Undercover Gourmet

There’s a new kid on the block, the Strathcona County block that is. And what does this new kid do? Offer the best authentic Thai cuisine I’ve ever had outside of Thailand. Honestly. But let us clear up some facts before we get too carried away here.

Tommy is not in fact a kid, but rather an extremely hard-working man who loves food, takes pride in his Thai culture, and wants to share it with everyone. I remember my own youthful days of going to school all day, then working a serving job at night, but there is no way that would happen in this day and age. Absolutely not possible. Which brings me to my first commending point about Tommy – he is one hard-working individual, and his hard work and passion is evident in his food.

Located on the eastern end of Wye Road in Sherwood Park, Sawaddee sits in a quiet strip mall, tucked away out of plain sight. The outside is very modest looking, with photographs of Thai dishes along the windows. Once inside, the bright colors and comfortable Thai decor will leave you pleasantly surprised. Magenta chairs and purple colored walls complement each other, while a gorgeous elephant picture hangs on one of the walls. Thai mats line the tables, and if you’re afraid of missing the basketball game on TV, Tommy has you covered.

What I love most about Sawaddee’s menu is that it doesn’t just serve the regular stuff. Yes there are curries, stir frys, and noodle dishes, but what makes this restaurant stand out from the rest is the appetizers and salads. From homemade curry puffs to Thai sausage, Sawaddee will give you a taste of something you’ve never had before.

Let’s start with the minced pork toasts, kanom pang na moo. These delicious toasts have a layer of minced pork spread on top, which is then gently deep-fried. They are salty and slightly sweet, and comes with a delicious relish crudite mixture of cucumbers, red onions, and a syrupy sauce which reminds me of Japanese mirin. Combine the two and you have a perfect medley of flavors. Don’t let the boring name fool you. These toasts are everything but.

Next comes the cury puffs. Made in-house by Tommy’s mother, these puffs are extremely aromatic with a gentle curry flavor infused into a medley of beef, potatoes, and green peas. The edges of the puff are crimped ever so professionally, making it hard to believe they were made by hand. The puff is light and airy, leaving you hungry for more.

If you love sausage, you will definitely appreciate saikok e-san, North Eastern Thai sausage. Stuffed with minced pork and rice, the texture and taste of this sausage is one of the most unique I’ve ever tried. The flavors are almost indescribable. Savory, with a touch of sweetness and umami, the flavor of this sausage is definitely uncommon.

 

Finally we come to the larp. I loved this salad dish so much I ordered it twice in a row, even after telling myself I would try all new dishes on my next visit. Calling it a salad is also slightly deceiving, even though that’s where it falls on the menu, as I don’t recall salads being majority minced meat. Larp is your choice of meat, we picked pork both times, mixed with toasted rice, red onions, and a combination of Thai spices. If you can’t take too much heat, ask for medium spice level. If you can take it, go nuts as I’ve been told the hot version tastes even better. The mixture sits on whole lettuce leaves whereby you scoop and eat it all together. The toasted rice also adds a neat texture. Just remember not to inhale while swallowing.

The peanut sauce with the satay is creamy and delicious, the curries are yummy, and I have to mention the pad kee mao because it is my husband’s favorite dish of all time. This (very) spicy noodle dish comprises of flat rice noodles, basil, chili, vegetables and your choice of meat. Too spicy for my liking, but if spice floats your boat then you will enjoy this flavorful noodle dish more than I will. My only word of advice is to ask for more napkins because you WILL start sweating profusely.

If you live in Edmonton and am lazy to drive great distances like I am, you will have to suck it up to get a taste of this fantastic food. And if you love Thai food as much as I do, you probably have already tried all the restaurants around town. Make the trek. It’s worth the drive to sample the blood and sweat (not to be taken literally) of this hard-working Thai man and his dream of opening a top-notch authentic Thai restaurant.

 

Sawaddee Thai Cuisine

#190, 664 Wye Road

Sherwood Park

780-570-1999

 

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