It is known to all locals that the Katong area is blessed with good food and that’s probably the best thing about living in this area. While walking around the area every now and then I’ll discover new establishments sprouting up. A few months ago I noticed a new addition to the scene – Rochor Thai, and what left me an impression (really there are way too many new establishments so it’s unrealistic to expect that I notice all of them) is that this is probably the only Thai restaurant in Joo Chiat.

For the unfamiliar, Katong is known for all sorts of good, mostly Asian, food but not so for Thai cuisine. There are many Vietnamese eateries and even coffeeshops in the Joo Chiat area and this is unofficially Little Vietnam in Singapore, but for Thai eateries I can name them all – one along Tanjong Katong Road, one along East Coast Road and one in i12 Katong Mall, and I have tried them all.

After finding out that Rochor Thai takes pride in using no MSG for their food and creating all sauces from scratch I decided to try it because I appreciate such values when it comes to cooking. Though this doesn’t guarantee clean eating, at least one evil – monosodium glutamate, is eliminated.

Tod Man Pla – $7.80

Classic Thai fish cake with cucumber salsa

This item is complimentary if you like their Facebook page. The serving was rather generous with 7 pieces. It was flavourful enough and I wouldn’t mind having it again. Nothing to complain about for this one.

Po Taek – $8.80

Clear hot sour soup with holy basil and kaffir lime leaves

This is their version of the clear tom yum soup. I personally think that the one from Nakhon Kitchen was better and this tasted quite ordinary, nothing special. However, this was probably the spiciest tom yum soup I ever had. It had me choking at the first sip.

Kor Moo – $12.80

Pork collar

The meat was juicy, flavourful, very tender and grilled to perfection. The dipping sauce which was tangy and refreshing went well with the meat too and the overall taste was not too oily or heavy. This was one of my favourite dishes from this meal.

Gaeng Phet Pla Krapong Daeng – $16.80

Dry red curry with red snapper fillet

This was my other favourite savoury dish from this meal. I could easily finish the whole plate by myself!

Pad Prik Pao – $14.80

Flambe with chili jam and chef’s stock

This was one of their popular items but I wasn’t very impressed with this. It was just like any other clam dish to me.

Khao Pad Sapparod Talay – $7.80

Seafood pineapple rice

I think this was one of the better pineapple fried rice I’ve had and I can easily finish this whole plate without any other dishes.

Pad Woon Sen Talay – $7.80

Stir fried bean vermicelli with seafood

Comparing to the one I had at Nakhon Kitchen, I’ll say this loses out in comparison. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t nice because it is, and I wouldn’t mind having it again, but I preferred Nakhon’s. This one was moister and I actually prefer my bean vermicelli to be drier hence my preference towards Nakhon’s.

Tab Tim Grob – $4.80

Red ruby in coconut milk

My mouth was on fire after finishing up my tom yum soup and this was perfect for putting the fire out. Somehow the coconut milk soothes the spiciness but please do not order this just for that purpose. Order this if you appreciate coconut milk because this is the best red ruby dessert I ever had! I was told that the coconut milk was homemade fresh and the ruby was coloured with beet root, requiring no artificial colouring or sugar in this dessert. I found it quite hard to believe because it was adequately sweet and super delicious. In fact, we had a second round for this! The coconut milk was thick and flavourful – totally different from packet coconut milk off the shelves. I was very happy to know that no sugar was added for this even though it was hard to believe. (Not so guilty afterall!) (Ok, apparently they do add palm sugar.)

Khao Niew Ma Muang – $7.80

Mango sticky rice

This was not bad, but if I were to return I wouldn’t order this and just go for the red ruby.

The food standard was generally above average (so was the price) but for no MSG added it was not bad and nothing was bland. I like restaurants that work on bringing out flavours naturally rather than to cheat and rely on artificial flavouring so that is definitely a plus point. The pork collar, red curry snapper, pineapple rice and red ruby (especially this!) is a must try in my opinion.

*****

Ambiance: 7/10

Food: 7.5/10

Value: 7/10

Overall: The red ruby in coconut is definitely crave worthy. Not a bad addition to the Katong scene, but I’ll say it’s just one of those places were you visit if it’s convenient for you and not something you’ll travel for, because Thai food is everywhere.

*****

Rochor Thai

340 Joo Chiat Road

Singapore 427592

 

Tel: 64403270

*****

Mon – Thu:

11:30am to 2:30pm (last order), 5:45pm to 9:45pm (last order)

 

Fri & Sat:

11:30am to 2:30pm (last order), 5:30pm to 10:30pm (last order)

 

Sun, PH eves and PHs:

11:30am to 9:45pm (last order)

 

Closed on every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month