The RrrL: Sawasdee–Authentic Thai done right!

visited, 01/2011

Thai cuisine is something Vancouver really lacks off. Despite the popularity, there is nothing really extraordinary. If you want anything that’s out of extraordinary for Thai, I am afraid Vancouver has limited to offer. Maenam offers a special insight to the Thai cuisine, however the menu is quite limited. However, for a casual Thai affair. Sawasdee offers authentic Thai that’s done right!

Sawasdee is located on Main street. A house style restaurant that spues out amazing dishes under amazing speed. I don’t know how they do it, in a crammed house kitchen how can they make so many different wonderful dishes in so little time. And in fact this is the second time I have seen this. In a little town Kent, WA. There is a shockingly amazing Thai called Grandma’s is like this too!

Chicken Satay

The chicken was nice and tender with lots of grill flavors. The preserved cucumber is a wonderfully refreshing treat companying the meat. The nice citrus flavors wash away the heaviness of the meat and peanut sauce. Very nice combination.

Crying Tiger Beef

This is my favorite dish here. The marinated beef was full of flavors, the sauce is what give it the best kicks. I highly suggested ordering the hotter version of the sauce. Give your taste buds some wild rides!

Tom Yum Soup

A Thai meal is never completed without Tom Yum Soup. The Tom Yum soup at Sawasdee has wonderful balance of sourness and sweetness with full of lemon grass flavors. The straw mushroom was firm and chewy.

Phad Priew Wan Gai (Sweet and Sour Chicken)

Sweet and sour was a dish I think that was only ok here. The dish shares much similarity with Chinese cuisine. I don’t really get where is the “Thai” style comes from? However, it is a very balanced dish. Wonderful pineapple flavors with lots of healthy vegetables.

Lastly, the stir fried spinach is also highly recommended. The garlic sauce is exceptional on those vegetables, making you stuffs bowls and bowls of rice down without noticing. It is a little bit too salty to my taste. I really can’t eat that much rice as I was younger.