Tamarind: Taste of Issan Thai is more than just your typical Thai restaurant, it is a melting pot of passion, innovation and flavor. Hailing from the north, I was very curious on what Tamarind would offer in the North EDSA food scene.
I am very grateful to Tamarind for inviting me over during their New Menu Launch a few weeks ago and I also was able to have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Alfonso, the restaurant's owner. He was very passionate on how he expressed his love and history with Thai food. He also expressed his desires and aspirations for Thai cuisine to be highlighted in the Filipino food scene, appreciated and wowed by Filipinos, still being true to Thai flavors.
Here's how my Thai journey played:
We were initially served with Papaya Salad, a light, spicy and tangy salad prepared with Thai chilies, lemon, cilantro, green papaya, fish sauce, pork rinds, garlic and other aromatics. It is lightly pounded altogether to create a fragrant, light and tangy salad. Very spicy, but surprisingly light to the palate.
They also offered Thai Milk Tea, flared fresh at the restaurant. You may also want to take a peak at the restaurant from time to time for they do flaring exhibitions from time to time. The milk tea had a smoky quality to it, yet sweet and creamy.
For starters, we had the Sok Lek Tuna (Tuna Ceviche in Crispy Cups). The tuna is diced to just the right amount for you to take a bit on and at the same time, still chunky to the extent that you have something to chew on. The dish is very tangy because of the lime it is cooked in, cilantro cuts through with a fresh, herbaceous kick in the end. Next was the Hoi Shell (Grilled Scallops with Thai dressing). Scallops were tangy and sweet, grilled just enough to release its natural sweetness.
Some of their new mains are Se Klong Moo Khai Kham (Salted Egg Spareribs). This was one of my favorites! The choice of cut of pork at first was confusing because spareribs don't have that much meat compared to other parts of the pork, but when cooked in with salted egg, the spareribs helps release a more meaty, umami flavor in pork that no other part of the pork gives. Plus the salted egg flavor gives it a creamy, and savory consistency. Another innovative twist by Tamarind is their Sai Krok (Thai Sausage with Herbs), a Thai sausage that is distinctly fragrant and savory. You can taste the Kaffir, cilantro, pork and other herbs and spices that makes it distinctly Thai and unique. I loved that you can clearly distinct the flavors it was mixed in, and at the same time, I loved the texture of it for the sausage was not mushy like any flavored and fresh sausages I've ever had. Nam Prik Kapi (Vegetables and Grilled Fish with Chili Anchovy Dip) was also one of the dishes served, spicy, savory and very straightforward.
The new dessert menu that Tamarind exceeded my expectations! It was more than just dessert because everything was distinct on its own, bringing a different approach to dessert. We started off with Coconut Ice Cream; it literally feels like you're eating a cloud! Texture wise. it feels like it's in the middle of a sorbet and ice cream. You can taste the natural coconut juice and coconut milk with just the right sweetness. it is served with a dehydrated pineapple, naturally sweet and tangy; almost like taffy (to be honest. I love it!). We also had Thai Tea Cheese Cake, your Thai milk tea in a form of a cheesecake and more! The crust has hints of Kaffir lime as well, keeping true to Thai flare. The cheesecake was creamy, lightly smoked because of the tea. Kaffir lime Creme Brulee was thick and luscious. The caramelization was perfect, a thin layer of burnt sugar perfectly compliments the rich custard, flavored in Kaffir lime was perfectly tart as well. Thai Tea and Matcha Ice Cream, the ice cream was individually scooped and served with the dehydrated pineapple. Thai Tea was again innovatively executed as ice cream this time, without suffering it's quality. The Matcha Ice Cream was also light, green tea was not overpowering and it had a cleansing flare to it.
Tamarind also features a wide vegan menu, making sure that flavors are still up to standard.
Overall, I have felt the passion and love through their food. Please visit Tamarind: Taste of Issan Thai and experience a heartfelt, straightforward Thai experience.
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