J's Review:
Thairish… a great gem snuggled into a tiny slot on Charles Street. This unique Thai restaurant reminds me of a friendly version of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi episode; the food is tasty and consistent, Mr. Kim, the owner is always a delight manning the stove and asking about your day, and as usual – No Substitutions or Alterations no matter who you are.
Personally I am a huge fan of the Chicken Pad Thai, it is quick, pretty consistent in its quality and isn’t all dressed up swimming in sauces and vegetables like other Pad Thai’s I have tried. It has the great crunchy noodle bits that started to stick to the pan then were liberated by the addition of the fish sauce which adds a great salty quality to the dish, as well as fresh sprouts, scallions, and chopped peanuts. I have to say what really makes the dish is to squeeze a fresh lime slice all over the chicken and noodles, I don’t know how something so simplistic really opens up the flavors, but in my world – that lime does magic to this dish.
It is quite obvious that Mr. Kim is loved by the community, he makes a yearly calendar which goes quite quickly after the New Year and there are always new drawings from local children who want to share their appreciation for him. Like any restaurant it has its drawbacks but all in all I think it is a great place for a hot meal and a friendly smile.
Z's Review:
Reaching a small, unassuming entrance in the shadow of the ORIGINAL Washington monument, you are greeted by an equally small and unassuming restaurant. Filled with a few simple tables and an open kitchen, owner and master chef Mister Kim will greet you with a quick hello before turning back to the sizzling woks sitting over bellowing gas burners.
The menu is concise with classic Thai dishes. The pad Thai is my personal favorite. Mr Kim’s take is filled with the traditional noodles, your choice of fillers such as chicken, shrimp, tofu, or steamed vegetables which are outstanding. Then the magic happens with his addition of a magical fish sauce, along with egg that browns in the pan to give the dish a wonderful patina and add a unique depth of flavor. The dish is finished with a slight crunch courtesy of fresh bean sprouts, a dash of green onion and peanuts. This dish is such a wonderful concoction of warmth, comfort, and sheer tastiness.
I would also recommend that the only drink you need consider is Thai tea with cream. It should just be sweet tea with cream, but your taste buds will dive deep down into cool refreshing oceans of flavor, and leaving you asking for refills.
Other dishes are equally delectable, and the steamed vegetables are not to be missed! What is easy to miss is the fried rice, which I have ordered a few times, but Mr. Kim is always mysteriously out of…
At the time of writing this post, the season for the Thai crab cakes has unfortunately passed without me trying one. I feel confident in saying that they are incredibly delectable pods of lump crab, given a lively Thai twist at the skillful hands of Mr. Kim.
Overall, in case you cant tell, you need to visit Baltimore's Thairish as soon as possible, more than once, you won’t be disappointed.
Thairish
804 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.752.5857
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