You know how we all strive for authenticity when the topic of cuisine from around the world arrives. Questions like where do we go for the best pho, or who serves the definitive ‘fire-exploded kidney flowers’ and indeed if we can’t make it to the Andes where in London can we seek out The Cuy chactado instead? It’s always gratifying to witness Italians (fussy lot they are) dining in Locatelli but wouldn’t been seen embalmed in Café Uno, or Asians (ditto fussy) tucking in at Tayyabs instead of let’s say a typical curry improvisation like Mill Hill Tandoori and of course the Chinese (fussy but thankfully blessed with enough appropriate eateries in the capital) wouldn’t touch Mr Chow with a barge pole.
Esarn Kheaw is one such restaurant, it fits the criteria of the first paragraph; real Thai food (well the Northeast at least) and Thai diners have been seen dining here (an amazing feat in itself). EK is located in the United Nations’ vicinity of West London otherwise known as Shepherd’s Bush.
Mr Puntar
Oh, lest I forget, another good test for whether the tag of ‘The Real Thai’ is deserved; the entire side of one of the walls at EK is wholly dedicated (or enshrined) to the King and Queen of Thailand, a commitment beyond belief!The food here is authentic. I’m qualified to state this, as three of my Thai buddies are chefs working in various inferior conjoined Thai/pub joints. If they want some Thai, this is apparently the only place in London worth its ‘pad thai’.
Super intense Tom Yum Koong- properly sour, spicy and wonderfully fragrant. Lovely soup.
Spiced Papaya Salad (Northeast style)- pungent, sour and super chilli hot. Excellent.
Son-in-Law’s Eggs (famous Thai standard)- deep fried (hard boiled) egg in sweet and sour sauce. This has got to be one of the biggest rip off dishes in the history of catering. I’m effectively looking at one sliced up egg (battery dare I say) and we’ve been charged £6.95 for it. Poor show Mr Puntar!
Num Prik Pla Sod (Northeast special)- should be renamed numb sod. Although initially tantalising, this fishy dip served with raw veg progressively became inedible, its Scoville rating must have been prohibitive. The Thais don’t do lassi (wish they had), the cold lemonades we had did very little to extinguish the fire on our tongues.
Spiced Pork (another Northeast special)- Chargrilled pork. Amazing, but eaten with care due to the copious amount of chopped Bird's Eye peppers.EK is a bloody marvel of a restaurant, once you’ve been here it’s unlikely you’ll want to seek out the other so called Thai restaurants (except perhaps my much loved Market Grill). Absolute authenticity of any cuisine does not always appeal to every member of the public but at least we must all be grateful to EK for its existence; real Thai served here mate, take it or leave it!
My previous review at Trusted Places.
314 Uxbridge Road
Shepherd's Bush
London. W12 7LJ
3 comments:
Yum! I think I like the sound of the spiced pork, though I'd worry about the chopped peppers! I prefer whole peppers that I can see and pick out. I know what you mean about Mr Chow! Husband got taken there for a business meeting and came back with a report. He's English, but eats where I tell him to eat, and knows his Chinese food. It attracts a certain crowd...
''but eats where I tell him to eat,...''- Love that! :D
This is without doubt the best Thai restaurant in London, and I've been to most -including so called high end Thai restaurants. Nothing compares or comes close to the authentic cuisine you'll get here. I've been a fan since it opened in the very early nineties. Must take exception to description of the owner as grumpy. Your picture is of the head waiter who is, it's true, a quiet man, but very sincere with a big heart when you get to know him. The owners are Mongkol and his wife Miao and their son Thames and it would be hard to find a friendlier family. If you don't see them when you first arrive, just ask to say hello, they will most likely be in the kitchen making the delicious food. Definitely try the spicy sea food soup. My other favourite is cats fish north east style. But everything is good here. Happy eating
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