Mango Tree Celebrates Thai Street Food Festival

When talking about Thailand, one of the first things that come to my mind (aside from temples, elephants, and the Songkran Festival) is great-tasting street food. I’m planning my first trip to Thailand later this year, and with a little bit of research, I already know that Thai street food is definitely something to look forward to.

For the meantime though, I can have my fair share of Thai street delights here in the Philippines by visiting Mango Tree and taking part in their Thai Street Food Festival which happens until May 15, 2016.  The Festival promises to offer diners “a symphony of visual delight and an explosion of unique, gastronomic flavors and spices”. This should be interesting.

I visited the BGC branch of Mango Tree and when I got a taste of their specialties, I knew that they weren’t kidding when they said it was going to be an explosion of flavors and spices. The first dish I tried during my visit was the Yum Mamuang (Php 120.00), which is an interesting mix of sweet, sour, and salty. Even the Tom Yum Fries (Php 150.00) had a nice zesty kick to it. Anybody who enjoys strong, spicy flavors would love these appetizers.

Chef Prapun Sampungong is the genius behind these Thai street food favorites of Mango Tree.  The interesting lineup of dishes he meticulously prepared include the Top Yum Chicken Poppers (Php 150.00), Salmon Silk Crisps (Php 100.00, which is like a seafood version of our local Chicharon), and my personal favorite, the Pork Dynamite (Php 180.00).

Other authentic Thai cuisines to look forward to are the Pla Meuk Thod (fried squid rings), Goong Phad Wonsen (Php 120.00, stir-fried glass noodles with shrimps), Phad See Iw Gai (Php 480.00, stir-fried rice noodles in soy sauce with chicken), and the Larb Pla Meuk (Php 150.00, spicy squid salad).

Of course, I didn’t miss the chance to try Mango Tree’s specialty Thai desserts! What intrigued me the most in their lineup of sweet treats is the Thai version of our well-loved Halo-Halo (Php180.00). It has lesser ingredients than the Halo-Halo we know here in the Philippines, so don’t expect it to be as sweet. I kinda wished though that there was an ice cream to go with it.

If you prefer a warm dessert instead of a cold one, you may like the Mun Cheum (Php220.00). It’s basicallty sweet cassava drizzled with coconut milk, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Just like the Halo-halo, this isn’t overwhelmingly sweet either, but good enough to refresh your palate.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to try the sticky rice with Mango L I had a feeling this would have been my favorite.

Mango Tree’s Thai Street Food Festival started last April 20, and will be held until May 15 only, so you better visit a branch soon if you wish to have a bite of these delicacies.