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Cuisine Fit for Royalty

Features Inside Feature

June 26, 2016

Story By: Kyle Galdeira | Photos by: Lawrence Tabudlo

Pattaya Grill ($45.95)

Pattaya Grill ($45.95)

Noi Thai Cuisine quickly is developing a reputation for serving up the finest in authentic Thai dishes while also presenting an un-forgettable all-around experience.

The restaurant opened its 50th State locale in the beautiful Royal Hawaiian Center in October, and both kamaaina and visitors continue to marvel at the stellar cuisine served amid awe-inspiring décor — modeled after the Royal Thai Palace in Rattanakosin Kingdom — and coupled with warm, personalized service. Noi Thai Cuisine’s mouth-watering dishes are prepared by some of the best chefs from Thailand, known appropriately as the “Dream Team.”

When restaurant owner Chadillada “Noi” Lapangkura visited Hawaii, she fell in love with the Islands and envisioned bringing her family’s authentic, world-class Thai cooking here. Co-owner and executive chef Settapong “Pag” Nilket, head chef Jutamas Kanjanamai and sous chef Jamrus Singduang make up Noi Thai’s culinary squad in the kitchen. Kanjanamai and Singduang are both award-winning chefs, and have even prepared their stellar cuisine for the royal family of Thailand.

Green Papaya Salad Platter ($28.95)

Green Papaya Salad Platter ($28.95)

“Noi Thai Cuisine continues the tradition of the family’s first restaurant, Bai Tong, in Seattle, which began as a favorite stopover for Thai Airways crews at Sea-Tac Airport,” explains general manager Ying Rosawan. “From there, word spread around the Pacific Northwest about their delicious Thai food and more restaurants were opened to rave reviews.”

Green Papaya Salad Platter, also known as Som Tum Platter ($28.95), is a popular Thai salad featuring shredded papaya, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, fresh chilies, lime juice, dried shrimp and crushed peanuts, all topped with salty eggs. The platter is served with grilled flat iron steak, spicy-sour soup, sticky rice, crispy chicken skin and fresh vegetables. The various tastes and textures complement one another and create an authentic image of what Thai cuisine is all about.

Clay Pot Prawns & Glass Noodles, or Koong Ob Woonsen ($29.95), is a centuries-old Thai favorite served in a clay pot. The unique offering includes prawns, bacon, stir-fried glass noodles, garlic, ginger, cilantro and white pepper, all mixed in Noi Thai’s delicious homemade sauce that enhances the dish’s flavors.

Tamarind Duck ($29.95)

Tamarind Duck ($29.95)

Steak enthusiasts are in for a treat via Noi Thai’s Pattaya Grill ($45.95), which is served with broccoli and carrots. This mouth-watering 12-ounce rib eye steak is cooked to perfection to each diner’s specifications and topped with Pad-krapow-style sauce, which is composed of basil, bell peppers and garlic.

Tamarind Duck ($29.95) also brings a wealth of flavors to the palate, as succulent roast duck is served in a delectable tamarind sauce atop a bed of fresh spinach, with crispy shallots and a pinch of dry chili for an added kick.

Clay Pot Prawns & Glass Noodles ($29.95)

Clay Pot Prawns & Glass Noodles ($29.95)

“First-timers are always ‘wowed’ by our decor when they first enter, but we want them to know that Noi Thai continues the ‘wow’ experience with our service and, most importantly, our cuisine,” Rosawan says. “We want our customers to leave their expectations of Thai food at the door, and be open to a new experience in flavors and presentation.”

In addition to offering two complimentary hours of validated parking, Noi Thai Cuisine also offers all-day happy hour specials starting at $7, and lunch specials starting at just $10.95.

Noi Thai Cuisine

Royal Hawaiian Center, Building C, level three
664-4039
Daily, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.;
Lunch available from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner served all day. Happy hour available all day in the bar and lanai only.
Validated parking available

Honolulu, HI 96815

Ilima Awards
Hawaii's Best