Get your tastebuds to pack their tiny bags – they’re heading on a culinary journey.
Located on Pulteney Street right in the middle of the city, Soi 38 serves up regional Thai food – but this is unlike any Thai food you’ll find in town.
Named after Bangkok’s famous street food market, Soi 38 opened back in October 2014, and the restaurant was given a more sleek update in late 2018.
Chef and co-owner Terry Intarakhamhaeng’s seasonal menu uses local produce and showcases dishes from the six regions of his native Thailand.
The menu is 30% vegan and 70% coeliac friendly and they’re committed to keeping it that way. All meat and seafood that they do use is ethically sourced, and herbs and vegetables from from family farms.
Even the wine list is far from the norm. While there are plenty of options from all over the world, there’s a strong focus on South Australian drops and natural winemakers, plus a whole page dedicated to female winemakers.
And about that aforementioned journey – their feed me menu ($55 per person, plus matched wines for $45) takes you on a culinary tour through Thailand, exploring the fare from different regions.
You start in the north, the spiciest part of the country, where eating with your fingers is the norm.
Pick up and eat chicken off the bone, made with Terry’s mum’s recipe, marinated overnight and rotisserie grilled. And be careful with the papaya salad – it’s delicious and fresh but the dressing has a serious bite (you can always ask them to go easy on the chilli).
The second course takes you to central Thailand, with sweet and sour flavours. Trust me – do not miss the lobster spring rolls, packed full of 100 per cent Aussie lobster, with a substantial dollop of sriracha mayo.
Then it’s to the south of Thailand for the final course, where seafood and coconut curries are abundant. The squid stir fry is fresh and fragrant, piled high with herbs, and a Thai ox tail curry is given an Australian twist in the eight-hour cooked kangaroo tail curry.
Is your mouth watering yet?
Soi 38 is at 54 Pulteney St, Adelaide. You can check out the full menu at soi38.com.au.