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COMPASS MAGAZINE, January 2007

	Taichung Thai dining off the beaten track --- By Niang Chen Translated by Mei Lee Thai Yun Despite the French windows out front, this restaurant has an amiable Indonesian flavor. Burmese-Chinese Chef Yin is influenced by his Yunnanese heritage as he cooks hot and sour Thai dishes that feature home-style flavors. This is a family restaurant and the cook can adjust his cooking according to customers' requests. Favorite dishes include Spicy Beef, Pepper Chicken, Cold Squid Dressed with Sauce, Moon Prawn Chips, Steamed Lemon Fish, and Hot and Sour Soup. With prices ranging from NT$80 to NT$220, there is a plentiful, delicious selection of almost 80 dishes, soups and desserts, all cooked fresh and healthy and in big portions. Please call in advance to order for holiday parties. Businesses are also welcomed to reserve for new-year "wei ya" dinner parties. 296, TaiYuan Road, Sec. 3 (04) 2232-3159 Hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-10 pm (closed Mondays) Credit cards not accepted. No service charge.
	Northern Thai Cuisine The front-door banner here reads, "It is your fault you don't come the first time. It is my fault if you don't come again." This reveals the self-confidence of owner Mr. Cai, and the fact that, indeed, many guests are regulars here. Repeatedly visiting Thailand, the owner understands local dishes and is familiar with the unique methods of mixing spices. Specialities include Thai Style Spring Rolls (NT$100) with pork, cucumber, ham, shrimp and crab rolled up and dipped in sauce made by mixing fish sauce, lemon, palm sugar and cilantro. Others include Lemongrass Cuttlefish (NT$180), a work of art made with minced lemongrass, pomelo leaf, lettus and a bit of lemon juice and peanut powder; and Lemon Plum Blossom Meat (NT$180), thinly-sliced and sprinkled with Thai sauce and minced garlic. During the holiday season, Thai Style Sausage is available for order; call for more details. 174, XingAn Road, Sec. 1 (corner of WenXin Rd.) (04) 2232-8666 Hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-9:30 pm (closed second and fourth Mondays) Credit cards not accepted. No service charge.
	Southeast Asian Food When you arrive at this small, noisy place, you'll feel like you've come to a Southeast Asian noodle joint. Hailing from Vietnam, Ms. Ruan speaks perfect Mandarin while introducing her Thai and Vietnamese dishes. There are also Malay and Indonesian culinary influences here, with the use natural seasonings including fragrant shrimp puree, fresh fish sauce, sour lemon juice and sweet cane sugar. The owner says she uses a thick shrimp paste and some other special secret ingredients to make her sauce for the Stir-fried Water Spinach or Cabbage with Shrimp Sauce (NT$60), which give off an appetizing aroma. Hot Spicy Chicken (NT$120) is blended with a savory red curry, while the Thai Chicken Soup with Coconut Sauce (NT$160) is deliciously cooked with dry ginger before a soup stock made from cocunut milk and lemon juice is added. With menus in Chinese, English and Vietnamese, this place draws a lot of foreigners. Call for reservations on holidays. 153, DaDun 12th Street (04) 2320-6314 Hours: 11:30 am-3 pm, 5-8:30 pm closed every other Monday No service charge. Credit cards not accepted.
	M Thai Food Mr. He, who works in the kitchen, and Ms. Ba Ni-Xing (???), who works out front, both speak Chinese and Thai. At lunchtime, people working near this restaurant come by to enjoy various displayed Thai dishes. For different taste buds, there are many varieties to choose from, with prices ranging from NT$60 to NT$80 depending on the portion. Comfortable and spacious, M Thai provides free black tea, lemongrass tea and broth. For a la carte dinner meals, recommended specialties include Fried Shrimp w/ Garlic(NT$200), Fried Flat Noodle(NT$60), Tom Yum Hot Pot (NT$90), and Lemon Fish (NT$250), all great-tasting and definitely worth the money. 58, ZhongGong 3rd Road, Xitun District (04) 2350-9065 Hours: 11 am-2 pm, 4:30-9:30 pm closed first, third Mondays No service charge. Credit cards not accepted.