The Charm of Thai Cuisine Lies in Herbs! Interview with Kaori Miyawaki, Owner of Chang Thai Restaurant
Chang Thai Restaurant is currently (February 2020) the only Thai restaurant in Kurashiki City. Why did you decide to start a Thai restaurant in Kurashiki?
Miyawaki
Originally, this house is my family home.
Before the renovation, we started by turning a room of a regular house into a dining area.
I got married to a Thai husband and started living in Kurashiki, but I guess I started to miss the taste of my hometown.
Since there was no Thai restaurant in Kurashiki, I thought, "Then I'll have my husband make it," and that's how this restaurant began.
At the time of opening, we offered three dishes: "Gapao Rice," "Tom Yum Goong," and "Thai Curry."
These three are the chef's signature dishes.
Thai cuisine has the image of being spicy, but do customers prefer spicy flavors?
Miyawaki
No, that's not the case.
To ensure that even those who are not good with spicy food can enjoy it, we allow customers to choose the level of spiciness from level 0, which is without chili, to level 5, which is medium spicy in Thailand.
Actually, I have never been good with spicy food (laughs).
I think it's amazing to see customers gradually leveling up their spice tolerance.
There are also dishes in Thai cuisine that are not spicy, and sometimes the original Thai spiciness can be too much for Japanese people, so I want them to enjoy it according to their preferences.
What do you think is the charm of Thai cuisine that captivates so many regular customers?
Miyawaki
While spiciness is one aspect, herbs are very important in Thai cuisine.
For example, even when it comes to basil, the basil for Gapao Rice is sweet basil, while for Thai curry, we use holy basil, changing the type accordingly.
Since we use a lot of herbs, it's good for the body and can energize you.
Some regular customers say, "I crave it regularly," which I am grateful for.
Earlier, we talked about spiciness, but is there a difference in seasoning compared to the local Thai cuisine?
Miyawaki
I try to faithfully reproduce the local Thai flavors as much as possible, and I go to Thailand several times a year to purchase herbs and seasonings.
Of course, there are some ingredients available in Japan, but I have a commitment to certain seasonings that must be sourced locally.
I don't particularly tailor the dishes to Japanese tastes, but Thai cuisine generally has many side dishes that go well with white rice, so they are inherently suited to Japanese preferences.
It has been about 10 years since the restaurant opened (2009). Have there been any changes in customer reactions?
Miyawaki
Yes, recently there has been an increase in customers who are accustomed to eating Thai food or have actually traveled to Thailand.
The cilantro boom and the spicy food trend have also helped raise awareness of Thai cuisine significantly.
Many of our regular customers have their go-to dishes.
When I get a call, I can immediately think of, "This dish for Mr. ○○" or "That dish for Ms. ○○" (laughs).
I also want to reach that level of familiarity soon! Thank you very much.
Deliciousness and Kindness. Chang Thai Restaurant Loved by Many Fans
"How is Chang Thai? Would you like to do an interview?"
When I was asked this, I internally did a big fist pump.
Because I was already one of the captivated fans of Chang Thai Restaurant.
"I find myself wanting to consume it regularly."
"I can't do without Chang Thai's Thai curry."
I deeply nodded at each word from the regular customers, feeling like I wanted to applaud as a fellow Chang Thai enthusiast, saying, "I understand, me too!"
"When I hear a customer's name, the menu comes to mind."
This is what Ms. Miyawaki shared.
From her demeanor while serving customers, I felt a natural kindness.
The subtle kindness she shows to each customer may be the charm of Chang Thai.
Please visit the only addictive Thai cuisine world in Kurashiki.
Data on Chang Thai Restaurant
| Name | Chang Thai Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-4-11 Hinode-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-1186-5943 |
| Parking | Available 3 cars in front of the store |
| Business Hours | Lunch: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Last order at 2:00 PM. Reservations preferred, ends when sold out) Dinner: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Last order at 9:00 PM. Reservations preferred, ends when sold out) |
| Regular Holidays | Wednesday Other irregular holidays may apply |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservations | Accepted Reservations preferred for both lunch and dinner, ends when sold out |
| Seating | 20 seats: 4 tables for 2, 2 tables for 2, 4 tatami mats for 2 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
