FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

With the array of authentic Thai specialties in an unpretentious manner, Nam Prik Thai Kitchen in Sambag, Jaro always offers a satisfying food trip. Simple looking fried "molo balls", I wasn't the one who actually ordered it but I really thank whomever it was. They were a discovery! Though it came with some sweet and spicy sauce, I didn't bother since on their own they were very delicious. The blend of the ground meat, the spices and seasonings were so good that there was no need for me to dip them. They would certainly be part of my lot the next time I found myself at Nam Prik Thai Kitchen.  I just love the rice noodles soup - it's a cross between pasta and sotanghon (lol). The noodle itself is already worth the order and with big slices of meat and vegetables in this soup it's another must order at the resto. Of course, one of my ultimate favorites- nam tok . Its a cold porkloin salad likened to kilawin but with cooked pork strips. The highly...

Thought not part of the regular menu, these squid "pak-paks" are among my most favorite items at  Nam Prik Thai Kitchen . These are the "flippers" of the squid being served at this no-nonsense Thai restaurant in Sambag, Jaro and each bite comes with a crunch. Often served as compliments by Ms. Tess G, the jovial owner of Nam Prik, it makes a great appetizer or  pulutan  even without beer. She's often seen manning the kitchen during peak hours and her specialty is the delectable pad thai which is another favorite of mine at this homey Thai restaurant. More about Nam Prik Thai Kitchen . 

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 pipin...

Believe or not, right after enjoying a bowl of Thai noodles and iced tea at Sen Lek noodle house in Pavia, we found ourselves in the midst of another Thai restaurant - right along the highway in Sambag, in the midst of a (shrinking) rice field! The location sounds familiar alright, but no, it isn’t the famous Peppy Thai Deli but another restaurant that goes by the name of Nam Prik Thai Kitchen. Good thing that  Sir Eugene Jamerlan  knows the owner of the restaurant, and together with , it was one afternoon filled with good food and fun under the sun. The owner of Nam Prik Thai Kitchen is related with the owners of Peppy Thai Deli but I won’t go into the details though. All I can say is that Nam Prik brought back the experience of the old Peppy Thai Deli – having authentic Thai cuisine served turo turo style in a rustic and al fresco ambiance. With specialties of the day on display, first to catch our attention was the Pomelo Salad that didn’t only look but also ta...