PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIATwenty years ago Thai food was relatively unknown to the average Perth family. If you wanted something “exotic” for dinner, you usually visited the local Chinese restaurant (or worse, a food hall) and had to put up with their Westernised interpretation of traditional Chinese food. Contrary to our abysmal knowledge beyond the Great Wall of China, there was an exotic revolution going on right under our noses in a Northbridge restaurant named Dusit Thai. Two decades on and a plethora of national and international awards under its belt, Dusit Thai is still serving some of the best Thai food Perth has ever tasted. The original decor could use a little facelift but allows diners to focus more attention on the food.
Speaking of which, there’s traditional favourites like larb and tom yum soup to chef’s recommendations like the kae tord (stewed hot and spicy lamb shanks with herbs that are lightly deep-fried) and the pla salmon dad-diew (deep-fried marinated salmon fillets served with home-made spicy and sour salad). If you’re visiting Dusit Thai with a large crowd in tow, its banquet menus are fabulous value for money and provide a great range of dishes. Depending on the size of the banquet you select, you can expect a range of appetizers like kra tong thong or chicken curry puffs, followed by soup, then mains like green chicken curry, mixed seafood with garlic and pepper and stir fried vegetables. So what’s the best thing about eating Thai food? As well as the combination of fresh flavours like lemongrass, basil, mint and pepper, it’s always so light and fragrant meaning there’s plenty of room left for dessert.
Karen Bilsby, August 2008
