Coming from Hamamatsu Station, take the road just before the T-junction at Azukimochi on Sumiyoshi Kaido towards the West Interchange, and you'll spot a Thai and Laotian restaurant with a striking yellow sign and red lettering that exudes an exotic atmosphere.Sarakam Isaan"Ms. [Name]. She used to be a cooking school teacher locally, but she married a Japanese man and opened a Thai restaurant here. The restaurant has no windows, so you can't see inside, which might make you hesitate to enter at first, but the reviews are very good, and I went there for lunch once to check it out. When I told a friend couple that my husband and I have recently become obsessed with Thai food, they, being big fans of ethnic cuisine, immediately responded positively, so we decided to take them there. Then, some sisters who heard about it said, "We want to join us too!", and in the end, we went as a group of six♪
Dinner service starts at 5 PM. Even on weekdays, this popular restaurant is practically a must-visit. When we made our 6 PM reservation, the counter seats were full, and the table next to us was also reserved. The restaurant is small, with about 6 counter seats and 10 table seats. It's amazing how busy this place is on a weekday evening! Indeed, the dishes here are all reasonably priced, with most items in the 700-800 yen range, and the fact that you can bring your own drinks is probably one of the secrets to its popularity! This time, we decided to bring sparkling wine, white wine, and beer.
"Chandon Brut Summer Bottle" (bring your own wine)
Founded in 1986 in the Yarra Valley of Victoria, Australia, a renowned wine-producing region known for its coolest climate, Moët & Chandon produces the fruity premium sparkling wine CHANDON. CHANDON BRUT, characterized by its greenish-straw color and long-lasting, fine bubbles, boasts a soft flavor with aromas of citrus blossoms, pear, and nectarine, offering a dry yet long-lasting finish. This particular bottle is a limited-edition summer bottle. With its refreshing marine stripe design evoking the never-ending summer, let's toast with this premium sparkling wine made from the traditional grape varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!
My friend's husband, who was pouring the drink while holding the summer bottle, had a summer outfit that perfectly matched the bottle cover, so I couldn't help but beg him for a commemorative photo. My cheerful friend's husband then proudly showed off with a thumbs-up! (lol)
"Pak Boon Fai Daeng" 892 yen
"Pak bun" is a Thai vegetable originally from China, and in Japan it's called "water spinach." It's called water spinach because its stems are hollow. It's a favorite among Thais and is a delicious stir-fry that suits Japanese palates well!
Som Tum (papaya salad) 892 yen
A representative dish of northeastern Thailand and Laos. It's called Som Tum in Thai and Tham Bahon in Lao. This salad, made with unripe green papaya, has a refreshing, crunchy texture and a tangy dressing that stimulates the appetite.
"Tom Yum Goong" 735 yen
The vibrant cilantro is very appetizing. Tom Yum Goong is one of the world's three great soups. It's flavored and aromatic with tom yum paste, galangal (ginger), takai (lemongrass), and kaffir lime leaves (orange leaves). There are various styles depending on the restaurant, but this is the most flavorful and delicious tom yum goong I've ever had. It has a strong, distinctive sourness, but it's so addictive that you can't stop drinking it. It's a small pot, but it's deep enough that it's enough for six people to share a little at a time.
"Inedit" (bring your own beer)
Developed by the chefs and sommelier David Seijas of the three-Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant El Bulli, in collaboration with Damm's beer master, Estrella Damm, this is the only beer served with El Bulli's cuisine. "Inedit" means "unprecedented" in Spanish. Made with water, barley malt, wheat, hops, coriander, orange peel, and yeast, it's brewed using a combination of lager and white beer brewing methods. Due to its special brewing process, it has a slightly cloudy appearance and a delicate aroma. First, you'll notice the scent of fruit and flowers, followed by the aroma of fresh yeast and sweet spices. The head is creamy, soft, and delicate. It has a soft body and a long, refreshing finish. It's considered a beer that can be served as a substitute for wine, and it's said that it's best enjoyed in a wine glass rather than a beer glass to fully appreciate its aroma. I wish I had brought more glasses, but 10 was the limit (lol).
"Sai Wa Chiang Mai Sausage" 892 yen
In Chiang Mai, a local specialty is a sausage called "Sai Oua." Sai Oua is spicy and flavorful, with a unique taste and aroma thanks to herbs like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. While some may not like the strong spices and herbs, it's an irresistible dish for those who do!
"Tot Manpla" 892 yen
This is a Thai-style fish cake made from ground fish paste. I ordered the "Shrimp Spring Rolls" from the new menu on the board, but it seems they mistakenly brought me this instead, which was listed below it. However, they seemed busy, so I didn't say anything and enjoyed it with the spicy chili sauce (lol).
"Gai Yang" (grilled chicken) 735 yen
This is a representative dish from northeastern Thailand (commonly known as the Isan region). It's grilled chicken, a Laotian-style fried chicken. It's served with chili sauce, of course. The mild spiciness makes it a perfect accompaniment to beer!
"Grand Monte Spring Chenin Blanc 2010" Thai White Wine (Bring your own wine)
I was surprised to learn that wine is produced in Thailand, but this is a Thai white wine, Chenin Blanc 100%.This family-run winery is located in Asoke Valley, adjacent to Khao Yai National Park, 200km northeast of Bangkok. The mild climate at an altitude of 350m produces elegant wines. This is a fresh white wine made from Chenin Blanc free-run juice using the sur lie method. It boasts the excellent quality expected from one of Thailand's top wineries. With its pale green color, fresh fruitiness, abundant minerality, and spicy nuances, it's surprising to think this is a Thai wine!
"Suki" 735 yen
The familiar Thai sukiyaki. It's sometimes called "Thai-style shabu-shabu," meaning "Thai-style sukiyaki," but it's different from the Japanese sukiyaki style. It's a Thai hot pot dish. And of course, it's topped with a generous amount of cilantro. My friend's wife, who loves cilantro, was constantly digging for it (lol).
"Khao Packun" 735 yen
”"Khao" means rice, "Pad" means stir-fry, and "Kung" means shrimp. So it's basically "shrimp fried rice." It has a unique Thai seasoning that gives it a subtle sweetness and a touch of spiciness that makes it irresistibly delicious!
Green Curry Ramen: 450 yen
This ramen uses dried noodles made with green curry. It's reasonably priced, making it a great way to finish off a night of drinking. Even after finishing this many dishes, if you bring your own drinks, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at an incredibly low price. According to a couple of friends who know the area well, "every dish tastes as close to the authentic Thai food as possible." I recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys drinking and Thai food. The food comes out quickly, so the get-together ended earlier than expected, and we headed home for a second round of tea time—it was a fun night!
Sarakam Isaan
2-14-2 Azukimochi, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City TEL: 080-3633-4347
Opening hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-23:00. Closed: Irregular holidays.
