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2015-04-07
1135 浏览
True Thai cuisine is unpretentious. It's only across more than 17 countries have i tried and tested Thai food because it is either done right, or not. There is no such thing as a 'go-between'. Fancy Thai restaurants with photos of royality, golden buddhas, etc have rarely provided the flavour of a country so known for its warmth, hospitality and freshness of food. So, the idea of an authentic Thai spot in lazy Tsing Yi, atop a hill that's so rarely out of my domain proved a challenge on an Easte
A gingerly stroll from Tsing Yi station, the summer breeze helped me drift upward to Chung Hei Estate, hearing on the way, some canto hits presumably from some local star like Arron's Cock or Leon's Lai or Jason Mok and as i drew nearer, a string of Delay No More (s) from Chuppies on their way back home after more Tsing Taos than they should have had.
The restaurant itself came as a pleasant surprise. Unpretentious, it is a small warmly lit, cosy little place seating a happy lot of local patrons. I spot a couple in the corner slurping noodles amidst kisses, a few families celebrating some joyous occassion, a few 'foreigners' evidently sweating to satisfaction and kids happilly chasing a puppy in the corner.
I get a seat quickly and order the fresh lime juice, a spicy Thai beef salad and steamed rise. Just for safety, i get a Chang beer and Sprite with which i create a Shandy of sorts.
The owner, a guy called Simon is an entrepreneur who is in no hurry to get rich quick. Local pragmatic wisdom keeps him content to provide the 'real deal'. The chefs are encouraged to make every dish that much 'extra special' so as to create a word-of-mouth reputation.
While the white walls and somewhat sparse decoration could soon be a thing of the past, the main attraction is the service. The local boys (waiters) run around, darting in the direction of every raised hand and yes, the meals do arrive with remarkable speed.
My fresh lime juice (siu theem/little sugar) arrives and yes, it is perfect! The Thai beef salad garners top marks for both, presentation and mouthwatering appeal.
I add the customeary chilli power and vinegar to the salad and the first mouthful of crunchy onions and leaves delivers a bouquet of flavours as the tastes of fish sauce, mint, basil leaves, lime juice, corriander leaves, lemon greass, chilli etc fill the heart as much as they do the soul!
I break into a sweat and being follically challenged, the first drops begin sliding down my head and onto my glasses.
The steam rice arrive in the restaurant's 'no-frill' bowl and from thereon the whole restaurant begins to fade away and in my mind's eye i sit on a roadside stool in traffic congested Bangkok enjoying each and every mouthful of God's eternal grace!
I hear the sqarking of horns, the skrieks of breaks, the passing tuk-tuks and smell Sandalwood from the nearby massage shop that i will visit after this simple but heavenly meal.
I look up to the afternoon sun (it's actually late evening where by body is) and give thanks for His abundance. The marvellous magic and mouthwatering mayhem contnues until i feel a tap on the shoulder. It's Simon offeirng me a stack of tissues to wipe off the sweat. I wash down the spicy treat with chilled beer and a sweet coconut-sago treat later leave, with a song in my heart. I've been to Thailand in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong! Now what could be better? Huh?
Khob-kun-Krub
题外话/补充资料:
If you don't speak Cantonese, best bookmark this page and show the taxi driver the Cantonese address that appears at the top left corner.
(以上食记乃用户个人意见 , 并不代表OpenRice之观点。)
张贴