Photo courtesy of Eathai ()
Though Eathai Express across from Camp Humphrey’s walking gate has been around since 2017, the business has years of experience bringing Thailand’s famous cuisine to the Peninsula.
Eathai Express is a resurrection of Taste of Thailand, a popular restaurant that operated in Seoul’s Itaewon District until 2017. After nine years in the Seoul food industry, owner Choi Yong-ho moved to Pyeongtaek, bringing with him great Thai food and atmosphere under a new name.
I didn’t know what to expect on my first visit to Eathai Express, but I can say I was not disappointed. The cozy restaurant looked like it was straight out of Thailand with its bright Egyptian blue walls and Thai touches.
I felt like I was on vacation amongst the interior décor and the menu transported me to the Land of Smiles. Eathai Express’ menu items are cooked fresh and there are many ingredient options if you’re on dietary restrictions. There were plenty of tofu, veggie, pork, chicken, seafood and beef-based dishes to try. In addition, the kitchen offers 5 different spice levels if you’re worried that it might be too spicy or if you’re looking to bring on the heat.
I was ravenous, so I skipped ahead and ordered a main dish. Since this was my first excursion into Thai food, my friend and I opted for the pad Thai, a well-known Thai noodle dish, for 8,400 won (or $7).
Our noodles were tasty and well-seasoned with tangy tamarind paste, but this serving was not enough to ease our hunger. We tried our luck and ordered the sweet & sour chicken [10,800 won], which, for us, was a gamble.
This chicken also did not disappoint. It was perfectly coated and fried, then tossed with a sweet and sour sauce. Since this was freshly made, the sauce had not managed to make the chicken soggy, so it maintained a crisp and flavorful softness. Needless to say, we did not regret betting on this wild card.
We washed down all these delicious dishes with Thai iced tea and lemon tea for 3,600 won each. The iced Thai tea, a black tea with sweet condensed milk, was pleasant and did not take away from the flavors of my meal. The lemon tea, however, was a bit too sweet for us.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our food at Eathai Express. The prices are reasonable, and the restaurant offers many options and weekly specials. Base residents may have tried their famous curries, but their other dishes are also worth a try. And, if you’re in a hurry, Eathai Express also has to-go and delivery if you can’t make it in.
Address: 108, Anjeongsunhwan-ro, Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek-si. 평택시 안정 순환로 108 Naver map Hours: Mon to Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Contact: 010-9977-2722, 031-656-2722 (They offer off-post delivery service), pooh0107@naver.com Website, Facebook
