MY face was red and the sweat was gushing down my forehead.
No, I hadn’t just read Basil Zempilas’ Liberal manifesto, I was eating a Thai green curry from Rym Tarng in Bicton.
This isn’t the CWA Cookbook version your gran made – all cream and blander than a game show host – it’s a full-on authentic firecracker.
To be fair, they do put three big chillies and a warning beside the dish on the menu, so don’t say you weren’t warned.
I thoroughly enjoyed the green viscous sauce – flashbacks to The Exorcist – which had the perfect blend of heat and velvety cream.
There was plenty of chicken, although it was slightly over cooked, but it still had a nice flavour.
The dish was garnished with lemongrass, whole red chillies, basil and Thai eggplant.
It was a nice assortment and kept the dish from becoming monotonous.
As the cold weather begins to bite, Rym Tarng’s Thai green curry ($25) is a delicious winter warmer and packed with authentic flavours.
The menu at the small Thai restaurant is compact and includes snacks, curries, soups, stir fries, salads and chef’s specials.
Highlights included the Larb Moo, Choo Chee prawn, Tom Yum and the signature pork jowl.
It’s one of those places that does a few things exceptionally well and goes for quality over quantity.
Which is good, as I’ve been to some restaurants where the menu is longer than Gideon’s bible.
Across the table my wife was tucking into her massaman beef curry ($26).
“The hefty chunks of braised beef are delicious and super tender,” she said.
“And the thick sauce has a lovely rich flavour and a nice mix of soft onion, sweet potato and carrot.
“It’s a hearty and high quality dish.”
I had a sneaky taste and the depth of flavour was amazing. Top notch.
To accompany the dishes, we got a well-priced bowl of steamed Jasmine rice ($4.50), which was enough for both of us to share.
My young kids brought up the rear with the ever-dependable bogan classic – pad Thai ($22).
This was a well-executed, superior version with a lovely assortment of chicken, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, fried egg and noodles.
It was a generous serve and easily fed my two kids.
Situated in the unassuming Bicton Central Shopping Centre, on the Canning Highway, Rym Tarng is a high quality affair.
The Centre is starting to get some good eateries with Fins Bicton and Hunter Bread also located there.
Now, back to that Liberal manifesto:
Directive 1. Ban joss sticks and dungarees in Fremantle.
Rym Tarng
Shop 8, Bicton Central Shopping Centre,
258 Canning Highway, Bicton
rymtarng.com
by STEPHEN POLLOCK