Taishange: refreshing, authentic Thai at good prices

Taishanfang serves the biggest shrimps in town for its curry-fried shrimp (138 yuan for six pieces), which cannot be found at any other restaurant in town.

The restaurant offers simple lunch choices as well, such as the pineapple seafood fried rice (49 yuan). Although the dish is normally served in a real pineapple, Lin said a pineapple is too small and many customers have complained it holds too little rice, so he serves the rice on a plate – enough for two people.

The rice is fried and mixed with southern sausage, shrimps and mussels.

Lin said in Thailand, two dishes are especially popular: the tom yum soup and the steamed fish. Both use a lot of Thai limes that give out a distinct lime flavor and tartness.

To keep the dishes authentic, Lin uses fresh materials, and all herbs are shipped from Thailand twice a week.

“You cannot replace the herbs,” Lin said. Thai lime, for example, has a strong flavor that local limes can’t imitate.

The restaurant has become a popular spot for its convenient location, underground at The Place, with decorations in mellow gold and mahogany, and splendid Thai artwork. During lunch hours, it’s cramped with office workers. In the evenings, Thai people working in Beijing occupy most tables.

Taishange

Where: 142, B1, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

Open: 11 am – 10 pm

Tel: 6587 1525