Yauatcha at Quest mall hosted Nara Thai, a renowned Thai restaurant for a weekend pop-up recently. Nara Thai, which hails from Bangkok and has two outlets in Mumbai, is known for its authentic taste with the true essence of Thai flavours. Chef Prem Pradhan, the executive chef of Nara Thai India, crafted a special menu for the pop-up including the best of Nara Thai’s offerings. “Yauatcha’s collaboration with Nara Thai, both being dining experiences by Aditya Birla Group, signifies our commitment to offering the residents of Calcutta an authentic taste of Thailand. We’ve carefully crafted a menu that captures the essence of Thai cuisine, with aromatic herbs, bold spices, and exquisite presentation making each plate an edible work of art,” said Nelson Nair, associate vice-president, operations, Nara Thai and Yauatcha.
Here’s what t2 liked at the pop-up.
(L-R) Thai Green Curry with Steamed Jasmine Rice is a traditional curry made with hand-pounded Thai herbs and spices to make a thick aromatic paste, which is further slow-cooked with rich and creamy coconut milk to form a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavours. Served with a choice of vegetables, chicken, or prawn, this dish is one of the stars of their main course.
Tom Kha and Tom Yum are the best-known soup duo from Thailand. One comes with a delicious coconut infusion while the other is a juicy tomato affair.
QUICK CHAT WITH CHEF PREM PRADHAN
You have worked with hotels and restaurants across the globe. How has your experience of being associated with Nara Thai been?
I joined the hotel industry in 1984 and to date, I am working. I can make all sorts of Asian cuisine like Japanese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Cambodian, Thai, and Korean. I started working with Nara in 2017 and it has been an exciting experience so far.
How far have you adapted the taste to cater to the Indian audience?
I have modified the food keeping in mind the Indian taste. The food in coastal China, Thailand and Indonesia are very differently eaten even though there are similarities in cooking styles. I try to maintain the authenticity despite the change. We also customise the taste according to Indian preferences. For instance, Thai food is often more on the spicier end, so if there is someone who wants a less spicy dish, we can go the extra mile to make the food suit his taste buds.
Would you like to highlight any dish from the menu of the pop-up that guests must try?
There are a few dishes that I want to mention — Butterfly Pea Fried Rice, Phad Thai Noodles, Crispy Shrimp Cakes, and Thai Green Curry.
Is this your first time in Calcutta and do you have a favourite Bengali dish?
I am cooking for the first time in Calcutta. But I have spent a lot of time in this city with my friends. My favourites are Bengali fish curry and biryani.