Las Vegas Restaurant Blog

As Thai food gains more popularity amongst diners in Western Society, more and more self proclaimed experts seem to be popping out of the wood works to taking advantage of the trend, and in most cases misinforming the public, in order to put in their two cents on their version of what constitutes good Thai food.

There are plenty of articles on how to eat Thai food. Most of them are pretty creative. It’s almost as creative as the recommendations by Western Journalist on their version of a great Thai restaurant.

“I received an email last week that told me Mars would be as big as the moon in August,” I laughed. “Sometimes you have to look up information beyond a single source.”

A more reliable source, would be to read the article written by Palin Chongchinant. It was published by last month in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Chongchinant is a native of Thailand, and he offered up his “”wet, dry, yum, spicy” rule. One “wet” dish like soup or curry. One “dry” dish like a stir-fry or anything served on a plate. One “yum” dish, which is his phrasing for salad. And one “spicy” dish.

“A great part of the piece is when he mentions that rice should be thought of as a canvas on which to paint each bite,” “I enjoyed reading it because I know where that comes from. The indigenous people of Thailand didn’t start using utensils until the 19th century.”

As a result, he says, many traditional dishes created prior to the 19th century were made with the intent to be pressed into small balls with the fingers and then dipped into bite-sized pieces. European spoons and forks came later. Their adoption is often credited to King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V), who was educated by an Englishwoman. Their legend was portrayed by Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat in a 1999 Motion Picture released by 20th Century Fox, “Anna and the King”.

The knife never became popular, because the food is already served cut. Chinese spoons were later adopted for soups; chopsticks are seldom used, with the exception of individual noodle bowls.

It might seem like a small thing, but the introduction of metal utensils, civility and class to dining in the Thai Kingdom, also started to influence much of the cooking, “It reveals why jasmine rice became so important to Thai cuisine. Not only for the taste, but because it is the canvas our ancestors painted on.”

Jasmine rice, which is native to Thailand, carries a nutty aroma and has a sweet taste. It tends to cling when cooked, but is less sticky than other rices used in Asia. It is a distinct white fluffy rice. One cup (200 grams) of cooked jasmine rice has about 205 calories.

Most Thai food recipes consider 3/4 cup of rice (cooked) to equal one serving, but some Thai restaurants serve based on Chinese portions with different rice. Livestrong has featured it as a top food, probably because it has less starch compared to other Asian Rice.

In Modern day Thailand, and in traditional authentic Las Vegas Thai restaurants, Thai people dine with both hands, using forks to push food onto the spoon. However, we all can agree with Chongchinant. Unless you’re trying to impress someone with some knowledge about their culture, it’s best to eat whatever way makes you comfortable and happy.

To get more dining experiences with authentic Thai food in Las Vegas visit KungFu Plaza Thai-Chinese Restaurant located at 3505 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89103, or Call 702-247-4120 for reservations more information or for driving directions

Authentic Thai Restaurant Supports Las Vegas Community For Mother’s Day

While many restaurants offer Mother’s Day brunches and specials, Kung Fu Plaza, which is the oldest and most authentic Chinese restaurant and Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, has adopted an Eastern tradition for Mother’s Day. Kung Fu Plaza has become a supporter of the United Way this year.

“Mother’s Day in Mainland China and Thailand is celebrated much like it is here in the United States, although Thailand observes Mother’s Day on August 12,” says Alan Wong, general manger of Kung Fu Plaza. “What is a bit different is both countries honor mothers and also focus their attention on the poor and less fortunate.”

In China, Project Happiness is one of several projects designed to help mothers in that country’s poverty-stricken areas. And in Thailand, August 12 was commemorated to honor the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, who is regarded as the mother of all Thai people because of Her Majesty’s benevolence toward the needy and poor in the Kingdom.

China and Thailand have also adopted elements of Mother’s Day from the west. In addition to helping curb poverty, sons and daughters in China honor their mothers with carnations on the second Sunday in May. Carnations were chosen because the flower’s dense petals, has come to symbolize a mother’s care, and love. In Thailand, they give white jasmine flowers or garlands to their mothers on August 12 as a symbol of maternal love, and continued devotion to their Mothers.

“Mother’s Day in Thailand is one of the most beautiful event taking place annually. People all around the Kingdom of Thailand raise their flags and decorate their homes with the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and local Thai and foreign organizations decorate with garlands and colorful lights,” says Wong. “Of course, most of the world, including China, celebrates on the second Sunday in May, just like we do in the United States. While people offer many suggestions to make Mother’s Day more like China’s observance, simply sharing a meal with the entire family and friends is always appreciated by mothers everywhere.”

Wong, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Thailand via China in the 1960s, says both cultures embraced Mother’s Day because of their respect for elders and family. He says it feels good to introduce their contributions to this special day, specifically the support they extend their communities to help poor mothers as well.

Kung Fu Plaza maintains a menu that includes almost 800 dishes, predominantly from China and Thailand. The menu selection represents one of the most expansive Chinese and Thai menus in the region. To review a complete menu, visit Las-Vegas-Restaurant-Menu.

Founded in 1973, Kung Fu Plaza is the oldest and most authentic Chinese food and Thai food restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is open everyday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information and to make reservations, call 702-247-4120.

One Restaurant Owner’s Thoughts On Obama’s Healthier Foods Campaign

Allen Wong, general manger of Kung Fu Plaza a Las Vegas Thai Restaurant, has taken a real interest in first lady Michelle Obama’s national campaign to fight childhood obesity. While most of the campaign is geared toward mobilizing public- and private-sector resources to coordinate public information, Wong believes any healthy food campaign ought to occur in the public school system.

“Clark County School District’s student meals are often high in fat, additives, and preservatives,” said Wong. “So far, the only defense various school districts have offered up is that brown bag lunches tend to be less healthy. I don’t understand when less adequate became an acceptable replacement for less than adequate. Make better meals at school and kids won’t pack brown bag lunches.”


As a point of comparison, Wong cites a Feb. 2008 article in Edutopia that compared school lunches in the United States, Russia, and Japan (http://www.edutopia.org/lunch-around-the-world). Americans are eating turkey dogs and tater tots. Russians are eating beef, beet soup, and rye bread. And Japanese students are eating wonton miso soup, spinach and Chinese cabbage, rice, and milk.

“Thai food is the healthiest cuisine on the planet ‘. The ingredients have numerous health benefits, including anti-oxidants and immune-system boosters,” said Wong. “Why aren’t more programs developing affordable menus that bring the best of the world’s foods into cafeterias instead of the worst?”

Thai Tom Yum Shrimp Soup and Thai Chicken Curry

Wong said that while he has an affinity for Thai food, the solution doesn’t have to be Thai cuisine. The National Farm to School Network program is one step in the right direction, even if Wong’s home state is one of only two states that has not made any progress to improve school lunches. The national program is committed to delivering farm fresh foods as opposed to relying on caterers. Forty-three states have operational programs and five more are committed to them.

“I became more aware of the Clark County School District lunch program after a friend of mine mentioned that his child’s school rewards children with candy and other sweets,” said Wong. “When I asked him what they had for lunch, he said the menu read like a fast food restaurant, hamburger and fries, cheese and peperoni pizza, chili-dogs oh-my!”

Wong says he made a joke about how his friend’s children ought to be eating Thai food. Rather than laugh it off, his friend said such a change would be welcomed, adding that Obama’s national campaign to fight childhood obesity should begin by fixing what the government serves children for lunch.

To review and or download a menu consisting of more than 800 authentic Chinese food and Thai food dishes, visit http://www.kungfuplaza.com. Kung Fu Plaza Restaurant delivers food constantly within a limited area throughout Las Vegas and is located at 3505 S. Valley View Blvd., which is just west of the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip. For more information Please call 702-247-4120.

1 R. Stevens