[CLOSED] Nara Thai Cuisine (ION Orchard)

Ordered: Tom Yum Goong, Green Curry Chicken, Platter (as pictured) and Stir Fried Butterfly Pea Rice

They ran out of pork that day so I was quite bummed about it considering that it's a Saturday evening, 6pm. It took 30min or so before the first dish was served. The platter of fried food was okay. The butterfly pea rice did blow me away. It's fragrant and the grains were distinct yet not too hard. It's worth trading your white rice for this. The rice left me beaming with high expectations of the other dishes. The green curry came and woah, it's laden with salt. The curry was so-so, chicken has the frozen meat taste 😥 totally not up my alley. Lastly, tom yum goong came in that little fire below, keeping it bubbling. The first spoonful of it didnt left me impressed but wasn't bad as well (just mehhh). But lo and behold, the prawns were mushy and totally not fresh!! They're stale, if i may be dead honest bout it. All the prawns in the pot were like that. Guess they might have been really good back in their heyday but based on my dining experience recently, it's likely to be my first and last visit.

Nara oh Nara... I used to tell everyone around me how great the food was especially the Tom Yum soup. Not cheap for a 2 person portion but great ambience & quality ingredients so why not right?

I’m not sure if it was a kitchen malfunction just that very day but the soup wasn’t piping hot like usual & tasted quite off when I visited. It used to be thick, creamy with strong flavours from the prawn stock. But it didn’t quite pack a punch like how it usually would.

The other dishes weren’t hot as well when served & the portion of the basil chicken was kinda pathetic for the price paid.

Should I give it another chance? Maybe...... :/

Instead of the normal white rice, this is served with blue jasmine rice, visually enticing and oh so pretty to look at!

The basil pork paired with the fluffy rice is fragrant and oh so good! Just like how I love my kao Kra Pao Moo! Makes me miss thailand even more!

Hor Mok Ma Praw On ($16.90++)
Seafood & Coconut Otah
There's chunks of sliced fish, sotong & prawns in it. Not too spicy.
&
Khrim Maphraw Linci Khnom ($7.90++)
Yam & Pumpkin in Lychee Coconut Cream
Only available in hot version. The dessert kind reminded one of the local Bo Bo Cha Cha dessert. A tab too sweet for me.
Available at @NaraThaiSG in @ION_Orchard
Both items could be found in the new menu.
Take note that ice water is chargeable.
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Nara Thai
Address 🏠 : 2 Orchard Turn, # B3-21 ION Orchard, Singapore 🇸🇬 238 801
Tel ☎️ : 6634 5787
Open 💈 : 11am - 9.30pm
MRT 🚇 : Orchard (NS22)

Nara Thai's new fiery additions are a hot treat.

The restaurant has introduced 14 new items to its menu. Named Bangkok Sois' Hidden Gems, these dishes are adapted from Thai classics by featuring unconventional ingredients. Among a few of my favourites is Phad Kra Pao Phunim (S$16.90++), a modified rendition of Nara Thai's bestselling Stir-fried Soft Shell Crab. It now comes with a spicy thick sauce of red chilies and hot basil.

Also, Nara Thai has a loyalty programme named Nara Rewards. For just $20, one can enjoy benefits such as a rebate of 10% on nett spend, a complimentary 1-for-1 voucher and 20% off in your birthday month! Furthermore, from now till 31 Aug, get instant $30 credit (usually $25) once you sign up on their Facebook page!

This was a tasting hosted by the restaurant. Thank you Nara Thai and Burpple for the invite! 😋

The words 'Tom Yum' would usually leave one expecting a combination of tangy and spicy flavours but what was delivered here was a sweet and mildly spicy one although it was still tasty. The prawns were flash-fried a little too long imo, losing its juiciness in the process.