Starchy Marie wrote about our visit to
Ruen Pair with
Delicious Coma,
Eat Sip Chew, and
Wandering Chopsticks ages ago. What can I say? I'm a lagger.
But I have a big yellow arrow showing you which sign is
Ruen Pair's at this popular Thai Town strip mall. That's got to count for something.
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Just in case you forget where you are while you're eating, this back wall reminds you very clearly. Thanks,
Ruen Pair!
Stir-fried morning glory with soy bean sauce (market price).
![ruen pair 014](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4369916906_045ffaafc6.jpg)
A solid version of my favorite green vegetable.
Papaya salad -- sliced papaya mixed with green bean, tomato, dried shrimp, lime juice, ground peanuts, and fresh crab ($5.95).
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After having many papaya salads, I can now say this with confidence -- I don't like papaya salad. Yes, I habitually eat things that I don't really love multiple times before I kick them out of my rotation; I like to give all foods a fair shake. But, as far as papaya salads go, this one was a good and spicy one.
Salty vegetable and ground pork in clear soup ($5.95).
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This reminded me of soups that my mom used to make when I was a kid. Simple but magically perfectly salty.
Deep-fried pompano with spicy chili dressing (market price).
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The best dish of the night for me. It's fried fish! With a humongous dish of chili sauce! What's not to like?
Green curry chicken with bamboo shoots, basil, and coconut milk ($5.95).
Pleasant and calming after a fairly fiery papaya salad.
Stew[ed] duck noodles ($5.95) (ordered dry).
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Loved this. My second-fave dish. It has duck in it. Duh.
After dinner, we crossed the parking lot to
Bhan Kanom Thai for dessert.
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Ever wonder what a Thai sweets store is like? Wonder no more.
Panchi -- taro, corn, shredded coconut, sugar (6 for $2.50 or 10 for $4). Grilled sticky rice with banana -- banana, sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar ($1.25).
![ruen pair 037](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4369934036_da64638df1.jpg)
This is a prime example of why I try things that I don't like. I don't like taro. I don't like coconut. But guess what? I effing love panchi! Paaaaanchi! Hot and golden and crunchy and not too sweet. Super good.
The grilled sticky rice was lovely, too. Mr. Monkey was very happy that I brought it home for him.
The panchi stole my heart, though. I thought about it all night, even after all the wonderful dishes at
Ruen Pair.