By Joyce Babe Pañares
Northern Thai cuisine is known for its bold flavors with a relatively milder spicy kick, with herbs and fragrances complementing chillies and peppers
“The northern cuisine is known for its complexity of spiciness and saltiness,” said Waldorf Astoria Bangkok Chef Akkawin “Pun” Pitrachart, who is taking over the kitchen at Conrad Manila’s Brasserie on 3 until April 30, treating diners to an unforgettable culinary journey for both lunch and dinner.
That complex flavor profile is perhaps rooted in the region’s shared history and tradition with Myanmar and China.
Ginger, garlic, tamarind, lemongrass, holy basil and turmeric are used extensively, as well as fish sauce and curry.
Chef Pun kicks off Conrad Manila’s Legendary Chef Series with his signature creations, which includes the Khao Soi Gai, one of the main poster dishes of northern Thailand that is made from egg noodles with a comforting coconut-based curry broth. It comes with chicken thighs and is topped with a tangle of crunchy fried noodles for added texture. It is served with sliced shallots, chilli oil and lime wedges, with an option to add more chilli paste to taste.
There is also the Sai Oua, or what is called in street parlance as Chiang Mai sausage, characterized by a flavor rich in herbs and spices.
The gaeng som, on the other hand, has a distinct sour curry fish soup that comes from tamarind, balanced by palm sugar.
Northern Thais also love meat, and it was no surprise that one of the showstoppers in the buffet is the Thai roast beef – a humongous chuck of meat generously marinated with fish sauce.
For Fabio Berto, general Manager of Conrad Manila, Chef Pun’s stint in the Brasserie on 3 kitchen will afford guests an extraordinary culinary experience.
“This collaboration not only brings the rich and vibrant flavors of Thailand to Manila but also showcases the exceptional talent of Chef Pun from the esteemed Waldorf Astoria Bangkok,” he added.
(Guests can enjoy Brasserie on 3’s Thai-inspired buffet at a special discounted rate of P2,337.50 nett per person for lunch at 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and P2,592.50 nett per person for dinner at 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., available daily until April 30. For inquiries and reservations, please call +632 8833 9999, email conradmanila@conradhotels.com or visit https://eatdrinkhilton.com/brasserie-on-3-conrad-manila/)
