One of our favourite eateries out west, Mystic Thai, recently introduced new menu options drawing heavily on healthier choices and the use of Vietnamese infusions and cooking styles.

The award-winning restaurant is a joint 2018 winner for the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Award for Best Ethnic Restaurant.

“We are listening to our customers and they are looking for healthier options when dining. The new menu choices use a lot of fresh vegetables and legumes and the cooking methods incorporate more steaming and grilling,” explained owner.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive; patrons are commending us for providing that dining option that gives them healthy choices. We are happy with that feedback; we are always changing our options to keep it fresh and exciting and we have been matching the trends and demands of our customers,” Mahbubani added further.

A main feature of the restaurant is their fusion of Thai cuisine with European and Caribbean flavours, and this concept is maintained throughout the new offerings.

“We have guests from especially Spain and, like Jamaicans, they prefer the milder curries like Massaman and Panang, while Thai curries are especially spicy as the base is generally red and green chilli peppers. Panang curry has peanut and coconut flavours, so that is really loved by locals. Our beef tenderloin steak is paired with Irish potato wedges as that is more widely accepted on this side of the world, but the spices and sauce are Thai. So, we keep the dishes authentic but at the same time our guests can relate to it,” explained Subodh Nawani, the restaurant’s manager.

“Chicken in banana leaf is also another favourite; it’s steamed inside the leaf so it has a banana flavour to it and then it is served with Asian dressing just gives it that added burst of flavour, the chilli, vinegar, soy sauce and bit of tamarind giving it that sweet and sour taste. The Pho soup is a detox soup; it has flavours of onion, ginger and cardamom. And the Buddha bowls are very popular; persons are really into clean, healthy eating and we are providing that,” Nawani concluded.