Phuket
Visitors and locals alike rave about this tiny restaurant that draws lines out the door nearly every evening. It's worth the wait. Start with the shrimp rolls or crispy noodles and move on to the spicy lemon grass soup or green papaya salad. There's an assortment of red, yellow, green and peanut sauce curries with your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp, or scallops, and a variety of Thai noodle dishes. Try the fresh-caught whole island fish in spicy lemon grass sauce or seafood in ginger black bean sauce, two of the signature dishes. But, really, you can't go wrong here. Word of warning: spicy means hot!
Phuket
1960 Kapiolani Blvd, #109
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 942-8194
www.phuketthaihawaii.com/
Keo's Waikiki Beach
If there's any one person who can be credited with elevating Thai cuisine in America, then it has to be chef Keo Sananikone. This upscale, chic restaurant has been around for nearly 30 years and still draws an impressive, loyal clientele. No wonder: The food is ultra fresh, with a creative mix of Asian and island spices. Begin your dinner with appetizers like the skewers of chicken or beef served with the restaurant's famous spicy peanut sa-teh sauce, and crispy calamari with a vinaigrette hot sauce. The restaurant's most famous dish is the Evil Jungle Prince, a fiery combination of seafood, chicken or vegetables (your choice) with fresh basil, coconut milk and red chili. There are a number of traditional noodle dishes, too, and three prix fixe set menus.
Keo's Waikiki Beach
2028 Kuhio Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 951-9355
www.keosthaicuisine.com/index.html
Pae Thai
This colorful---some say cluttered--- restaurant is filled with statues, bright paintings and twinkly lights. The food is equally energetic with lively and creamy curry platters and fiery noodle dishes. The chef-owned eatery commands a loyal following that can't get enough of the signature chicken cashew, Pad Thai and garlic-infused veggie dishes. There's a variety of vegetarian offerings, too. It's casual, come-as-you-are, and the service is friendly and efficient.
Pae Thai
1246 S King St.
Honolulu, HI 96814-1921
(808) 596-8106
Article Written By Pamela Wright
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
