Thai food always takes me back in time.

One of my first ever travels with friends was to Thailand, and I remember the breathtaking bustle of the roads, with dusty cars and loudly decorated tuk-tuks reigning the cityscape. The flavours of Thai food brings me right smack back into days spent laughing with friends, sharing food, and chatting about anything and everything under the sky.

The Place With the best kind of friendships, anything goes. So how apt it was that I stepped into the warmth of Un Yang Kor Dai, which literally translates into “Anything Goes”. The interior of the space is peppered with symbols of Thai culture, from woven baskets to portraits of rural communities. This intertwined with lively conversations – both Singaporean and Thai accents punctuated the air – and welcomed us into the busy atmosphere.

Heaving myself into the bench with some fatigue from the work week, I was unspeakably relieved to be dining with old friends, and took heart in the name of the restaurant.

The Food In the spirit of Un Yang Kor Dai, I’m gonna begin with the end. At the end, we were bursting with food and laughter. I left the restaurant with my belly and heart full.

The Final Spoon

My final spoon went to Thai Milk Tea Pudding (S$5.50). This little jiggly wiggly littly thing packs a full punch of Thai milk tea flavor, the perfect roundup to our Friday meal. We were all of us surprised by how rich and flavourful this nondescript pudding was, and is easily my favourite dish of the night. A must order!

The Feast Proper

Before this food coma roundoff came an astonishing spread of dishes; Kratip (S$2), a mix of black and white glutinous rice served in a little woven basket. This was perfect accompaniment to the Pa-nang Curry with Beef (S$24.90) which gave a heady stream of coconut flavor whilst bringing out the tender beef slices well. Like – I would come back and eat this by myself.

I am not a fan of eggplants (either the real thing or the emoji), so I had a plastered polite smile on my face as the Grilled Eggplant with Minced Pork and Hot Basil (S$14.50) was put at our table. Surreptitiously moving things on my plate to make it appear more full, I painfully accepted a small serving of the dish.

Well wow pow. The eggplant with minced pork with basil with spice is a mindblowing combination. It. Actually. Works. I conceded defeat and made way on my plate for more.

The Opening Act

Right before I was proven wrong (does anyone else notice adult life has plenty such moments or is it just me?) I was kicking back with some loud soup slurping. Leng Zaab (S$28) is massive even for a small serving, and holds notes of the showy rice wine burnt right in front of us. It’s lit, literally. It’s an interesting switch from the familiar Tom Yam Soup, but did not hold much sway for us.

Beginning the trend of huge servings was the Stuffed Whole Squid with Tom Yum Fried Rice (S$23.90) which tastes as filling as it sounds. I am a big fan of seafood and spice, and this dish, with the spicy sauce, gave me the much needed kick of anticipation for what was to come.

Alongside this was the signature Signature Grilled Chicken (S$12) which tasted like char siew, except it’s chicken. Perhaps we held too high hopes for this namesake dish, but it had not actually transported us to foodie nirvana. Saving appetite for the rest.

The Pre Game

I love me some cute tringkets, and the age-old tingkat is one of those symbols of yore that screams “Good Old Days!!!” That the meal began with Spicy Pomelo Thai Salad with Fresh Prawns (S$17.90) really boded well for the meal ahead, and the freshness of the prawn brought me right back to the street-side meals I continue to enjoy in Thailand.

Rants We were underwhelmed by what were intended to be signature dishes.

Will I Return Again? For the Thai Milk Pudding, Beef Curry and glutinous rice, a certain yes.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

Make your reservations instantly at Un Yang Kor Dai here.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Un Yang Kor Dai
57 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058688
Tel: +65 6787 8575

 

 

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Thursday: 11:00 am to 3:00pm; 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:00am to 3:00pm; 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 3:00pm; 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Closed on Mondays

Ranted by RanBee