Thai cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines internationally, but here in the Philippines, it has yet to reach the same level of acclaim as other cuisines such as Japanese and Spanish. This is perhaps due to the general aversion of Filipinos to spicy food coupled with Thai cuisine’s reputation for fiery dishes. For many, however, Thai cuisine is seen as exotic more than comforting.
Siam Thai BBQ in Pioneer Center, Pasig hopes to turn this notion on its head as it serves authentic Thai dishes that can be seen in many homes and roadside restaurants. Instead of leaning into the exotic reputation that Thai cuisine enjoys, Siam Thai BBQ instead offers dishes with familiar flavors to the Filipino palate, allowing diners to ease their way into an enjoyable journey through Thailand, with the Mookata grill as the grand finale.
Mookata is a traditional meal from Northern Thailand that combines the best of barbecue and hot pot, and is a complete feast on its own. Meat and seafood are grilled on top of the dome, as a light chicken broth simmers at the base of the grill. As the meat and seafood are cooked, the juices flow down into the broth where vegetables and noodles are cooked, absorbing the flavorful soup. This is best paired with the restaurant’s own Thai sweet chili sauce or a mirin-based Japanese sauce.
The restaurant also offers the familiar favorites such as the Pad Thai Noodles which features fresh shrimp, tofu, and egg. There is also the Chicken and Tenderloin Satay which will satisfy any meat lover, all served with a special house dip instead of the usual peanut sauce. The Crispy Fried Catfish with Mango Salad is a savory delight, with catfish meat floss giving the dish maximum crunch with every bite.
For those who want a bite to munch on while waiting for the Mookata to be cooked through, the Prawn Pancake paired with a sweet chili sauce is a treat worth ordering. For those who want a twist on a familiar flavor, the Crispy Chicken Skin with its spicy green dip is a must-have. For those who want more heat, the Red Beef Curry and the Green Chicken curry turns up the temperature with every bite.
Siam Thai takes pride in its authenticity and the Royal Thai Government’s Ministry of Commerce has taken notice of its efforts. It has been awarded the Thai Select Casual Award which is given to overseas restaurants that serve Thai food with Thai taste. Because of this, diners are assured that the dishes Siam Thai offers are truly representative of what it would be like to actually eat in Thailand.
