Thailand is a popular destination for UMD study abroad and spring break shenanigans, IF you can afford the $1,000 ticket to get there. However, if you’re like most of us broke college kids looking to get more “cultured” on a budget, look no further than Thai Chef Street Food for your exotic escape. They can’t promise you any elephant rides or sun soaked beaches, but you’ll definitely get plenty of authentic Bangkok street food and Instagram worthy photos without even leaving the DMV.
Thailand is a popular destination for UMD study abroad and spring break shenanigans, IF you can afford the $1,000 ticket to get there. However, if you’re like most of us broke college kids looking to get more “cultured” on a budget, look no further than Thai Chef Street Food for your exotic escape. They can’t promise you any elephant rides or sun soaked beaches, but you’ll definitely get plenty of authentic Bangkok street food and Instagram worthy photos without even leaving the DMV.
It is conveniently located a few minutes away from the Dupont Circle Metro Station at 1712 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC. Thai Chef Street Food is the brainchild of Chalisa Fitts, but better known as the daughter of Pornnapa Pongpronprot, owner of College Park’s beloved Aroy Thai Restaurant.
While Aroy Thai serves all the classics, Chalisa was homesick for the snacks and street foods she grew up with in Bangkok. Nothing but the real thing would do, and thus Thai Chef Street Food was born.
Every dish is a family recipe, and the restaurant’s Thai Select certification makes it 1 of 5 Thai Restaurants in all of D.C to be guaranteed fresh and authentic. That holds true as the only thing you’ll find frozen here is the incredible thai tea bubble waffle ice cream!
Appetizers
If these grilled beef balls and thai chef dumplings aren’t giving you some serious cravings then I need to find myself a new photographer. The chef dumplings came highly recommended, and with good reason. The medley of shrimp, pork, crabmeat and chestnuts is the epitome of flavor. The savory beef balls paired with the tangy sweet and spicy sauce was consumed once it hit the table. Packed full of protein, these are perfect for pregaming a night out in D.C.
Main Course
Yes the appetizers are delicious, but speaking from experience make sure to save room for the yen ta foh and kao mun gai. Don’t know what it is? Doesn’t matter. It’s delicious. The crispy fried wontons on the yen ta foh completes this seafood dish of wide rice noodles, shrimp, squid, and scallop. The kao mun gai may look simple, but don’t let the cover fool you. Pour on the aromatic garlic ginger sauce and I promise there will be no regrets.
Dessert
By this time the existence of a food baby is probably inevitable, but don’t leave without trying the delectable desserts. Just because we grow older doesn’t mean we have to grow up. The unicorn nom yen is a children’s favorite in Thailand. Think tropical milk with whipped cream and sprinkles.
If that’s not your thing, they also have fan favorite bubble waffle ice cream. Its homemade batter makes it the only establishment in the DMV to incorporate thai tea flavored waffles. Pair it with 3 toppings and an ice cream flavor of your choice. Feel like stepping out of your comfort zone? They’ve got flavors ranging from green tea to lychee, to sesame, to my personal favorite coconut chocolate.
As Thai Chef’s resident mood maker likes to say, “come for the food, but stay for the environment, stay for the vibe”. Words and pictures cannot do these dishes justice. The next time you’re out for a flavor trip in D.C, make sure to check out Thai Chef Street Food. Can’t wait to see everyone at Thai Chef’s $5 Happy Hour!
