Some Great Hot Spots for Tom Yum Goong

So just what is it that makes Thai food special? Most likely it is the combination in each dish of the four basic flavors -- sweet, sour, salty and spicy. Over the centuries, Thai cooking has borrowed freely from the culinary arts of China, India and Malaysia, blending these different influences to create something that is truly unique. While Thai food has a reputation for being spicy, in reality most dishes are not. The spiciness varies by region, and central Thai cuisine, the most commonly encountered variety, is probably the least spicy of all.

After taste-testing one of the most common dishes (next to Pad Thai) in a number of different Philadelphia establishments, the winner of some of the tastiest local Tom Yum Goong has got to go to Pad Thai Shack.

True, it is popularly known as a simple dish (lemongrass, chili paste, shrimp stock, tomatoes, mushrooms and prawns), but it is one that is very difficult to find prepared well (like a good roasted chicken). Pad Thai shack gets the combination of flavors just right and adds generous amounts of sprouts, tofu, shrimp, tomato and straw mushrooms. It's also not overpowered with handfuls of Chinese parsley (cilantro). A little goes a long way.

Please feel free to let us know of any other fantastic spots to sample delicious Thai cuisine as we are always looking for great suggestions!

Following is a list of restaurants that in our opinion have made the grade in terms of taste and price.

Pad Thai Shack
127 South 18th Street
215-557-0422

122 South 12th Street
215-922-0414

Tamarind
117 South Street
215-925-2764

My Thai
2200 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-985-1878

Photo by eddybles.com