ランチ向上委員会
This is a Thai restaurant located on Hokusai Street, about a 5-minute walk from Kinshicho Station North Exit. It is a small Thai restaurant run by an individual, with a sign using the colors of the Thai flag as a landmark. The restaurant used to have seating on the second floor as well, but now it has become a Thai traditional massage parlor with the same name. The interior of the restaurant is small but cozy, with Thai handicrafts decorating the space. There are 3 tables for 4 people and 2 tables for 2 people in this small restaurant. They also have karaoke equipment, so it seems like a place where you can enjoy Thai food and karaoke at night. This style is common in individually operated Thai restaurants.
The lunch menu includes 3 set menus, each priced at 780 yen, which is quite affordable. They also have daily specials, and on this day, it was the Khao Man Gai set (880 yen). I tried the following:
- Set A (Thai Curry) Set (780 yen): This set includes Thai curry, mini ramen, salad, dessert, and coffee. The Thai curry is automatically served as green curry without asking for the type. It is a rich coconut-based curry with a hint of sweetness and a good level of spiciness. It has a thick consistency compared to typical Thai curries, giving it a robust flavor. The ingredients include chicken, bamboo shoots, and eggplant. The bamboo shoots are thinly sliced, and the eggplant seems to be fried or grilled, giving it a slightly caramelized color. The amount of ingredients is a bit on the smaller side, but considering the price, it is well-prepared.
- Mini ramen: It is made with rice noodles in a clear and light broth. The broth is likely made from chicken, but it doesn't have a distinct flavor after tasting the curry. The ingredients include chicken, green onions, and celery. It is a mild and easy-to-eat dish without the strong taste of cilantro, making it suitable for everyone.
- Salad: A small salad with a sesame soy-based dressing. It was a bit bland, so adding fish sauce made it more flavorful and tasty.
- Dessert: Tapioca coconut milk dessert. It consists of small greenish tapioca pearls in room temperature coconut milk. After finishing the meal, they serve iced coffee, which is slightly sweet and refreshing.
Overall, even though it lacks cilantro and has fewer ingredients, the restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine at an affordable price. It's a bit of a walk from the station, but it's worth it for the savings. Highly recommended.