Thai restaurants may be commonplace in the UK. But on Lanzarote there is only one authentic eatery serving classic Thai dishes - Casa Siam in Puerto del Carmen.

Lanzarote´s Only Authentic Thai Restaurant

Thai food has grown enormously in popularity in the UK over the last ten years. With most towns now home to at least one restaurant offering food from South East Asia. But whilst there are plenty of Indian and Chinese restaurants in Lanzarote Casa Siam remains the one outpost of authentic Thai cuisine on the island.

With its highly idiosyncratic blend of sweet and sharp tastes, Thai cookery has several accent flavours, including fresh basil and coconut milk. Fish sauce, which is made by fermenting anchovies, is another vital ingredient for creating those distinctive dishes. Likewise, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves are essential for infusing the right lemony notes to fish dishes. All of these ingredients are used in abundance in the dishes at Casa Siam.

The starters include perennial favourites, such as chicken satay with its delicious peanut based sauce. And deep fried prawn tempura is always a winner, served with a hot and sweet chilli dipping sauce that contrasts beautifully with the crispy tempura batter.

A good range of the fragrant light soups that Thai chefs specialise in are featured. With lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves introducing a citrus base, there are chicken, prawn and vegetable versions on the menu of Tom Yam soup. The richer notes in Tom Kah soup come from coconut milk and galangal (a root similar to ginger, but which has a citrus flavour).

Curries and Spìces

For main courses, there are a good selection of Thai curries to choose from; either green, red or yellow. Traditionally less fiery than Indian curries, the hottest variety is the red curry, with its colour and heat originating from the red chillies used to prepare the paste. The beef ˜Massaman' curry is a variety of red curry, with star anise, shrimp paste and red chillies making up the rich flavour.

Green curries tend to take their colour and flavours from green chillies, ginger, kaffir lime leaves and coriander leaves, making them a highly aromatic blend of tastes. Yellow curry derives its colour not only from yellow chillies, which can be difficult to find, but also from mustard.

A number of side dishes complement the curries, including the popular Pad Thai, which is a fried noodle-based dish. There are also specialities from the chef, with steamed fish and King prawns top of the list. With a number of vegetable dishes available, the menu caters to vegetarian tastes as well.

Steamed rice is the perfect accompaniment to the main courses, especially the medium grained jasmine rice grown in Thailand, as this enhances the flavours of the spices in Thai curry sauces.

For those who find it difficult to decide what to have, there is a set menu that offers some of the tastiest selections from the menu. The wine list includes some locally produced wines, such as Bermejo. This white Malvasia wine is an excellent tipple to accompany spicy dishes, either in its dry or sweet form.

All of the dishes are prepared with as much attention paid to a colourful and eye catching presentation as to the flavours contained within. Traditional flower carvings made out of vegetables adorn some of the platters.

But it isnt just the food at Casa Siam that hits the authentic note. As the owners have imported numerous items from their Thai homeland to create the right ambience in the restaurant. Including the cutlery, the restaurants furniture, china and decorations.

Bookings & Take Away Orders

Telephone

0034 928 528464

How to find Casa Siam

Casa Siam is based in the Centro Comercial La Penita, which can be found just off the main Avenida de las Playas in Puerto del Carmen at the San Antonio end of the strip.  Casa Siam is located on the first floor, next to the Music Hall Tavern.