TUKTUK THAI CAFE

PHOTO CREDIT: Foodhoe*
Website: http://foodhoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/tuk-tuk-thai-cafe/


TUKTUK THAI CAFE
659 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 445-7839 Tuk Tuk Thai Cafe
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill




(Taken from my review on YELP)

TUKTUK is the best Thai restaurant I have eaten in the city so far. The food is cooked the authentic way; presentation is outstanding; use of the right ingredient is remarkable; the price is reasonable and the service is quick (ideal for people on-the-go). The place is unassuming and mimics the ordinary and affordable Thai restaurants in the streets of Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. I should know better since I was posted in Thailand for 6 years.

Most of the servers in TUKTUK (pronounced as "TOOKTOOK" meaning a Thai tricycle) are Thais. They smile a lot and are very friendly which speak highly of the culture they are coming from. They ask you at least twice about your order to inquire if what they had noted in their paper is right or wrong.

For TO-GO-MEALS, it is quite convenient. You call in their phone number and give in your order. Ideally, you must have their order sheet with you so all you needed to do is to dictate the food number you wanted to order. Otherwise, you may just have to describe whatever you needed. Then, within ten to fifteen minutes' waiting time, you can come over and pick up your order (or request for a home delivery service).

PIECE OF ADVICE:

If your expectation is to have an ALL-OUT-AMERICAN-STYLE in terms of FOOD PREP, AMBIENCE, and SERVICE then certainly this is not the right place to be. However, if you are in for a "good eat" on a low budget then you are at the right vicinity! Indeed, the novelty of coming to TUKTUK is to experience its essence of Asian hospitality and simplicity. Nonetheless, if you are planning to bring in your first date, I must warn you that this may not be suitable for it. The place does not have that romantic mazurka that lovers are looking for~ nor does it have the stunning repro of a CEZANNE, MANET, or a MONET painting. The lighting is undoubtedly bright as there is no tinge of subtlety in this domain. Yet, personally, I find it just to be as homey as it can be. In summary, TUKTUK is the place for people on strict budget yet are picky enough to douse for that authentic Thai taste!

MY FOOD RECOMMENDATION TO TRY ON:

"SOMTAM" (Papaya Salad) - this is a delectable and a very spicy and tasty vegetable salad served with the traditional pickled crab. It is used only to enhance its exotic flavor and it is not recommended that you eat this raw crab.

If you have not tried the SOMTAM, it is a must!

In Thailand, SOMTAM is ideally served with sticky rice. The rice balances the sweet, sourly, spicy and salty taste of the salad. Imagine the flavor as you salivate for it.

The ingredients are pounded in a large traditional mortar and pestle where all ingredients are mixed to merge the taste and the aroma for flavor. It is succulent and mouth-watering to the palette.

SOMTAM is an ensemble of herbs, veggies and sea food made tasty by the combined flavor of lime, coconut sugar, hot chili pepper, and fish sauce. Somtam is served with a chunk of cabbage or a whole string of spring onions (green onions) on the side; eaten A'LA BUGS BUNNY when he munches his carrots. Eat the raw veggies to take away the burning spice in your mouth. To completely get rid of the burning feeling after a nourishing Thai meal, eat something sweet like a candy or ice cream. It should take away that madness.