Saturday in Santiago: Chang Thai Restaurant
I love getting emails or comments from readers who’ve tried a place I’ve written about. But recently, I got an email from someone suggesting a Thai restaurant I hadn’t heard of. Giving may be better than receiving, but receiving a tip like that feels pretty damn good.
Chang Thai Restaurant is tucked out of the way in Ñuñoa, on Irarrázaval near where it intersects with Salvador. Hardly a culinary hub. But as I lay dying of the plague – perhaps a slight exaggeration, although I was sick enough to be given three days off work – a spicy curry sounded like just the thing for my painful throat, so off we went.
And it was fantastic, despite the deep purple lighting which, along with my illness, I’m choosing to blame for my crap photos. My pisco sour with huacatay apparently had medicinal properties, but more importantly it tasted good. Rodolfo stuck with beer from a local microbrewery.
The Thai spring rolls were good, although I was surprised that they were fried. When I read rice paper, I was expecting a soft wrapper, but that probably says more about my ignorance than it does about Chang Thai restaurant.
The real star though was the pollo crispy. That just means crispy chicken, which doesn’t sound too impressive. But simple dishes are often blah precisely because they don’t take much concentration, and this had clearly been done with as much care as anything else on the menu.
Rodolfo is a good Chilean and therefore gravitates to any kind of rice dish, whatever the cuisine. He was happy with his khow pad ka prow with beef.
My green curry was exactly what I needed. I would have liked to have it in a bowl to make scooping up all the juice easier, but as far as the flavor goes I have no complaints. I asked for it “gringo spicy,” since “Chilean spicy” means mild and “Thai spicy” would have probably burned my face off, and it was perfect.
As we were leaving, we had a chance to talk to the chef and thank him for a great meal. He’s Thai and said that he offers cooking classes and in-home catering on his days off from Chang Thai restaurant (Sunday and Monday). So of course now I’m plotting how I can send my husband to learn to make green curry. Then I’d never have to go back to Chang Thai, although with so many other dishes on the menu that sounded good, I’m sure I’d still find myself back there sooner rather than later.
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Saturday in Santiago
We’ve been there several times and at different times (lunch and dinner) and have had mixed results. Usually pretty great, but the last time was pretty so-so. They are inconsistent with use of spice and often out of items on the menu.
Your pictures do justice to the decor. As in, you don’t see the tarnished mirrors on the ceiling, the rusty bar stools, the old velvet curtains hanging near the back (my theory is that it’s a repurposed strip club, although I’ve been told that it’s the ex “bar de mala muerte” Crucero).
Definitely worth checking out, definitely has its funk, and usually has pretty good food.
Oh that’s a shame that it’s not always good! I wonder if it’s a question of different chefs, since the one who was there when we went does get a day off – maybe the back-up guy isn’t as good?
I registered the decor as more funky than run-down, but that may have been the cold-meds talking. Or else they’ve just adjusted the purple lighting to hide their flaws
I don’t know how much Thai food they have in Santiago but I must imagine it’s good simply to eat different cuisine every once in a while.
There are several restaurants right now – the ethnic food scene is booming here! A far cry from what life was like back in 2005.
living in china, I’ve learned to be grateful for good Thai restaurants. So grateful that I’m willing to travel an hour for them. Good thai restaurants are hard to find. Good thing you found one in Santiago. yes, and let your hubby learn how to make green curry. Would coconut juice be hard to find there though?
Coconut juice is the same as coconut milk, right? I may be showing my ignorance here, but if so, then it’s not hard to find – my local grocery store carries it. It’s not in every grocery store, but mine has a decent selection of imported goods.
Hey Emily, been following your food updates. We have to say the best Chinese we have found in Santiago that I think deserves a tasting for you all is: http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/site/artic/20080112/pags/20080112161316.html
In La Florida, everything else pales in comparison … Cheers, Peter
Thank you! You’ve reminded me that I heard rumors of this place a while ago and had forgotten about it despite plans to try it. I will have to put it back on the list and actually go this time, I’d love to find some decent Chinese food in this city!
Mmm, I’m all about Thai food! I’m a pad thai girl over and over again, but that khow pad ka prow looks gooood!
Now that I’ve finally branched out, I feel like I should go back and try their pad thai so that I have a point of comparison since it’s what I get everywhere else.
This meal looks delicious! We have yet to find a good Thai restaurant here in Stavanger =( A bit scared after the first one we tried was way below average.
Having gone through my share of sub-par ethnic restaurants, I can only offer my sympathies. Hope you find somewhere good soon!
Emily –
Not for the nice sit down restaurant type of experience, but someday when you’re in Centro Tirso de Molina recently added a Thai vendor up on their 2nd floor. It was absolutely delicious!!
I ordered this interesting dish, served in a hallowed pineapple, that had sauteed grapes, pineapple, veggies, shrimp, chicken, and rice, of course. It was quite the combination but super easy on the tastebuds
The green curry was hit, too. Check it out sometime when you need some veggies/fruits from downstairs.
Chelsey
Thanks for the tip! I’ve heard the Mexican place in Tirso de Molina is good too, so clearly I’m going to have to head over there.