Restaurant Review: Eathai

Sometimes when a restaurant is hyped up, I’m weary as I ponder if it’s going to live up to all the praise. Owner and chef Sopanut Sopochana, or Chef So, as he’s affectionately called, debuted his version of a Thai restaurant on the Boca/Delray dining scene in 2016. For those who have never been to Thailand, the menu he’s curated gives you a glimpse into the cuisine’s range from traditional to street food.

While you expect to find curries, noodles, soups and fried rice on the menu, the dishes here aren’t the standard ones we’re used to seeing around town. And for that I’m grateful. Spoiler alert: Eathai absolutely lived up to every divine compliment and rave review.

We started with the Papaya Salad ($10). Mixed with cherry tomatoes, string beans, sun-dried shrimp and roasted peanuts in a chili lime dressing, it definitely has a kick to it, but it’s not the type of heat that stays on your palate. Something easy to eat along a Bangkok street, Satays ($9) were savory grilled lamb served with a creamy sweet peanut sauce.

The Thai Chicken French Toasted ($7) stood out to the table, so we had to try it. It’s indeed bread, but it’s topped with marinated chicken before it’s battered, fried and served with a honey chili sauce. The Thai Chicken Wings ($11) come with a choice of garlic fish sauce, chili honey or a yum yum dry rub. The table can choose to order their own main dishes or kick it family style, like we did. We ordered the Egg Benedict with Spicy Cashew with Garlic Egg Noodle and Chicken ($14). The Crispy Duck Breast with Lychee Curry Sauce ($18) was our favorite entrée thanks to the succulent sauce that the tender duck was floating in.

You won’t find tofu or shrimp fried rice here; instead, we opted for the Oxtail Spicy Basil Fried Rice ($16) that you can customize to the level of spice you’re comfortable with.

Ice cream is the only dessert option. But not just any ice cream—Thai rolled ice cream. We tried the Cookie Spree and Thai Ice Tea (both $7). The first was sweet cream blended with Oreos, and the second was Thai tea ice cream with lychees. You can choose from a list of recommended options or design your own, but you really can’t go wrong.

If you’re craving approachable and affordable Thai food, put Eathai at the top of your list. And if you love your typical chicken pad Thai, it’s on the menu too. But perhaps once you slip into a banquette, take a sip of an icy cold Sapporo beer and check out the menu, something else might catch your eye. Don’t be shy—be adventurous.

1832 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach; 561/270-3156; eathaiflorida.com