Koon Thai Kitchen revisited

It seems like I do a post on Koon Thai at just about one year intervals...so I guess it's that time again! Before things got really busy around these parts, I managed to grab lunch with two of my co-workers, Stephanie and Lily, who are wonderful eating companions. Both of them have been to Sab E Lee before, so I thought it would be nice to drop by Koon Thai.

There have been a few changes since the last time I visited. There's some new specials and sadly, some items, though still on the menu, like the Nham Khao Tod are no longer served. On this day the Kha Pao Moo Krob and the Pad Cha Pla Tod were a no go as well.

Still, we managed to order more than enough food. Here's a round-up.

We started with the Nam Tok - Beef ($9.95):

I could tell by the color and the fragrance, or lack thereof, that this wasn't going to be a great dish. The beef was fairly tender, but the flavors were really lacking....not enough lime juice, not enough heat (at a 7), not enough fish sauce, just not enough......

I was never a fan of the Pad See Ew here, but thought I'd give it another try. So we ordered the chicken version ($8.95):

The was mediocre at best...to mushy and watery, not the best display of wok skills for this simple dish that is deceptively hard to execute well. Not enough heat, needed a bit more of the caramelized soy sauce-sugar flavor. The chicken was prepped decently.

Things began looking up when the Ka Na Moo Krob (Crispy pork belly with Gailan - $9) arrived.

The pork had a nice chewwy-crunchy texture, the flavors (mild garlic-sugar-soy-fish sauce) were nicely balanced, and the gailan were cooked perfectly.

The Pla Sahm Rod ($12) was even better.

I may complain about the wok technique, but these folks sure know how to fry. Crisp, light, and moist, along with what many would think of as classic Thai flavors.

Of course I had to order the Khao Karr Moo ($7.99).

For some reason, this dish always takes us back to a Hospital Food Court of all places in Thailand. This simmered pork shank dish, obviously Chinese influenced, is just plain hearty comfort food. Lily told me this reminded her of something her dad would make.......

In the end, thought not everything went over well; there were more good than bad dishes, making Koon my second favorite Thai restaurant in the area.

Koon Thai Kitchen
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

 

Comments

[Faye]

I've been here once and thought the food was alright. But I haven't re visted for some time and a few of your dishes look really good. The Ka Na Moo Krob - is that the lunch portion you ordered?

[nhbilly]

Hey hey hey...stop it...stop it...At least you have Thai food ;-)
I'm still searching.
The pictures looks good.

[caninecologne]

Bummer about the Nam Khao Tod! I remember when this place was Curry House.

[Kirk]

Hi Faye - No it was the regular portion. And for $9 it ain't bad.

LOL Billy! I hope you find a place.

Hi CC - Yeah, I don't think SD was ready for a Japanese Curry shop, plus the price point was kind of high for corporate/chain Japanese Curry.

[foodhoe]

Yeah the two colorful dishes and that last dish look and sound really good! Funny that it brings back memories about a hospital food court, I don't usually equate hospital food with comfort...

[Kirk]

Hi FH - Even the hospital food courts serve good food in Thailand! Funny, huh?

[Julie]

I don't know about the authenticity since I am not as knowledgeable about thai food, but I had the Massaman Kai Roti and it was delicious. I wanted to lick the bowl.... :)
My hubby always orders the same thing at every thai place, Pad Thai. He enjoyed it.

[Kirk]

Well the main thing is that you enjoy it Julie. For me, I'm not a big fan of the word "authentic".....I do enjoy flavors that are true to the style of food, with good cooking technique, is prepared well, and with good taste, texture, and fragrance. Because it matters to me....