Sukho Thai – Thai Food that is REALLY Thai Food

I like Thai food.  I live in what is known as the GTA. Mississauga to be specific, and it seems to me there is an Asian restaurant on every second block, be it Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese etc. I say that not to mean, but to express a point. Asian restaurants are everywhere.

How do you know what’s good, bad authentic, or not authentic.

I don’t read online review sites..I think they’re sketchy, and likely employees saying great things or disgruntled employees saying bad things.

Where does that leave me? It leaves me to take a chance and go blindly into the night, or read food blogs. I enjoy food bloggers who write from the heart, not the ones who get paid to say whatever they’re told.

I’ve heard the whisperings of a Thai restaurant that is not a fast food Thai restaurant.I’d heard it’s authentic Thai cuisine.

My close friend Jean, well she is like a walking Wikipedia when it comes to dining, the contemporary food, holes in the wall, fine dining. She knows what’s up.She’s mentioned on more than a few occasions that Sukho Thai is just awesome.

Finally, last night, we went.

This is my write up on Suko Thai. They didn’t pay me, they don’t know me.I’m writing this because I enjoyed my experience.

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We started with our customary beer. This time we chose Blanche De Chambly.

Beer from France; It worked.

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I suggested to Jean that she order, since she’s been there before. I knew this would also guarantee amazing. Jean knows food.

We started with TOM YUM KUNG:

Thailand’s most popular soup; (with good reason).

Hot and sour shrimp soup with Galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coriander, onions and tomatoes.

Served with rice  (starter portion also available)

We got it spicy. It was delicious. I don’t like lemons, but for some reason, this soup was really delicious. They added lots of mushrooms to it; Menu doesn’t mention that, but the mushrooms made this a winner.

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The first entree up was

GAENG MASAMAN:

Masaman curry with peanuts, potatoes, onions, shallots, coconut milk and tamarind sauce. Choice of chicken, beef or tofu and served with rice.  Aromatic coconut curry with a tamarind twist.

Anything with coconut or curry, or peanuts or tamarind..that’s usually a good sign. This was good. If you’re unsure what to order; this is a good entree to order. It’s very tasty, not spicy and it tickles your tastebuds with all the wonderful flavors.

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The other entree that Jean ordered is a personal favorite for her.

Khao Soi is a dish that instantly replaced my love of Paid Thai. Paid Thai and Pad Sew are now relegated behind this dish.

Yellow noodles in curry gravy with green onions, coriander and a light, crispy noodle topping.  Choice of chicken or beef.  A specialty from Northern Thailand, it’s got a lot of texture and even more flavour.

The flavor was so intoxicating, I literally wanted to drink the curry gravy, seriously, it’s an 11 out of 10.Texture and Flavor, it has both.

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They have a few locations. They have the original location at 274 Parliament St. Jean says it’s smaller and more intimate than the location we went too. That was located at 52 Wellington St. E. There is also a location at 1442 Dundas St. W.

I like to support businesses that have a footprint in the community. The story behind Sukho Thai is quite incredible and beautiful, and it goes like this.

IT ALL STARTED ON AN ELEPHANT – hence the logo. That’s where he met the girl of his dreams.  He was backpacking in jungles of Northern Thailand. One special day had him as the comfortor of a terrified stranger on an elephant ride.  After making Nuit’s acquaintance he found her to be a kind, hard working nurse at the local hospital and, wow, could she cook! The flavours that came out of her little kitchen was extraordinary.

Fast forward a couple of years and they opened a cozy little restaurant in Pai, Thailand, called the Curry Shack. Nuit would come in to cook dinner every night after her shift at the hospital.  Everything was prepared to the finest detail as she infused her meticulous nursing habits and knowledge of health to her cooking, creating her own unique style.  It was a hit with the frequent travelers as well as the Thai locals.  People just couldn¹t help but notice the enthusiasm of the local nurse who finally got the chance to showcase her other skills.

PLUS THE FOOD WAS JUST AWESOME!

He finally snatched her off the ‘singles’ list in 2004 and Nuit came with him back to Canada.  By 2008, with the much needed help from family and true friends, they opened Sukhothai.  Their goal was simple:  Make real Thai food. Recreate the exact experience they had back in Thailand.

The results were better than they had ever imagined.  The reviews from customers and the local media have been flattering to say the least He always knew that Nuit was special in the kitchen, but never expected such a great response.

Knowing this story, how can I not support them…if you like Authentic Thai Cuisine, what are you waiting for?

Enjoy you dinner,

Oaks

Find them on Twitter at @SukhoThaifood

Or their website at http://www.sukhothaifood.ca/