I WAS in Davao City for 3 days last week on official business and I discovered this really nice Thai restaurant. †The place is called Krua Thai Restaurant (beside Bo Coffee) in Torres St. in downtown Davao City. †Torres St. is one of the preferred dining destinations for the gourmet discriminating DavaoeÒos.
What really surprised me is that it is as authentic as you can get for a Thai restaurant outside of Thailand. †There are quite a number of Thai restos in and around Metro Manila but in my opinion this Thai resto in Davao City beats all of them on being “Most Thai.”
Authentic Thai restaurant ambiance
For starters, the waitresses are all wearing the popular and native Thai silk costume. †They greet you with the proper Thai greetings — Sawasdi Kaa, among others — and with proper enunciation if I may add. †I’ve worked in Bangkok for more than half a year way back in 1996-7 so I believe I could distinguish the subtle nuances and sing-song quality of an authentic Thai greeting.
The interior decors and furnishings feel very much Thai. †The food selection appears to be authentically Thai.
My all-time favorite "Bagoong Rice"
Ironically, in all the times I’ve been to Thailand including my more-than-6-months “tour of duty” I’ve never tried the famous authentic Thai beer, Singha. †Well, guess what? †I finally did try it, and where else but in Krua Thai Restaurant in Davao City. †How does it compare with our very own San Mig? †It’s not quite fair to compare, of course, since San Mig is our national pride so I am of course biased in its favor. †Besides, most beers are an acquired taste. For my first taste of it, I must admit that Singha is quite good.
The famous Singha Thai beer†
Half Consumed Tom Yum Kung soup
The best part about Krua Thai Restaurant in Davao City is that their prices are unbelievably low. †Or should I say, “unreasonably reasonable?” †Of course dining in Davao City is generally inexpensive. †But who would fault me from comparing the cost of dining in Davao vis-a-vis a comparable dining place in Metro Manila? †I wouldn’t fly down to Davao City just to try an authentic Thai resto like Krua but if and when I am there, I may as well indulge myself.
