A delicious spread of Thai, Filipino and Spanish specialties specially prepared by Ms. Tess aka "Queen Nam Prik" made lunch a few Saturdays ago quite memorable. First and foremost, I made it to Nam Prik Thai Kitchen in Sambag, Jaro in record time since it was an impromptu invitation and everything went as if it was a breeze. Ms Tess, who owns the restaurant had set up our usual table in the restaurant's greener side - under the shades of the tree, and brought out her specialties of the day.
Lunch started with fried squid and I can only salivate with the thoughts of it. I thought it a different specie or imported squid that was served since it was a lot crunchier. It turns out to the the "palikpik" of ordinary squids. You know that portion that looks like wings, Ms. Tess just removes it when she makes her other squid specialties and just fries these "palikpik". And they are really good that I almosty finished the whole plate.
Then came a piping hot Tom Yum soup which we all hungrily devoured in no time. The sourness and spiciness was just perfect that I could have them over and over again. I loved it plain and did not eat it with rice which is my usual gastronomic routine. Nonetheless, it was all good that we all had more than one bowl of the Tom Yum.
A few months ago, I heard Ms. Tess talked non-stop about her Nam Prik Ong and based on what I've heard, I thought it was salad like her yummy Pomelo salad. But it turned out to be a mix of ground lean meat with a galore of Thai and Indian spices that includes ginger among others. I don't usually like ginger but for this dish - it didn't matter at all. It was sooooo goood! Really gooood!
It may just look like some plain "giniling na baboy" at first but when I tasted it was heavenly and I almost finished the whole plate. One supposedly eats by wrapping it in lettuce leaves and adding some sauces just like a hubad na lumpia. But I'd rather eat them with rice - lots of rice, and would never get tired of it, I assume. Ms. Tess says it's one complicated dish to make that takes a lot of processes and ingredients that it is not often on Nam Prik's regular menu. But just ask about anyway, who knows you might be lucky to have them.
Meanwhile someone brought in lechon paksiw from Ramboy's and we had to add some vinegar since it was too sweet. Ramboy's is popular for it's pork liempo and it's a must order when you're there. Anyway, he also brought some of his homemade callos and I had another serving of rice to go with it.
It was another delicious afternoon spent with fellow foodies among others - yes we ate at the same time talked about food. And finally I was able to experience the awesome goodness of the Nam Prik Ong Ms. Tess had been raving about and I couldn't help but agree 100%.
Make that 110%!