Rak Somtam at Kota Damansara: Review

Terrific Thai temptations that tickle the taste buds & linger in the memory – Rak Somtam is well worth the trip to Kota Damansara, helmed by a Malaysian restaurateur & his Thai wife, with a kitchen crew that hails largely from north of our border.

Som Tam

Start with som tam (RM12.90) – fulfilling the promise of its name, Rak Somtam serves one of the most satisfying shredded papaya salads we’ve tried in the Klang Valley, with each juicy, crunchy bite supplying a bevy of invigorating flavours, beautifully balanced in their complex, sweet-sour-spicy nuances, complemented by creamy salted eggs and crispy peanuts.

Braised Pork Leg

We were also pleasantly surprised by the braised pork leg (RM21.90), with irresistible layers of meat, fat & skin that proved even more succulent than expected, served in a mellow, aromatic broth that was far from cloying or artificial-tasting. A dish of harmonious flavours & textures that’s likely to haunt our dreams & stir up strong yearnings from time to time.

Thumbs up as well for the pork neck salad, with compellingly tender slices of well-marinated meat enhanced with fiery chillies, & the Chiang Mai-inspired pork belly curry, a rich recipe with voluptuous chunks of meat in mildly tangy gravy laced with lemongrass & other potently fragrant elements. Both of these aren’t on the formal menu yet but should be available on request.

BBQ Pork Skewers, Braised Glass Noodles with Prawns, Sticky Rice and Coconut Ice Cream

BBQ pork skewers (RM10.90 for three sticks), braised glass noodles with prawns (RM21.90) & sticky rice (RM2.50) all help to reinforce our confidence in the kitchen’s competence. Don’t skip dessert – the coconut ice cream (RM10.90) is a buoyant medley of soft, subtle-in-flavour ice cream with corn, peanuts & attap-chee. Many thanks to Rak Somtam for having us here.