Dinner @ Chiangmai Thai Food Restaurant
Jul 12th, 2009 by Steven
Whenever I go to Kota Bharu on assigment and I happen to meet up with ex-colleague Mr Choong Phaik Hock, chances are that he would offer to drive to a (Malaysian) Thai village on the outskirts of Kota Bharu for dinner. The place is known as Kampung Kulim in Wakaf Bharu, a 15-20 minute drive from KB as you head towards Tumpat and Wakaf Kubur (the disembarkation point for KB), crossing the bridge over the Sungai Kelantan and passing by the TESCO Store.
There are a number of Thai restaurants in this area. The more popular ones are Ban Kok Thai Food Restaurant, Chiangmai Thai Food Restaurant and Pu Ket (as in Phuket) Restaurant. We usualy opt for Chiangmai, which can be pretty crowded during weekends.
If you reach Chiangmai by about 7pm or so, you will get a glimpse of the Ekspres Wau train passing by (the track is a few hundred meters from the restautrant) as it heads to Kuala Lumpur. Later, past 8.15pm or so, the Ekspres Timuran whizzes past on it way to Singapore.
Steamed Siakap ala Thai style … clear, sweet tasting broth
Kerabu Sotong (dried sotong) … not common in KL/PJ
A Thai dinner is not complete with this killer item - Seafood Tomyam with prawns, squid, crabs
The 3 dishes above plus a vegetable dish and drinks cost less than RM60. A colleague (who shall not be named) sounded envious when told that I was having a Thai dinner with friends in Chiangmai, haha.