Natalia Chi
The Thai restaurant in Forest Park was originally a dessert shop, but in the last few years many noodles and curries have been added to the menu.
The owners of Habrae in Forest Park do more than just keep their patrons happy. They’ve taken the suggestions to heart as they’ve carefully expanded from his shop to serve puddings, tarts, and Thai sweets. When customers who traveled to Chiang Mai kept asking for Khao His Soi, they were the wonderful noodle his curry dish that came out of it.
“Khao Soi is the most popular in Chiang Mai, so we think Khao Soi should be added to the menu,” said Jumpol Prasitporn, co-owner of Habraé.
The key is to combine the coconut milk with the two curry pastes.
“Many restaurants use only one kind of curry paste, but if you combine two kinds of curry paste, the aroma and taste will increase,” he says.
A disk of palm sugar balances the heat. Instead of chicken thighs, use thinly sliced lean beef and it’s ready in seconds. The bowl starts with egg noodles – soft-boiled and crispy. Next, beef and curry, and finally, red onion, pickled mustard greens, and green onion garnish. Mixing everything up is essential to incorporate flavors and textures.
A simple salad called rab kai is light and refreshing. Cooked ground chicken is tossed with chili sauce and fish sauce dressing and served with toasted rice flour, scallions and chili flakes. It has all the hallmarks of proper Thai food.
“It has a spicy taste, a sour taste, a salty taste, and a little sweet taste,” he said.
Khao Man Gai is basically chicken and rice, but the chicken is marinated and grilled, and the rice is sprinkled with chicken stock. It is served with a crunchy papaya salad that provides heat and sourness.
Dessert is where important decisions have to be made. Egg tarts are a good call.
“Egg tarts are popular in Bangkok’s Chinatown, so we added egg tarts to the menu,” says Prasitporn.
You may have seen sweet sticky rice covered with warm coconut milk and fresh mango. It sounds strange, but it tastes great.
“No one sells roasted tuna and sticky rice here. It is only sold in Thai grocery stores. It is not easy to find.I think it is very interesting,” he said.
You can go here:
7230 Madison Street, Forest Park
708-689-8852
