Did your roommate forget to take the chicken out of the freezer? Are you unsure what you’d like for dinner? Simply out of food at home? If you fall under any of these lines, or even if you don’t, there is a new Thai restaurant you may be interested in!
Thai Harrisonburg is a brand new family-owned restaurant on Port Republic Road by JMU. I first saw it when my friend Erika Lopez came to our first Weather Vane meeting with a menu from the restaurant. Immediately, I was interested in going right after I saw the Spicy Korean Fried Rice. I knew then and there, I would be going, and getting exactly that.
Aided by the fact that my roommate forgot to set out the chicken in the freezer that morning, myself, him, and some friends went on a whim. I sat down and didn’t even need to think about what I was going to order. Menu item N17, Spicy Korean Fried Rice, with fried duck.
After about 15 minutes post-ordering, my food was brought out, steaming hot, and I was entranced by the rice, the duck, and the sides on the plate. I knew my fairly empty stomach would be fulfilled by this plate. First bite, I tried the duck. Immediately I was hit with a combination of spicy, well-cooked, and well-seasoned duck. Just tender enough, with a bit of crispness. Next, the rice. When you first bite into it, the flavor melts into your melt. Cooked enough that it isn’t too uncooked, but not too soft. Next, I mixed all the food together, the rice, vegetables, and duck all blended together amazingly well, and I knew I ordered the right thing for me.
The restaurant had a customizable spice level, I got spice level 2, and I found it to be a perfect blend of spice and flavor. I thoroughly enjoy food that is spicy, that tastes good, and do not enjoy food that is simply extremely spicy, and nothing else. The combination of the food being mildly hot temperature-wise, and just spicy enough made it all just all the more enjoyable.
The food also passes my leftover review as well. You get a LOT of food with the fried rice and duck, enough to have two more meals in my case. With each reheat, it still tasted fine, although the duck just got a wee bit rubbery, but I expected that.
Overall, this is a very nice spot to go on a date to, go out with friends to, or grab some good dinner when you’re in a pinch.