Familiar And New Flavors At Azuthai

Eighteen years and counting capped by an impressive recognition by the Thailand Ministry of Commerce as the first local restaurant awarded with the coveted #ThaiSELECT seal of authenticity year after year, Azuthai's place in the local culinary scene remains an enduring testament to a continuing story with many more yet to come...

Since 2008, Azuthai has been one of the metro's go-to destinations for authentic Thai cuisine. And it still is. The secret formula? Keeping it simple and staying true to Thai culinary tradition executed with the highest standards. Consistently. It may sound almost too simple but after all is said and done, the best way to understand why Azuthai stays well ahead of the game for the past eighteen years is to let the dishes do all the talking. Let's eat...

The popular stir-fried rice noodle dish is always at the center of any discussion on Thai cuisine. Inspired by its street food origins, Azuthai recreates the classic with its version of Pad Thai Goong (P 695) with succulent prawns, spring onions, vegetables and peanuts wrapped in egg. The server would then prep the dish on your table, opening it up and mixing it all together. The moment this is served to your table, seeing it all unveiled becomes part of a theatrical experience culminating in a flavorful bite. It's dishes like this that makes Azuthai special, taking you back to your very first visit (for more on Azuthai, see my posts Enduring Authenticity: Azuthai Restaurant Unveils An Exciting New Specials Menu By Chef Leo Chaladdee from January this year, Authenticity And Seasonal Flavors: Azutahi Presents The New Special Menu By Chef Kanjana from June last year, Three In A Row: Azuthai Bags #ThaiSELECT Seal Of Authenticity By The Royal Thai Government For The Third Straight Time from three years ago, Azuthai Thai Restaurant: First With The #ThaiSELECT Seal, First On Your List Of Authentic Thai Cuisine Now Serving New Dishes from 2022 and Home-Style Thai Cuisine At Azuthai from way back in 2014). 

 

The medley of fresh, vibrant and distinct notes come together in a complex blend of flavors and textures. It's this familiarity that immediately warms the palate from the very first bite. Instead of prawns, you can also opt for the Pad Thai Gai (P 695) with tender and juicy slabs of chicken. A fresh squeeze of lime brings out even more flavors. Azuthai also offers regional variations of the traditional noodle dish...

...with the Southern Style Pad Thai with Prawns (P 895) or pad thai chai ya goong. Served in a clay pot, the southern rendition is a heartier version with tamarind and coconut milk topped with 65 degree egg. The savory and moist finish delivers intense notes made richer with the coconut milk and egg for an elevated take on the traditional staple. A light drizzle of fresh lime cuts through the richness of the dish for that balanced finish. 

Then, there's the Thai curry selections of Azuthai paired with steamed Jasmine rice that brings comforting flavors like the Penang Beef Curry (P 795) or massaman gaeh with shallots, peanuts and kaffir leaves. The deep red hues signal bold and pronounced flavors, perfectly absorbed by the fragrant steamed Jasmine rice...

...draping the palate with a flavorful burst. The tender beef completes the savory play on flavors. You can also customize your order with your preferred heat level. 

The Green Chicken Curry (P 795) or gaeng kew wan gai with eggplant and basil offers a lighter yet intensely flavored alternative with chicken instead of beef simmered in a traditional curry base enriched with coconut milk and fiery green chilies. Depending on your spice level, the Green Chicken Curry offers delicate even nuanced notes. 

The creamy richness is followed by a subtle sweetness complementing the delicate notes of the tender chicken and eggplant. That curry hits the palate and you know you're home. Extra steamed Jasmine rice? Absolutely. 

Everyone has their go-to dish at Azuthai, and the stir-fried noodles and curry offerings always makes it to the table. But lately, I've been a fan of their Claypot Wagyu Beef Rice (P 1,200) or khao aop mor din with savory slabs of premium Wagyu beef on rice topped with crisp garlic bits, egg, spring onions and black pepper. This is a complete meal in itself in a claypot. 

Perfectly grilled to medium with a juicy pink center, the Wagyu beef brings an indulgent and buttery savory richness to the palate. Infused with all the flavors from the different components of the dish, the rice becomes just as flavorful complemented by the nutty hints of garlic and luscious notes of the egg. It's a meal guaranteed to satisfy any appetite. And that's why like so many I find myself going back to Azuthai again and again. 

And after eighteen years, Azuthai still has even more stories to share from their menu. The repertoire of enduring classics alongside new renditions keeps Azuthai in step with the constantly changing and evolving culinary scene, one satisfying dish and bite at a time to keep you coming back again. And again. 

Azuthai is located at the Ground Floor, Milky Way Building, 900 Arnaiz Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati. You can call 8817 6252, 8813 0671 and 0927 136 1306 for inquiries or check their FB Page, IG Feed and website at https://www.facebook.com/azuthairestaurant/, https://www.instagram.com/azuthai_makati/ and https://www.azuthai.com/ for more updates.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, check out these social media accounts for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.