Nora Thai

Siren’s song of funk, clamour and clang.

November 18, 2024

1 / 7The menu features dishes from Thailand’s south.supplied

2 / 7Kai tom ka-min : boiled chicken with turmeric.Supplied

3 / 7Garlicky stir-fried chicken with roasted cashews.Supplied

6 / 7Crisp pork belly with Chinese broccoli.Supplied

Thai$

Every night of the week in the homely huddle that is Nora Thai, 20 diners get a front-row seat to a showcase of southern Thai cooking. The two-person kitchen team delivers joy with every skilful flip of the wok, dialling many elements up to extreme.

Fudgy glutinous rice cakes arrive with a brittle garlic garnish that hums with umami. Sator (Thai stink bean) brings pungent contrast to a juicy tango of jumbo prawns and minced pork. And kaeng bai cha plu’s pearlescent crabmeat basks in a lustrous coconut and betel leaf broth.

Service can be abrupt but sets a cracking pace, and those wishing to drink anything but Asahi or Singha are welcome to BYO wine. In the Venn diagram of value, comfort and excitement, Nora hits that magical sweet spot.