We Found Thailand in Abu Dhabi

### Hey, when are you free? We used to call ourselves the *Weekdays Gang* for the very reason that we could always find time to see each other even on a working day (lunch breaks that could extend up to dinner and beyond) even though we moved our separate ways and worked for different companies. Then the pandemic happened and now we barely see each other -- one I've not seen for over two years, another I met only once in those two years. Heck, he didn't have a girlfriend at the time and when we met recently he already got married. LOL. So when one pings the other, we try to make sure to actually meet, i.e., schedules permitting. One day I got a message from @pingcess asking when I'm free for coffee. It was good that I have eye tests scheduled for the kids and I was bound to get my PCR test done so I confirmed to meet with her on the same day. ### Finding Thailand We did not have any plans about where to go or what to do. It was close to dinner time so we just had to decide where to eat. "Hmmm, how about *pad thai*? I think that would be great for dinner," she suggested. Okay, *pad thai* it is!  We navigated through the very busy Salam Street in Abu Dhabi, which tested my driving skills anew. It was already dark and the street was very congested due to road works and lanes that seem to disappear all of a sudden. Finally, we reached **Tuk Tuk Restaurant**. I don't know how long this restaurant has been here, but it could be very new. I have not seen this before when I used to work somewhere nearby.  It was not a very big restaurant, but I love the interior. There was even a model of the Thai Tuk Tuk inside which is actually their counter area. ||| |-|-| I love that they have a special corner for toys and some educational materials that could keep small tots busy so their parents could enjoy the delicious Thai meal. At the middle of the restaurant is a wooden divider adorned with these cute small wooden tuk-tuks. | _{Toys Corner} | _{Wooden miniature tuk-tuk's} | |-|-| ### Food! Food! Food! Catching up with a friend (friends) is always best with food. As I mentioned earlier, our hang outs used to last from lunch to dinner and beyond. This time, we were so busy filling each other up on what has been happening in our lives that I failed to take photos of the menu. Luckily, I was able to take a few shots when the food arrived. :D ##### Appetizer For our appetizer, we chose a set combo of vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay, and breaded prawns. The dips, which I failed to identify are more on the sweeter side. I was half expecting spicy dips, but these aren't.  #### Noodles We came for the *Pad Thai!* Oh,yes! We did! "Do they have big serving here?" I asked my friend. "Yes, it could be for two but when I am hungry, I can take on one order!" she answered. LOL.  _{Stir fry noodles Thai style with prawns} Okay, she sounded hungry. Hence, the main course. #### Main Course **Talay Pad Phong Ka Ree** - stir fried seafood with curry powder. This is basically slices of squid, shrimps, crab, and vegetables in coconut milk and curry. I personally loved this dish which we paired with garlic fried rice. Dayuuummmm! I am craving again whilst writing this. The photos make me hungry. Again, we had the option as to the spiciness level of the dish and we didn't dare go super spicy. Moderation is key!  _{Talay Pad Phong Ka Ree}  _{Pad Thai Goog Sod,Talay Pad Phong Ka Ree, and garlic fried rice.} Speaking of *moderation*, I guess my friend got a bit too excited when mixing up the spices of the pad thai (again, I have no idea what they were) . She mixed *everything* up. The pad thai was good. Oh so good. Until the last few bites that we finally felt the hotness! Yep, all those spices settled at the bottom of the noodles and we got a kick as we were finishing the dish. The food attendant was kind to remind that we should not put everything next time. :D All good though. We were so full that we could barely get up and walk afterward. ##### Durian Ice Cream We did not order dessert at the restaurant but we walked up an Asian store nearby. They sell this delicious melon-flavored ice cream on stick which I never fail to buy whenever I am at the area. This time however, the melon ice cream was not available. They have durian-flavored ice cream instead, which I was honestly hesitant to try. I am not a fan of durian although I have not yet tried the actual fruit. As they say, you would either love it or hate it. Nothing in between. I guess I can only tell that when I finally get to try the actual fruit. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the ice cream. The durian flavor is so natural (according to my friend), I wouldn't mind eating it again.  We were just enjoying the moment, talking and reminiscing while eating ice cream on the road side like kids. We talked about the next get-together which has been set in a few weeks' time. I am honestly very excited about this upcoming meet up. I bet it will be such a wonderful time! --- Restaurant Name: Tuk Tuk Restaurant (Thai Street Food) Abu Dhabi Location: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan (Salam Street) Al Zahiyah - Abu Dhabi find location on Google map. [//]:# (!pinmapple 24.490760 lat 54.378534 long d3scr)