Yhingthai Palace @ Purvis Street

Saveur was the reason for heading to Purvis Street but a queue of 30 people put us off so bad, we went directly opposite to seek comfort at Yhingthai Palace. A complete contrast to what we picked initially. Packed with most tables reserved, I wonder if most reserved tables really had occupants since they removed one for mine.



Cushy surroundings, literally.



Loving the hot pink menus!



Som Tum ($15)
Thai papaya salad served with fried chicken strips




Fiery spicy salad...the type that would leave the nostrils flaring. Absolutely shiok, if I had to add. Mighty punch of spices and just the way it should really be. Pooh to all the other milder and lacklustre ones. Two thumbs up for the crisp fried chicken strips too - complementary much!



Gaeng Keow Wan Kai ($15)
Chicken cooked in homemade green curry paste with Thai brinjals and string beans in coconut milk

Tasty concoction of spices and boneless meat. Easy to slurp and pair with rice.



Tom Yam Kung ($7)
Prawns cooked in spicy sour soup

No thai meal is complete without Tom Yam Kung, almost the most legitimate yardstick on its authenticity. Yhingthai's rendition does not need many ingredients - infact, just pranws and lemon grass with chilli yet it is sizzling hot! Memorably so, as well. I am a stickler for the addictive burning sensation that it sends down the throat and makes me miss Thailand even more.



Khao Ob Supparot ($15)
Pineapple Rice

It has to be Thai Jasmine rice for this stellar dish - well greased chewy grains tossed in egg, prawns and pineapple. Pork floss thrown in to further flavour. I only wish we had this in a larger portion!



Kuay Teow Phad Thai ($20)
Rice noodles with seafood

It was truly a mistake to have this in medium and pineapple rice small, this was way too sweet despite our attempts to neutralize the sweetness with lime. Four limes and it became too sour. Talk about lousy precision sometimes!

The strands of kuay teow were springy and delightful, I just fault the seasoning of it.



Mun Chium ($4)
Tapioca with fresh coconut cream

I usually pick mango sticky rice as the only thai dessert but decided to check this out. With sweetness like icing chestnuts - not cloying but really sweet. Cubes of tapioca with a certain chewiness to it and drizzled with a savoury-sweet coconut cream. Liked it!

 


Thai Lemon Grass Drink ($3.50)

One of the better lemon grass drinks attempted, pleasantly sweet.



Thai Young Coconut ($5.50)

I reckon the price tag made this sweeter than it should be.



Thai Iced Tea ($4)

Potent one and definitely worth a try!

I get the fuss about Yhingthai, Singapore's best? Arguably so...I shall refrain from crowning it one until I have tried the rest - Amara's Thanying, Jim Thompson and all the other little joints around. Until then, it is one that has surprised and wowed on many grounds. Quality of food aside, service at Yhingthai is subpar. It took me more than half a meal to get my fork delivered and more than frantic waving to add orders.

Yhingthai Palace
Purvis Street