Prik-Yuak; Exquisite

Prik-Yuak is a breath of fresh air when it comes to traditional Thai cooking. I find that most Thai food especially those catered towards tourists has become homogenised and lacks depth. at Prik-Yuak I love the clean and robust flavours that accompany the dining experience. The restaurant is tucked away at the end of Pradiphat Road, on the premises of an old kindergarten; I love the playfulness of the restaurant, even leaving the old school restrooms and chalkboards to invoke nostalgia. At night, the lighting and wooden aesthetic create a romantic ambience, especially with the live music on weekends. There are also private dining areas for those of you who enjoy your large gatherings.

The food exudes quality and is presented beautifully on terracotta plates with banana leaves. The bright brown and weight of the serving dishes have a certain charm and pops on the table. The dishes are made fresh and are served hot. The freshness of the ingredients is exampled by the density of the crab meat in hoy jor, which is perfectly fried and well seasoned, making it satisfying to eat. The size of each piece is generously portioned and reasonably priced for the quality of the product. The best version I've ever eaten, a statement I find myself making for most of their dishes.

I highly recommend their Panang pork curry, which is a southern-style curry and is my favourite dish because of the intensity of the curry paste as well as the tender pork. I suspect they use shredded roasted coconut to enhance the sauce and give it sweetness. Eaten with rice this curry absolutely satisfying and filled with meatiness and umami. The balance of spices is perfect.

Prik-Yuak is the restaurant I would recommend to anyone visiting Bangkok or anyone who has never tried it. Something accessible to all whilst having authentic Thai flavours. A place that is perfect for bringing a large group and sharing many dishes or just a simple one-dish lunch. they are a relatively extensive menu, with many choices. The presentation is classic but clean and pays homage to another older era of Thai food. Although it has a humble atmosphere being located in the middle of a renovated school, don't be deceived by the simple plating, there is a high level of nuance in the technique and flavour balancing. A must-visit.