By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Thai cuisine here has become increasingly popular but many of the restaurants are pricey, making the exotic dishes delicacies rather than everyday meals.
But Thai in Myeong-dong, called ``Ssalguksueui Jeonseol,'' or ``legend of rice noodle,'' offers something palpably different ― in style, substance and price.
We visited Thai during lunchtime on a weekday and were intrigued to find such an obscure place amid the hustle and bustle of Myeong-dong. Quietly tucked away on the second floor of one of the numerous buildings that crowd the area, the place definitely isn't a hot spot for first dates.
Thai has foregone the ornate decorations and floral motifs usually found in its local equivalents. It is instead lined with rather discolored family restaurant-style booths, TV screens playing Thai pop music videos and a few local paper lanterns.
But as the clock ticked past noon, businessmen and women started filing in. Once we figured out how the self-service policy worked and experienced the down-to-earth goodness of the food ― and the prices ― it was no mystery why the place proudly has the word ``legend'' on its nameplate.
Thai operates like a cafeteria typically found in malls and department stores. You seat yourself and the waiter brings you the menu, and the service ends there. Flipping through the menu can take a while, since there is a lot offered.
We chose the restaurant's namesake dish, along with Kuidieo Moo (spicy rice noodle soup, 4,500 won), Phad Thai (5,500 won) and green curry with rice (6,000 won). On the side we added a meat dish, Phad Kraprao Moosub (9,500), an extra bowl of rice and drinks (sodas are 1,000 won each).
You need to make the order yourself at the cashier, which is located at the center of the restaurant (we were surprised to find our entire meal cost less than 30,000 won). The cashier gives you two receipts, including one with your order number. Back in our seats, we waited patiently for our number to appear on the digital screen above the kitchen counter.
When our magic digit finally flashed on the screen, we brought back the modest-looking meals on trays. But don't let the humble looks of the restaurant and the minimal service fool you.
Thai is like the famous ``gukbapjip'' (Korean rice soup restaurants) or ``gogijip'' (barbecue places) ― it has an air of reserve but richness in taste.
Thai's chef brings to the restaurant know-how that was cultivated through his tenure at the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok. The food tasted different from the usual Thai cuisine in Korea; it seemed less localized but was also milder, with a homemade touch.
The spicy noodle soup was not as spicy as the menu described it, though it definitely had a very refreshing tang. The noodles were thin and chewy, and the thin, white slices of pork tasted savory.
The Phad Thai ― stir-fried rice noodles with ground peanuts, lemon, ground pepper, eggs and bean sprouts ― seemed very simple compared to the colorful ones you get at other Thai eateries. But it did not disappoint, and was thoroughly enjoyable to the last bite, as the sweet-and-sour flavor was tastefully curbed down to a minimum.
The green curry with rice, featuring chunks of chicken and bell pepper, was delightful. The smooth, mild taste makes it palatable for even those who aren't big fans of curry. It is recommended to order rice for the ground basil pork dish, Phad Kraprao Moosub, which is comparatively spicy.
Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located near Smoothie King Myeong-dong. Call (02) 773-1352.