There’s very little Thai that I know but growing up next door to a Thai family I learned to say “aroy” which I’m told means yummy. And, as Nepalis with a tongue for all that is tangy and spicy, we do usually find Thai food yummy.
The Pad Thai and Tom Yum Soup have almost become a staple diet of not just those in the country but for many nationalities across the world.
For those of us in the Kathmandu valley there is just one place to go for a satisfying Thai meal. And that would have to be Yin Yang.
Of course in a mid-October chilly Saturday afternoon, the Tom Yam Soup is a must. Served in a deep bowl one order is plenty for a few. Although with three of us seated around and just four shrimps in the bowl you do find yourself wanting more, the portion of the dish is large enough that you’d be willing to trade down for the mushroom or other vegetable floating in the soup.
Alongside the hot tangy liquid we ordered the Green Papaya Salad – apparently the papaya when green carries more nutrients than when orange. A perfect summer salad it gently balanced out the heat of the Soup consumed first. But, the dried prawns are a disappointment. They could have been served crunchier or they could have been substituted for fresh ones - the dried seafood drenched in papaya juice was too soft on the outside and too chewy on the inside.
But Yin Yang redeemed itself because then we were fed the most perfect dish ever – jumbo deep fried shrimps! At a whopping Rs.100-PLUS a piece (making it Rs.600+ for six pieces) it’s not easy on the pocket. But, it sure melts easy in your mouth. The batter, still hot from the oil, is crunchy, flavorful and compliments the softness of the shrimp that it coats. The saucy is absolutely delightful and a favorite of all around the table.
Finally we inched our way towards the main course and had the whole grilled fish in coconut sauce. Since we all were a bit cautious of the “coconut” we asked for the sauce to be served on the side. (Side note: The server was every bit willing to accommodate. Actually, he even helped us find the exact fish dish we were looking for as we couldn’t remember what we’d eaten and enjoyed the previous month!)
The fish is not menacing in size but after sharing three starters it’s not too bad. You definitely have to order plain rice on the side as the fish on its own may be all too tangy. Of course at this point we were on tangy dish #4 for the afternoon, but I realized there is such a thing as too much tangyness. As we made our way through the fish (bones and all as it were deep fried and beautifully crunchy) I realized I would have wanted something more mellow.
Perhaps a glass of water, or ten. I spent the rest of the afternoon wishing I had refrained from drowning my fish in the tangy coconut sauce. Next time I’m chewing on the good old fish on its own, most likely without the sauce.
Since Valley Foodie can’t cook and hates to clean up after creating havoc in the kitchen while frying eggs in place of a “real meal” the only option she has is to explore and to eat. You may think such an individual could not provide solid food reviews, but really, it’s the opposite (because she watches Master Chef). Anyway, who says the way to a man’s stomach alone is through food?
Visit our business page for Yin Yang Restaurant, Thamel @