Hidden behind the Sunwah Tower in Ho Chi Minh City is an air conditioned, cozy two-storey Thai restaurant fittingly called Mai Thai (19 Ton That Thiep St., HCMC, tel. 08-821-2920). We've been going back to this restaurant which was recommended to us by the owner of our favorite camera sales and repair shop, Madame Thu. The restaurant has a Thai decor and the service crew even don Thai-style apparel. At lunch time on weekdays, Mai Thai offers a set lunch (a main dish, a stir-fried veggie, fruit and rice) at a very reasonable price of VND55,000 (USD 3.45 or PHP 155). The place is always full with a lunch crowd composed of staff from multinational companies holding office nearby.
The food is authentic Thai and Mai Thai has consistently delivered food on the table according to one's recollection and expectation of what Thai food ought to be. The menu lists a total of 81 dishes starting with appetizers, soup and curry, main dish, and dessert. Even their version of phad thai is worth going back for. An order of phad thai costs VND69,000 or USD 4.31 or 198 pesos. In fact, some pad thai that I have eaten in many places in Bangkok and the one I recently had in People's Palace, a Thai restaurant in Greenbelt, Makati would definitely pale in comparison.
For dinner the other night, we had steamed fish with lemon, red curry chicken, stir-fried morning glory with garlic, jasmine rice and Vietnamese tea. As always, the steamed fish was fresh and well done, the red curry chicken just had the right blend of curry and coconut milk, while the stir-fried morning glory was seasoned with fermented yellow beans and julienned red chilis. This dinner cost us only VND 218,000 for two persons (USD13.63 or PHP634) or PHP317 per person. Tonight we dined again in Mai Thai and had fried catfish salad, green curry chicken and steamed shrimps in glass noodles, jasmine rice and Vietnamese tea. This dinner for two cost us only VND 218,000 (USD 13.66). Where in the world can you find a first-class Thai dinner in a restaurant with a cozy ambiance at such a low, low price? Truly amazing!
1 comment:
Yes, I like Mai Thai...Thai food in Vietnam can be hit-or-miss compared to the source, but Mai Thai is authentic and genuine good stuff!
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