Thai Food - Spice flavour v heat

[LivinLOS]

Last night I took my mother out for a meal (along with spinner, my housemate and his bird) and decided to show that as well as all the Nanai market Thai foods there are nice resturants also by visiting Baan Rim Pa.

I knew it would be expensive by Phuket standards and they didnt dissapoint but it is a superb location and ambience and both my house mate and I agree it should be repeated, superb dining experience for me and even if it is pricy quality wine and service, no complaints.

Baan Rim Pa bills itself as 'royal Thai cuisine' eg dishes prepared for the royal family historically.. Personally I reckon that sounds pretentious as hell but its a nice marketing line I guess. I figured that the meal would be farang friendly spice heat and was right. I can eat Thai levels of spice (to an extent) and my mother can eat raw chillis and nothing touches her (Goanese cook as a child) so it could have been fine at pretty much any end of the spectrum but I do sometimes wonder how much Thais are enjoying or savouring thier food as they gasp, blow thier nose, sweat, and repeat 'phet' over and over as they dive in.

Well the meal came with superb presentation and to my mind great taste.. Mildly spicy, but with complex rich flavours. I think the beef masaman was probably the best I have ever been served and Choo Chi Goong (dry red curry prawns) spicy, salty, sour, etc also really worth tasting.. Delicious combinations of flavours that could be appreciated and savoured.

But the two Thai girls basically claimed the whole meal was naff in 'taste' and for the Pla nung minouw (fish in lemon and chilli, nicely fileted so 100% boneless but appearing whole.. Good touch) got the serving staff to go get a whole heaped plate of the chilli garlic paste and smothered the fish in it to raise the heat level.

I dont know if theres partly a chilli addiction (I do think this happens.. Sis in law and others I have seen seem to crave really spicy even to having stomach problems but cant stop), partly burnt out tastebuds that cant sense flavours other than red hot, or less appreciation for what I would call flavour verses the burn of chilli. Certainly there was no way you could describe these dishes as not having flavour, they were delicious with complex, well balanced, combinations of tastes.

Anyway not sure where I am going with this only it seems to me as a non Thai that Thai food can be delicious and has so much more than pure power yet to thais it has no 'taste' unless it takes the skin off thier toungue and they need a pint of water and break a sweat.

[nelsonone]

Glad to hear a good report of this place LiL as I have heard it recommended by a thai friend and thought about going there once........but was put off by the "romantic" look of it and possibly took it to be more of a "hotel" style of place rather han true Thai...........also being by myself I just didn't want to look like a shag on a rock....geat views over Kalim Bay

I will give it ago when i'm next there but will take some company.......did your mum like it??

[K2]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Well the meal came with superb presentation and to my mind great taste.. Mildly spicy, but with complex rich flavours. I think the beef masaman was probably the best I have ever been served and Choo Chi Goong (dry red curry prawns) spicy, salty, sour, etc also really worth tasting.. Delicious combinations of flavours that could be appreciated and savoured.

Mmmmm now feeling really hungry LiL and have enjoyed meals at Baan Rim Pa with my parents (they still dont know Bangla Road even exists!).

My Mrs doesnt rate the food at any Thai resturant as any good - unless its cooked under her nose with requisite amounts of chilli, nam pla, vineger then its just never good enough. Amazing Thai's must be one of the few cultures that just never will appreciate the cuisine of any other nation - have you ever heard a Thai genuinely want any other cuisine other than their own!

[Hobbsy]

We had a big meal at Baan Rim Pa one time, about 10 of us, and the usual thing for us to do is order a variety of dishes so everyone can share and taste/sample each dish. We explained this to the manager and he nodded etc.

But they still brought individual portions, ie; the masaman curry in what was basically a large teacup holding barely enough for 1 or 2 to have a taste. Price was not the issue this particular night but they could not or would not up the portion size the manager then became surly and unresponsive.

So, order individually or prepare to be disappointed.

[urtheman]

As some of you know I worked for this company when I opened Joe's for them (next door to BRP). The Royal Thai cusine label has been around for many years and is great marketing. Is it royal Thai cuisine? NO
It does have a great nighttime ambiance and the owner who's a very well known American is quite a character and nice guy.

Imagine the profits on the food when you pay those prices

Some of the the staff are quite excellent as well but it's not known as a place that locals would go to.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by K2

Amazing Thai's must be one of the few cultures that just never will appreciate the cuisine of any other nation - have you ever heard a Thai genuinely want any other cuisine other than their own!

Mine now seems to actually like and want italian.. Tilack bpai gin sa pa get ti is not unusual and she like a pizza every once in a while.. Spagettis similarity with noodles must help this.

Wifey before seemed to enjoy indian curries outside of Thailand.. Also liked sushi and teriyaki dishes.

But I do agree that in general they simply dont like anything 'non thai' before they have tried it.. I also think that if I was on a high carb, mashed spud style, bland N Euro diet for a while I would get bored.. Though potates are a kind of deep built in craving I have to have every so often.

[steve w]

once saw a young lady on my table that we were drinking at in my patong local ask for a bowl of noodle soup .she added to it to "make taste right" 3 heaped spoonfulls of chilli flakes,sugar and fresh chillis in vinegar,that 3 OF EACH,tasted it myself and mt tongue was burning for 15 minutes

[marc26]

as far as spicy goes, i always get thais saying, oh you not like spicy?
i like spicy plenty but there are somethings in thai cooking i dont like

[M & M]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Though potates are a kind of deep built in craving I have to have every so often.

Are potatoes available readily raw in LOS? How much per kg? This is probably a really Stuuuupid question!!!???

Marcia

[M & M]

Originally Posted by marc26

as far as spicy goes, i always get thais saying, oh you not like spicy?
i like spicy plenty but there are somethings in thai cooking i dont like

The spicier the better for us...Mike just loves a roaring hot papaya salad...his favourite (not in the morning though!!! )

Funny though I always pick out the fresh coriander...I just can't tolerate that flavour...and if they use the root I'm done for...But I adore thai food albiet laced heavily with coriander I manage to pick my way around it...LOL

Marcia

[visa2003]

Taste seems to be one of the stranger senses in a human! After my bypass operation, I was told by nearly all the doctors, nurses etc that I would get cravings for spicy food.
Why this happens, no-one seems to know, but it is common enough to be mentioned. As I was already into the spicy stuff, going to LOS for the food seemed very natural and most restauants never put in enough chillie for this Farang. I sometimes really have to have a Farang meal (steak etc) while I am in LOS but invariably find it bland and boring. Even Thai food without the chillie is more interesting.
I have been to Baan Rim Pa for a meal and found it good without being exceptional.

[Nautilus]

I luv spicy food a lot and eat it nearly everyday back home in Kuala Lumpur.

I watched a food show on Thailand before my 1st trip to Phuket.

I did what the host of the show did, putting chili flakes, sugar and vinegar.

The next day i didnt put chili flakes, sugar and vinegar to taste the diff.

I must admit, Thai noodles taste better with chili flakes, sugar and vinegar. Else it's a lil plain. Unlike Chinese cooking, the soup is already filled with MSG and lots of flavouring, hardly needs chili.

[M & M]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

I must admit, Thai noodles taste better with chili flakes, sugar and vinegar. Else it's a lil plain. Unlike Chinese cooking, the soup is already filled with MSG and lots of flavouring, hardly needs chili.

Leave me out of the MSG...I eat that and I blow up like a f*cking balloon the next day...Have a real sensitivity to that stuff ...very unhealthy!!! The Thais still use it a bit I think but not like the Chinese...I'd rather get the flavour with natural sugar chili and vinegar!!!

Marcia

[stevem]

Originally Posted by M & M

Are potatoes available readily raw in LOS? How much per kg? This is probably a really Stuuuupid question!!!???

Marcia

Yes they are, but the qualilty is sometimes questionable.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by M & M

Leave me out of the MSG...I eat that and I blow up like a f*cking balloon the next day...Have a real sensitivity to that stuff ...very unhealthy!!! The Thais still use it a bit I think but not like the Chinese...I'd rather get the flavour with natural sugar chili and vinegar!!!

Marcia

HaHa, yeah, i'm a Chinese, i know what you mean. I dont like MSG also. Freaking thirsty after the meal. Not all stalls do that. Most of the time only hawkers at coffee shops, those stalls at markets dont use MSG.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by M & M

The spicier the better for us...Mike just loves a roaring hot papaya salad...his favourite (not in the morning though!!! )

Funny though I always pick out the fresh coriander...I just can't tolerate that flavour...and if they use the root I'm done for...But I adore thai food albiet laced heavily with coriander I manage to pick my way around it...LOL

Marcia

the one flavor thats big in thailand that i detest is lemongrass, just cant stand it

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by marc26

the one flavor thats big in thailand that i detest is lemongrass, just cant stand it

LEMONGRASS ...I JUST LOVE IT.....THE ONE THING THAT I DONT LIKE ARE THE GREEN BEANY THINGS THEY PUT IN THE CURRIES..........

[wylos]

Originally Posted by marc26

the one flavor thats big in thailand that i detest is lemongrass, just cant stand it

555555,takes me back,i remember diving into some tom yam kung on my first trip(not litteraly),took a chunk out of a stick of lemon grass,wasnt the best of tastes,and also that one thats cut into small round,looklike potato,but certainly aint,but like bothh flavours if eaten correct.oh the things u do when your a newbie to the scene,55555.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by IRISH JONNY

THE ONE THING THAT I DONT LIKE ARE THE GREEN BEANY THINGS THEY PUT IN THE CURRIES..........

I think those "green beany things" are green beans Jonny 5555555555

[M & M]

Originally Posted by dawsey

I think those "green beany things" are green beans Jonny 5555555555

Does Ij mean those little green hard pea-like thingies they put in curries...they're those baby aubergines...yuk!!! they're horrid!!

As for Tom Yum...once you pick out all the whole/inedible bits there's not much left...but do love it...defo ODd on it the first trip though...hardly ever order it now...

Marcia

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by M & M

Does Ij mean those little green hard pea-like thingies they put in curries...they're those baby aubergines...yuk!!! they're horrid!!

YEP..THATS WHAT IM ON ABOUT...........I DONT LIKE THEM...I ALWAYS TELL THE WAITRESSS TO LEAVE THEM OUT....BUT THIS IS LOS.....I STILL GET THEM.........5555555555...............

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by dawsey

I think those "green beany things" are green beans Jonny 5555555555

THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT YE OLE BASTARD.......555555555..........IJ

[jimholio]

Hmm I have gotten used to the realy spicy meals now or atleast my mouths my eyes and my nose, but my stomache never seems to adjust properly. However with that said i prefer Thai food to be served as Thai food with all that comes with that. Thai food with spices adjusted for the farang is not that appealing to me.