04 April 2011

Somjit Thai: More than your average fish cake, Surry Hills (23 Mar 2011)

316 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.somjitthai.com.au


Nice take on fish cakes

Somjit Thai was established in 2003 by Ben and Gayle Kanchanapume as a tribute to Ben's mother, Somjit Kanchanapume. Somjit is the inspiration behind Ben's passion for Thai cooking and many of the traditional recipes at Somjit Thai.

I fondly remember trying the Fish cake ($8.20, 4 pieces) many years ago at this cheap and cheerful Thai restaurant and was pleasantly glad to see they’re still serving them up the same way. They’re nicely presented with a tasty sweet chilli dressing topped with cucumber, carrot and coriander. They look a lot more appetising than your plain looking fish cake served on its own which many Thai restaurants seem to do. The Pad Kra Prao ($9.50) of stir fried tofu with thai basil and chilli with mixed vegetables packs quite a chilli kick which is thankfully diffused a bit by the Jasmine steamed rice ($3 per serve). I noticed soft shell crab on the menu which I hope to try next time — I can’t stop myself when I see this dish on a menu. The seating is clean and basic and sitting outside might be a little scary being so close to Taylor Square but there’s a handy bottle shop, albeit expensive, across the road if you’re in need of a BYO.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Reasonable prices, Tasty dishes, A decent variety of menu choices
CONS: No air con so can get a little warm and stuffy inside, Not the safest area in town so watch your bags outside, Limited seating
MUST TRY: Fish cake, Other dishes on the menu


Fish cake ($8.20, 4 pieces)

Pad Kra Prao: Stir fried tofu with thai basil and chilli with mixed vegetables ($9.50)

Jasmine steamed rice ($3 per serve)

Laminated menu — tough, durable and easy to keep clean

Table water promptly brought out without asking

Service counter and specials board above

Meet Mr Chilli Plant in the window — I wonder if they're used in the kitchen, they look hot!



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Somjit Thai on Urbanspoon

5 comments:

Dumpling Girl said...

I love a good fish cake :)

joey@forkingaroundsydney said...

Stir-fried tofu looks tasty.

Esther said...

I tried this place a few weeks back and thought it was a bit greasy for my liking.

I didn't get to to try the Fish Cakes though...think I'll have to give it another shot. I think it also might be better for eat-in rather than take-out. Wish they had thai iced tea...every good thai place should!

susan said...

Oh I came here once years ago, when I used to work in Surry hills. Good to see it's still going strong.

Simon Leong said...

hi dumpling girl, me too. i remember Prasits Northside on Crown St made excellent ones but they're no longer around :-(

hi joey, stir fried anything is always tasty hehe

hi esther, definitely better when you eat in. take away doesn't work for quite a few dishes when it starts getting soggy. wish they had thai iced tea too but i haven't tried that before.

hi susan, seems to be a stayer.

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