It’s a cold winter’s day, and trekking home from class to scavenge for leftovers in your refrigerator is the last thing you want to do. What you want more than anything is a meal that’ll warm your insides and fill your stomach. Thai House Cuisine, an authentic Thai restaurant, can fulfill this desire and is only short walk from campus.
Nestled behind Menchies on Syndenham street, Thai House Cuisine’s one of Kingston’s lesser known restaurants. Although rarely packed, this restaurant has a loyal following of patrons that keep returning for the authentic Thai food that this place dishes out.
Photo by Hannah Latour
Upon walking into the Thai House, you’re greeted by friendly staff and tasteful décor that matches the calm ambience of the restaurant perfectly, creating an environment conducive for digestion. Menu prices are also very reasonable as most of the entrées fall within the $12-14 range.
One of the most impressive features of the Thai House is its “Thai Select” certification. This was a program launched by the Thailand Government to ensure that the standards of Thai food are being upheld by restaurants around the world. By being certified, Thai House guarantees to give you an authentic Thai meal.
Photo Courtesy of rinaloveslife.com
The Thai House menu has a large selection of dishes ranging from classic Pad Thai to red, green and yellow curries. The spiciness of the dishes can also be adjusted to your personal preference, perfect for when you have to appease those spice-wary friends.
There are plenty of vegetarian dishes as well as gluten-free options since Thai cuisine does not rely upon a lot of wheat-based products.
Although Thai cuisine’s known for its peanut use, I have a severe peanut allergy and have never had any problems with the dishes I’ve ordered. The restaurant staff are very accommodating, and the menu even contains a “please declare your food allergies” statement.
Of course, cross-contamination is a possibility at any restaurant, so it really depends on the severity of your allergy and personal comfort zone.
Photo by Hannah Latour
As for the food itself, my personal favourite’s the green chicken curry. Its creamy, coconut milk base is super comforting on a cold winter’s day and it packs just enough spice without being too overwhelming.
For a less spicy alternative, go for the yellow or red curry. I can’t personally attest to the quality of the Pad Thai due to allergy constraints, but a close friend (who lived in Thailand for a year) is always impressed with what the Thai House dishes out. The same goes for the peanut sauce and sticky rice.
Photo by Hannah Latour
All in all, Thai House Cuisine’s probably the closest thing you can get to Thailand without venturing too far from Queen’s campus. So next time a craving for authentic Thai food strikes, head on down to Sydenham street (or place an order for delivery) and take your taste buds on a culinary vacation.