Yum Yum Thai
FYI: For those of you who visit Yum Yum Thai, the store has expanded to the adjacent shop. There are now a couple of tables so that you can eat in and the shop seems to have a better selection of food items. In the old shop, they are now serving shaved ice.
Yesterday was Friday and that means I get to buy lunch. It's been a while since I've had Thai food, and so I decided buy lunch at Yum Yum Thai.
Yum Yum Thai is only a block away from the office and is your average hole-in-the-wall take-out restaurant. The food is laid out cafeteria-style, and is served in styrofoam containers. There is no seating here, yet this place is super popular because of the huge portions, the tasty food, and the excellent value.
When I get here at about 2:00 pm, there were a couple of people being served.
Since almost everything was sold out and since I was pressed for time, I decided to have the haw mok pla (steamed curry fish in banana cup, US$3.00). I had never had this before, but was told that it was really delicious...and super spicy!
The fish was seasoned with red curry paste, coconut milk, thinly sliced kaffir lime leaves and other spices, placed over a bed of onions, then wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf "cup". This was wonderfully spicy, but at the same time, the coconut milk added just a touch of sweetness. The fish was flakey and perfectly cooked. I had this with a side of brown rice and it was a simple, but delicious lunch.
I've been coming to Yum Yum Thai ever since I started working in downtown more than eight years ago and it's remained one of my steady favorites. Stop in and try the food here, you'll be glad you did.
Yum Yum Thai
1106 Bishop Street
Telephone: 808.524.3790
Yes, a Thai favourite. Similar to the Nyonya's "otak-otak" found in that region.
And reasonably priced too, outside of Thailand.
Posted by: FatMan Seoul | October 23, 2004 at 06:09 PM
Hi FatMan,
I haven't yet had otak otak, but I've been told that it's wonderful and most commonly served alongside nasi lemak. This reminded me a lot of the amok trei that I had a Chez Sovan Express, which was a Cambodian fast food joint. Anything similar in Korea?
Posted by: Reid | October 23, 2004 at 06:18 PM
me too! i love this type of otah, and the one you had looked very similar to what we get over here.
Posted by: umami | October 24, 2004 at 07:06 PM
Hi Umami,
Long time no see! This is the first time that I've ever had this here, but I think I'll be having it again soon! Maybe I'll try to find a recipe and make this myself. Can't wait to have some otak otak...friends tell me it's really good with nasi lemak.
Posted by: Reid | October 24, 2004 at 07:18 PM
Yum, now I really have to make some otah! Argh...I wish I could just go and get some. Savor your Thai place ;)
Posted by: stef | October 25, 2004 at 11:06 AM
Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for posting about great looking foods that I have never tried -- or even seen or heard of! It really makes me realize how diverse the world is (foodwise and of course, in all aspects) Thanks!!
Posted by: AJ | October 25, 2004 at 02:48 PM
Hi Stef,
This is one of those super hole-in-the-wall places that everyone who works in downtown knows about. They give tons of food for a really good price. Their two choice plate is only US$3.75, with either rice or noodles! I really like this place a lot.
Hi AJ,
Thanks for visiting my blog! Are you in Hawaii? If not, we have a huge melting pot of people here and there are tons of different types of foods that I haven't even tried yet. Looking forward to sampling more... Hope to see you again!
Posted by: Reid | October 25, 2004 at 11:20 PM
Sadly, no such goodies here. It's all about kimchi, my friend.
Posted by: FatMan Seoul | October 26, 2004 at 10:22 PM
Hi FatMan,
Shucks...but then again, kim chee is nice too. Especially all the kinds you can get in Korea. Besides, you get a lot of variety there that we don't get here...it's a trade off! =)
Posted by: Reid | October 26, 2004 at 11:33 PM
Man, this makes me sorry I work at UH and my boyfriend works at HPU... instead of the other way around. I want good Thai for lunch!
Posted by: xiaolongnu | October 27, 2004 at 04:58 PM
Hi xiaolongnu,
Thank you for stopping by the blog. Yes, I consider myself very fortunate to work in downtown Honolulu. There are so many good places to eat here that I never get tired of the food. Within a few blocks, you can eat Chinese food, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Indian, Filipino, Thai, practically anything you want. With the University of Hawaii, you'd have to go a bit further, but there are some great eating places around there too.
Posted by: Reid | October 27, 2004 at 07:32 PM