Numchok Wilai - Fantastic Thai (Edmonton 30 in 30)

There are some restaurants talked about so much that you feel the need to try it. When Avenue Magazine came out with their Top Restaurants of 2015, a quick perusal to the Thai section mentions Numchok Wilai as one of their top picks. Having never heard of it before, my interest, while piqued, was never sold enough to try it. That is until numerous other residents and colleagues mentioned it as well, raving about the authentic Thai food featured there. Indeed on a free lunch, having missed the boat already, I had to try Numchok Wilai.

The restaurant is located on 124th street at 106th avenue. The small eatery has a large red sign with handsome lettering inviting would be diners forward. I loved the accent of the watercolor-esque painting on the exterior windows, giving passers-by a conversation topic and intrigue to check out. The interiors are similarly picturesque with large paintings of Thai landscapes adorning the tables.

The lunch menu features set meals which offer their more popular curries and stir fries with rice and a few small appetizers for a reasonable price. The dinner menu is as you would expect with a large variety of Thai cuisine including curries, noodle dishes, rice dishes and stir fries.

Lunch starters include Lemongrass Soup and Veggie Spring Rolls. As advertised, the lemongrass soup had a lemony flavour to it and features a few slices of mushroom. The vegetable springs rolls were your average run of the mill fried variety and were served with a sweet Thai chili dipping sauce.

Wonderfully sweet and creamy this Green Curry Chicken might be one of the best I have ever eaten! The flavour base is coconut which delivers a thick creamy and sweet envelop that hugs the vegetables and thick slices of chicken. The bamboo gives a slightly tender crisp texture while adding more sweetness while the green peppers accentuate the dish with freshness and colour. Excellent balance of flavours.

Knowing that I must try their signature dish, the Pad Thai was similarly delicious. These thick tender rice noodles are dazzlingly tasty in the tomato based broth and accentuated with silky egg, large shrimp and succulent chicken. Adding in the peanut topping gives a textural crisp component to complete the dish. Umami indeed.

Numchok Wilai deserves its award in Avenue Magazine as one of the best Thai restaurants in Edmonton. Pairing authentic ingredients with luxurious sauces at reasonable prices, Numchok Wilai should be a go to for anyone interested in Thai food in Edmonton.