Thai Resa: Authentic Thai Cuisine For Less

Monday, September 17, 2012
It's funny how these past few weeks, I have already been posting about nothing but Asian restaurants. And today, I'll be sharing with you yet another great Asian find. But this time, it's a hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant in Quezon City by the name of Thai Resa.
Thai Resa Interior Thai Resa

Located along N.S. Amoranto, formerly Retiro, Thai Resa is a humble and unassuming restaurant drenched in magenta and purple with some Buddhist accents. As both a pink and purple shade lover, the color scheme of the place definitely enticed me. It's also the only eye-catching establishment along the street with a bright and happy facade.

Even without an air-conditioning unit, staying in Thai Resa is as comfy as it gets. The restaurant has ceiling fans, and the location itself provide for well ventilation. We dined on an afternoon, yet we didn't shed even a single droplet of sweat!

Catfish with Green Mango Salad P180

As for the food, we first had the Catfish with Green Mango Salad (P180), an ensemble of crispy shredded catfish, green mango strips and lime juice. Although it has only been a year since I first tried Thai cuisine, this simple salad has always been a favorite. I just love the play in flavors and textures. You get both a subtle savor, and a punch of tang, as well as both delicately crispy and a solid bite from the green mangoes.

Tom Yum Goong P130

We also had the restaurant's version of Tom Yum Goong (P130) which is a famous Thai hot and sour prawn soup. Although it was generous of Thai Resa to include four pieces of plump shrimps considering the price, our group was a little surprised at how this bowl isn't as red nor as creamy as we're used to. You still get that spice and tang, but we thought it resembled our local Sinigang (tamarind soup) more in terms of overall flavor. Maybe a little more cilantro would have made this bowl more Thai, in my opinion. However, this was still a good hearty soup to sip on a chilly day.

Pad Thai P150

We then got to try the Pad Thai (P150), another popular dish I look forward to eat when dining in Thai restaurants. Thai Resa's serving of this stir-fried rice noodle dish with eggs, tamarind and lemon juice, fish sauce, chili peppers and beansprouts is definitely hefty compared to other Thai dining establishments I've been to. And while my friends found something lacking in this serving in terms of flavor, I thought this is a satisfying but a different approach to one of the tastiest noodle dishes around.

Crispy Tilapia with Thai-Resa Sauce and Green Mango Salad P200

I may not be a fried fish lover, but this dish is a very clear exception. This beautiful plate of Crispy Tilapia with Thai-Resa Sauce and Green Mango Salad (P200) is by-far my most favorite Thai dish not just in Thai Resa, but in all the Thai restaurants I've been to. Despite the concept being simple -- tilapia fillets cut into chunks, battered and deep-fried, glazed with a special sauce, and finally laid on a bed of green mango salad, I still can't help but exclaim moans of pleasure with every bite. Seriously, this dish is so good!

Beef Green Curry P180

Next, we had a serving of the Beef Green Curry (P180) which is another house specialty in Thai Resa. Although I'm not a big fan of curry in general, I liked how this dish has the right amount of curry flavor. It wasn't too overbearing, yet you know it's curry. I also dig the eggplant chunks which went perfect with the tender-cooked beef pieces.

Bagoong Fried Rice P150

For carbs, we had the Bagoong Fried Rice (P150) which comes with chicken pieces, egg strips and green mango shreds. Again, we were surprised at how generous the portion was. This plate can seriously feed three people with ease, or even up to four light eaters. Despite having good side accompaniments, we found the bagoong lighter and sweeter than usual. Somehow, I think the flavor of this dish was already adjusted to suit the sweet-loving Pinoy palates. It was good as it is though.

Crabmeat Fried Rice P180 Thai Iced Tea P60

We also got to try the Crabmeat Fried Rice (P180). Compared to the previous rice dish, this is definitely lighter in flavor. However, I liked the fact that you'll still get to taste hints of fried crabmeat without the crab flavor being too overpowering, making this a nice rice dish to pair with viands. As for my beverage, I had the Thai Iced Tea (P60), a smooth and creamy black tea and coconut milk concoction with a hint of caramel flavor.

THE VERDICT

True enough, hole-in-the-wall restaurants like Thai Resa can really give a different sense of dining pleasure. It may not have an extravagant interior, but food quality is still excellent without having to put a hole in your pocket. Another feat I love is the owners' personal touch. Since husband-and-wife duo Wilfredo and Theresa Yu, is hands-on in operating and managing the restaurant, you can request your food to be adjusted according to your preference. Thai food newbies can also get a free introduction to Thai cuisine just by chatting with the friendly owners.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Thai Resa Authentic Thai Cuisine, Retiro
135-D N.S. Amoranto cor. Iriga St.,
Brgy. Paang Bundok, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 774-1308
Facebook Page

73 comments:

  1. fortunately malapit lang samin to :) perfect place for weeknight Thai cravings :)

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    1. Lucky you! Haha.. Ako, kailangan pang dumayo eh. Buti di naman masyadong malayo from our place :)

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    2. Although its a hole in a wall, the place is clean and cool and the food is good yet affordable. =D

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    3. Oh this would look perfect in photos! I live in New Zealand, and there are some nice restaurants here, but I like to find more!
      http://alinasavin.blogspot.co.nz/

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  2. i love pad thai and thai iced tea! and i have to agree, the price is definitely affordable! compared to that of Asian restaurant in tomas morato, the pad thai's price is WAAY cheaper!

    thanks for sharing sis will definitely visit them this sunday:)

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    1. Hope you enjoy your Thai Resa experience sis! :)

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  3. Lovely photos as usual Sumi! :) Haven't tried a hole-in-the-wall Thai resto lately but I'll try to check on this one. Recently I've been trying some Thai restaurants and I'm slowly falling in love with the cuisine :)

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    1. What Thai restos have you recently tried? Would love to explore more of Thai cuisine 'cause I'm really into it already! :D

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  4. I love Thai food sis. Is this similar to Som's in Rockwell?

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    1. I haven't tried Som's yet, but Thai Resa isn't like other Thai restaurants I've visited. The flavors are quite adjusted to Pinoy palates, but food is still really good :)

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  5. i wouldn't mind if the place has no aircon. i love thai food and pad thai is one of my favorites! how to get there?

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    1. I'm not so sure since I'm the one who drives, but I plotted Thai Resa in this map ;)

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  6. delish! i like the pretty purple motiff. it's been awhile since we visited a Thai restaurant. I'd love some Pad Thai next weekend. wish me luck =)

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  7. I am glad to know that there are Thai restos that are afforfable and yummy!

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  8. I would love to try tha Bagoong Fried Rice! :)

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  9. I think for the ambiance and taste, you get what you paid for. Foods are looking good though.

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  10. being a fan of your blog, seems that it is your first time to cover in a humble resto? lol.. i will try this soon as it is only in QC. hehe.

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    1. I like eating in hole-in-the-wall restos and I've actually been to quite a few. Didn't expect lang that there'll be a one serving Thai cuisine.. ^^

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  11. I love the purple plates! The shredded catfish looks good (and all other dishes in photos) but I'd try the catfish please!

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  12. i want to try the crispy tilapia, the food they are serving looks so good and w/ reasonable price.

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  13. Yums! Everything certainly looks yummy, however, I'd be apprehensive to try the Tom Yum Goong because I really don't like the hot and sour combination.. :P But I will try anything once.. :P hehe

    The prices are affordable too, how awesome, this is going to my list of places I need to try out when I get to Manila.. :)

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  14. Mayroon ba silang papaya pokpok? Naku i would love to try pero super layo kailangan ko pa sumakay ng plane hehe

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  15. I am a sucker for Thai Iced Tea. They are just so good perfect for one hot summer day or for anytime of the day really. hehehe.. Those foods your posted are so yummy looking. I am so drooling now. hehehe... Yummy!

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  16. I've been hearing a lot of raves about Thai Resa :) I might have my lunch here with bf soon.

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  17. OH MAN! You are bad...haha haven't have dinner yet and i bumped your page! Now am starving!!! hehehe. Btw the husband and I loves thai cuisine :)

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  18. This is a lively looking restaurant. I just expressed in my blog weeks ago on how i am dying to try Thai Cuisine. I heard from friends kasi who's been to Thailand na masarap daw. Hmn, i would love to try this place.

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  19. cool... that's one place im sure to visit when i'll visit manila... that's because of your good rating of it.

    cheers!

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  20. wow! the place and the food they serve looks good..

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  21. Those foods are delish Sis especially the one with the fish. I only eat restaurant especially when I am so hungry :-) I should start writing my thoughts about a restaurant that I tried :-)

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  22. omy this food looks so delish! how i wish to find a thai restau too to taste their cuisine.

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  23. The color scheme of the resto makes it very comfy and relaxing. I am not really into Thai cuisine but I would love to try one soon :)

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  24. besides looking yummy, you took photos very vividly :)

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  25. Wow that is really awesome food. They look so yummy and Thai foods are just delicious.

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  26. Hubby and I both love Thai cuisine. His fave is Pad Thai and mine is their mainstreet noodle :-)

    You food pictures make me crave for Thai food now :-)

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  27. My husband and I should visit this place. I love bagoong fried rice.

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  28. how do you find such great restaurant finds! sayang, they don't have aircon, my son has allergic rhinitis so we don't really try out restos na open and nakakalanghap ng pollution from outside :(

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  29. looks like it's one affordable place. i love your pictures, it makes me want to try one.

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  30. great find there, Sumi! I love Thai food! and the hole-in-the-wall factor makes it all the more interesting. will definitely try Thai Resa.

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  31. Ang layo sa amin nito. Sana may branch sila malapit sa LP. Try mo rin Sen Lek Sen. :)

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  32. wow!...as always..everytime I visit yout blog nag lalaway ako..
    they all look really delish!
    tagal kong hindi nakavisit dito..you change your template na rin pala.. nice!

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  33. ay bet ko to!
    at pareho tayo, most favorite ko din ang crispy catfish saladd. hehe

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  34. Oh my! I wanna bring my family here! Will visit there soon! Looks delish! ;)

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  35. Wow!Thai on a budget!At malapit lang, I like:)

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  36. Ohhh, budget thai resto is a must to try! ^_^

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  37. omg, the photos are heaveny! ang sarap, picture palang!

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  38. Crispy tilapia looks so good! I will definitely try this when I'm near the area.

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  39. Wow I wanna visit this place too! nice article everyone would crave for these Thai delicacies:)

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  40. Wow. Can't wait to visit this place :)

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  41. Just got to try this place! Loved their dishes! <3

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  42. Thai cuisine at a good price have to try all their meals.

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  43. Oh my... Its funny... This resto is just like few houses away from mines... As in literaly stone throw away but havent tried eating there. Maybe later for lunch LOL

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  44. Wow! My favorite Thai foods are here: the Tom Yum Goong and Pad Thai. Great...

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  45. Whoa the food really looks authentic Thai dishes. I hope to be able to visit soon. :)

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  46. AWESOME PICS AND NICE WRITE UP! THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US INFORMED WITH YOUR FOOD REVIEW POSTS! ♥♥♥

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  47. Ill be on the PAd thai... Looking and surely tasting great, Im a fan of anyhting that is noodles :)

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  48. Wow! I also love Thai foods. I'll definitely try eating in this restaurant :) Thanks for your post!

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  49. mouth watering! i must include this on my to do list! ;) ill definitely try this out :)

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  50. odie:

    love thai food! will try the food of this resto one of this days! seems that crispy tilapia with thai-resa sauce and green mango salad is yummlicious!

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  51. Wow! Thai Foods in the Thai Resto. Love it! Hope i could visit the place so that i can taste great food.. :))

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  52. We've been looking for the perfect restaurant for our next food trip and fortunately our group decided that it would be Thai this time. This one looks great!

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  53. I tried Korean and Japanese food.. honestly haven't tried Thai food yet, but the Beef Green Curry looks super good. I like to try the Tom Yum Goong, too! And the sweetened Thai Iced Tea looks great, I love iced tea drinks! Hope to try this...

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  54. Too bad it's so far from where I live. Everything looks so yummy pa naman.

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  55. i'm a fan of thai food but never got the popularity of pad thai. lol.

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  57. Thai food have interesting flavor that wins the taste buds of many Filipinos, we like variations, different flavors in one dish is certainly a steal!

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  58. The foods featured here are truly affordable. But I wonder, which of the Thai restaurants you blogged about is the best in terms of ambiance and the taste of food?

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  59. The food looks delicoius and affordable for a thai restaurant

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