So what better way to celebrate a workday birthday than by continuing the quest for Newcastle's best Thai food?
Tom Yum Goong (small size), $8
This is one of those rare yummy things that just taste like it's doing you good. I'm quite new to tom yum soup - the "sour soup" description has always thrown me - but I'm well on my way to being addicted now.
(Sidenote - I was sick as a dog with the flu a few weeks ago and all I craved was tom yum soup. And sleep. And orange juice. If that doesn't mean it's good for you I don't know what is).
Yeah, this is awesome. This version is apparently a bit heavier on the coconut milk than traditional Tom Yum soup is meant to be, but I actually rate it higher than the other versions I've tried. It's spicy, a tiny bit creamy, very tart, very fresh. Tastes like healthy!
The soup itself if made up of oyster mushrooms, tom yum paste, lemongrass (I'm not a lemongrass fan, but this is used delicately enough that it enhances rather than overpowers), chilli, basil, coconut milk, spring onions, lime, and... prawns.
Surprisingly, the dud point here were the prawns. Obviously frozen and pretty much tasteless, these added absolutely nothing to the dish. Hell, I don't love oyster mushrooms and I enjoyed them more than the prawns. Shellfish fail.
Satay Chicken Skewers with Rice ($10 lunch special)
It's hard to go wrong with chicken satay. It's also hard to do it really well. This version falls somewhere in the middle. The sauce is great - creamy, spicy, a massive health hazard to anyone with peanut allergies - but the chicken is very dry. I wonder if they're using the more expensive chicken breast instead of cheaper but sturdier chicken thigh?
Still, I give this one an 8/10. Mmm. Nom.
Pad See Ew with Beef ($10, lunchtime special)
I have never been a fan of Pad See Ew. I've seen it ordered, enjoyed, reviewed and raved about too many times to count, but I've always thought it either a. too bland or b. a bit of a cop-out.
Holy crap, I love it when I'm wrong. Also, I'm not ordering thai food from food courts anymore. Even the awesome ones in Market City.
This is fantastic. Tiron actually ordered it a while ago from Mon's and I was pretty sure he was onto a good thing when I found myself snacking on leftovers in the middle of the night. Nom.
It's amazing to think that such a simple dish can be so satisfying. Thick noodles,chinese greens, beef, a couple of eggs, some thick soy sauce. This version tastes like it's got a little garlic and a fair shake of black pepper tossed in as well and the finished product is just amazing. So comforting, so tasty, so freaking good.
Thai Fried Rice with Pork ($10, lunch special)
Oh man, this is good. I love fried rice (I'd love to be one of those girls who only eats steamed rice and avoids fried rice like the plauge, but why deny yourself of something so awesome?), so fried rice is one of my standard measuring-points for Chinese and Thai restaurants.
Congratulations Mon's, you now top my list. And to the lovely lady taking my order who suggested pork as we'd already covered the other options - seafood, chicken, and beef - you have my thanks. Pretty much going to be the standard protein in fried rice from now on.
Oh, you want specifics? God, you guys are pushy. Ok. This is not a dish for dieters. The only vegetables here are for taste or garnish, not for nutrition. Having said that, I felt better after gorging on this than I have on any other Thai fried rice - less overwhelming desire to take a nap, more a mild thought that I should have eated the cucumber garnish and it'd probably be nice to take a walk after dinner.
The pork is fantastic, both mild enough to soak up the surrounding flavours and and and tender enough that each piece is good just on its own. The rice is flavoured with a sweeter soy and a little more garlic than usual, which just serves to make it even more-ish.
Will we be back? Hell, yes.
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