Thai food is undoubtedly one of the most popular cuisines worldwide, but what defines the true nature of Thai dishes?
A simple yet extremely clever combination of influences that harmoniously balance sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavours giving dishes that nous ne savons quoi. You are spoiled for choice when it comes to Thai with a great variety of choices. However, what makes Thai food truly excellent in the area is the sheer freshness of the ingredients. Our epicurean journey led us to discover a hidden gem, nestled away in the heart of Qurum – Thai Corner!
A restaurant so good that it transports you to the ‘Land of Smiles’ and redefines everything you know about the concoction of tastes. A family-owned business, there is always a smile to be found amongst the people who work there. We were greeted with the honeyed ‘Sawadee Kha’ and so began our trip into deliciousness. We opted for a choice of different appetisers, two mains and a dessert.
HE SAID: A popular dish also known as the national dish of Thailand, the Papaya Salad is a very healthy dish, and it explodes on your tongue with a multitude of flavours as it is sweet, sour, salty and spicy at the same time. On other hand, the combination of soft, crunchy, crispy, and dried ingredients is a roller coaster ride for your senses. Basically, it’s a trip to Thailand on a plate. The fried beef is one of my favourite dishes here, crisp, and absolutely delectable. I would declare a war for this dish if somebody told me that sharing was caring.
SHE SAID: Neur Tod - Crispy chunks of beef marinated to perfection and served with a tangy mildly spicy tomato sauce. This dish is the true essence of Thai food, often called Thai fried beef jerky – it is dry to the touch but much of the moisture is still retained inside the dehydrated walls. Absolutely yum.
HE SAID: Stir-fried Kangkong, a heavenly dish with a mix of morning glory and vegetables in a soy-based dark brown sauce. Though it is a very simple dish, the flavour of each ingredient is not overpowered by the other one. A delicious healthy dish not to be missed.
SHE SAID: This simple yet tasty stir-fried vegetable side dish made with Pak Boong or commonly known as water morning glory is one of Thailand’s most popular foods. Tossed with soybean paste, garlic, chillies, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, the salty dish is a treat, especially topped with crunchy, crispy chicken.
HE SAID: Boneless chicken cooked in a rich creamy peanut curry. The fragrance of the dish will drive you to eat out of control especially when have it with their sticky rice.
SHE SAID: Panang Curry - A variation of red Thai curry that is thick and sweet with a nutty peanut flavour. It is a full-bodied, almost umami in nature, creamy curry made with spices and finely ground peanut which goes well with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice. A delightful dish that is a must-have!
HE SAID: What else can make my day, a dessert that has the taste of mango and coconut. Slices of mango served with black sticky rice in a sweet, thick coconut milk sauce. I like the combination of the softness of mango, the stickiness of the black rice and the crispness of sesame.
SHE SAID: Also known as sweet rice or glutinous rice, Thai sticky rice with mango makes for a delicious dessert. Served warm, this dessert is super sweet, but it didn’t seem to coat my mouth like cloyingly sweet desserts tend to. A true comfort food, and one that is much healthier than the usual desserts loaded with flour, butter, and cream.
WE SAID: The heartwarming hospitality of Thai Corner makes us want to go back every day. The prices were mid-range for the quantity served but well worth the quality of the food. Service is always warm and friendly. Would we go back again? Yes, oh yes!
Ambience: 3/5
Taste of food: 5/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
--------------------------------------------------
Boasting over 30,000 followers across their different social media accounts, the duo behind Oman Restaurant Review is sharing some of their feedbacks about the food scene in Oman. For more updates, you can also follow them on Instagram: @oman_restaurant_review
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here