Pure Thai Cafe — Restaurant in Washington

I was referred to Pure Thai by an acquaintance who knows Asian food well and I was, well, blown away! I rolled up in my overly big pretentious truck and trundled my ugly old self in for a late lunch. The place has a wonderful esthetic, open but friendly, very clean, great color scheme. I went to the counter and was charmed by the extensive altar… one of the nicest I’ve seen in an American establishment. Interesting menu, lots of unusual items. I chose the chicken Wontons and the Tom Yum Kha, and holy galangal Bat Man! I was absolutely blown away! ขอบคุณครับ First, the presentation was better than a Line of Can Can Dancers at the Moulin Rouge! These folks are shootin way above their price point! The wontons were simply the best I’ve ever had, delicate, crunchy, sublime in every respect. And the Tom Yum Kha was like stumbling on a great book in a doctors office in Alabama… complex, rich, interesting, diverse and unexpected. Plus, the hot pot kept it sizzling right to the last chapter! They have a variety of Thai kitchen items available for purchase and the server was welcoming and attentive. Right up to the top of my list like a carnival bell ringer. Who knew such an amazing place exists, and in Vancouver of all places? Go there quick before they get wise and move to Portland! มันวิเศษมาก PS I was so impressed that I ordered the crab cakes to go for my wife and she reports, best she’s ever had. And she can be pretty judgmental, just ask her what she thinks...

I've been eating Thai food for most of my life now due to our iconic and very old Thai restaurant in town here, but this post is about Pure Thai Cafe and their uniqueness in offering Bankok street food staples that many places don't have. Below you see Kana Moo Krob w/ fried egg and Moo Ping. Kana Moo Krob is a very simple, but delicious dish. It's Pork Belly and Kana (Chinese broccoli) stir fried in a garlic sauce with varying degrees of chili heat. It's not complicated, but is so good. Moo Ping is also simplistic. It's just marinated grilled pork served with veggies, but the Nam Jim Jaew, or just Jaew sauce, is where it's at and has become one of my favorite discoveries over the years. It is made of lime juice, tamarind, fish sauce, palm or brown sugar, red chilli flakes, shallots, spring onion, cilantro, and toasted sticky rice powder. This sauce is the bees knees. It has sweet, sour, umami, spice, earthiness, etc all in one. It can also come with their Bankok fried chicken wings too, which is deadly. I didn't get one this time so I ripped a picture from their site, but people go gaga for their Thai iced teas and coffees with the little ice buddies in them.

We all have Thai places somewhere around the corner near us, generally serving the usual suspects in terms of dishes, but maybe try giving Pure Thai a shot and try something new. They have more unique things than just what...

I was recommended this Thai place and did not go in with high hopes as other Thai restaurants I've been trying within the area have not "wow'd" me. They definitely steered me wrong! I ordered the 2 dishes that I was recommended and was really impressed.

Ultimate pad thai: I LOVE fat rice noodles and they made it so well in this dish without over cooking it. I think my favorite is actually the seasoning and the fact that there's many proteins. They do not skimp on the size of the shrimp!

Tom yum ramen: The fried wonton is honestly my favorite in this lol. Not the main idea of this dish but they fried it so well and it soaked up the soup nicely. Other than that, the Tom yum is the best I've had within the area but I will say it is on the sweeter side. I'm not the biggest fan of ramen noodles but didn't mind it in this and will probably try the one with rice noodles next!

Both dishes were a good portion for the price. I would say if you come with a group, it can easily be family style to share multiple dishes.

Parking: it's in a shared plaza and right next to the road so I don't think parking should be an issue. I came on a Sunday at 6pm and plenty of parking!

Service: I was greeted right away and they were...