant, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

"Carry out, or dine in, in our elegant atmosphere."