Nara Thai Cuisine Revisited

There are now two branches of Nara Thai in Singapore, at B3 of Ion Orchard and 3rd floor of Westgate. While I have visited the restaurant a few times over the years, it has always been to the former. For appetiser, my dining companions and I usually go for its tangy green mango salad or pomelo salad. The latter consists of crunchy and juicy pomelo and prawns, with cashew nut and shallots in a spicy and more-sweet-than-sour dressing. Instead of River Prawns in Spicy Lemongrass and Lime Soup, we would order Tom Yum Kung with chicken. Could neither rave about its tender Gai Pak Panang, or barbequed chicken in spicy Thai marinade that reminded me of our local satay, and Kaeng Phed Ped Yang (roasted duck red curry) nor fault the Kang Panaeng Moo/Gai – red curry with pork/chicken, Phad Thai with chicken and stir-fried minced pork with chilli and hot basil served with steamed jasmine rice. And nothing beats washing these food down with an ice-blended plum juice.

New Kid on the Block – Nara Thai Cuisine

Nara Thai Cuisine started at the basement of Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok in 2006 to bring Thai street food into the comforts of an air-conditioned restaurant. Since then, another two branches have opened in Bangkok at Central World and Ei8ht Thonglor. And now its 1st overseas branch, a 112-seater located at B3 of Ion Orchard where Burger King used to be, opened on 12 Sep. There were a few available tables when we visited the place, which exudes extravagance with royal purple and lots of gold that stood out against wooden furniture, on a weekday evening. On the menu were signature drinks – a mocktail and two cocktails specially designed by Bar Stories, known for its artisanal concoctions, and inspired by the vibrant flavours of Thai cuisine as well as items not typically seen in other Thai restaurants in Singapore. The latter includes Kuay Tiew Rua, Ayuthaya boat noodles with beef or pork served dry or in soup, and Yum Som O, pomelo salad.