Thursday, May 9, 2013

Yum Yum: Pok Pok

You've probably heard of Pok Pok.  Rave after rave after rave sort of scared me.  Sure, the chef won a James Beard Award, but...Northern Thai by a white guy?  Color me skeptical.  Maybe even worried.  You know how I get about mangled Asian food.

Would the welcoming cat's raised left paw (and Mr. Monkey's following suit) bring us luck?
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My friend Nanette assured me the place was legit delish.  We met her family for lunch.  While the restaurant doesn't have a children's menu, it does have high-chairs and booster seats.  Bring your well-behaved tots with daring appetites!  Little Em was an absolute angel during our meal!  Bravo to Nanette's excellent parenting!

Naam krachiap -- Thai-style iced hisbiscus drink ($3.50).
Naam manao -- fresh-squeezed Thai-style limeade ($3.50).
Cha yen -- Thai iced tea with evaporated milk ($3.50).
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Delightful drinks galore.

Muu paa kham waan -- boar collar meat rubbed with garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed with soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served with chilled mustard greens and a spicy chili-lime-garlic sauce ($13.95).
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Smoky and garlicky meat, meat, meat.  What's not to like?

Phat si ew -- fresh local wide rice noodles, Carlton Farms pork, Chinese broccoli, egg, and black soy sauce stir-fried in a smoking hot wok ($9.50).
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Hey, the kid had to eat something.  Skip if you're not with a kid.  You can get a ton of more interesting stuff.

Ike's spicy Vietnamese fish sauce wings -- half dozen fresh whole natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoo fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad ($13.95).
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The #1 reason to visit Pok Pok!  They are giant and spicy and finger-lickin' fantastic.  They live up to the hype.  I am a believer.  Praise the wings.  Amen.

Sunny's yam wun sen -- spicy and sour glass noodle salad with naem (housemade sour pork sausage), ground pork, Chinese celery, pickled garlic, Thai chilies, shallots, and carrot with lime, fish sauce, garlic oil dressing ($12.50).
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Tangy and packed with porkiness.  Mmm.

Papaya pok pok -- spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, long beans, Thai chili, lime juice, tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, dried shrimp, and peanuts made to order in a pok pok (mortar and pestle) ($8.95).
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If you're a longtime reader, you know I don't like papaya salad, but we couldn't go to Pok Pok and not order the pok pok, right?  Objectively speaking, this was an excellent version.

Pok pok affogato -- condensed milk ice cream drowned in a shot of Vietnamese coffee served with a Chinese fried donut ($7.50).
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An Asian place with good desserts!  What's next?  A unicorn in the bathroom?

Coconut ice cream sandwich -- coconut-jackfruit ice cream served on a sweet bun with peanuts, sweet sticky rice, condensed milk, and chocolate syrup ($7).
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You guys.  YOU GUYS.  OMG.  WHUT.  Yeah.  This happened.  Crazy.  Awesome.

I was wary, but I fell in love with those wings.  You will, too.

8 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you captured this for posterity! It was such a fun time with you guys, as always, and an amazing meal from Pok Pok, as always. xoxo

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  2. What Nanette's kid got is my go-to thai restaurant order.

    ::hangs head in shame::

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    Replies
    1. It's ok. LOL. There's nothing wrong with it. It's often the best thing at run-of-the-mill Thai places. Just don't do it at a Northern Thai place. ;)

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  3. Yummmmmm! Next time you're here, we can go to Whiskey Soda Lounge (and ten other places.) They have some smaller dishes that Pok Pok doesn't offer that are delicious.

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    Replies
    1. I need to visit for at least a month to get through half of our list!

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  4. Replies
    1. I keep getting proven wrong re white folks making Asian food!

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