A ‘Valley’ of Thai Treasures

Hitting the beach at Sandy’s for a romp in the surf on a warm, sunny day — it doesn’t get much better than this. But when all the fun in the sun is done and you’re ready to head to a shady spot for a bit of sustenance, there’s a convenient and inviting little place close by where you can find an affordable, fresh and healthy meal.

At Thai Valley Cuisine in Kalama Village Center, chef-owner Carole Thirakoun, with 30 years of experience in the kitchen, cooks up everything from appetizing spring rolls to spicy curries for lunch and dinner. Her Thai recipes are authentic yet contemporary, incorporating the freshest vegetables and herbs with lots of attention to detail. Like it hot or not? Just speak up when ordering to ensure just the right level of heat — and anything else.

“It’s customer’s choice, not Carole’s choice,” she says. “Whatever I do for meat, I can do vegetarian. Whatever they order, I can do. Even pho I can do vegetarian. When I cook, I cook from scratch.”

She notes that there are about 100 vegetarian dishes available, and a large percentage of her loyal customers are vegetarian or vegan. Those on special diets are welcome, and she does gluten-free, too!

A standout here for non-meat eaters is Basil Stir-fry with Tofu ($9.95). Served alongside an order of Thai Valley’s healthy purple sticky rice ($2.50), it’s as pretty as it is delicious. The aromatic basil greets your senses first, as the well-balanced spices nicely complement the texture of the tofu, long beans, straw mushrooms, carrots, bamboo shoots and green onions. When it comes to flavor, Thirakoun’s healthy use of fresh herbs in her dishes makes all the difference, elevating them from ordinary to outstanding, enticing customers back for more. If you’re looking for exceptional flavor and texture, here it is.

And if you’re looking for a deal — and who isn’t? — check this out: As a special treat for Dining Out readers, take advantage of an ongoing Hot Deals Hawaii offer where customers may purchase a $20 voucher for just $10 for lunch at Thai Valley Cuisine. The special deal is available through Wednesday, Oct. 23, and vouchers are valid for three months (limit one voucher per party/visit, may not be combined with other specials/discounts/ coupons). Simply log on to www.HotDealsHawaii.com and enjoy the savings Thai Valley Cuisine has to offer.

Thai Valley Cuisine

Kalama Village Center
501 Kealahou St.
395-9746
Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 pm.
Dinner daily, 4-9 p.m.