Thai Cuisine in Boise certainly doesn’t mince words about what is about. They serve Thai food and only Thai food; and they do it extremely well. Walking in, the décor is basic, with plenty of Thai touches to set the mood. The menu is extensive, with plenty of dishes for everyone. They also have a Lunch Specials menu available and currently have a ‘Holiday Specials’ menu that include a Duck Soup, Chicken Soup and also a Duck Curry.
One of the most popular items at thai restaurants is the Galganal and Coconut Chicken Soup. In many Thai places this is called Tom Kha Gai or Tom Kha Kai Soup, but it is basically a somewhat spicy coconut soup with Galangal (a root somewhat like ginger), chicken, mushrooms and assorted vegetables. The luscious rich coconut milk forms the broth, while lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves add to the flavor.
At Thai Cuisine in Boise, baby corn, straw mushrooms and plenty of fresh sliced onions also help round out the Tom Kha Gai Soup. Some mild chiles were used, but the heat level in their version was more subtle than most places and a good choice for those who don’t care for spicy foods. The soup had excellent taste and quite a bit of lemony flavor from the fresh lemongrass stalks. This is one of the better versions of Tom Kha Gai soup around and it is highly recommended to start a meal with it.
One of the other standard, popular dishes in any Thai restaurant is the Phad Prik Khing. This spicy dish consists of fresh green beans, stir-fried with a dry prik khing curry and a choice of protein. At Thai Cuisine, the choices are chicken, beef or tofu, with seafood or shrimps an additional charge. Thai Cuisine’s version was delicious, with plenty of heat in the sauce from the curry. The beef was tender and the green beans tender, crisp and very fresh.
One of the highlights of the menu at Thai Cuisine is the Whole Fried Pompano Fish. The whole fish is deep-fried and served in a beautiful presentation topped with thinly sliced vegetables. Inside, the tender white flesh is succulent and moist. The vegetables that top it can be ordered with one of four sauces. The three-flavor sauce was excellent, with sweet, sour and umami notes bringing the fish’s flavor out without overpowering it. Not only is it a beautiful dish but it is a tasty dish too.
Service was prompt and polite and all dishes came out nicely plated. There are also plenty of dishes with either only vegetables or veggies and tofu to satisfy the vegetarian diner.With the extensive menu at Thai Cuisine in Boise, you could visit many times without ordering the same dish twice. Noodle dishes, appetizers, curries, fried rice, salads and more ensure a wide choice of items and combinations.
The menu does include all the standards like Phad Thai, a Traditional Cashew Shrimp, Chicken Satay, Panang and Mussaman Curry and Pineapple Fried Rice. Add to that interesting, distinctive dishes such as their Shoo Shee Salmon, and interesting pan-fried filet sautéed in olive oil and topped with an original curry sauce and coconut milk; a Seafood Nest with seafood in a basket of crispy noodles and fresh vegetables in a garlic sauce; or Crispy Siamese Tofu and you have plenty of dishes to try.
Thai Cuisine seems to hit all the right notes, serving tasty Thai food without trying to throw in other more trendy dishes from other Asian countries such as sushi. They know what they’re doing and do it well. Whether you are new to Thai food, or an old hand wishing to explore some more adventurous dishes, Thai Cuisine in Boise is bound to have plenty for you to enjoy.
Thai Cuisine
6777 Overland Road
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 658-0516
Photo Gallery follows. all photos by Ed Simon for The Boise Beat.
