PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIt’s not hard to find a good Thai restaurant in the city, but it is slightly harder to find an one that doesn’t leave your wallet sobbing into its own receipts. Chilli Cha Cha has a flair for both traditional and modern dishes that cater for both Eastern and Western palates. Using fresh flavours gathered from Chinatown’s produce shops and encouraging a range of house favourites. This friendly little eatery serves up possibly the best pad Thai this side of Bangkok, with a wedge of lemon and finely chopped peanuts giving it extra flavour and texture. However, if you’re up for trying something a little more authentic order the kao soi noodle soup – a northern Thai curry dish with coconut milk that marries silky smooth with crispy crunch deliciously and interestingly. For a healthy option with a bit of a kick, try one of the many varieties of somtum – a spicy green papaya salad with beans and tomatoes – or the nam tok of hot and spicy salad with ground roasted rice and Thai mixed herbs and your choice of beef or pork. Or rather, share a stir-fried whole fish with chilli sauce and a plate of deep-fried soft shell crab with pepper and garlic seasoning for a terrific insight into how they handle their seafood dishes.
Annabel Wise